LONDON: Borussia Dortmund coach Edin Terzic believes “anything is possible” as his side aim to pull off one of the biggest ever shocks in a Champions League final against the mighty Real Madrid at London’s Wembley stadium on Saturday.
The star-studded Spanish giants are heavy favorites to be crowned European champions for the 15th time, and a sixth in the last 11 seasons, against a Dortmund team that have beaten the odds just to make it to the English capital.
Madrid have lost just twice in 54 games in all competitions this season, storming to the title in La Liga by 10 points and thrashing Barcelona 4-1 to lift the Spanish Super Cup along the way.
However, they have had to once again dig deep to reach what coach Carlo Ancelotti described as the “biggest game of any season” in the Champions League.
“We have to enjoy being here,” said the Italian at his pre-match press conference. “But knowing it can go wrong because we are close to the most important thing in football — winning a Champions League — but having the fear this can escape us.”
Ancelotti’s men withstood a barrage from defending champions Manchester City to win their quarter-final tie on penalties before another legendary late fightback at the Santiago Bernabeu to beat Bayern Munich in the last four.
“We never stop believing, no matter how the circumstances are,” said Luka Modric, who along with Nacho, Dani Carvajal and Toni Kroos, in the final match of his club career, can win the European Cup for a record-equalling sixth time as a player.
“We always believe, keep believing, keep pushing, fighting until the end. In the end, we manage to find a way to beat opponents.
“Many people say there is luck, but when it happens so many times, I think it’s not just luck.”
Dortmund must breach the financial gulf between the sides to win the Champions League for just the second time in their history.
Last season Madrid posted record revenues of 831 million euros ($901 million) compared to Dortmund’s 420 million euros, according to financial experts Deloitte.
The career path of Jude Bellingham exemplifies the scale of the task facing the Germans.
Plucked from English Championship side Birmingham as a teenager, he was molded and developed by Dortmund before being picked off by Madrid for a transfer fee in excess of 100 million euros 12 months ago.
Without him, Dortmund struggled domestically this season, finishing fifth in the Bundesliga, 27 points adrift of Bayer Leverkusen.
Yet, Terzic’s men have saved their best for the Champions League stage to reach the final for the third time in the club’s history and first since they lost at Wembley to Bayern Munich 11 years ago.
Dortmund topped the group of death featuring Paris Saint-Germain, AC Milan and Newcastle.
PSV Eindhoven and Atletico Madrid were then seen off before a heroic defensive display kept out PSG over two legs in the semifinals.
“They are the favorites but we don’t care, we haven’t been the favorites against Atletico or against PSG,” said Terzic.
“But if we are brave and not here to watch Real Madrid lift the trophy, if we are here to give them a game, then we have a chance.”
Over 100,000 fans of the German giants are estimated to have made the trip to London despite the club being allocated just 30,000 tickets for the 90,000 capacity stadium.
UEFA will be hoping the focus is on the protagonists on the field come full-time to ensure their decision to return to Wembley for a major final is not questioned.
Three years ago, the final of Euro 2020 was marred by violence as ticketless fans stormed the stadium doors to gain entry.
The English Football Association have invested £5 million ($6 million) into improving safety and infrastructure at Wembley, which is also set to host the Euro 2028 final.
Dortmund dream of shocking Real Madrid in Champions League final
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Dortmund dream of shocking Real Madrid in Champions League final
Shanina Shaik attends 2025 Fashion Trust US Awards
DUBAI: Model Shanina Shaik and actress Sofia Boutella attended the 2025 Fashion Trust US Awards in Los Angeles this week for a ceremony which brought together designers, celebrities and industry figures to support and celebrate emerging fashion talent.
Shaik, who traces her ancestry back to Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Lithuania and Australia, arrived in a sleek white gown by Cult Gaia.
The silk dress featured a cowl neckline and a floor-length, form-fitting silhouette. Tulle ties at the shoulders extended down both front and back, detailed with petal-like appliques. The gown included an open back design, with the floral embellishments continuing down sheer strands to the hem.
The look was completed with minimal accessories — gold hoop earrings, neutral platform sandals and a slicked-back hairstyle.
Meanwhile, Boutella, who is French Algerian, wore a striking red floor-length gown with a high neckline and soft, gathered pleats along the bodice. The dress featured loose, elbow-length sleeves and a cinched waist that flowed into a flared skirt. She paired the outfit with a metallic silver clutch.
The Fashion Trust US Awards, presented by Google Shopping, celebrates emerging designers working across various disciplines, including ready-to-wear, jewelry and accessories.
This year’s event was hosted by actress and singer Keke Palmer.
Anthony Vaccarello received the Honorary Award, while other winners included Rachel Scott of Diotima for ready-to-wear, Dani Griffiths of Clyde for accessories and Rebecca Zeijdel-Paz of Beck for jewelry. Nana Kwame Adusei scooped the Sustainability Award while the Graduate accolade went to Parsons student Patrick Taylor.
Winners received grants of $100,000-$200,000, along with mentorship opportunities through Fashion Trust US and Google Shopping.
They were selected by the Fashion Trust US board and advisory panel, which included industry figures such as Jonathan Simkhai, Brandon Blackwood, Willy Chavarria, Jeremy Scott, Laurie Lynn Stark, Bob Mackie, Gaia Repossi, Francesco Risso, Chriselle Lim, Monique Lhuillier, Ugo Mozie, Bethann Hardison and Fernando Garcia.
Attending the ceremony were celebrities such as Lucy Hale, Becky G, Julia Fox, Maddie Ziegler, Kate Hudson, Heidi Klum, Hailey Bieber, Ciara, Julia Fox and Mandy Moore.
The evening also included a performance by singer Natasha Bedingfield.
Iraq sets November 11 for parliamentary election
BAGHDAD: The Iraqi cabinet has set November 11 as the date for a parliamentary election, it said on Wednesday.
Italy’s Eni to invest $26bn in North Africa over next 4 years, CEO says
RAVENNA : Italian energy group Eni will invest around €24 billion ($26.24 billion) in Algeria, Libya and Egypt over the next four years to help boost energy production, CEO Claudio Descalzi said on Tuesday.
The investments would coincide with the Rome government’s efforts to relaunch its economic and political ties with Africa as part of its so-called Mattei Plan.
Eni is already a major foreign investor in North Africa’s energy sector.
Descalzi said the three countries can play an important role as hydrocarbon suppliers for Europe, but need outside investment to expand their energy production and meet rising domestic demand.
“Internal demand in these countries — because of demographic growth — is increasing at about 7-8 percent every year, this means they need gas ... they need investment,” he told an energy conference in the Italian city of Ravenna.
In the next four years, Eni will invest more than €8 billion each in Algeria and Libya, and about the same in Egypt, Descalzi said.
Egypt had planned to become a major gas exporter after Eni discovered the Zohr offshore gas field there in 2015. However, domestic gas production in the country has been falling since 2021, and reached a six-year low in 2024.
Earlier this year, Cyprus and Egypt signed a deal to process the gas coming from Cyprus’s offshore fields to Egypt, exported by Eni, for liquefaction and re-export to Europe.
Pakistan calls for Gaza ceasefire at OIC meeting
- Pakistan seeks lifting of Israel’s blockade to allow unimpeded humanitarian access across Gaza
- It reaffirms commitment to working with OIC countries to advance the interests of the Muslim world
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan called for the immediate implementation of a Gaza ceasefire on Tuesday during an Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) ambassador-level meeting in New York, according to a social media post by the country’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations.
The war in Gaza, which began in October 2023 following Hamas’ attacks, has continued despite repeated international appeals for a ceasefire. The Palestinian death toll has reportedly surpassed 50,000, with women and children making up a significant portion of the casualties.
Pakistan, which does not recognize Israel, has consistently supported the Palestinian demand for an independent state based on pre-1967 borders. It has repeatedly raised concerns over the Gaza conflict at various global forums, including the UN Security Council, and has called for a ceasefire and accountability for Israel’s actions.
“Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations, participated in the OIC Ambassadorial-level meeting held today,” Pakistan’s UN mission said in a social media post.
“In his remarks, Ambassador Asim reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for the Palestinian cause, including the immediate and full implementation of the Gaza ceasefire, lifting of the blockade, unimpeded humanitarian access throughout Gaza, and an end to forced displacement and colonization, including in the West Bank,” the post added.
The OIC meeting also reviewed the situation in Palestine and Syria, and heard briefings from the foreign ministers of Bahrain and Kyrgyzstan regarding their respective candidatures for non-permanent seats on the UN Security Council for the 2026–27 and 2027–28 terms.
The Pakistani mission said the country remained committed to working closely with other OIC member states to advance common causes and the collective interests of the Muslim Ummah.
China vows ‘firm and forceful measures’ in response to new US tariffs
- China – Washington’s top economic rival but also a major trading partner – is the hardest hit
- Tariffs imposed on its products since Trump returned now reaching a staggering 104 percent
BEIJING: China vowed on Wednesday it would take “firm and forceful” steps to protect its interests, after steep US tariffs of 104 percent came into effect.
Following the sweeping 10 percent tariffs imposed over the weekend, rates on imports to the United States from exporters including the European Union and Japan rose further on Wednesday.
China – Washington’s top economic rival but also a major trading partner – is the hardest hit, with tariffs imposed on its products since Trump returned to the White House now reaching a staggering 104 percent.
In response, Beijing’s foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian insisted that “the Chinese people’s legitimate right to development is inalienable.”
“China’s sovereignty, security and development interests are inviolable,” he said.
“We will continue to take firm and forceful measures to safeguard our legitimate rights and interests,” Lin said.
Also on Wednesday, Beijing’s commerce ministry said the country had “firm will” to fight a trade war with Washington, state news agency Xinhua said.
“With firm will and abundant means, China will resolutely take countermeasures and fight till the end if the United States insists on further escalating economic and trade restrictive measures,” Xinhua quoted the ministry as saying.
