Saudi Deputy Sports Minister Crowns Emirates Team New Zealand 'NEOM Cup' Champions

The Saudi Deputy Minister of Sport, Bader bin Abdulrahman Al-Kadi, has crowned the Emirates Team New Zealand. SPA
The Saudi Deputy Minister of Sport, Bader bin Abdulrahman Al-Kadi, has crowned the Emirates Team New Zealand. SPA
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Saudi Deputy Sports Minister Crowns Emirates Team New Zealand 'NEOM Cup' Champions

The Saudi Deputy Minister of Sport, Bader bin Abdulrahman Al-Kadi, has crowned the Emirates Team New Zealand. SPA
The Saudi Deputy Minister of Sport, Bader bin Abdulrahman Al-Kadi, has crowned the Emirates Team New Zealand. SPA

The Saudi Deputy Minister of Sport, Bader bin Abdulrahman Al-Kadi, has crowned the Emirates Team New Zealand with the 37th edition of the America’s Cup Preliminary Regatta Jeddah “NEOM Cup.”

The championship, held for the first time in the Kingdom at the Jeddah Yacht Club and Marina, was organized by the Saudi Sailing Federation in collaboration with the Saudi Ministry of Sports.

Over the course of four days, six teams representing participating countries competed in the waters of the Red Sea.

The New Zealand team secured a well-deserved victory by achieving 64 points in a thrilling competition against the Italian team that secured the second position, with 49 points.

The Swiss team came in the third position with 35 points, while the American team achieved the fourth position with 28 points. The British team claimed the fifth position with 26 points, and the French team was in the last position with 20 points.



New Coach Gattuso Vows to Restore Enthusiasm to Italy

Gennaro Gattuso, new head coach of Italy's national soccer team, attends a press conference during his official presentation, in Rome, Italy, 19 June 2025. EPA/FABIO FRUSTACI
Gennaro Gattuso, new head coach of Italy's national soccer team, attends a press conference during his official presentation, in Rome, Italy, 19 June 2025. EPA/FABIO FRUSTACI
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New Coach Gattuso Vows to Restore Enthusiasm to Italy

Gennaro Gattuso, new head coach of Italy's national soccer team, attends a press conference during his official presentation, in Rome, Italy, 19 June 2025. EPA/FABIO FRUSTACI
Gennaro Gattuso, new head coach of Italy's national soccer team, attends a press conference during his official presentation, in Rome, Italy, 19 June 2025. EPA/FABIO FRUSTACI

Italy's new coach Gennaro Gattuso on Thursday pledged to restore enthusiasm and create "a family" at the battered national team, aiming to secure qualification for the next World Cup after the Azzurri missed out twice in a row.

Gattuso replaces Luciano Spalletti, who was sacked this month following a 3-0 defeat by Norway in a World Cup qualifier. He officially departed after overseeing his final match, a 2-0 victory against Moldova.

"It's a dream come true, and I certainly hope to be up to the task. I know the job won't be easy, but nothing in life is easy," said Gattuso, who recently left Croatian club Hajduk Split after a third-placed finish in the country's top flight.

Nicknamed 'Ringhio' (Growler) for his tenacious attitude on the pitch, the 47-year-old earned 73 caps for the Italian national team and was a key member of the 2006 World Cup-winning squad.

Fans hope his strong character can help with the task of taking the four-time world champions to next year's World Cup, which will be played in the United States, Mexico and Canada, Reuters reported.

Italy, third in World Cup qualifying Group I, will host Estonia on September 5 before taking on Israel three days later.

"My goal is that whoever comes to the training ground comes with great enthusiasm and to create a family," said Gattuso, who according to a source at the Italian soccer federation (FIGC) was given a one-year contract.

Gattuso spent the bulk of his playing career at AC Milan, where he won two Champions League and two Serie A titles, before returning to coach the club from 2017 to 2019.

As a manager he won the Coppa Italia with Napoli in 2020.

"The primary aim is to create a sense of belonging" to the Azzurri team, Gattuso told reporters during his presentation to the press at a luxury hotel in central Rome.

The new coach said he believed players felt the pressure of having missed out on qualification for two World Cups in a row and that was weighing on the team's performance.

"We must be good at reacting, only those who react and give it all can get out of this situation," he said.