AD200810552191623AR
AD200810552191623AR

Prandelli dismay at the Viola fans



FLORENCE // The Fiorentina coach Cesare Prandelli was hugely disappointed by the boos that rained down on his players from fans after their goalless draw against Steaua Bucharest. The failure to score frustrated the 25,000 fans that turned up at the Artemio Franchi stadium hoping to see the Viola clinch their first win in the group stages. When asked about the fans' reaction after the game, Prandelli said: "I don't think it's right. We respect everyone.

"In the past three years we have done so much, I think my team only deserves to be applauded. "It has been seven years since we last played in the Champions League and, for us, this is an extraordinary competition and we should take it as it is." Fiorentina forward Adrian Mutu was disappointed not to have made the most of his opportunities.The Romanian international has struggled in front of goal this campaign.

"I've had chances to score but I have been unlucky," he said. "It's a difficult time for me because I am hitting the post or goalkeepers. But I am calm, I know that sooner or later the goal will come." Fiorentina travel to meet Bayern Munich in the next round. The Germans drew 1-1 with Lyon at home and their coach Jurgen Klinsmann said it was a case of a point gained rather than two lost. Bayern remain on top of Group F after a Ze Roberto strike in the 52nd minute cancelled out a Martin Demichelis own goal.

"Of course we would have preferred to win the game, but it was not to be," said Klinsmann, who has come under pressure after a sluggish start from his team in the Bundesliga, where they lie ninth after winning only two of their opening six games. "Nevertheless, I am happy with the team." * PA Sport

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
 
Started: 2020
 
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
 
Based: Dubai, UAE
 
Sector: Entertainment 
 
Number of staff: 210 
 
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Airev
Started: September 2023
Founder: Muhammad Khalid
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: Generative AI
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Core42
Current number of staff: 47
 
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Klipit%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202022%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Venkat%20Reddy%2C%20Mohammed%20Al%20Bulooki%2C%20Bilal%20Merchant%2C%20Asif%20Ahmed%2C%20Ovais%20Merchant%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%2C%20UAE%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Digital%20receipts%2C%20finance%2C%20blockchain%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%244%20million%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Privately%2Fself-funded%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
SRI LANKA SQUAD

Upul Tharanga (captain), Dinesh Chandimal, Niroshan Dickwella
Lahiru Thirimanne, Kusal Mendis, Milinda Siriwardana
Chamara Kapugedara, Thisara Perera, Seekuge Prasanna
Nuwan Pradeep, Suranga Lakmal, Dushmantha Chameera
Vishwa Fernando, Akila Dananjaya, Jeffrey Vandersay

Jigra
Director: Vasan Bala
Starring: Alia Bhatt, Vedang Raina, Manoj Pahwa, Harsh Singh
Rated: 3.5/5

Middle East Today

The must read newsletter for the region

      By signing up, I agree to The National's privacy policy
      Middle East Today