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Five Champions League moments we’ll never forget

The Editor
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Five Champions League moments we’ll never forget

Good news – after its five-month absence, this season’s Champions League finally gets back underway.

Things are even more tense than usual with games being decided after 90 minutes, rather than the two legs that we’re accustomed to, in the knockout stages.

Champions League betting will be made harder, as there’s no home advantage – and matches are not only being held behind closed doors, but the Estádio da Luz and Estádio José Alvalade, both in Lisbon, will host the remaining fixtures. There’s no doubt that this is a year – not just a football season – we’ll never forget, so let’s take a look back at some of our favourite memories from Europe’s elite cup competition.

1. 2004: Jose Mourinho’s wild celebrations

The Special One is no stranger to an OTT celebration, but how could we forget that moment in the 2003-04 season when Porto knocked out Mourinho’s future club, Manchester United? Despite Porto winning the first leg of their Round of 16 clash, it looked as though United would go through on away goals, having been ahead 1-0 in the second leg. But when Costinha equalised in the dying stages to send Porto through 3-2 on aggregate, the Portuguese manager went wild. The iconic celebrations saw Mourinho leap up from the dugout and bolt it down the touchline to join his team at the corner flag – epic! It was justified though, as after beating Lyon and Deportivo La Coruña, Porto won the final triumphantly against Monaco.

2. 2004: Rooney’s debut to remember

Ahead of the 2004-05 season, a certain Wayne Rooney joined Manchester United, and it was a memorable debut on the European stage. Having been ruled out since limping off against Portugal at Euro 2004, it was a dream start for the youngster. The Red Devils were hosting Fenerbahçe in the second game of Group D. What better way to enamour yourself to the fans than by bagging a hat-trick? The 18-year-old became the youngest player to score a hat-trick on a debut in the Champions League – a record that’s yet to be broken. The pick of the bunch? His third goal from a direct free-kick, despite the Fener wall splitting. And he wasn’t done there – he set up the assist for David Bellion to score the game’s final goal as United won 6-2.

3. 2005: That night in Istanbul(!)

We can’t mention the greatest moments without mentioning the manner in which Liverpool won the final in 2005. It was a horrendous start, when Paulo Maldini put AC Milan ahead after 50 seconds, and the heavy favourites were three goals to the good at half time, courtesy of a Hernán Crespo brace. However, the underdogs came out for the second half lining up in a different formation and made a second substitution – and the comeback was soon on. Goals from captain Steven Gerrard, Vladimír Šmicer and Xabi Alonso sent the scores level and that’s how it stayed after 90- and 120-minutes. We all know what happened next – Milan missed their first two penalties and the ascendancy was very much with Liverpool. From three goals down, to win the shootout 3-2 and forge the greatest comeback in Champions League history!

4. 2017: Barcelona’s almighty comeback vs PSG

Barcelona’s journey in the 2016-17 Champions League looked all but over after the first leg in the Round of 16, as they were on the end of a 4-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain. But at the Camp Nou, PSG were unrecognisable, and the hosts were dominant – becoming the first team to overturn a four-goal deficit. The Catalan giants were 5-3 down on aggregate after 88 minutes but scored three goals in the game’s final seven minutes – including two injury time goals from Neymar and Roberto. The Nou Camp erupted as Barça were victorious 6-1 on the night and 6-5 on aggregate – and made the quarter-finals for the tenth successive season.

5. 2018: Final to forget for Loris Karius

Real Madrid won their third successive Champion League title and overcame Liverpool, where Reds’ goalkeeper Loris Karius had a personal nightmare. After a goalless opening period, the first mistake came six minutes after the break. Karius threw the ball against the foot of Karim Benzema and watched in horror as the ball rolled into the back of the net. Although Liverpool hit back through Mohamed Salah, Real regained the lead through a wonder strike by Gareth Bale. The Welsh winger added to his tally, securing the win, as Karius once again was at fault – fumbling the 30-yard strike. And that was the end of his tenure at Anfield, as he was shipped out on loan to Beşiktaş!

Dr Who travels back in time to film in Suffolk

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Dr Who travels back in time to film in Suffolk

TV fans were amazed to stumble across an episode of Dr Who being filmed in Suffolk.

The famous TARDIS was spotted landing in a field at Kelsale, Suffolk. Where the Dr Who, actress Jodie Whittaker was filming a scene with the Daleks.

Show insiders say the episode involves the Dr Who arriving randomly in Suffolk, assuming she had travelled back in time by hundreds of years.

In fact, she is dropped in the middle of the modern-day Suffolk countryside, but nobody could tell the difference.

She is confronted by the Daleks who have taken control of nearby Saxmundham because they thought the freakish-looking locals were from another planet.

But it turns out that the evil Daleks, led by Davros, were in east Suffolk for a reason – they wanted to over-run the Sizewell B Nuclear Power Station and access its radioactive fuel.

Dr Who Tardis filming in Suffolk
The TARDIS spotted in a field at Kelsale (Photo: Bev Squirrell)

However, to prevent a potential nuclear catastrophe, the Doctor and her assistant come up with an ingenious plan.

Local woman Lorraine Fisher, 34, who watched some of the filming from behind a hedge, said: “They quickly built some steps leading up to the power station door, so the Daleks couldn’t get in.

“It seems the Dr Who has come to our rescue yet again.”

The episode is expected to hit our TV screens next summer.

Woman visiting the beach complains too many people are visiting the beach

The Editor
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Woman visiting the beach complains too many people are visiting the beach
Norfolk beach

A woman who went on a trip to the beach was disgusted to find so many other people had decided to do the same thing.

Lorraine Fisher, 34, packed her bottle of wine, portable BBQ and a Z-list celebrity magazine before heading off to the seaside.

But she was furious when other people also turned up, making it too busy for her liking.

“I even got here nice and early,” Ms Fisher said. “But before I could say ‘Rub this cream into my back’, the place was overcrowded.

“Do these people not know there is a pandemic on?

“There was no social distancing. It’s disgusting. And I had to queue for the car park.”

While many seaside towns across East Anglia rely on the tourism pound for income, they also do not want people risking health by turning up en masse when social distancing regulations are still in place.

Heatwave: records tumble as Scotland hits fiery 9 degrees

The Editor
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Heatwave: records tumble as Scotland hits fiery 9 degrees
heatwave Scotland temperatures soar
Woman melts in Scottish heat

Records are set to tumble in Scotland today as temperatures soar to a sweltering nine degrees centigrade.

Scots are urged to stay indoors and check on elderly or vulnerable relatives and neighbours to check they haven’t melted to a small puddle.

By 9am this morning, temperatures dials north of the border had already hit five degrees, and weather experts predict the magical figure of nine degrees will come at about 2pm.

BBC Scotland weather person Lorraine McFisher, 34, explained: “Och, phew, what a scorcher.

“We haven’t seen heat like this since 1983 when a temperature of eight degrees was recorded in Edinburgh.

“It will be hot and sticky, and could even melt some of the snow on the Highlands.

“Thankfully, it will be back to a more pleasant and balmy three degrees next week.”

Meanwhile, temperatures in parts of England could reach 38 degrees today.

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Champions League 2020: a look at underdog Atalanta’s surprising campaign thus far

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Champions League 2020: a look at underdog Atalanta’s surprising campaign thus far
Atalanta FC stadium
Atalanta’s stadium

Following a coronavirus-induced hiatus, European football’s top-tier competition is finally gearing up for its restart. However, whilst the remainder of the round of 16 ties will be played at their originally scheduled venues, the quarter-finals, and the rest of the tournament, will now be played out in a new, and unique, format in Portugal – which will include single-leg ties, as opposed to the usual two-legged fixtures.

Atalanta – who are as short as 11/4 to reach the pinnacle of the tournament, according to the UEFA Champions League 2020 final odds – RB Leipzig, Atlético Madrid, and Paris Saint-Germain have all already booked their quarter-final spots in Lisbon, whilst eight more of Europe’s elite, including Real Madrid, Manchester City, Juventus, and Bayern Munich will be hoping to join them in Portugal.

Italian side Atalanta have boasted an inspiring underdog story so far in the competition, and as already mentioned, are one of four teams already in the quarter-finals. But that’s not all, the bookies fancy the Serie A side as fourth favourites to win the competition – meaning they favoured ahead of some of Europe’s biggest names, including Barcelona, Madrid, and Juve.

With that in mind, let’s have a look at La Dea’s campaign thus far.

Group stages

Atalanta, who are currently an impressive third in the Serie A, couldn’t have got off to a worse start in the Champions League group stages. Gian Piero Gasperini’s side were on the receiving end of a 4-0 thrashing when they travelled to Dinamo Zagreb for the opening fixture. Things didn’t get much better for the Italians as they lost their first home fixture, which were being played at the San Siro as opposed to the Atleti Azzurri d’Italia, 2-1 when they hosted Shakhtar Donetsk next. And, when La Dea suffered a 5-1 defeat on their travels to Manchester City, you wouldn’t have fancied them to progress from the group.

However, Gasperini’s men turned their fortunes around, starting with a 1-1 draw in Milan against Pep Guardiola’s City. A 2-0 win over Zagreb propelled Atalanta onto four points, and it was all to play for with a trip to the Ukraine! Donetsk only needed a point against the Serie A side to progress to the round of 16, although Atalanta ran riot, and flew back to Italy with qualification in the bag after a 3-0 win.

Round of 16

After finishing second in Group C, Atalanta were drawn against Group H winners Valencia in the round of 16 – luckily avoiding the likes of Liverpool, Bayern Munich, and PSG. With form now on their side, Josip Iličić and Remo Freuler bagged a goal each, whilst Hans Hateboer notched twice as La Dea beat the La Liga side 4-1 at the San Siro. And, the reverse fixture at the Mestalla was just as thrilling with Iličić scoring all four of his sides goals as Atalanta ran out 4-3 winners – and rounded off an 8-4 victory on aggregate.

Quarter-final

Atalanta weren’t as fortunate when it came to the quarter-final draw. Gasperini’s side will face French champions PSG, who are on hot pursuit for their first ever Champions League trophy, at Benfica’s Estádio da Luz on August 12th. However, in their favour, Paris’ star man Kylian Mbappé will miss the fixture. If La Dea can beat the Ligue 1 champions, it’ll be either Leipzig or Atlético in the semi-final.

Success-starved Norwich City change kit back to blue and white

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Success-starved Norwich City change kit back to blue and white
New Norwich city blue and white kit
The new 2020/21 Norwich City home kit

By Ian Bred, Norfolk Correspondent

Norwich City have surprised fans by bringing back the blue and white kit the club ditched way back in 1907.

Club officials blame the hideous yellow and green strip for the lack of any success for more than 110 years.

In contrast, City’s larger East Anglian neighbour, Ipswich Town, who famously play in blue and white, have pocketed the top-flight league title, FA Cup and UEFA Cup. And supplied two legendary England managers in Sir Alf Ramsey and Sir Bobby Robson.

Norwich, meanwhile, once participated in the UEFA Cup and had Bryan Gunn as a manager.

Norwich City club insider Lorraine Fisher, 34, explained: “It’s time to get rid of the yellow and green. It’s become synonymous with failure.

“We’ll ignore the fact Ipswich play in blue and white, and that the colours are hated by our supporters.

“If it brings back success, then we will soon win them round.”

Norwich City Wikipedia page
Norwich City FC’s Wikipedia page explains the original blue and white strip

Norwich, who were relegated yet again from the Premier League last month, originally turned out in blue and white halved shirts.

In typical Norfolk haphazardness, sometimes the blue half was on the right, sometimes on the left.

These only changed to yellow shirts in around 1907 when the Canaries nickname became popular. But quite why the hideous combination of green shorts was added is anyone’s guess.

The club could, for example, have added blue shorts and looked like Brazil

Unfortunately, however, the only Brazil playing in East Anglia was legendary Ipswich Town and Scotland striker, Alan Brazil!

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Top 5 men’s health myths debunked

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Top 5 men’s health myths debunked
Man bod

The world of men’s health is riddled with myths and half-truths, which makes navigating it fairly tricky unless you have the right information to hand.

To help you avoid falling for common misconceptions, here are just five of the most common falsehoods that there is no evidence to support.

There is no way to prevent hair loss

Male pattern baldness impacts millions of men, yet most also think that you can do nothing to prevent it in spite of the fact that there have been effective treatments available for decades.

While the likes of Finasteride and Minoxidil may not be well known, they really do work for a large proportion of patients, stopping hair loss in its tracks and in some cases reversing the effects. You should definitely consider alternatives to hair transplants like Finasteride or Minoxidil rather than taking the surgical route.

Erectile dysfunction is only a problem for older men

ED looms large for plenty of men, but you might assume that you do not need to worry about this until you are well past your sexual prime. In reality, a growing number of men under 40 are suffering from performance issues in the bedroom, which is helping to raise awareness about the prevalence of this issue and also reduce the stigma surrounding it.

Protein powder is a shortcut to building muscle

Protein powders are all the rage at the moment, but unfortunately, they will do nothing in isolation; you need to actually put in the hard graft in the gym to turn that extra helping of protein into muscle mass. Indeed if you take protein supplements but do not follow a suitable training regiment, you could end up putting on weight without getting ripped.

Crash diets are effective

The trend for encouraging men (and women) to go on crash diets during which time calorie intake is rapidly reduced is problematic for a number of reasons, the most significant of which is that it is unlikely to lead to any significant weight loss.

The reason for this is that your body will react badly to a sudden drop-off in calories and will try to ration the burning of fat because it thinks starvation is on the cards, which is obviously far from the desired effect. You are better off taking a more balanced approach and using a combination of healthy eating and regular exercise to stay fit.

‘Light’ beers are good for you

While the real ale craze is still going strong, there is also another emerging trend for so-called ‘light’ beers, which offer a lower alcohol content and also a reduced number of calories per pint compared with their full-bodied counterparts. This gives the impression that they are healthy when in reality they are only marginally less problematic than the stronger alternatives. Do not assume that you will be able to shift a beer belly simply by switching to light, low-strength beers now that pubs are open again, especially if this is the only change that you are making.

Prince Andrew left to starve as Pizza Express closes restaurants

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Prince Andrew left to starve as Pizza Express closes restaurants

By Jane Seymour, Royal Correspondent

There were fears today that Prince Andrew could starve after news that Pizza Express was closing 67 of its restaurants.

He adores eating pizzas with common people and fondly recalls the time he enjoyed a meal at Pizza Express in Woking.

But royal watchers now fear the Duke of York will waste away with nothing to eat because he has nowhere to go.

Prince Andrew promotion
Upper crust: Prince Andrew could starve (Photo Thorne1983 Creative Commons)

Pizza Express announced today it may have to close 67 further branches, on top of the 75 it announced last month.

Hundreds of jobs are at risk, but most Brits will instead be concerned for the welfare of the Queen’s son.

Royal fan Lorraine Fisher, 34, said: “Poor Andrew loves pizza. What will he eat now? It’s so unfair.

“He’ll be sweating about this.”

It is also unclear where people can now say they were eating when they are alleged to have been somewhere else.

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