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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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Hiring Blitz Expands Quantum Affiliate’s Staff By 10%

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The UK-based affiliate is expanding its marketing and commercial teams by hiring six new staff members, while there are still five positions to be filled.

Power affiliate Quantum (previously QiH Group) has experienced significant expansion in the initial two months of 2026, hiring six new staff members for its commercial and marketing teams since December.

First on the list is Shannon Walsh, who enters the swiftly expanding commercial department as a partnerships manager.

Dimi Papamichael, speaking about the stellar growth of his team, said: “From day one, I’ve felt a huge amount of backing and belief in what we’re building here at Quantum – and that’s already turning into real momentum. We’ve recently hired a couple of great people to join our growing commercial team, and we’re not stopping there – with a few more hires lined up in the next couple of months.

“It’s a clear sign of where we’re heading, and there’s a real energy around the business right now. With big plans for this year, we’re continuing to invest in the commercial team to make sure we’ve got the right people in place to move quickly on the opportunities ahead. I’m excited to be building such an ambitious and talented team as we head into a big 2026, and I’m looking forward to what we can achieve together.”

The marketing team, headed by Luke Watkin, is proud to welcome:

  • Cameron Harris, Marketing Specialist
  • Caitlin McIntyre, Affiliate Sales Lead
  • Caroline Millington, Affiliate Account Manager
  • Ariadni Argyropoulou, paid social specialist
  • Gabriela Profir, performance marketing lead

Luke Watkin, director of marketing for Quantum, said: “As a leader I’ve found it to be extremely energising having the backing, the investment, and the ambition within the business to be able to recruit top marketing talent in a number of key positions in recent months. In a short space of time we have really levelled up the quality of our team, and this is already paying dividends both in terms of how we are working, but also (and most importantly) in the form of results. I am excited to continue doing what I love, which is building brilliant teams.”

In addition to the six roles, Quantum is also seeking to fill roles for:

  • head of sales
  • senior business development manager
  • paid social lead and
  • sales ops executive

HR Director for Quantum, Andrea Talreja, shared: “It’s a time of exceptional growth for Quantum, which is exciting and rewarding. We’re seeking not only the roles listed here, but quite a few more in 2026, so if you’re a tech or performance marketing professional – whether from iGaming or other sectors – please get in touch!”

The post Hiring Blitz Expands Quantum Affiliate’s Staff By 10% appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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CasinoCanada announces new partnership with MelBet

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CasinoCanada has announced a strategic partnership with MelBet, the international betting and gaming operator, aimed at expanding the brand’s footprint in Canada through dedicated content and brand representation on CasinoCanada’s digital platforms.

Under the agreement, CasinoCanada.com will produce detailed reviews and SEO-focused content tailored to Canadian audiences. The partnership is designed to provide users with clear, transparent information about MelBet’s products and services, while enhancing the operator’s visibility in Canada and driving traffic to the MelBet website.

CasinoCanada is operated by SEOBROTHERS, and Eugene Ravdin, Head of PR, said:

“MelBet operates across multiple international markets and has established a consistent presence in the iGaming industry. Through CasinoCanada, we will focus on delivering clear, data-based content tailored to users in Canada and quality traffic to the MelBet website. This partnership is structured around transparent communication and long-term cooperation.”

MelBet offers daily betting on over 1,000 events across sports and esports, alongside a wide range of slots from more than 120 global providers. The brand has earned multiple accolades, including Best Online Gambling Operator (EVENTUS 2023), Best Affiliate Program (SiGMA Africa Awards 2024), and Live Casino of the Year (AffPapa iGaming Awards 2024).

The operator’s high-profile sports partnerships feature legends such as Andrés Iniesta, Didier Drogba, and Kamaru Usman. In October 2025, MelBet extended its agreement as Juventus’ official betting partner in MENA and Africa, while Spanish La Liga and professional Dota 2 organisation OG Esports further enhance its global portfolio.

Anastasiia Shcherbyna, CMO at MelBet Affiliates, commented:

“Working with CasinoCanada has been smooth and efficient. They understand the specifics of our brand, communicate clearly, and consistently deliver on their commitments. We appreciate their professional approach and see strong potential for long-term cooperation.”

This collaboration positions MelBet for sustained growth in Canada, leveraging CasinoCanada’s content expertise and digital reach to strengthen brand awareness and user engagement.

The post CasinoCanada announces new partnership with MelBet appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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QTech Games Amplifies Action Through Barbara Bang Integration

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Emerging-markets leader enhances its content selection with new games from a rising contender.

QTech Games, the premier game aggregator for emerging markets, has sustained its robust momentum in its pipeline, owing to its recent agreement with promising studio, Barbara Bang, a slots provider recognized for its unique method of game development and a customized approach to discovering localized solutions for various markets.

Incorporating an outstanding portfolio from a highly unique and innovative digital slots supplier further enhances QTech Games’ expanding platform, which is bringing a diverse selection of online games to emerging markets, featuring well-known brands alongside the industry’s most thrilling new providers.

The games offered to QTech partners through this agreement are crypto-friendly and include popular titles and new releases like Sky Rail Riches, Juicy Fruits, Sunshine Rich, and Chieftain Buffalo. Each utilizes distinct maths modeling that alters the volatility spectrum, contributing to an engaging gaming experience.

Philip Doftvik, QTech Games’ CEO, said: “We’re committed to rolling out first-class content that drives revenue for our partners. So, this deal with Barbara Bang extends our impressive sequential pipeline – and we’ve so much more to come in 2026! In today’s marketplace, only high-quality games offering something different separate you from the rabble, so we’re delighted to see how Barbara Bang is fulfilling this demand. Their dedication to data-driven content development, coupled with an acute focus on even the most specific player-centric details, matches up neatly with QTech’s own localisation techniques across emerging markets.

George Dias, Partnership Manager of Barbara Bang, added: “Barbara Bang prides itself on our ever-expanding production line of titles which provide unique and head-turning experiences in an increasingly homogenised space. And we’ve found QTech to be a natural habitat for embracing such content, and delivering it to new audiences. Founded with the goal of bridging the gap between players and gaming platforms, Barbara Bang is now acquiring progressive recognition in the iGaming market, thanks to this deal with the top aggregator QTech Games.

“We’re confident that this partnership will allow us to seamlessly broaden the scope of our slots for fresh audiences across emerging markets. It’s a significant step for Barbara Bang in enlarging our global footprint.”

The post QTech Games Amplifies Action Through Barbara Bang Integration appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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