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Sergio Aguero: The history of the FA Cup meant it was always a special competition to play in

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Stake’s global representative, Sergio Aguero, reveals his memories of playing in the FA Cup, why it was a special competition for him to win, how Pep Guardiola will keep his players motivated against Peterborough in their fifth round tie, and what this side could achieve this season.

The FA Cup has an amazing history and I am proud to have won the competition 

The FA Cup was always one of my favourite competitions to play in because of its history and because of the many famous players and teams to have won it.

When I was living in Spain and here in Argentina, everyone knew about the competition and its history.

We came so close to winning the FA Cup in 2013 but were beaten by Wigan in the final. It was hard for us because we had a very good team, Carlos Tevez, Yaya Toure, David Silva, Vincent Kompany and Pablo Zabaleta all started that game.

But we were all very new to the club and it was only the start of our journey. I think we did okay in the end!

We were back at Wembley for my second FA Cup final in 2019 and that day went much better for us when we beat Watford.

We were so happy to win it and to be a part of FA Cup history was a very proud moment for me.

The tradition of the FA Cup is one of my favourite things about the competition, it was fun to meet Prince William to get my medal after the game and the celebrations with the fans afterwards was so special.

Everyone says that the FA Cup is magical and it is true, it was always really fun to play in and you felt proud to represent your team in the competition.

The day we played in the FA Cup was

always special because there was so much excitement in the team and the fans were always extra happy to see us play well.

Playing teams in lower divisions in the FA Cup is harder than you think, so Pep will have the City players focused ahead of the Peterborough match 

Not many people know how hard it is to play in the FA Cup. In England, you play a lot of matches and a lot of competitions, but as a player, it’s really exciting because you have the chance to try and win lots of different competitions, and winning finals is something that you are always proud of as a footballer, which means every game is important.

To get to the final you have to play against lots of different teams and some new ones that you might not have ever played against before. Playing against new teams and new players and at new stadiums is always hard because you don’t know 100% what you’re going to be playing against. We watch the teams in the Premier League and Champions League a lot and we all have friends and international teammates that play for them, but when you draw a team in the FA Cup that you don’t regularly get to play against or know too much about, it’s always a difficult experience.

When we played against a new team or a side in a different division, we were always expected to win, but it’s not as easy as that. Every manager always made sure the preparation for an FA Cup game was exactly the same. The training was the same, we worked hard on our jobs for the match and we went into the game knowing what we had to do, it made no difference if it was the final or first round.

This is exactly what Pep Guardiola will be doing with the team this week. Pep is a winner and he hates to lose, you don’t win the number of trophies he has without this attitude. He will be making sure the Manchester City players are ready for the game against Peterborough in the same way as if it was any other match.

There’s added pressure on Manchester City to win in the FA Cup and Peterborough will look to familiar tactics to beat them 

When you are the team in a higher league and you have to travel to a team in a league below you it is difficult because the crowd are always so excited that their team might cause an upset and get to beat a Premier League team! When you get to the ground you are quickly aware that everyone really wants you to lose – the fans let you know when you arrive. It’s not just the

home crowd that are extra excited to see you lose, but it is everyone watching at home also, we know this and try not to think about it and focus on our job for the day.

We played against Wigan, again, in 2018 in the Cup at their stadium and it was one of the hardest matches. They defended so well and frustrated us, we had all of the possession and so many chances, but they scored late and knocked us out, that’s how it is in knockout football. If Peterborough think that they can win then they should watch that game and do the same as Wigan did.

Peterborough will be tough for Manchester City because the team has just travelled to Portugal in the Champions League, had a tough game against Tottenham, then they’ll play away in the Premier League threes days before the match and then they have to play Manchester United after the FA Cup game, but the team has so many good players in every position and everyone is used to this way of playing now.

Manchester City are hungry to win every competition 

At Manchester City, we wanted to win everything, every match and every trophy, and that will always be the case at the club now. I think Manchester City are in a great place to win the Premier League again, they also have a good chance in the FA Cup and in the Champions League too, but this might be competitive, but I think it is possible that they win all three. Winning a treble like this would be a huge achievement and they have a team and manager that can do it this season.

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The Golden Boomerang League winners, sports traffic tournament from Boomerang Partners shared their impressions

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October 31 marked the conclusion of the first season of Golden Boomerang League, an affiliate tournament for sports traffic by Boomerang Partners. The company named the winners in a ceremonial setting on its stage during SiGMA Central Europe in Rome, on November 4th. They became:

  • QQMedia
  • Apex Media
  • Luis Xavier

These teams made it among the 68 participants who managed to generate 20+ FTDs on sports brands from Boomerang Partners’ client portfolio over the two months of the tournament and reached the final draw. Their leaders shared their emotions and impressions.

QQmedia and their unique traffic driving concept

Taking the top spot and winning a direct ticket to the Golden Boomerang Awards 2026 (a global, annual affiliate traffic tournament by Boomerang Partners), QQmedia has proven its elite status in the industry. For the team, this victory was a validation of their unique approach and a reason for a well-deserved celebration in Cyprus.

“The win means a lot to us because it proves our concept. The way we drive traffic is unique; nobody does it like we do,” stated the CEO of QQmedia. The team’s success was driven by a forward-thinking strategy that many competitors are yet to embrace. “I think most people still live in the past… In my opinion, marketing has changed a lot. Influencers are now more powerful than major athletes or actors… We have and that’s why we’re doubling down on influencer marketing,” he revealed.

When it comes to sports traffic specifically, QQmedia leverages this by collaborating with former athletes-turned-influencers, which they note delivers “some of the best conversion rates in the entire industry.”

Looking ahead, the CEO of QQmedia is thrilled about his team automatic qualification for the Golden Boomerang Awards 2026. He recalled the previous event as a “10/10 experience.” Their strategic goal for 2026 is to forge an exclusive partnership in 2026 to focus their power and push one brand to the maximum. The CEO added that the competition itself was highly motivating for the entire team. He described the Golden Boomerang League experience in one word: “Inspiring.”

Luis Xavier builds a strong connection with the target audience

Luis Xavier secured an unforgettable prize: the AC Milan Experience package, including paid flight, accommodation, and attendance at an AC Milan home match at San Siro Stadium in Milan. This became possible thanks to the fact that Boomerang Partners is the Official Regional Partner of AC Milan.

“This victory means a great deal. It reflects all the dedication and ambition in the work done until today,” said the CEO of Luis Xavier. Their approach is straightforward but powerful. “It’s not a matter of strategy. When you know you have to achieve a goal, you just do it. We only stop when it’s accomplished.”

This determination extends to their work with sports traffic, where they believe the ultimate challenge – and key to success – is achieving a strong, genuine connection with the target audience.

Personally, the CEO of Luis Xavier, a huge football fan, looks forward to the Milan trip as a unique reward. He’s already decided his wife will join him, making it a personal celebration of a job well done. For his team, this victory serves as a powerful motivator, proving that “without dedication, nothing is achieved.”

Apex Media is aiming to diversify, and grow globally

Apex Media also scored the AC Milan Experience package. The win has deepened their commitment to their partnership with Boomerang Partners.

“I’m so emotional about the new trip that is coming,” shared the Head of Sales at Apex Media’. “The fact that we won this competition only inspired us to continue working with Boomerang Partners, maybe even more.”

As a team of passionate football fans who recently attended an AC Milan match versus AS Roma, this prize is a perfect fit. The trip to Milan holds special significance for their fully remote team. It serves as a powerful bonding opportunity. “I cannot wait to spend beautiful moments in this town and bring our whole team together,” the Apex Media’ Head of Sales added.

Looking forward, Apex Media plans to build on this success by focusing on constant growth, diversification, and global expansion.

There are more to come

Golden Boomerang League became Boomerang Partners’ first affiliate tournament with focus only on sports traffic. The company continues its course toward the status of leading sports affiliate program in the industry, and it has many plans for 2026. Follow the news on the official website and social networks of the agency.

About Boomerang

Boomerang Partners is a rapidly growing global marketing agency offering a wide range of services. Boomerang Partners is the Official Regional Partner of AC Milan. In 2024, it launched the inaugural Golden Boomerang Awards — a global tournament for affiliate teams. More than 400 affiliate teams participated in the second season of the tournament in 2025. The agency launched six new products in 2024-2025, contributing to a nearly 1.5-fold increase in product users.

The agency’s client portfolio contains 13+ brands offering affiliate and entertainment services across 40+ markets in compliance with local regulations. These products provide personalized bonuses and 24/7 multilingual support.

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Anthony Dalla-Giacoma

Swintt serve up a new holiday slot with all the trimmings in Extra Win X Thanksgiving

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Sought-after software provider’s reimagined retro classic delivers a flavourful feast of rewards as full table wins help players on the way to massively multiplied prizes

Get ready to gather the family around the table and celebrate the harvest season in style in Extra Win X Thanksgiving – the new holiday-themed twist on Swintt’s classic retro slot formula where landing full table wins can lead to massively multiplied payouts.

As the latest release in the software provider’s popular Premium range, Extra Win X Thanksgiving combines simple gameplay across three reels and five fixed paylines with a distinctive autumnal aesthetic as golden turkeys, plump pumpkins and cornucopias award huge wins of up to 20,000x.

Building on the popular prize wheel format found in other Extra Win games, in order to unlock Extra Win X Thanksgiving’s most bountiful rewards, players will need to completely fill the reels with any one symbol to activate a bonus round where their winnings can be multiplied indefinitely.

Whenever this happens, all regular payline wins will be calculated and players will be transported to a new screen where they’ll be prompted to spin a wheel to further improve their rewards. With initial prizes including a standard 1x win and a healthy 2x multiplier, players will be able to keep spinning until they land a red “end” segment, at which point they’ll be returned to the base game.

Each wheel will also display an Extra Win X symbol, and if players are lucky enough to land on this special segment, the value of all multipliers will be enhanced and they’ll be able to keep on spinning. Again, this process will continue until they’re forced to exit the bonus round or the max win has been achieved, but all smaller prizes can also be gambled in an additional “Risk” feature.

Anthony Dalla Giacoma Chief Commercial Officer: “Thanksgiving is a time where millions of families across the U.S. gather to enjoy a smorgasbord of tasty treats – and to mark the occasion, we’re serving up all manner of mouthwatering rewards in a new, holiday-themed edition of our popular Extra Win X series . Featuring the same great mechanics as the original game and an improved top prize of 20,000x, we’re sure it’ll give players and operators plenty to be thankful for.”

The post Swintt serve up a new holiday slot with all the trimmings in Extra Win X Thanksgiving appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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3 Oaks Gaming

Assessing the Greek iGaming market’s potential

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Greece has quickly become one of Europe’s most closely watched regulated iGaming markets, blending high player engagement with an increasingly mature licensing framework. In this roundtable, Christos Zoulianitis, Chief Commercial Officer at ENJOY, Tassos Theocharidis Senior Sales Executive at Altenar, and Iulian Nedelcu, Account Manager at 3 Oaks Gaming examine the market’s evolution, the trends shaping Greek player behaviour, and the opportunities now open to operators and suppliers, while assessing the regulatory and commercial challenges that will define the next phase of growth.

How has the Greek iGaming market developed over the past few years, and what changes have made the biggest difference?

C: The Greek iGaming market has transformed significantly in a relatively short time. The introduction of a clear and consistent licensing framework has provided the stability needed for long-term growth, giving both operators and suppliers the confidence to invest. From a supplier’s perspective, this regulatory clarity has been instrumental in attracting greater innovation and competition. The influx of new licensees underlines the market’s growing appeal, confirming Greece’s status as one of Europe’s most dynamic regulated markets.

T: Following the launch of Greece’s regulated market in 2021, it has stabilised significantly, with more than two dozen licensed operators now active and licensed by the Hellenic Gaming Commission (HGC). Four years on, Greece’s GGR has grown by more than 25%, with online platforms powering that growth. Since obtaining our Greek licence in May last year, we have witnessed its high potential, with the market’s regulated GGR reaching €751.6 million. This demonstrates the huge potential for licensed operators and suppliers looking to achieve growth in the jurisdiction.

I: The Greek iGaming market has gone from something that seems like the “wild west” to a fully regulated playground. The biggest game-changer was licensing – suddenly, both players and operators knew the rules of engagement. Combine that with stricter compliance, stronger player protections, and improved tech infrastructure, and you have got a market that feels solid and sustainable, one that has matured into a competitive environment where quality and localisation matter more than ever. In short, regulation has turned something that seemed chaotic into a place of ample opportunity.

From a player perspective, what trends or behaviours stand out in Greece compared to other European markets?

C: Greek players are among the most passionate and engaged in Europe, particularly in sports betting and casino entertainment. There is a strong demand for immersive, entertainment-led experiences, especially within live casino and slots. Localisation plays a major role in the live environment – Greek-speaking presenters, for instance, drive deeper connection and retention. Interestingly, while tailored live content performs strongly, slots with wider European themes also enjoy success without the need for heavy localisation. Overall, Greek players are highly discerning and place strong emphasis on quality, fairness and trust – often judging an operator by the strength of the suppliers it partners with.

T: Greek players exhibit distinctive behaviours compared to other European markets, with a rich history of playing games of chance. Sports betting, particularly football and basketball, remains the most popular vertical, and contributes nearly half of all online wagering turnover. There has also been a strong uptake of mobile and live products. Over 60% of iGaming activity now occurs via smartphones, and in-play betting has become one of the key engagement drivers.

This is an area we have heavily invested in at Altenar, and our intelligent bet acceptance logic has improved the user experience by minimising the number of bets which are rejected due to a live bet delay. The unique algorithm means bets can still be placed during a live event if there is no significant change to the odds. The use of official data from the industry’s leading providers also helps to ensure live betting windows are extended and cashout availability is improved.

Compared to other European markets like Italy or France, Greek players tend to bet smaller amounts but more frequently, emphasising the social and entertainment value of betting over purely transactional motives.

I: Greek players are passionate and extremely loyal, they gravitate toward engaging features and jackpots, but what really sets them apart is their appetite for localised content and games that feel culturally familiar, relevant and immersive. They want entertainment with personality, not just another spin on the reels. When features speak the language of Greek players, both culturally and experientially, they drive ongoing engagement rather than a single interaction.

What opportunities do you think the Greek market will offer in the coming years?

T: In line with expected annual growth of around 3.5% up to 2029, the market presents significant opportunities in several areas, and is expanding with a highly engaged player base, long-standing cultural acceptance of gambling and well-developed technical infrastructure.

More so than ever, localisation is key, with Greek language support and tailored payment systems in high demand. Additionally, retail-to-online integration and software expertise are essential to help operators compete.

I:
The opportunities are plentiful if you play it smart. Mobile-first experiences will dominate, as Greek players increasingly engage on the go. Localised campaigns alongside tailored jackpots and features will set successful brands apart. There is also room for growth in gamification and responsible play tools, which are increasingly valued. In short, the companies that succeed will be those that combine smart innovation with a genuine understanding of Greek player preferences. A generic slot experience simply is not enough anymore.

C: As more casinos go live under licence, competition is intensifying, opening fresh opportunities for content providers to help operators stand out. Exclusive titles, premium live content, and branded formats are all becoming key differentiators. For suppliers, there is also scope to add value through localised experiences and innovative promotional features that enhance engagement. With a robust regulatory base and consistent year-on-year growth, Greece is shaping up to be one of Europe’s most promising markets for operators and suppliers alike.

Looking ahead, what hurdles do you think the market will face in the coming years?

T: Despite growth, the market faces some structural challenges. High taxation, with GGR tax rates of up to 35%, among Europe’s highest, compresses operator margins. Meanwhile, illegal gambling continues to siphon away 10% of total wagers, prompting the HGC to establish a dedicated task force to curb unregulated activity.

The need for a refreshed regulatory framework has also become urgent. The HGC itself has noted the limitations of the current structure and advocates for a system ‘built from the ground up’ to align with international best practices.

I: The hurdles are quite clear: stricter regulations, heavier compliance burdens, market saturation, and the not-so-small matter of Greek taxation. Operators will also need to constantly balance innovation with responsibility. Yes, players want excitement, but regulators want safety. Add in fierce competition, and the market can feel like a marathon. The key challenge will be differentiation and standing out without cutting any corners. Those who prioritise sustainable strategy, localised insight and long-term trust will be the ones who move ahead.

C: Despite the strong trajectory, the market is not without its challenges. High taxation, rising operational costs, and strict compliance requirements all put pressure on margins – particularly for smaller operators and studios. Suppliers also face lengthy approval processes from the HGC, which, since 2023, have become more time-consuming. Even so, these measures ultimately uphold market integrity and professionalism, helping to ensure Greece’s long-term sustainability as a regulated market.

With factors such as high taxes and increasing competition, how do you see these shaping the future of the Greek iGaming market?

I: High taxes and competition may seem like a headache, but they are in fact forcing the industry to evolve. Margins are tighter, so operators must focus on efficiency, smarter marketing, and player retention rather than quick wins. Competition, meanwhile, drives creativity and innovation – only the best survive. The result? A leaner, more sophisticated market where localisation, responsible play, and strong brand identity separate the leaders from the pack.

C: These pressures are likely to accelerate the market’s evolution towards greater maturity. Operators will prioritise sustainable growth, efficient operations, and long-term partnerships with trusted suppliers. High-quality, localised content will remain a central advantage, while innovation in promotions and player engagement will continue to separate market leaders from the rest. Despite the challenges, the steady influx of new licensees and consistently high player demand underscore Greece’s strong potential – a compact yet high-performing market that continues to deliver impressive annual results.

T: In the years ahead, Greece’s iGaming ecosystem will reflect the tension between innovation and regulation. High competition and tax pressure will likely push smaller firms out of the market, favouring operators that invest in responsible gaming, advanced technology, and product differentiation.

However, the fundamentals remain promising. With high internet penetration, a digitally engaged population, a clear licensing regime, and a growing reputation as a Mediterranean hub for gaming innovation, Greece’s iGaming market is well-positioned to sustain steady, high-quality growth.

The post Assessing the Greek iGaming market’s potential appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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