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“Dream big and respect other people”: the French football star and UEFA ambassador Eric Abidal gives Football for Friendship Young Journalist an exclusive interview

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Eric Abidal
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The former French international and two-time winner of the Champions League with FC Barcelona supports the Gazprom International Children’s Social Programme Football for Friendship (F4F) in his capacity as a UEFA ambassador. As part of the Good News Show, he answered the questions of the 15-year-old F4F Young Journalist Irintsoa Rakotomamonjy from Madagascar.

Today, Eric Abidal is a football manager. He told the Young Journalist that the most emotional moment of his career had been his return to his team after an operation following a cancer diagnosis in March 2011. With his children’s cancer charity, which he founded in 2015, he wanted to make a contribution to the fight against this illness. And it was his dream to conquer cancer completely. He added that during the corona pandemic his charity – and also that of his wife – had tried, in spite of the lockdown, to stay in touch with the children it supports, and had visited them in hospital and brought them small gifts.

When Irintsoa told him that boys and girls in the F4F programme played in a team with equal rights, Eric Abidal replied that women’s football had already made enormous progress and was continuing to grow. He was convinced that women are showing the world that they can develop similar abilities to those of men. He predicted that women’s football would have become a global sport in 10 years’ time.

For him, it was very important to experience the emotionality of football on the playing field. But in sport too digitisation was gaining ground. He thought that in 10 years’ time e-sport would be the number one sport. Irintsoa explained that, in the case of F4F, the Championships in 2020 and 2021 were contested in a digital format.

The Young Journalist went on to tell her famous interview partner that the participants in F4F shared the programme’s Nine Values: friendship, equality, fairness, health, peace, devotion, victory, traditions and honour. When asked which value was the most important for him, Eric Abidal said it was friendship. For him, this included a good relationship with everyone, teamwork, and respect for others.

As a successful footballer, his advice to young people who are striving for a career in sport was, above all, to respect other people, their parents, their teachers, their trainers and their friends. And they should have big dreams, which of course they would have to work hard to achieve. To see the interview, please click on the following link: https://youtu.be/GhLvsy_tQbQ.

Following the ZOOM-interview with the Young Journalist from the F4F Press Centre, Eric Abidal held a short football training session with the 13-year-old F4F 2021 participant from Belgium Elias Ali Mohamad. After a short warm-up phase, Abidal showed his young training partner a few tricks and encouraged him to practise them with him. This episode can be viewed by clicking on the following video link: https://youtu.be/bsK04TU0ZV8.

Before Eric Abidal, the UEFA ambassadors Luis Garcia from Spain, Kelly Smith from England and Robert Pirès from France had already taken part in #STADIUMISWHEREIAM and had spoken on the Good News Show with the Young Journalist about Football for Friendship, their life and their career.

As part of #STADIUMISWHEREIAM, the following sports stars also showed what they can do: Anton Pawlinow, two-time freestyle world champion from Russia, Andreas Cetkovic, French freestyle football champion with the S3 Freestyle Crew, and the six-time freestyle world champion Mélody Donchet.

George Miller (Gyorgy Molnar) started his career in content marketing and has started working as an Editor/Content Manager for our company in 2016. George has acquired many experiences when it comes to interviews and newsworthy content becoming Head of Content in 2017. He is responsible for the news being shared on multiple websites that are part of the European Gaming Media Network.

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Red Bull WOLOLO 2026 Takes Over London As Tickets Go On Sale For Eighth Edition: ‘Londinium’

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  • Red Bull Wololo returns for its eighth edition, Red Bull Wololo: Londinium, taking place from April 1st – 6th, 2026.
  • The tournament brings together elite Age of Empires strategists from around the globe to battle across Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition and Age of Empires IV.
  • London itself has been transformed into a living Age of Empires spectacle today, with a citywide takeover that lets fans experience the spirit of Age of Empires firsthand.
  • Tickets for the Playoffs are available on eventbrite.co.uk/e/red-bull-wololo-playoffs-tickets-1974965913211?aff=oddtdtcreator
  • Tickets for the Grand Final are available on royalalberthall.com/tickets/events/2026/red-bull-wololo-londinium, giving fans the chance to witness the world’s top Age of Empires players compete in iconic London venues.

The call of “Wololo” rings across the capital of the UK today as tickets officially go on sale for Red Bull Wololo: Londinium, the grandest chapter in Age of Empires competitive history. Taking place from April 1st – 6th, 2026, the renowned esports tournament will not only bring elite RTS competitors to London but transform the city itself in a landmark takeover celebrating the return of Red Bull Wololo for its eighth edition.

To mark the launch of ticket sales, Red Bull Wololo has staged a special takeover across London today, bringing Age of Empires to life in three iconic locations. From Leicester Square and Tower Bridge, to Hyde Park with the Royal Albert Hall rising in the distance, the streets have come alive with performers dressed as iconic characters from the game. Wielding medieval-style flags emblazoned with the Red Bull Wololo emblem, they offered passersby and fans a glimpse into the tournament and the chance to join the action as London beheld the spirit of Age of Empires.

In 2026, across six days of competition, Red Bull Wololo: Londinium will see the world’s best Age of Empires strategists battle for supremacy in Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition and Age of Empires IV, culminating in a historic Grand Final at the Royal Albert Hall – the first-ever Age of Empires orchestrated esports final, with a 40-piece orchestra performing the game’s legendary soundtrack live for over 2,500 fans.

Red Bull Wololo: Londinium Key Dates

  • Group Stages: April 1st – 3rd, 2026 – Red Bull Gaming Sphere, Shoreditch
  • Playoffs: April 4th – 5th, 2026 – The Odeon Luxe Cinema, Leicester Square
  • Grand Final: April 6th, 2026 – Royal Albert Hall

The action kicks off at the Red Bull Gaming Sphere with the Group Stages before moving to the Odeon Luxe in Leicester Square for the Playoffs, where top competitors from the Age of Empires II and Age of Empires IV qualifiers battle under the spotlight in one of London’s most iconic entertainment venues. The tournament will then reach its crescendo within the historic walls of the Royal Albert Hall, where players who have proven themselves worthy will face off for ultimate glory and a place in Age of Empires competitive history.

Tickets are now on sale for the Playoffs and Grand Final of Red Bull Wololo: Londinium. Secure your Playoff tickets (eventbrite.co.uk/e/red-bull-wololo-playoffs-tickets-1974965913211?aff=oddtdtcreator) and Grand Final tickets (royalalberthall.com/tickets/events/2026/red-bull-wololo-londinium) . Don’t miss the chance to see elite esports players from around the world compete across Age of Empires titles in historic venues, as London itself becomes a stage for strategy and conquest.

Fans across the globe will be able to tune into the action for every stage of the tournament via the Red Bull Gaming Twitch and YouTube channels.

 

The post Red Bull WOLOLO 2026 Takes Over London As Tickets Go On Sale For Eighth Edition: ‘Londinium’ appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Konami Digital Entertainment and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Have Signed a Partnership Agreement

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Konami Digital Entertainment pleased to announce the signing of a partnership agreement with the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

Konami Digital Entertainment B.V. (Konami) announces a partnership agreement with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has been signed. CAF is the continental federation governing football associations in the African region, currently comprising 56 member countries and regions. CAF organises numerous tournaments, including the Africa Cup of Nations, which determines the continent’s top football team, significantly contributing to the sport’s development.

In recent years, football has enjoyed overwhelming popularity in Africa, with interest in national and club teams rapidly increasing. Furthermore, interest and enthusiasm for eFootball are also growing, leading to the signing of this new licensing agreement with CAF.

To commemorate this partnership, a special AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS 25 Campaign will be held within eFootball. Tournament events and African star players will appear in the game, allowing players to experience the excitement of the actual tournament.

Koji Kobayashi, Senior Executive Officer, Konami Digital Entertainment commented: “We are delighted to announce the establishment of a partnership with the Confederation of African Football (CAF). This partnership brings new possibilities to the gaming experience, and we are truly excited to deliver the passion of the African region-home to some of the world’s most powerful footballing nations – to fans around the globe through eFootball, and this partnership opens up exciting new possibilities for the gaming experience. Through this initiative, we look forward to adding new African star players and tournament licenses such as TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, further enhancing the realism and excitement of eFootball.”

Véron Mosengo-Omba, General Secretary of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) adds: “The TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 will be one of the most exciting and widely followed editions of our flagship competition. Our partnership with KONAMI reflects CAF’s commitment to innovation, global fan engagement, and creating new opportunities for African youth in both football and digital spaces.”

Konami Digital Entertainment will continue to expand its licenses and provide authentic soccer experiences to fans worldwide through eFootball.

 

The post Konami Digital Entertainment and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Have Signed a Partnership Agreement appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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G2 Announces Betpanda as Official CS Global Betting Partner Ahead of 2026 Season

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  • G2 has named Betpanda, a leading online crypto casino, as its official CS global betting partner
  • Starting in 2026, Betpanda will appear on G2’s CS2 team jerseys
  • Throughout the year, fans can take part in tournaments, giveaways, sweepstakes, and a variety of video and social content designed to enhance the fan experience

G2, one of the world’s leading entertainment and esports brands, has entered into a partnership with Betpanda, a leading online crypto casino, as the official global betting partner for the organisation’s Counter-Strike team. The collaboration will roll out a series of initiatives worldwide, including giveaways, sweepstakes, content, tournament activations, and more. As part of the collaboration, Betpanda branding will appear as the main logo on G2’s CS team jerseys from 2026.

Throughout 2026, fans will be able to experience the partnership first-hand at multiple esports tournament activations throughout the year, featuring creators and teams, offering exclusive in-person opportunities.

With a shared commitment to innovation and community, G2 and Betpanda aim to provide engaging experiences for fans throughout the year. The partnership will also extend to a range of digital activations, featuring exclusive video and social content, giveaways, and other initiatives.

“Betpanda joins us at an exciting moment for the organisation,” said Alban Dechelotte, CEO of G2. “This alliance allows us to build fresh, meaningful touchpoints for our fans throughout the year. We hope to create moments that will entertain and connect with fans all around the world.”

“G2 has set the standard for excellence in esports, and we’re proud to collaborate with a team that consistently pushes the boundaries of what the industry can be,” says Betpanda. “Their view on innovation and creativity goes perfectly hand-in-hand with our way of breaking boundaries and reaching new fans and audiences. Thank you to EMW Global for helping us to make this partnership possible. We’re excited to see the impact we can create alongside G2 in 2026”

 

The post G2 Announces Betpanda as Official CS Global Betting Partner Ahead of 2026 Season appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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