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FULL LIST: Man United To Play Mourinho’s Fenerbahce In 2024/25 UEFA Europa League Draw[SEE DRAW TABLE]

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The UEFA Europa League is back with an exciting new format for the 2024/25 season.

As the tournament prepares to kick off, the inaugural league phase draw revealed the opponents of the 36 teams ready to battle it out for European glory.

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Held at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco on Friday, August 30, the draw set the stage for a thrilling campaign featuring some of the continent’s most formidable clubs.

Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur will represent England in the 2024/25 UEFA Europa League, both eyeing success.

They’ll face tough competition from Italian clubs Lazio and Roma, Spain’s Real Sociedad and Athletic Club, and Germany’s Eintracht Frankfurt and Hoffenheim, among others.

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READ ALSO: Six Challengers Await Chelsea In UEFA Conference League

The revamped format promises an exciting and unpredictable group stage.

The PUNCH reports that there will be a reunion between United and former manager, Jose Mourinho, who is now with the Turkish side, Fenerbahçe.

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All you need to know about the 36 teams competing in the 2024/25 league phase:

The line-up for the inaugural league phase of the 2024/25 UEFA Europa League is complete. UEFA.com profiles all the contenders.

This is as obtained from a Friday release on the Europa website titled, “UEFA Europa League: League Phase Draw.”

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The format of the Europa League has changed for this season, along the same lines as the new-look Champions League.

The number of clubs in the competition proper is now 36, all of whom are placed into one league but split into four pots of seeds.

Each participant plays eight games, facing two clubs from each pot, one at home and one away.

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The top eight at the end of the league phase, which runs until the end of January, will advance to the last 16, while the teams finishing from ninth to 24th will advance to a play-off round to decide the remaining last-16 spots.

READ ALSO: FULL LIST: UEFA Champions League Play-off Draw Unveiled

The bottom 12 in the league phase will be eliminated, with no clubs dropping down into the Conference League ahead of the knockouts, and no teams parachuting down from the Champions League as in the past.

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UEFA have said that dates for all fixtures will be announced on Saturday. The first group games will be played on September 25 and 26, a week after the opening matchday of the Champions League.

This season’s Europa League final will be played in Bilbao on May 21 next year. Atalanta won the trophy last season, beating Bayer Leverkusen in the final in Dublin.

36 competing teams:

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The 36 teams competing in the 2024/25 UEFA Europa League league phase are Qarabağ (AZE), Anderlecht, Union Saint-Gilloise (BEL), Ludogorets (BUL), Slavia Praha, Viktoria Plzeň (CZE), Midtjylland (DEN), Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur (ENG), Athletic Club, Real Sociedad (ESP), Nice, Lyon (FRA), Eintracht Frankfurt, Hoffenheim (GER), Olympiacos, PAOK (GRE), Ferencváros (HUN), M. Tel-Aviv (ISR), Lazio, Roma (ITA), RFS (LVA), Ajax, AZ, Twente (NED), Bodø/Glimt (NOR), Braga, Porto (POR), FCSB (ROU), Rangers (SCO), Elfsborg, Malmö (SWE), Beşiktaş, Fenerbahçe, Galatasaray (TUR), and Dynamo Kyiv (UKR).

Here is the full draw for the 2024/25 UEFA Europa League Phase:

Europa League Phase Pot 1

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Europa League Phase Pot 2

Europa League Phase Pot 3

Europa League Phase Pot 4

 

 

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Sports Commission Boss Commends Team Edo Athletes For Continental Triumph

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The Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, has congratulated Team Edo athletes who represented Nigeria at recent continental championships and returned home with medals.

He spoke when the athlete led by Team Edo Athletics Head Coach, Mr. Mutiu Oluwa, paid a courtesy visit in his office on Monday.

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The athletes had competed at the 3rd CAA U18/U20 African Athletics Championships held at the MKO Abiola International Stadium in Abeokuta, Ogun State, and the CAA Region II Senior Athletics Championship in Accra, Ghana.

In a statement issued by his Media Officer, Mr. Edoko Wilson Edoko, Hon. Enabulele praised the athletes’ performances, describing their achievements as a reflection of Governor Monday Okpebholo’s strategic investment in sports development.

READ ALSO:NSF: Team Edo Fully Prepared To Succeed, Sports Commission Boss Declares

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The results we are witnessing today are a testament to Governor Okpebholo’s deliberate and strategic efforts to make Edo Nigeria’s hub for sporting excellence,” Enabulele said.

The Governor has consistently mandated us to focus on grassroots sports development — we ‘Catch Them Young.’ Today, we are seeing the fruits of that vision.”

At the Abeokuta championships, Edo athletes shone brightly: Audu Emmanuel (Silver, Shotput), Eze Peace (Bronze, Javelin), Akhalu David (Gold, 4×400m Mixed Relay), Salami Oseiwe (Bronze, 400m), Enaruna Anita (Silver, 400m; Gold, 4×100m, 4×400m, 4×400m Mixed, and 400m Mixed), and Oyibu Success (Silver, 100m; Gold, 200m and 4×100m).

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READ ALSO:Enabulele Congratulates Bendel Insurance For Pre-Season Tournament Performance

The medal haul continued in Accra, with Treasure Omotsivie winning Gold in High Jump (Women), Anita Enaruna clinching Gold in 200m and 4×400m Relay (Women), Chidera Ezeakor claiming Gold in 100m, 200m, and 4×100m Relay (Men), David Akhalu securing Gold in 4×400m Relay (Men), and Prestina Ochonogor (Paris Olympics finalist) taking Gold in Long Jump (Women).

Enabulele described the athletes as “worthy ambassadors of Edo State” whose discipline, commitment, and patriotism continue to inspire hope for the future of sports in Nigeria.

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The athletes had been selected to represent Nigeria in the two major competitions held between July 16–20 in Abeokuta and August 18–19 in Accra, Ghana.

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Enabulele Confident Of Team Edo’s Success At 2025 NYG

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Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, has expressed confidence that Team Edo will record an outstanding performance at the 9th National Youth Games (NYG), billed to hold in Asaba, Delta State, from August 26 to September 6, 2025.

Speaking through his Media Officer, Mr. Edoko Wilson Edoko, Enabulele described the games as a strong platform for nurturing grassroots talent and an opportunity for Edo’s young athletes to shine.

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We are going into this competition with the youngest athletes in the country. For us, it is not about chasing victory at all costs, but ensuring that our young ones use this opportunity as a foundation for development and self-discovery. Edo believes in grassroots identification and talent grooming, and with the full support of our amiable Governor, Monday Okpebholo, we are confident of an impressive outing,” Edoko quoted the Commission Chairman as saying.

READ ALSO: 2025 NYG: Enabulele Charges Edo Coaches On Performance

Team Edo enters the competition with a boost from its strong showing at the South-South zonal eliminations, where it qualified in several ball games. These include female handball, male and female cricket, male baseball, male and female rugby, female football, male and female beach volleyball, female hockey, and female volleyball. The team will also compete in athletics, swimming, acrobatics, board sports, and other events.

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Enabulele further stressed that Edo’s approach to the Games is built on sustainability and youth empowerment rather than quick-fix glory. According to him, “Our initiative is really working. The National Youth Games is more than just winning medals – it is about national unity, exposure for our athletes, and building a strong pipeline for the future. Edo is proud to be leading this charge.”

The 2025 edition of the NYG, themed “We are the Future,” officially kicks off on August 29 at the Stephen Keshi Stadium with a grand opening ceremony featuring top musicians and cultural troupes. The Games will be declared open by the Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, representing President Bola Tinubu.

Delta State is hosting the Games for the third consecutive time. Over 37 sports will be contested across venues such as the Stephen Keshi Stadium and Indoor Sports Hall, Government House Squash Court, Asaba Sports Club, Anglican Girls Grammar School, and the Commissioners’ Quarters.

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Brazil Names Squad Without Neymar, Vinicius For World Cup Qualifiers [FULL LIST]

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Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti did not recall Neymar and spared Vinicius Junior for World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Bolivia next month, with Lucas Paqueta returning to the national team.

The 33-year-old Neymar, who returned to Santos in January, has not worn the Brazil jersey for nearly two years due to repeated injuries.

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Neymar had a small problem last week,” Ancelotti told a press conference on Monday, without providing further details.

According to the Brazilian press, Brazil’s leading all-time scorer with 79 goals in 128 matches, has experienced thigh discomfort during training.

READ ALSO:Again, Russia Claims Another Village In Ukraine’s Region

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His absence from the squad for the final two World Cup qualifying matches was, however, played down by Ancelotti with the five-time champions having already booked their ticket to next year’s tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Neymar, we don’t need to test him. Everyone knows him. Like the others, he must arrive in good physical condition to help the national team give its best at the World Cup,” said the Italian coach.

Neymar had been called up by Ancelotti’s predecessor Dorival Junior for matches in March — a 2-1 victory against Colombia and a 4-1 defeat to Argentina — but was forced to withdraw due to a thigh injury.

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In the first two matches under the Italian’s guidance in June, Brazil drew 0-0 in Ecuador before beating Paraguay 1-0, thanks to a goal from Vinicius to seal their place in the 2026 World Cup.

READ ALSO:Ancelotti Tells Neymar To Prepare Well For World Cup

The Real Madrid striker will be absent from the next training camp. Suspended for the match against Chile on September 5 at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, the Brazil staff preferred to spare him the trip to play at altitude in Bolivia on September 9.

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Paqueta, meanwhile, is returning after being cleared of betting charges by an independent commission of the Premier League last month.

The West Ham midfielder had been absent from the national team since November 2024.

Also returning is Joao Pedro, who has been in great form since joining Chelsea in July.

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The 23-year-old centre-forward shone in July at the Club World Cup, scoring both goals that eliminated Fluminense, his youth club, in the semi-finals, and the third in the 3-0 victory in the final against Paris Saint-Germain.

READ ALSO:Brazil Star, Neymar Tests Positive For COVID-19

Brazil squad:

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Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool/ENG), Bento (Al-Nassr/KSA), Hugo Souza (Corinthians)

Defenders: Alexsandro (Lille/FRA), Alex Sandro (Flamengo), Caio Henrique (Monaco/FRA), Douglas Santos (Zenith St-Petersburg/RUS), Fabricio Bruno (Cruzeiro), Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal/ENG), Marquinhos (PSG/FRA), Vanderson (Monaco/FRA), Wesley (Roma/ITA)

Midfielders: Andrey Santos (Chelsea/ENG), Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle/ENG), Casemiro (Manchester United/ENG), Joelinton (Newcastle/ENG), Lucas Paqueta (West Ham/ENG)

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Forwards: Estevao (Chelsea/ENG), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal/ENG), Joao Pedro (Chelsea/ENG), Kaio Jorge (Cruzeiro), Luis Henrique (Zenith St-Petersburg/RUS), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United/ENG), Raphinha (Barcelona/ESP), Richarlison (Tottenham/ENG)

AFP

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