今日(4月17日)假旺角大球場上演的亞洲足協盃2019分組賽I組賽事，和富大埔以4:2擊敗航源，全取三分。今天的入場人數為3,533人，購票人數為3,414人，門票收入為港幣$146,170元正。 上半場11分鐘，辛祖接應隊友左路一記傳中施頭槌攻門被黃秋霖托高後復接回。14分鐘，班奇禁區頂罰球直射，皮球穿過人牆後中橫楣彈出。 17分鐘，伊高沙托尼左路傳中，辛祖門前未能把握到機會，皮球溜向尾柱，黃威上前接應後再傳中，翟廷峯迎頂皮球中門柱彈入網窩，和富大埔打開1:0的紀錄。 24分鐘，班奇扣過敵衛後於禁區頂抽射，惟偏離目標。29分鐘，班奇左路罰球斬中，曾文輝橫身撲出。33分鐘，班奇禁區邊罰球直射得手，航源扳成1:1平手。34分鐘，伊高沙托尼沿左路推進切入禁區窄位起腳射入替和富大埔以2:1再度領前。38分鐘，伊高沙托尼左路角球開入禁區，馮慶燁衝頂斜出。 42分鐘，伊高沙托尼左路出擊將球回後給利馬來一記遠射告斜出。半場和富大埔以2:1佔先。 換邊續戰，50分鐘，辛祖右路接應隊友傳送後推入禁區射近柱被黃秋霖橫身接去。52分鐘，朱益成右路禁區施射被曾文輝接牢。 55分鐘，伊高沙托尼把握亞歷山卓一記失誤劫得來球後沿左路直推入禁區再帶橫扣過出迎的黃秋霖起腳射地波入網，個人梅開二度替和富大埔將比數拉開至3:1。 60分鐘，班奇右路切入禁區橫傳給後備入替的陳慶烜施射，皮球中門柱彈出。63分鐘，伊高沙托尼左路引球出擊大腳交給右路禁區頂的利馬抽射高出。 67分鐘，航源一記右路反擊，班奇快傳給朱益成單刀射入，替航源追至2:3的接近比數。68分鐘，班奇一記撞射，但逃不過曾文輝的十指關。 82分鐘，利馬右路禁區壓落底線被敵衞絆跌，和富大埔獲得一記12碼，惟伊高沙托尼操刀被黃秋霖擋出。 90分鐘，伊高沙托尼左路罰球斬中，陳肇鈞近門頂入，替和富大埔將比數再度拉開至4:2。補時階段，朱益成左路起腳抽射被曾文輝沒收。直至完場，雙方均未有進賬，和富大埔最終以4:2擊敗航源，在亞協盃分組賽再度敲響勝鼓，全取三分。 資料來源 : HKFA

Newcomers Fulham and Portimonense will face off in the group stage of the 2019 HKFC Citi Soccer Sevens following Wednesday’s draw for the 20th anniversary edition of the tournament at Hong Kong Football Club. The English and Portuguese sides will be joined in Group A by competition regulars West Ham United and local outfit HKFC Captain’s Select for the tournament, which will be held between May 17-19. Newcastle United begin the defence of their title, having beaten Rangers in the 2018 final, alongside Brighton & Hove Albion, current AFC Champions League holders Kashima Antlers from Japan and Hong Kong side Yau Yee League Select in Group C. Six-time winners Aston Villa will go head-to-head with two-time champions Leicester City in Group B in a repeat of the 2017 final, with the duo joined by nine-time Hong Kong champions Kitchee and Singapore Cricket Club. Finally, in Group D, Rangers return in search of their maiden HKFC Citi Soccer Sevens title against newcomers Wolverhampton Wanderers, HKFA Red Dragons and Hong Kong Football Club in Group D. “The group that intrigues me the most is Group A in the Main tournament which sees West Ham, who are always a strong side, and two newcomers in Portimonense and Fulham, so who knows how strong they’ll be,” said HKFC Citi Soccer Sevens Tournament Director Chris Plowman. “They’re going to be going up against our HKFC Captain’s Select team, so if there’s a group of death, I’m guessing that’s the one. “Leicester and Villa in the same group will be interesting and Kitchee as a local side are always very strong. Singapore Cricket Club have got some tough matches on their hands.” New Hong Kong national team head coach Mixu Paatelainen, who was only appointed earlier in April, also attended the draw. “It’s wonderful. There’s history to this tournament and you can see there are big clubs from England taking part,” said former Finland international Paatelainen. “Any international match is important for the youngsters in terms of development so an international tournament will be valuable for Hong Kong’s youngsters to play against hopefully the future stars of the Premier League, who it will be interesting to see playing.” In the Masters tournament, defending champions Discovery Bay have been paired in Group A with two-time winners Citi All Stars, last year’s runners-up Nottingham Forest Mobsters, HKFC Chairman’s Select and Singapore Cricket Club Masters. In Group B, meanwhile, playonPROS will play competition regulars Wallsend Boys Club, and Hong Kong sides Eleven FC, HKFC Masters and Kowloon Cricket Club Veterans. “It is a very exciting draw and you can see from the line-up it will be very fierce competition,” said Wayne Fong, Head of Corporate Affairs at Citi Hong Kong. “At Citi we are very proud to be sponsor again for the next three years and we are looking forward to a very exciting and successful event this year. “We like that the tournament changes every year and invites teams from all over the world to make it more diverse, allowing this tournament to be better and bigger.” Information and photos source : 2019 HKFC Citi Soccer Sevens

Lewis Hamilton won Formula 1’s 1000thworld championship race, getting the jump of polesitting team-mate Valtteri Bottas off the line at the start to take a lead he then held for the full race distance. Sebastian Vettel was third ahead of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. Hamilton made a good start from second place on the grid to power past Bottas, who afterward admitted he had been disadvantaged by momentary wheelspin on the start/finish line. Starting from the same side of the grid as Hamilton, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc also got away well to steal P3 from team-mate Sebastian Vettel. Behind them, Verstappen held fifth off the line, with Red Bull team-mate Pierre Gasly also retaining his starting position of sixth ahead of Renault’s Daniel Ricciardo. Further back, there was trouble for McLaren as both Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris got tagged in a battle with Toro Rosso’s Daniil Kvyat. Norris was pitched into the air briefly and sustained floor damage while Sainz damaged his front wing. Both pitted for repairs at the end of the first lap and rejoined at the back of the field. Kvyat was soon handed a drive-through penalty for causing the collision. By lap 10 Hamilton had opened up a solid lead ahead of his team-mate, but fourth-placed Vettel was now pushing to get past Leclerc. Despite the younger driver’s protestations that he was quicker than the German, Leclerc was told to defer to the four-time champion and on lap 11 he pulled across to allow Vettel through to third place. At the end of lap 17 Verstappen headed for the pit lane to take on hard tyres. Sensing a threat, Ferrari mirrored the move with Vettel on the next lap and the German rejoined just ahead of the Dutch driver. With Vettel on cold tyres, Verstappen smelled blood and the Red Bull driver launched a bold attack down the inside into the hairpin. He got past but locked up slightly and Vettel was able to hold a wide line and retained his position, with Verstappen being forced out onto the grass. It was the Dutch driver’s only realistic chance and once Vettel’s tyres were working well, he began to pull away from the Red Bull. The race then settled until the second round of stops, again triggered by Verstappen. The Dutchman pitted at the end of lap 34 for medium tyres and Ferrari responded by bringing in Vettel for the same compound a lap later. Mercedes then brought in their drivers for medium compound Pirellis. Bottas dropped to third in that round of stops but he soon closed in on Leclerc and despite a brave defence by the Ferrari driver, the Finn was able to get past to reclaim P2. Vettel now also began to close on Leclerc and armed with fresher tyres there was little fuss in getting by as Leclerc gave way and swiftly made his own pit stop for mdeiums. The Monegasque’s pit stop allowed Max to power past and reclaim fourth place, with Leclerc eventually rejoining almost 15 seconds behind the Red Bull. The order at the top remained unchanged in the final laps, with Hamilton cruising to a 75thcareer win ahead of Bottas, Vettel and Verstappen. However, behind fifth-placed Leclerc, Pierre Gasly in the second Red Bull was plotting a late charge. Vettel had held the race fastest lap, a 1:34.836s, since lap 37, but holding a an almost 30s advantage over Renault’s Daniel Ricciardo, Gasly took a free pit stop on lap 53 for soft tyres. He duly claimed fastest lap with a time of 1:34.742 to take another point to add the eight earned for sixth place ahead of Ricciardo, Racing Point’s Sergio Pérez, Alfa Romeo’s Kimi Räikkönen and Toro Rosso’s Alex Albon, who delivered an excellent drive to claim a point for 10thplace after starting from the pit lane. 2019 Formula 1Chinese Grand Prix – Race 1 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 56 - 2 Valtteri Bottas Mercedes 56 6.552 3 Sebastian Vettel Ferrari 56 13.744 4 Max Verstappen Red Bull 56 27.627 5 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 56 31.276 6 Pierre Gasly Red Bull 56 1'29.307 7 Daniel Ricciardo Renault 55 1 lap 8 Sergio Perez Racing Point 55 1 lap 9 Kimi Raikkonen Alfa Romeo 55 1 lap 10 Alex Albon Toro Rosso 55 1 lap 11 Romain Grosjean Haas 55 1 lap 12 Lance Stroll Racing Point 55 1 lap 13 Kevin Magnussen Haas 55 1 lap 14 Carlos Sainz Jr. McLaren 55 1 lap 15 Antonio Giovinazzi Alfa Romeo 55 1 lap 16 George Russell Williams 54 2 laps 17 Robert Kubica Williams 54 2 laps 18 Lando Norris McLaren 50 Daniil Kvyat Toro Rosso 41 Nico Hulkenberg Renault 16 Information and photos source : FIA

Mitch Evans clawed his way passed Andre Lotterer in a hard-fought duel on the streets of Rome to earn his first victory in the ABB FIA Formula E Championship and a maiden win for Panasonic Jaguar Racing. Evans stalked the back of Lotterer’s car in the opening phase of the race, with the DS TECHEETAH driver unable to pull a gap. With both teams and drivers evenly-matched on pace, it became a tactical battle about when to deploy ATTACK MODE. It was Evans who blinked first - activating ATTACK MODE just after the halfway mark. Despite losing some time moving off the racing line, Evans stayed ahead of Stoffel Vandoorne in third and quickly roped Lotterer back in. Lotterer chose not to mirror Evans and ran an alternate strategy, holding off on using the higher power mode and keeping the Jaguar behind - intending to reap the rewards later in the race and using track position to his advantage. However, Evans had other ideas and made a lunge with only seconds to spare with ATTACK MODE running out. Staying in his slipstream with the shining LED lights on the halo, Evans squeezed by Lotterer with a bold move up the inside of Turn 11. With the lead changing hands, Lotterer used ATTACK MODE twice on the bounce in a bid to counteract the advance of Evans. But despite his best efforts, he couldn’t get close enough and had to once again settle for second place. Managing and closely monitoring his energy to the chequered flag, Evans punched the air as he crossed the finish-line - adding to the list of consecutive different winners so far this season and taking the tally to seven. Vandoorne hung on to the coat-tails of the top-two and rounded-out the podium places, before coming to a halt on the cool down lap. The result marks the first podium for the Belgian in his rookie season and the first for HWA RACELAB in Formula E. Robin Frijns progressed through the field to fourth ahead of Sebastien Buemi - who picked-up an extra point for fastest lap - with his Nissan e.dams team-mate Oliver Rowland a place further back, in front of Lucas di Grassi in seventh. Four points for Jerome D’Ambrosio in eighth was enough to vault him above Antonio Felix da Costa, returning to the top of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship standings with the top-nine drivers covered by a mere 13 points. Reigning champion Jean-Eric Vergne couldn’t replicate his form from Sanya, failing to score points after being caught-up in the first lap melee with Jose Maria Lopez and Gary Paffett that eventually brought out the red flag. Vergne was later penalised for overtaking Da Costa under Full Course Yellow - dropping him further down the order. The ABB FIA Formula E Championship now heads to Paris for the second instalment of the voestalpine European races on April 27. For more analysis and to read the full race report, visit - www.FIAFormulaE.com Information and photo source : The ABB FIA Formula E Championship

4月13日星期六在屯門新咖啡灣，舉行的第22屆全港公開沙灘排球錦標賽 - 女子乙組四強及決賽，賽果如下： 四強: Men (駱純/袁廷芝) 2:0 (21:10, 21:9) 下手 (林慧賢/趙穎琪) 四強: Yumika (陳秋穎/楊紫霞) 1:2 (10:21, 21:18, 9:15) YMYM (毛凱茵/黃婉媚) 季軍戰: 下手 (林慧賢/趙穎琪) 2:1 (21:19, 14:21, 15:13) Yumika (陳秋穎/楊紫霞) 冠軍戰: Men (駱純/袁廷芝) 2:1 (20:22, 21:15, 15:12) YMYM (毛凱茵/黃婉媚) 冠軍: Men (駱純/袁廷芝) 亞軍: YMYM (毛凱茵/黃婉媚) 季軍: 下手 (林慧賢/趙穎琪) 資料及相片來源 : 香港沙排

【2019年4 月 13 日- 香港】由香港排球總會主辦之「FIVB世界女排聯賽香港2019」將於6月4至6日假香港體育館舉行。香港排球總會會長吳守基SBS太平紳士聯同FIVB世界女排聯賽香港2019賽事組織委員會執行主席何仲浩先生、中國人壽保險（海外）股份有限公司（「中國人壽（海外）」）市場策劃部總經理唐秀珊小姐、以及中國女排名將張磊小姐為是次記者招待會主持啓動儀式；香港首位女子職業排球運動員楊秀美小姐及人氣歌星王灝兒小姐(JW)亦親身出席支持，攜手為是次世界級體壇盛事揭開序幕，並公佈門票發售詳情及賽程等資訊。 國際級排球勁旅香港站對壘中、日、意、荷大戰紅館一觸即發 國際排聯去年將已舉辦25年的「FIVB世界女排大獎賽」賽制優化，改革成全新的「FIVB世界女排聯賽」。在新賽制下所有隊伍於分站賽階段只會對賽一次，因此必須「場場去盡」爭取入圍南京總決賽的資格！ 一如以往，今年4支頂級國家隊伍將來港上演6場高水平對賽。本屆賽事的參賽隊伍包括：世界排名第二的中國、2014年世界女排大獎賽亞軍日本（世界排名第六）、2018年世界女排錦標賽第四名荷蘭（世界排名第七）、以及2018年世界女子排球錦標賽亞軍意大利（世界排名第八）；上屆「FIVB世界女排聯賽2018-香港」日本以局數3:2險勝意大利，3名對手中意大利僅負日本，這次意日對戰勢必更扣人心弦！ 精彩對決 場場去盡 門票於4月18日起公開發售 賽事門票將由4月18日起於城市售票網公開發售，6月4至6日每日門票票價分別為$700、$380及$120。市民欲觀賞各場精彩矚目的排球大戰，務必把握購票機會，親身到場感受4支排球勁旅「場場去盡」的熾熱氣氛！關於售票詳情，https://可瀏覽大會專頁www.facebook.com/VNLHK/或致電-賽事熱線9303 0571查詢。 香港排球總會會長吳守基SBS太平紳士致辭時表示：「本年度賽事將有中國、日本、意大利及荷蘭來港爭奪總決賽資格，4支隊伍皆是2018世界女排錦標賽首六位排名的頂級勁旅，定必為香港球迷帶來一場場精彩絕倫的球賽。為慶祝中華人民共和國成立70周年，我們特別邀請女排史上創下首個世界排名五連冠佳績的前中國女排成員來港觀賞賽事，為今年「FIVB世界女排聯賽」香港站添上特別意義。距離賽事開鑼大約50天，各位球迷一定要把握機會盡早購票，絕對不能錯過今年的精彩賽事！」 中國人壽（海外）市場策劃部總經理唐秀珊小姐表示：「『FIVB世界女排聯賽』去年改革賽事，得到不錯的迴響，在所有隊伍於分站階段只對賽一次的賽制下，熾熱的賽事氣氛讓球迷更踴躍投入觀賞賽事! 中國人壽（海外）很榮幸能夠再度以香港站首席贊助商的身分參與這項世界級體壇盛事，繼續夥拍香港排球總會為市民帶來升級的賽事體驗。而我們更會從贊助費中撥出20%予香港排球總會以推動本地排球運動發展，一同推廣健康生活。適逢中國人壽集團公司70周年暨中國人壽（海外）35周年誌慶，我們將會推出一系列活動回饋社會，加深公衆的參與度，讓大眾一同感受這個運動的獨有魅力。」 中國女排名將張磊小姐亦以主禮嘉賓身份到場支持，她表示：「香港球迷的熱情讓我特別懷念以前在香港比賽的時光，相信中國隊的隊友們也跟我一樣，即使面對日本、意大利及荷蘭般世界級強隊，憑藉現場觀眾的歡呼打氣聲，定必竭盡全力，爭取好成績！」 唱功了得的人氣歌星王灝兒小姐(JW)表達雀躍的心情：「以前在電視上欣賞排球賽事時，總是被球員們的扣球威力所震懾，作為中國女排的粉絲，我希望今年能夠抽空入場觀賞『FIVB世界女排聯賽香港2019』這場排球界的矚目盛事，近距離一睹她們的風采。」她亦呼籲市民把握時間購票，親身到場感受濃厚的賽事氣氛及支持心愛的球隊。 香港首位女子職業排球運動員楊秀美小姐剛從泰國回港，她表示：「學生時代觀看『FIVB世界女排大獎賽』時常幻想成為職業球員的模樣，長大後遠走他鄉展開職業排球生涯才知道絲毫不容易，希望香港所有擁有排球夢的運動員不要放棄追夢，繼續堅持為香港排球界出一分力。」 於記者招待會開始前，大會特意邀請張磊小姐舉行分享會，提供一個難得的機會予中小學及大專球迷即場提問，發掘更多與排球相關的知識及趣聞。 大會將於4月11至14日在奧海城2期地下主題中庭設立「FIVB世界女排聯賽香港站球迷區」，展出4隊球星的1：1展板、球隊介紹及排球遊戲攤位，讓大眾透過多元化的體驗接觸排球運動，以及深入了解是次香港站的4支參賽隊伍，藉此提高市民對排球運動的興趣。 適逢中華人民共和國成立70周年，大會將於賽事期間邀請中國冠軍女排成員及天津青年排球隊成員來港進行交流活動，促進本地排球運動發展，並與香港球迷一同欣賞連場緊張刺激的女排賽事。 資料及相片來源 : 奕朗市埸顧問 / FIVB世界女排聯賽香港2019賽事組織委員會

2019年4月13日 ─香港棍網球總會今日(4月13日)假旺角波鞋街THE FOREST地下，舉辦棍網球示範活動以及全港中學校際棍網球比賽2018-2019啟動禮，並為4月19至22日舉行的「香港棍網球公開賽2019」進行宣傳。 香港棍網球總會將於5月4、5、11及12日，一連兩個星期六、日首次舉辦全港中學校際棍網球比賽2018-2019。首3天賽事將於英皇佐治五世學校舉行，最後一天比賽則移師蒲崗村道球場進行，屆時13支本地學界精英隊伍將會爭奪男子及女子組賽事冠軍。男子組9支參賽隊伍包括：張祝珊英文中學、香港四邑商工總會黃棣珊紀念中學、香港國際學校聯隊、喇沙書院、獻主會聖母院書院及香港中文大學校友會聯會張煊昌中學聯隊、聖公會聖馬利亞堂莫慶堯中學、順德聯誼總會鄭裕彤中學、元朗公立中學校友會鄧兆棠中學、余振強紀念中學。女子組方面則有香港四邑商工總會黃棣珊紀念中學、英皇佐治五世學校、德蘭中學及順德聯誼總會鄭裕彤中學聯隊、英華女學校。 喇沙書院在2018年9月成立棍網球校隊，出席啟動禮的隊員袁捷滔指出自己過沒有參與校內的運動隊伍，由被棍網球運動的特點吸引，所以開始訓練。喇沙的成員以初中的學生為主，他們視已成立校隊近兩年的余振強紀念中學為主要對手。余振強校隊主力成員古禾楓表示：「校隊的球員已高年級同學為主，在體型上佔優，相信球隊的對抗性較其他隊伍佔優，我們會以平常心應戰，但當然希望可以贏得錦標賽。」 此外，「香港棍網球公開賽2019」將於4月19至22日假香港大學何鴻燊體育中心舉行。多位港隊主力成員黃思翰、麥浩駿及許嘉希亦有到場進行技術示範，為賽事進行宣傳，讓市民更了解棍網球運動。今年的「香港棍網球公開賽」共有21支球隊競逐，是歷屆最多隊伍參賽的一年。衞冕的香港女子及男子代表隊，將要面對來自新加坡、中華台北、日本、南韓和中國等強隊的挑戰。四天賽事歡迎公眾到場觀賞，費用全免！未能親身到場的球迷亦可於4月22日（決賽日）透過香港棍網球公開賽facebook 收看現場直播。 由於今年香港男子代表隊將會出戰今年9月在加拿大舉行的世界室內棍網球錦標賽。為了備戰，男子代表隊將兵分兩路，一隊留港出戰香港公開賽，另一隊則前赴捷克布拉格出席室內賽。這令男子隊的衛冕之路增添變數。至於香港女子隊方面，除了精英隊，球迷亦可以留意香港U19代表隊的表現，她們將會參加今年的U19世界錦標賽，故此香港公開賽會是球隊練兵的好機會。 「香港棍網球公開賽2019」 女子組共有10支參賽隊伍，分別為香港女子代表隊、香港女子U19隊、Euhrens(南韓)、Fun(日本)、慶應義塾大學1(日本)、慶應義塾大學2(日本)、上海女子隊、Team China Mulan(中國)、中國女子U19隊，以及中華台北女子隊。男子組方面，冠軍將會由11支球隊角逐，分別為香港男子代表隊、香港男子精英訓練計劃、北京男子隊、FOGO Japan(日本)、HUFS Maddogs(南韓)、Phantom Seoul(南韓)、上海男子隊、新加坡男子隊、中華台北男子隊、Team JJ(香港)，以及Wuhan Red Barons(中國)。 資料及相片來源 : N Square / 香港棍網球總會

LONDON, UK (April 11, 2019) - The ABB FIA Formula E Championship is rolling out revolutionary new sustainable branding and trackside signage at race events, working together with global branding supplier CSM Live - using non-PVC material to reduce plastic production and waste. Formula E tasked CSM Live to develop new solutions for trackside branding, and after 12-months of intensive research, a new strong, durable and sustainable alternative will be applied to the barriers lining each circuit - starting in the Italian capital for the GEOX Rome E-Prix and the first instalment of the voestalpine European races on April 13. The adhesive film has been tailor-made and produced to meet the specific needs of the electric street racing series, in conjunction with specialist manufacturer and established supply chain partner HEXIS. The new trackside signage will replace any previously-used materials and significantly limit the environmental impact of the series by cutting back on 35-kilometres of potential PVC waste. With the same high-quality performance as its PVC predecessor, the innovative product is made of polypropylene, a material widely used across a number of industries due to its recyclable properties. Both Formula E and CSM Live - part of CSM Sport & Entertainment - have a shared commitment to sustainable practice and working methods, with the ABB FIA Formula E Championship being recognised as the first category in motorsport to receive third-party ISO 20121 certification. Julia Palle, Senior Sustainability Consultant at Formula E, said: “Working together with a trusted and credible supplier in CSM Live, we’ve been able to deliver sustainable solutions for branding and trackside signage. Not only does the non-PVC material provide similar levels of strength and durability, each aspect has been carefully considered in order to fully limit its impact - from production line to re-use and recycling. Introducing new and innovative ways of branding allows the ABB FIA Formula E Championship to continue accelerating positive change in the events industry.” Graham Clark, Managing Director at CSM Live - part of CSM Sport & Entertainment, said: “We’re proud to have worked closely with Formula E since its inception and whole-heartedly support the mission of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship to drive sustainable event management. In order to completely close the loop, we’ve looked at all elements of our supply chain and we’re thrilled to be able to deliver this new product - pioneering the way for non-PVC solutions to be used industry-wide across the globe.” To get the latest news on the ABB FIA Formula E Championship, visit - www.FIAFormulaE.com Information and photo source : ABB FIA Formula E Championship

Portimonense will become the first team from Portugal to play at the HKFC Citi Soccer Sevens when the Primeira Liga side run out at Hong Kong Football Club in May during the 20th anniversary of the seven-a-side tournament. The side from Portimao in the Algarve region will join the likes of fellow newcomers Wolverhampton Wanderers and Fulham, defending champions Newcastle United, two-time winners Leicester City and six-time champions Aston Villa between 17-19 May. They have never won a major trophy, but returned to Portugal’s top flight in 2017 after winning the LigaPro – Portugal’s second tier. “Portimonense will become the first side from Portugal to play at Hong Kong Football Club and we are delighted to welcome them to the HKFC Citi Soccer Sevens family as we celebrate our 20th anniversary,” said HKFC Citi Soccer Sevens Organising Committee Chairman Tony Bratsanos. “Luís Boa Morte, who is a long-time friend of the HKFC Citi Soccer Sevens having played in Hong Kong on several occasions, actually helped with Portimonense’s involvement. He was until recently the head coach of the U-23 side and had told them about our tournament and they were very keen to come.” Portimonense reached their peak in the 1980s as they played the entire decade in the top flight, progressed to the Cup of Portugal semi-finals in 1983, 1987 and 1988, and also competed in the UEFA Cup in 1985–86. On their most recent return to the top flight during the 2017/18 season, Portimonense finished 10th in the 18-team Primeira Liga. “It is always great to welcome new teams, especially from new countries, and Luis’ help shows how much people remember their trips to Hong Kong that they want to tell others and encourage them to come. Like Wolves, another debutant this year, they actually contacted us and asked if they could participate,” added Bratsanos. “We can’t wait to see what Portimonense bring to the pitch, and we all remember what Spain’s Atletico Madrid did on their debut in 2015 when they won the tournament at the first attempt.” Last year’s beaten finalists Rangers from Scotland, West Ham United and Brighton & Hove Brighton & Hove Albion Albion will also again join the strong British challenge this year, with Japan’s Kashima Antlers also returning to Hong Kong Football Club. Hong Kong Premier League side Kitchee, HKFA Dragons, Hong Kong Football Club, Hong Kong Football Club Captain’s Select, Singapore Cricket Club and Yau Yee League Select complete the Main draw for the 2019 tournament. In the Masters tournament, defending champions Discovery Bay, 2018 finalists Nottingham Forest Mobsters, two-time champions Citi All Stars, Wallsend Boys Club and playonPROS head a strong line-up. Hong Kong Football Club Chairman’s Select, Hong Kong Football Club Masters, Singapore Cricket Club Masters, Yau Yee League Veterans and newcomers Eleven FC complete the draw. The draw for the 2019 HKFC Citi Soccer Sevens will take place on Wednesday 17 April, 2019. Information and photo source : 2019 HKFC Citi Soccer Sevens

10 April 2019, Monaco – VENTURI Formula E Team heads to Rome (Italy) this week for round seven of the 2018-2019 Formula E Championship on Saturday 13 April. Currently sixth in the constructors’ championship, the Monegasque team is looking forward to contesting the next five races on European soil – which includes their home race in Monaco on 11 May. A CHALLENGING CIRCUIT Making the very most of the spotlight Formula E brings to a host city, Italy’s capital, Rome, will be displaying all its finery as it hosts its second E-Prix, in the Esposizione Universale di Roma district in the south of the city. Last year’s race was watched by 53,000 trackside spectators and over 34 million television viewers, the highest audience figures of the 2017-2018 season. The 2.870 km circuit features 21 turns, winding around the impressive Piazzale delle Nazioni Unite. The Rome E-Prix track is notoriously challenging, with a sloping, bumpy, and technically-demanding surface that offers little in the way of grip. Getting the car’s balance right for this particular track will be essential, while engine torque will also be vital. The section where the drivers will be able to activate Attack Mode – giving them an extra burst of power – is situated in a tricky part of the circuit at the exit of turn 6, and things are likely to get very interesting at that point making the Rome E-Prix a must see for fans of the sport. FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH VENTURI Formula E Team arrives in Italy lying 6th in the overall rankings. Ahead of this first European race, the aim is clear: to put more points on the board, and potentially add to the strong podium finishes achieved in Hong-Kong and Mexico. Edoardo MORTARA, currently 6th in the drivers’ championship, will be driving on home turf to some extent, as the VENTURI Formula E Team driver has Italian-Swiss nationality. Brazil’s Felipe MASSA, will be returning to a country particularly dear to him, where his eight years with Scuderia FERRARI Formula 1 team left an indelible mark on the hearts of the passionate Tifosi. Information and photo source : VENTURI Formula E Team