May 28 // Borussia Dortmund want a fitting farewell for coach Juergen Klopp and his success-laden seven-year stint when they take on VfL Wolfsburg in the German Cup final on Saturday.
Klopp, who had announced his departure months ago, led Dortmund to the German league titles in 2011 and 2012, the German Cup in 2012 as well as two German Super Cups in 2013 and 2014.
But a disappointing domestic season that saw them finish in seventh place triggered his decision to leave, much to the disappointment of club bosses and fans.
“What I want is to drive one more time around Borsig square (in a victory parade),” Klopp had said after Dortmund eliminated holders Bayern Munich on penalties in the semi-final.
With his team having improved since the winter break and rescuing a Europa League spot for next season with a thrilling comeback from last place in February, Dortmund are brimming with confidence.
The contract extension with central defender Neven Subotic on Wednesday was another good news for the team, eager to maintain its core of players despite the departure of Klopp and very likely Ilkay Guendogan and the retirement of captain Sebastian Kehl.
“We still have something left to do,” Klopp told Dortmund fans in a video message. “We have a big final and we will maybe see each other in the (Dortmund) city centre on Sunday.”
“To crown this amazing time with a such a moment would only be fair,” said the coach, who is courted by almost every major European club.
It will, however, not be a walk in the park for Dortmund with Wolfsburg having finished the season in second place and looking for their first silverware since clinching the Bundesliga title in 2009.
The Wolves beat Dortmund 2-1 in the league less than two weeks ago but their overall sluggish finish to an otherwise superb season with only two wins in their last six league games showed they were reaching their limit.
“We played the most games from any Bundesliga club,” said defender Timm Klose. “Obviously that takes a lot out of you.”
“People will say that because we are second we should be the favourites but don’t forget that Dortmund played a great second half of the season. At the start of the year they were last and finished seventh. That shows their quality.”
Coach Dieter Hecking will have to wait and see whether defenders Naldo and Marcel Schaefer will be fit for the game.
“I still cannot say anything about them. It is unclear whether they will be able to play,” Hecking said on Wednesday as Wolfsburg eye their maiden Cup victory.
The game will also be a first for goalline technology in Germany with the Hawk-Eye system installed in Berlin’s Olympic stadium.
Follow us on Twitter @NatSportUAE
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Price: from Dh122,745
On sale: now
EMIRATES'S REVISED A350 DEPLOYMENT SCHEDULE
Edinburgh: November 4 (unchanged)
Bahrain: November 15 (from September 15); second daily service from January 1
Kuwait: November 15 (from September 16)
Mumbai: January 1 (from October 27)
Ahmedabad: January 1 (from October 27)
Colombo: January 2 (from January 1)
Muscat: March 1 (from December 1)
Lyon: March 1 (from December 1)
Bologna: March 1 (from December 1)
Source: Emirates
Sarfira
Director: Sudha Kongara Prasad
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Radhika Madan, Paresh Rawal
Rating: 2/5
Need to know
When: October 17 until November 10
Cost: Entry is free but some events require prior registration
Where: Various locations including National Theatre (Abu Dhabi), Abu Dhabi Cultural Center, Zayed University Promenade, Beach Rotana (Abu Dhabi), Vox Cinemas at Yas Mall, Sharjah Youth Center
What: The Korea Festival will feature art exhibitions, a B-boy dance show, a mini K-pop concert, traditional dance and music performances, food tastings, a beauty seminar, and more.
For more information: www.koreafestivaluae.com
Multitasking pays off for money goals
Tackling money goals one at a time cost financial literacy expert Barbara O'Neill at least $1 million.
That's how much Ms O'Neill, a distinguished professor at Rutgers University in the US, figures she lost by starting saving for retirement only after she had created an emergency fund, bought a car with cash and purchased a home.
"I tell students that eventually, 30 years later, I hit the million-dollar mark, but I could've had $2 million," Ms O'Neill says.
Too often, financial experts say, people want to attack their money goals one at a time: "As soon as I pay off my credit card debt, then I'll start saving for a home," or, "As soon as I pay off my student loan debt, then I'll start saving for retirement"."
People do not realise how costly the words "as soon as" can be. Paying off debt is a worthy goal, but it should not come at the expense of other goals, particularly saving for retirement. The sooner money is contributed, the longer it can benefit from compounded returns. Compounded returns are when your investment gains earn their own gains, which can dramatically increase your balances over time.
"By putting off saving for the future, you are really inhibiting yourself from benefiting from that wonderful magic," says Kimberly Zimmerman Rand , an accredited financial counsellor and principal at Dragonfly Financial Solutions in Boston. "If you can start saving today ... you are going to have a lot more five years from now than if you decide to pay off debt for three years and start saving in year four."
3 Body Problem
Creators: David Benioff, D B Weiss, Alexander Woo
Starring: Benedict Wong, Jess Hong, Jovan Adepo, Eiza Gonzalez, John Bradley, Alex Sharp
Rating: 3/5
Results
1. New Zealand Daniel Meech – Fine (name of horse), Richard Gardner – Calisto, Bruce Goodin - Backatorps Danny V, Samantha McIntosh – Check In. Team total First round: 200.22; Second round: 201.75 – Penalties 12 (jump-off 40.16 seconds) Prize €64,000
2. Ireland Cameron Hanley – Aiyetoro, David Simpson – Keoki, Paul Kennedy – Cartown Danger Mouse, Shane Breen – Laith. Team total 200.25/202.84 – P 12 (jump-off 51.79 – P17) Prize €40,000
3. Italy Luca Maria Moneta – Connery, Luca Coata – Crandessa, Simone Coata – Dardonge, Natale Chiaudani – Almero. Team total 130.82/198.-4 – P20. Prize €32,000
