Olaroiu’s UAE appointment has been 10 years in the making
DUBAI: If the UAE Football Association’s bold plan comes to fruition, 2025 will be remembered as the year unfulfilled dreams became reality.
Romania Sport News
UAE appoint Romanian Olaroiu to replace Bento as head coach
DUBAI: Cosmin Olaroiu has been appointed United Arab Emirates head coach, the country’s FA announced on Saturday. The 55-year-old Romanian takes over from Portuguese Paulo Bento, who was fired last month despite a last-gasp win over North Korea in Asia’s World Cup qualifiers. The UAE are third in Group A of the preliminaries for the 2026 finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The first two finishers in each of Asia’s three groups progress automatically to the World Cup while the third- and fourth-placed teams advance to another round. Iran have already claimed one of the two berths available from Group A while second-placed Uzbekistan are four points clear of the UAE with two matches remaining. Olaroiu has spent the last three-and-a-half seasons with UAE club Sharjah, and last week guided the team into the final of the AFC Champions League Two. He has worked extensively in the Gulf region, coaching Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia, Qatar’s Al-Sadd and Emirati side Al-Ain before moving to China, where he won the Chinese Super League title with Jiangsu Suning in 2020. Olaroiu’s first game in charge of the UAE will be their World Cup qualifier at home to Uzbekistan on June 5.
Gabon forward dies following fall from 11th floor of building - ESPN
Gabon forward Aaron Boupendza died following a fall from the 11th floor of a building in China, the Gabonese Football Federation (FEGAFOOT) said on Wednesday. He was 28.
Gabon striker Boupendza dies after 11th floor fall
LIVERVILLE: Gabon international striker Aaron Boupendza died on Wednesday at the age of 28 when he fell from the 11th floor of a building in China, according to the national football federation (Fegafoot). “The Gabonese international died following a fall from the 11th floor of his building in China where he was playing for Zhejiang FC,” the federation said in a statement on X. “Aged 28, Boupendza leaves us with the memory of a great striker who left his mark on the CAN (Africa Cup of Nations) in Cameroon.”
WTA roundup: Camilla Rosatello upends Alycia Parks in Rouen
Camilla Rosatello, ranked No. 288 in the world, pulled off an opening-round upset of sixth-seeded American Alycia Parks 6-2, 6-3 at the Open Capfinances Rouen Metropole on Tuesday in Rouen, France.
McIlroy triumph a ‘marvellous national occasion’, Taoiseach says
Rory McIlroy’s historic Augusta triumph was a “marvellous national occasion”, Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said.
Ukraine and Spain qualify for Billie Jean King Cup Finals
RADOM, Poland: Elina Svitolina sent Ukraine to the Billie Jean King Cup Finals for the first time with a 6-4, 6-2 win over Switzerland’s Jil Teichmann to level the countries’ qualifier 1-1 on Saturday. It ensured Ukraine tops Group E to qualify for the tournament in Shenzhen in September. Switzerland needed a flawless record against Ukraine to progress.
The Industrial Evolution Forum will be held on April 24, 2025 in Bila Tserkva Industrial Park
The event will bring together over 1,000 participants, including production sector leaders, government officials, local authorities from across Ukraine, investors, bankers, and international partners. They will discuss the future of the Ukrainian industry, its scaling, investment opportunities, and the integration of innovation.