Lucas and Theo Hernandez celebrate after winning the 2021 Uefa Nations League final with France. EPA
Lucas and Theo Hernandez celebrate after winning the 2021 Uefa Nations League final with France. EPA
Lucas and Theo Hernandez celebrate after winning the 2021 Uefa Nations League final with France. EPA
Lucas and Theo Hernandez celebrate after winning the 2021 Uefa Nations League final with France. EPA

Hernandez and Hojlund brothers face up to sibling rivalries in Champions League


Ian Hawkey
  • English
  • Arabic

Jurgen Klopp, the manager of Liverpool, made a mischievous joke to assorted reporters after his most recent European night at Anfield. His team had just beaten Belgium’s Union Saint-Gilloise in the Europa League and, on his way to speaking to the media, Klopp noticed a queue of reporters wanting a moment with Alexis and Kevin Mac Allister.

The Argentine brothers, one a midfielder for Liverpool, the other a defender at Union, had just played against each other for the first time in senior football. “They’re doing 25 interviews in a row, together,” smiled Klopp. “It felt like it’s the first time two brothers played against each other. A nice story.”

It was not the first time, of course. Somebody mentioned the Nevilles, Gary and Phil, Manchester United colleagues in the 1990s and 2000s until Phil joined Everton and, playing against United, was frequently up against his older sibling.

Klopp cheekily answered: “Well, nobody was interested in that, obviously.” The Nevilles remain mostly associated with United, Liverpool’s great rivals and Gary Neville is now a prominent pundit, critical of Liverpool at times this season. Klopp made it clear his remark was meant entirely in good humour.

Some mischief would follow the latest set of brothers to come up against one another at OId Trafford, too, in the last round of the Champions League.

Oscar Hojlund, whose late entry as a substitute for Copenhagen had been pivotal to his team’s being awarded a stoppage-time penalty at United, was talking to reporters afterwards.

Along came his older brother, Rasmus, who playfully knocked away a broadcaster’s microphone. Rasmus was a relieved member of the winning side, United having held their 1-0 advantage thanks to Andre Onana saving the Copenhagen penalty, struck by another substitute Jordan Larsson.

The Hojlunds had not quite coincided on the pitch, but only by a matter of minutes, 18-year-old Oscar’s introduction following Rasmus’s exit, the United striker replaced after 86 minutes of a long, tense, evening at centre-forward.

On Wednesday, when Copenhagen host United, with both clubs still in the bottom two of Group A, the Hojlund family, a gene pool of concentrated football talent, anticipate a special homecoming.

FC Copenhagen's Oscar Hojlund, left, warms-down after the Champions League match against Manchester United at Old Trafford. PA
FC Copenhagen's Oscar Hojlund, left, warms-down after the Champions League match against Manchester United at Old Trafford. PA

Rasmus, the €80 million summer signing from Atalanta, will be back in his native city at the Parken Stadium where, as a 17 year old, he played his first senior football for Copenhagen. Oscar, who was in the Copenhagen starting XI at the weekend, may actually see action simultaneously with his big brother.

Meanwhile, Oscar’s twin, Emil, will likely have to pass on the opportunity of giving father Anders, a former professional, the proud pleasure of seeing three sons involved in the same Champions League fixture.

While Emil has appeared for Copenhagen’s first team this season, he has been more useful for the Under 19s, scoring twice in the Uefa Youth League that runs in parallel to the main Champions League – but with very different outcomes. Copenhagen’s teenagers have won all their games, Emil on the scoresheet in the victories over Bayern Munich and Galatasaray’s U19s.

Manchester United's Rasmus Hojlund shoots for goal against Copenhagen. Reuters
Manchester United's Rasmus Hojlund shoots for goal against Copenhagen. Reuters

Theirs is not the only powerful thread of sibling rivalry running through Europe’s elite club competition. At the San Siro on Tuesday, the France internationals Theo and Lucas Hernandez face one another in what looks a make-or-break contest for Theo’s AC Milan.

The Rossoneri sit at the foot of fearsome Group F with two points so far with games against Borussia Dortmund and Newcastle United to follow the meeting with Lucas Hernandez’s Paris Saint-Germain.

Two weeks ago, the older of the brothers finished comfortably on top, PSG beating Milan 3-0 at the Parc des Princes. Curiously, for two footballers who have hop-scotched around leading clubs in Spain and Europe since they came through the ranks at Atletico Madrid, Lucas, 27, and Theo, 26, had never met in active opposition before, the closest being a 2017 Madrid derby when Theo was on the bench for Real and Lucas in Atletico’s defence.

Paris Saint-Germain's Lucas Hernandez talks with brother Theo of AC Milan at the end of the Champions League match at Parc de Princes that was won 3-0 by the French side. AFP
Paris Saint-Germain's Lucas Hernandez talks with brother Theo of AC Milan at the end of the Champions League match at Parc de Princes that was won 3-0 by the French side. AFP

They have, though, competed for the left-back berth for France. At the same San Siro Theo now calls home, they won the 2021 Nations League together, Theo in Les Bleus starting XI at left wing-back while Lucas, then of Bayern Munich, sat on the bench. Lately, they have coincided for the national XI, Lucas at centre-back, Theo outside him.

For as long as they can remember, theirs was a competitive relationship, at least on the pitch. “Neither liked losing,” Pablo Lopez Salgado, a former coach at the Rayo Majadahonda academy, the Madrid club where the Hernandez brothers enrolled as boys, told L’Equipe. “Especially when they were up against one another."

Both have a Champions League winner's medal, Theo with Real Madrid in 2018, Lucas with Bayern two years later. But the dream of winning another European Cup with a new employer this season looks like something only one brother can maintain beyond this group stage. Like the Hojlunds, one sibling’s joy very probably entails the other’s prolonged disappointment.

Bib%20Gourmand%20restaurants
%3Cp%3EAl%20Khayma%0D%3Cbr%3EBait%20Maryam%0D%3Cbr%3EBrasserie%20Boulud%0D%3Cbr%3EFi'lia%0D%3Cbr%3Efolly%0D%3Cbr%3EGoldfish%0D%3Cbr%3EIbn%20AlBahr%0D%3Cbr%3EIndya%20by%20Vineet%0D%3Cbr%3EKinoya%0D%3Cbr%3ENinive%0D%3Cbr%3EOrfali%20Bros%0D%3Cbr%3EReif%20Japanese%20Kushiyaki%0D%3Cbr%3EShabestan%0D%3Cbr%3ETeible%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
ELIO

Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett

Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina

Rating: 4/5

ESSENTIALS

The flights 
Fly Etihad or Emirates from the UAE to Moscow from 2,763 return per person return including taxes. 
Where to stay 
Trips on the Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian cost from US$16,995 (Dh62,414) per person, based on two sharing.

Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
STAY%2C%20DAUGHTER
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAuthor%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EYasmin%20Azad%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESwift%20Press%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAvailable%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE jiu-jitsu squad

Men: Hamad Nawad and Khalid Al Balushi (56kg), Omar Al Fadhli and Saeed Al Mazroui (62kg), Taleb Al Kirbi and Humaid Al Kaabi (69kg), Mohammed Al Qubaisi and Saud Al Hammadi (70kg), Khalfan Belhol and Mohammad Haitham Radhi (85kg), Faisal Al Ketbi and Zayed Al Kaabi (94kg)

Women: Wadima Al Yafei and Mahra Al Hanaei (49kg), Bashayer Al Matrooshi and Hessa Al Shamsi (62kg)

Tips to stay safe during hot weather
  • Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
  • Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
  • Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
  • Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
  • Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
  • Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
  • Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENamara%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJune%202022%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMohammed%20Alnamara%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMicrofinance%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E16%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeries%20A%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFamily%20offices%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Tax authority targets shisha levy evasion

The Federal Tax Authority will track shisha imports with electronic markers to protect customers and ensure levies have been paid.

Khalid Ali Al Bustani, director of the tax authority, on Sunday said the move is to "prevent tax evasion and support the authority’s tax collection efforts".

The scheme’s first phase, which came into effect on 1st January, 2019, covers all types of imported and domestically produced and distributed cigarettes. As of May 1, importing any type of cigarettes without the digital marks will be prohibited.

He said the latest phase will see imported and locally produced shisha tobacco tracked by the final quarter of this year.

"The FTA also maintains ongoing communication with concerned companies, to help them adapt their systems to meet our requirements and coordinate between all parties involved," he said.

As with cigarettes, shisha was hit with a 100 per cent tax in October 2017, though manufacturers and cafes absorbed some of the costs to prevent prices doubling.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Sole survivors
  • Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
  • George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
  • Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
  • Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
The specs: 2018 Mazda CX-5

Price, base / as tested: Dh89,000 / Dh130,000
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder
Power: 188hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 251Nm @ 4,000rpm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
​​​​​​​Fuel consumption, combined: 7.1L / 100km

The specS: 2018 Toyota Camry

Price: base / as tested: Dh91,000 / Dh114,000

Engine: 3.5-litre V6

Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic

Power: 298hp @ 6,600rpm

Torque: 356Nm @ 4,700rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 7.0L / 100km

Specs

Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request

Updated: November 07, 2023, 2:45 AM`