Spain
Olga Carmona scored in Spain's 1-0 Women's World Cup win. Then she learned her father had died
Olga Carmona, whose goal won the Women's World Cup for Spain on Sunday, learned after the final of her father's death, the Spanish soccer federation said.
He had been ill and died while Carmona's mother and other relatives traveled to Australia to watch her play in the final, the federation said early Monday, without giving more detail on the cause of death.
Also read : Spain wins its first Women's World Cup title, beating England 1-0 in the final
The family decided to wait until after the title celebrations to give Carmona the news.
"And without knowing it, I had my Star before the game started," Carmona said on X, formerly known as Twitter, along with a photo of her kissing the winners' medal. "I know that you gave me the strength to achieve something unique. I know that you were watching me tonight and that you are proud of me. Rest in peace, dad."
Also read : Is it coming home? England looks to bring Women's World Cup trophy back to the birthplace of soccer
After the final whistle, she was among the Spanish players celebrating and dancing on the field, and appeared to participate normally during the trophy presentation.
"We love you, Olga," the federation said on X. "You are part of the history of Spanish soccer."
Carmona scored with a left-footed strike in the 29th minute to give Spain a 1-0 victory over England in Sydney, Australia. She had also scored a late winner in La Roja's 2-1 win over Sweden in the semifinals to become the first player since American Carli Lloyd in 2015 to score in a World Cup semifinal and final.
Also read : Australia edge France on penalties to reach the Women's World Cup semifinals, will face England
The 23-year-old Carmona was named the final's most valuable player on Sunday. She had celebrated her goal with a tribute to a friend who recently lost her mother.
"I think all of us, we felt that this team had something special," the Real Madrid defender said after Spain won the title.
Madrid released a statement Sunday night about her father's death and offering condolences to the player and her family.
Carmona's Spain teammate Irene Paredes lost her father a few days before Spain began its preparations for the World Cup. The defender dedicated the title to him on Sunday.
Before the news of the death of Carmona's father, the federation said that title celebrations were set to take place after the squad's arrival in Madrid on Monday night.
It wasn't clear if the celebrations would go ahead as scheduled or if Carmona would participate in any way.
Spain wins its first Women's World Cup title, beating England 1-0 in the final
Spain won its first Women's World Cup title less than a year after a player rebellion, holding off England 1-0 on Sunday after Olga Carmona's first-half goal.
Spain's first major international trophy made it the first European team to win the Women's World Cup since Germany in 2007.
Also read : Is it coming home? England looks to bring Women's World Cup trophy back to the birthplace of soccer
At the final whistle the Spanish players piled on each other in front of their goal.
Carmona's left-foot shot in the 29th minute went into the far corner of the net and just out of reach of diving England goalkeeper Mary Earps.
Also read : Australia edge France on penalties to reach the Women's World Cup semifinals, will face England
In celebration she raised her jersey to reveal the word "Merchi" scrawled in ink on her undershirt, an apparent nod to her former school.
Carmona also scored the game-winner in the 89th minute of Spain's 2-1 semifinal victory over Sweden, becoming the first player since Carli Lloyd in 2015 to score in a World Cup semifinal and final.
Also read : The future is uncertain for the United States after crashing out of the Women's World Cup
Spain had a chance to double the lead in the 68th but Jenni Hermoso's penalty attempt was saved by Earps, who anticipated perfectly and dived to her left.
Spain's victory comes despite a near-mutiny by players last year. Fifteen players said they were stepping away from the national team for their mental health while also calling for a more professional environment.
Three of those players — Ona Batlle, Aitana Bonmatí and Mariona Caldentey — reconciled with the federation and were at the World Cup.
England had momentum going into the tournament after winning the European Championship at home last summer. But three of the team's best players, captain Leah Williamson, Fran Kirby and Beth Mead, all had knee injuries that kept them off the World Cup squad.
England coach Sarina Wiegman was the first coach to take her teams to back-to-back World Cup title matches. She led the Netherlands to the final in 2019, but fell 2-0 to the United States. She's now 0-2.
England was coming off a 3-1 victory over host Australia in the semifinal. Lauren James, who was the team's top scorer with three goals and three assists, was forced to sit out two matches because of a suspension for stomping on Nigeria's Michelle Alozie to open the knockout stage.
While James was available for the final, Wiegman started Ella Toone. James came into the match to start the second half.
The game was briefly interrupted in the 25th minute by a person who raced onto the field but was quickly tackled by security.
One of England's best chances was in the 16th when Lauren Hemp's blast caromed off the crossbar. A minute later, Salma Paralluelo raced to the goal but couldn't get a clean shot and Earps stopped Alba Redondo's attempt in the scramble in front of the net.
Vilda started 19-year-old Paralluelo, who scored the breakthrough goal for Spain against Sweden, and the game-winner in extra time over the Netherlands in the quarterfinals.
Paralluelo's nearly scored seconds from half time but her shot hit the post. She was handed a yellow card in the 78th minute for a foul on Alex Greenwood, who had a cut above her eye.
Hemp had another chance in the 54th but sent it wide. A minute later she was handed a yellow card for a foul on Laia Codina.
Spain had a chance to double the lead in the 68th after a video review awarded a penalty after Keira Walsh's handball. But Earps kept England in the game, as she did with a succession of saves late.
Coach Jorge Vilda had a challenge in working around two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas, who was still working her way back from a torn ACL last year. For the final, Putellas was on the bench at the start.
Putellas went into the game with 15 seconds left in regulation, but there were 13 minutes of stoppage time.
There were 75,784 fans at the final at Stadium Australia, including tennis great Billie Jean King.
The two teams met last year in the quarterfinals of the Euros, with England coming from behind to beat Spain 2-1 in extra time on Georgia Stanway's goal.
Spain Travel Guide: Top 10 Must-Visit Places
The ancient European peninsula which the Romans used to call Hispania is today’s Spain. A country of just 47 million people is home to a rich history, cultural diversity, and tons of attractions. From the streets of Barcelona, and alleyways of Seville to the majestic landscape of Granada, this southwestern European country is sure to enthrall travellers. Let’s go on a journey of the top 10 must-visit places and attractions in Spain to plan the perfect itinerary. Vamos!
Top 10 Places to Visit in Spain
Barcelona
Home to the famous European club and the capital of the Catalonia region, Barcelona has a plethora of attractions. Start off the trip at the magnificent La Sagrada Familia which is still under construction. Head over to Park Güell to relax and unwind. Visit the Gothic Quarter on La Rambla for a spooky experience. Barcelona is famous for its Flamenco dances, so don’t miss out on it.
Barcelona Mobile World Congress: Telecom giants display future of 5G revolution
A demonstration on how the use of 5G will make it possible to secure high-risk industrial management in the future has been exhibited at the ongoing Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain.
King Felipe of Spain on Monday inaugurated the four-day conference of all the telecom companies of the world. Some 80,000 delegates are expected at the annual gathering of the big players of the telecom industry.
At the Mobile World Congress, many tech manufacturers are announcing 5G technology for virtual interactive applications, robot clusters, automated driving, smart wearables, automated patrol inspections, smart mining, smart tunneling, and other applications in coal mining.
The 5G has been the centre of attention at this year’s congress. The industry giants have been demonstrating the necessary use of 5G technologies not only in industrial production but also in people’s lives. The demonstrations of 5 G-powered devices include, among others, unmanned helicopters and routers.
T-Mobile is exhibiting unmanned helicopters. This helicopter can take off and land safely with passengers without a pilot. The helicopter can even make an emergency landing by choosing the nearest safe place if it detects any adverse conditions while flying in the sky. The 5G router will be completely different from the current routers.
Meanwhile, the 5G technology will completely overhaul the routers we see today. The 5G-powered wireless routers will only connect to the network through a code from a specific operator. And with the bandwidth that this router will have, it will be possible to keep all kinds of smart devices in the family connected to high-speed Internet.
Mobile World Congress kicks off in Barcelona
King Felipe VI of Spain on Monday inaugurated the Mobile World Congress (MWC)-2023, an annual get-together of the big players of the telecom industry.
Some 80,000 delegates are expected at the four-day get-together of all the industrial titans, which is back to near full strength following years of pandemic-related disruption.
The Spanish King inaugurated the congress in front of about one and a half million people in Barcelona. The country’s president Prado Sanchez also attended the opening ceremony.
One of the aspects of this year’s event is the addition of ‘Velocity’, the outline of an upcoming smart world. Velocity is a global initiative by the telecom industries around the world which is the centre of focus in this year’s Mobile World Congress (MWC).
According to the velocity initiative, nearly one billion people will be connected to the 5G network by the end of 2023. Countries around the world are expected to come under smart technologies from next year.
The initiative was taken to ensure that no country is left behind on the way forward to digital transformation.
In a world divided by culture, ethnicity, and language, the velocity initiative also aims to bridge the gap among the people around the world.
Hundreds of thousands of tech enthusiasts from more than 200 countries attended the opening ceremony of the event. At the ceremony, King Felipe called on everyone to ensure the humane use of technology for the future.
“We will go further with technology. However, innovators and service providers need to be aware that their technology doesn't dehumanize people and turn them into heartless machines,” he said.
The telecom industry giants have pledged to be at the forefront of the "tsunami of innovation."
"We are at the doors of a new change of era driven by the intersection of Telco, Computing, Artificial Intelligence and Web3," said Jose Maria Alvarez-Pallete, boss of Spanish operator Telefonica and current chairman of industry body GSMA, which organizes the Barcelona event.
He promised the telecoms industry would be at the forefront of the "tsunami of innovation", adding: "Without telcos there is no digital future."
GSMA Chairman said, the purpose of this year's Mobile World Congress is a little different than before, which is reflected in the main theme. This year's main theme is to ensure the use of information technology to build a world free from poverty
This year's Mobile World Congress has the exhibition center of ten thousand companies from almost two hundred countries. Industrial titans like Huawei, Nokia and Samsung are set to showcase their latest innovations, flanked by smartphone makers like Oppo and Xiaomi and network operators like Orange, Verizon, and China Mobile.
The world is now gripped by a fear that the machine is leading to the destruction of human civilization. Tech giants from around the world said they are working on humanizing the machines. They’re also showing people how technology is changing people's lives and the pattern of work.
According to the innovators attending the conference, it is now necessary for people to learn about new technologies. Technology will not replace people’s jobs, rather it will make their work easier, they said.
Spain: Hundreds of thousands march for Madrid’s healthcare
Hundreds of thousands of Spaniards flooded the streets of Madrid on Sunday for the largest protest yet against the regional government’s management of the capital city’s health care services.
Over 250,000 people rallied in the city center, according to the central Spanish government. Organizers claimed the crowd was bigger by several hundred thousand. Many protest participants carried homemade signs with messages in Spanish like “The right to health is a human right. Defend the health service.”
Health worker associations led the demonstration, which was backed by left-wing parties, unions and normal citizens concerned with what they see as the dismantling of the public health care system by the Madrid region’s conservative-led government.
ALso Read: Spain’s support sought to expedite release of 5 detained Bangladeshi nationals
These groups have taken to the streets on a regular basis in recent months, and their movement is gathering strength.
Madrid’s regional chief, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, alleges the protests are motivated by the political interests of left-wing rivals ahead of May regional elections across most of Spain.
Health care workers claim that Díaz Ayuso’s administration spends the least amount per capita on primary health care of any Spanish region even though it has the highest per capita income. They say that for every 2 euros spent on health care in Madrid, one ends up in the private sector.
Critics of her administration say that produces long waits for patients and overworked doctors and nurses.
Spain has a hybrid health care system, but the public sector is larger than the private one and is considered a basic pillar of the state. It is run by Spain’s regions.
Spain’s support sought to expedite release of 5 detained Bangladeshi nationals
Bangladesh has urged Spain to expedite the efforts for releasing five Bangladeshi nationals detained in a prison in Galicia province.
At a bilateral meeting with Director General for Consular Affairs Xavier Martí Martí of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation of Spain held in Madrid recently, Bangladesh Ambassador to Spain Mohammad Sarwar Mahmood solicited support from the Spanish Foreign Ministry in expediting the release of five Bangladeshi nationals.
The Spanish Director General for Consular Affairs assured the Ambassador that he would take up the issues with the concerned authorities and necessary steps would be taken, said a media release.
Bangladesh Ambassador Mahmood also sought simplification of visa procedures for Bangladeshi nationals seeking to travel to Spain.
The Ambassador said Spain is Bangladesh's second largest export destination in the EU while Bangladesh is Spain’s fourth largest trade partner in Asia.
Read More: It's not necessary to use visa broker to apply for US visa: Embassy
Bilateral relations in trade, investment and other prospective areas are expanding day by day, he said.
Simplification and easing of visa process would contribute to the expansion of the relations further and reap benefits for the two peoples, particularly for private sector entrepreneurs and businessmen, said the Ambassador.
For Spanish residence, Bangladeshi expatriates are required to produce a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs of Bangladesh, rather than by the Department of Police.
The Ambassador said more than 50,000 Bangladeshis staying in Spain constitute the second largest expatriates' community in the EU.
“They make significant contributions to both the economies. Digitalized PCC issued by the Department of Police of Bangladesh is acceptable to and recognized by all countries of the world, except Spain,: he said.
Obtaining a PCC from the Ministry of Home affairs is a very tedious, time-consuming and burdensome process.
Since all Bangladeshi passports are now either Machine Readable Passports (MRPs) or E-Passports, if Spain accepts PCC issued by the Department of Police and subsequently legalized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh that will alleviate people's sufferings a lot, said the Ambassador.
The Ambassador also requested Spain to consider expatriates' Marriage Certificates issued and legalized by the competent authorities in Bangladesh acceptable.
He said the Spanish economy could be benefitted by recruiting skilled workforce and professionals from Bangladesh, particularly in the agriculture and ICT sectors.
Dani Alves arrested in Spain for alleged sexual assault
Brazilian soccer player Dani Alves was arrested Friday after being accused of sexually assaulting a woman in Spain.
The alleged act took place on Dec. 31 at a night club in Barcelona, police told The Associated Press.
Alves will now go before a judge, who will decide on the charges.
The charge of sexual assault in Spain can mean anything from unsolicited and unwanted sexual groping to rape. Police said they could give no detail on the case.
Read more: Neymar loses Brazil captaincy to Dani Alves for Copa America
The 39-year-old Alves is one of soccer’s most successful players, winning major titles with several elite clubs, including Barcelona, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain over his long career. He currently plays with Mexican club Pumas.
The defender was a key part of Barcelona’s golden years playing between 2008-2016 on the team’s right flank with Lionel Messi. He won the Champions League three times with the Catalan club, which he briefly rejoined last season.
Arab fans in Qatar rally behind Morocco
Moroccans in Qatar are feeling the love from across the Arab world ahead of their country’s World Cup clash with Spain on Tuesday.
After their own teams were eliminated from the first World Cup in the Middle East, many Qatari, Saudi and Tunisian fans in Doha are now rallying behind Morocco — the last Arab team left in the tournament.
At Marrakech, a Moroccan restaurant in Doha, some employees were moved by the outpouring of support. Some even dared to dream big for the national team.
“All Arab countries felt the joy for us and helped us feel the joy,” Yassin al- Youssfi said as he poured Moroccan tea wearing the team’s bright red shirt. “I hope this feeling lasts when we hold up the cup. It will be held by Moroccan hands.”
The Atlas Lions clinched first place in Group F ahead of 2018 finalist Croatia and semifinalist Belgium, reaching the round of 16 in a World Cup for the first time since 1986. One more victory for Morocco would mean the country’s first trip to the quarterfinals.
Morocco’s success caused an outpouring of joy in the Arab world. Celebrations spread from Gaza City to Cairo. In Doha, the Moroccan community felt at home.
“In any place in Qatar, you’d find people congratulating you and cheering for you,” said Naouel Farih, chef at the Marrakech restaurant. “It gives a person so much pride and happiness that the Moroccan team reached the last 16.”
Fans draped in Morocco’s national flag gathered in Doha’s Souq Waqif bazaar on Sunday and danced late into the night in an impromptu street party. Some chanted in Arabic: “Congratulations to us on this beginning! It will go on and on!”
Read more: Flashes of Arab unity at World Cup after years of discontent
“I feel like I am in Morocco!” said Ibrahim Boutahar, a Moroccan fan who lives in Doha and joined the dancing, chanting and ululating crowd. “The vibe is Moroccan, the music ... the rituals.”
The support from other Arab and African countries has been welcomed also by fans watching the World Cup from home in Morocco.
Kadr Ighiri, a 51-year-old working in human resources in Casablanca, said he believes that backing has provided a boost for the team and will help it against Spain on Tuesday.
The Moroccan players “feel like they are playing at home,” Ighiri said. “That is key.”
Read more: Arabs unite in celebration as Morocco advances in World Cup
World Cup redemption for Japan coach 29 years later in Qatar
The “Agony of Doha” came 29 years ago, and Hajime Moriyasu experienced it first-hand as a midfielder on Japan’s national soccer team.
He’s now the coach, and he’s made amends.
Japan won its World Cup group on Thursday after beating 2010 champion Spain 2-1 at the Khalifa International Stadium. Last week, the team defeated 2014 champion Germany by the same score at the same venue.
Read more: Arabs unite in celebration as Morocco advances in World Cup
As time was winding down against Spain, Moriyasu was thinking about that game in Qatar against Iraq in 1993 that cost the team a spot in the next year’s tournament.
“About one minute before the end,” Moriyasu said after the win over Spain, “I remembered the tragedy in Doha.”
Leading 2-1 in the team’s final qualifier and knowing one goal for the opposition would spell the end, Japan conceded in stoppage time. Their World Cup hopes were dashed, and so was Moriyasu’s chances of playing at the biggest soccer tournament in the world. This time it was different. This time the defense held it together. This time the 54-year-old Moriyasu got his Hollywood ending by winning Group E.
“I could feel that the times have changed,” Moriyasu said, praising his team’s aggressive defending. “They are playing a new kind of soccer, that’s how I felt.”
Japan’s resistance on the field was typified by 34-year-old captain Maya Yoshida. The veteran central defender reacted fastest when a loose ball in the 90th minute bounced in the goalmouth, up in front of a gaping empty net, after goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda blocked a shot by Jordi Alba.
Yoshida twisted his body to beat Marco Asensio to the ball and clear the danger. When Spain forward Dani Olmo took control seconds later, Gonda blocked his shot with a smothering dive.
Read more: Germany’s soul-searching begins after another World Cup flop
On the offensive side, Japan scored in the 48th and 51st minutes. Against Germany, the goals came in the 75th and 83rd.
“In 10 minutes we were dismantled,” Spain coach Luis Enrique said.
Up next is Croatia, a team that reached the final four years ago in Russia. Another victory on Monday would put Japan in the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time.
“We,” the coach said, “are gifting this win to the people of Japan.”