All posts tagged: Madrid

Madrid demands release of Spanish-Swedish activist detained by Israel – POLITICO

Madrid demands release of Spanish-Swedish activist detained by Israel – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

Spain’s Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares accused Israel of conducting an “illegal detention in international waters” and called for the immediate release of an activist who was taken in for questioning by Israeli authorities. An aid flotilla bound for Gaza was intercepted by Israeli authorities in international waters in the Mediterranean Sea, according to media reports on Friday. Following the interception, Saif Abukeshek, who is a Spanish-Swedish citizen, and Thiago Ávila, a Brazilian national, were brought to Israel, according a social media post by Israel’s foreign ministry. Source link

Kostyuk’s lucky shorts steal the show after Madrid triumph

Kostyuk’s lucky shorts steal the show after Madrid triumph

Published by Sam Flores

MADRID, May 2 : Marta Kostyuk’s maiden WTA 1000 title in Madrid came thanks to her power, poise and a pair of unexpected “Lucky Shorts”. The world number 23 beat eighth-ranked Mirra Andreeva 6-3 7-5 in under 90 minutes on Saturday to secure the most prestigious trophy of her career, her third professional singles title and second in less than a month after Rouen. Yet as the 23-year-old Ukrainian posed for photographs at the Caja Magica, it was not just the silverware that caught the eye. Held alongside her team and her two dogs, Kostyuk showed off a piece of black men’s underwear, prompting raised eyebrows and plenty of laughter. “We have a tournament laundry service and sometimes the clothes get mixed up and last year we ended up with this piece of underwear where in it was written ‘Lucky Shorts’. So we kept it,” Kostyuk told Spanish broadcaster Movistar Plus. “My coach Sandra (Zaniewska) kept it as a lucky charm. “She drove to her father’s house just to pick it up before traveling here …

Benfica’s Mourinho says no contact with Real Madrid about manager’s job | Football News

Benfica’s Mourinho says no contact with Real Madrid about manager’s job | Football News

Published by Sam Flores

Ex Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has been linked with a return to the Spanish club to replace interim Alvaro Arbeloa. Published On 1 May 20261 May 2026 Benfica coach Jose Mourinho says there has been no contact between him and Real Madrid, despite speculation that the Spanish giants could turn to him soon. The veteran Portuguese coach, who led Los Blancos from 2010 to 2013 in a heated rivalry with Pep Guardiola’s Barca, is reported to be on Madrid’s shortlist for a new coach. Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of list Current Madrid boss Alvaro Arbeloa seems set to be replaced with the team heading for a second consecutive season without a major trophy. “No one from Real Madrid has spoken to me. I can guarantee that,” Mourinho, 63, told reporters on Friday. “I’ve been in football for so many years and I’m used to these things… but there’s nothing from Real Madrid,” added Mourinho, who guided Real to the 2012 La Liga title. Madrid president Florentino Perez appointed Arbeloa in January to …

Atletico Madrid v Arsenal Champions League semi-final TV channel, live stream, kick-off time

Atletico Madrid v Arsenal Champions League semi-final TV channel, live stream, kick-off time

Published by Daniella Wilson

Arsenal are in the Spanish capital on Wednesday evening for the first leg of their Champions League semi-final against Atletico Madrid. The Gunners were beaten by eventual champions PSG at this stage last year and will be desperate to go one better by reaching next month’s final in Budapest. Though they’ve not been totally convincing, Mikel Arteta’s side have navigated a kind path to the semi-finals but will need to raise their levels at the Metropolitano Stadium. Atletico showed their quality by downing Barcelona in a topsy-turvy all-Spanish quarter-final and served a reminder of how tough they are to beat in big games. The hosts remain a gritty side under Diego Simeone but it is their attacking firepower, in particular, the forward duo Julián Álvarez and Antoine Griezmann, that Arsenal should fear most. Radio Times has rounded up everything you need to know about how to watch Atletico Madrid v Arsenal on TV and online. Read more football features: Best players in the world | Best players of all time | Live football on TV …

Sabalenka Avoids Madrid Open Virus Scare and Osaka Upset in Her Title Defense

Sabalenka Avoids Madrid Open Virus Scare and Osaka Upset in Her Title Defense

Published by Sam Flores

MADRID (AP) — Tennis players are facing an unknown opponent at the Madrid Open. A stomach virus or food poisoning has affected Coco Gauff, Marin Cilic and a few others, causing some concern. World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka avoided an upset by Naomi Osaka on the court on Monday and said she’s trying to avoid illness by sticking to a simple diet of chicken breast, rice and salad. The rumor among the players was bad shrimp tacos were to blame. Sabalenka knocked on wood and said, “So far, so good. I heard that I have to avoid those tacos (laughing). I stick to the same food, same meal that I’ve been having since the very beginning of the tournament.” Sabalenka said she was spending as little time as possible on site at the Caja Magica tennis complex. “I try not to stay for too long,” she said. “Extra vitamin C, I guess, extra IM8, and I’m good to go, hopefully.” Gauff vomited on the court on her way to a victory over Sorana Cirstea on …

Sabalenka battles past Osaka in Madrid epic to reach quarter-finals

Sabalenka battles past Osaka in Madrid epic to reach quarter-finals

Published by Sam Flores

MADRID, April 27 : World number one Aryna Sabalenka roared back from a set down to beat Naomi Osaka 6-7(1), 6-3, 6-2 in a pulsating Madrid Open clash on Monday, keeping her title defence alive. The Belarusian, a three-times champion in the Spanish capital and winner last year, weathered an early storm from former world number one Osaka before asserting her authority in a contest that lasted two hours 22 minutes. It was only the third meeting between the pair who have won four Grand Slams each — the previous encounters coming at Indian Wells this season and nearly eight years ago when Osaka beat Sabalenka at the 2018 U.S. Open. A nervy, finely balanced first set went to a tiebreak. Osaka, serving first, edged ahead as Sabalenka misfired at the net and the Japanese produced a sharp counterattack to seize control. Osaka raced into a 5-0 lead, and wrapped up the breaker 7-1 to take the set 7-6. Osaka was close to flawless from the baseline in the opener, firing deep, flat groundstrokes that …

Swiatek retires from Madrid Open due to illness

Swiatek retires from Madrid Open due to illness

Published by Sam Flores

April 25 : Six-times Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek retired from her Madrid Open round-of-32 match against American Ann Li on Saturday due to illness, trailing 6-7(4) 6-2 0-3. The fourth seed at the WTA 1000 clay-court tournament left the court in tears, having called for medical assistance during the match. “The past two days were pretty terrible, I think I have some virus,” said Swiatek, who won the Madrid title in 2024. “It’s been some hours fine, some hours pretty bad. I had zero energy, zero stability, and I just felt really bad physically. “I knew that (it was) going to be hard but I still wanted to try because I already have been sick twice in my career and I could still win most of my matches. I guess it depends on how bad it is, and I guess this time it was worse than before.” Swiatek’s withdrawal deals a blow to her preparations for the French Open, a tournament the Pole has dominated in recent years, winning the title four times, most recently …

Real Madrid stunned at Betis as Barcelona have chance to move 11 clear | Football News

Real Madrid stunned at Betis as Barcelona have chance to move 11 clear | Football News

Published by Sam Flores

Ex-Barcelona star Hector Bellerin’s injury-time leveller for Betis stunts Real Madrid’s Liga title title challenge. Published On 24 Apr 202624 Apr 2026 Former Barcelona defender Hector Bellerin snatched a late point for Real Betis in a 1-1 La Liga draw against Real Madrid to do his former side a favour in the Spanish title race. Alvaro Arbeloa’s Madrid seemed set to chop down Barca’s lead on Friday, but the Catalans sit provisionally eight points ahead of Madrid after Bellerin cancelled out Vinicius Junior’s opener. Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of list Hansi Flick’s defending champions, shorn of injured teenage winger Lamine Yamal, visit Getafe on Saturday and now have the chance to move 11 points clear of Los Blancos with a victory. Vinicius’s 17th-minute strike seemed set to bring his team victory and boost their slim chances of overhauling the leaders and finishing the season with a trophy. However, Madrid were rocked in stoppage time as Bellerin finally provided the breakthrough his side’s performance had deserved. Hosts Betis, fifth, appealed in vain for a …