Champions League

SZOLNOK - Partizan lost to Szolnok 12-7 (3-1 2-2 3-2 4-2) in the 3rd round of Group B of the water polo Champions League in Szolnok, Hungary, on Wednesday.

This was the 2nd defeat for this team of young players, who have played one match less than Szolnok, who are sitting at the top of the group rankings with 3 wins.

The owner of Bulgarian reigning football champion Ludogorets Kiril Domuschiev expressed confidence that his team will win the domestic championship for the fourth time in a row.

According to Domuschiev, the competition with the team of CSKA, who are leaders at half-season, will be fierce, but the team from Razgrad will triumph at the end.

Olympiakos announced on Wednesday the hiring of Portuguese manager Vitor Pereira, while his predecessor, Michel Gonzalez, issued a touching farewell 24 hours after surprisingly being shown the door.

By George Georgakopoulos

Olympiakos announced late on Tuesday the departure of Spanish coach Michel after nearly two years at the helm.

When Beşiktaş hosts Galatasaray in an Istanbul derby this weekend, both sides will be aiming for a victory to enter the winter break atop the Spor Toto Super League standings.

Leader Beşiktaş has 35 points from 15 games this season ahead of the game on Jan. 4 against city rival Galatasaray, which sits in third place with 32 points.

From the highs of success on the hard court and some striking prowess from a little-known footballer named Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to the incompetent and downright tragic, Turkish sports have produced several headlines transcending the mere athletic arena

THE GOOD:

Istanbul volleyball powerhouse Vakıfbank advances to final of ÇEV Women's Champions League
March 16, 2014

Real Madrid defeated San Lorenzo of Argentina 2-0 on Dec. 20 to win the Club World Cup and secure their fourth trophy of 2014. The Spanish giants dominated the final with Sergio Ramos, who had been an injury doubt because of a hamstring strain, and Gareth Bale getting on the scoresheet.

Former France and Barcelona defender Eric Abidal announced his retirement from football on Friday, a day before his last match.

Abidal said he will finish after playing for Olympiakos against Kalloni on Saturday, with 18 months left on his contract.

He cited personal reasons for stopping, without elaborating.

Former Arsenal and French striker Thierry Henry announced Dec. 16 he was retiring from football after a glittering two decades long career and will become a TV analyst for Sky Sports in England.
      
"After 20 years in the game I have decided to retire from professional football," Henry said in a statement on his Facebook page.
      

Turkey's last remaining participants in European competition, Beşiktaş and Trabzonspor, will face difficult respective tests against Liverpool and Napoli in the Europa League Round of 32 following a draw on Dec. 15 in Nyon, Switzerland.