Aberdeen receive fresh Europa League boost as Sporting boss leaves his assistant in charge

John Hopewell Chief International CorrespondentFilmax has swooped on international rights to “Irati,” an action adventure feature set in the eighth-century Pyrenees.Produced by Spain’s Bainet, Ikusgarri Films, Kilima Media with France’s La Fidèle Production, “Irati” weighs in as one of the most ambitious new Spanish movies being brought onto the market at Berlin. Filmax will present a promo at the EFM.Featuring battles, mythological creatures and fantasy elements in a mix of Basque legend and historical events, it also marks director Paul Urkijo’s follow-up to “Errementari: the Blacksmith and the Devil,” which Filmax sold to Netflix for the world.Now in post-production, “Irati” turns on a pagan girl who guides a young Christian lord called Enekoon a journey into an ancient, mythological world. Eneko hopes to recover lost treasure, key to his defending his valley from Charlemagne’s marauding army, which is devastating the Pyrenees.

Nick Vivarelli International CorrespondentItalian director Matteo Garrone, who was at the 2020 Berlinale with Roberto Benigni-starrer “Pinocchio,” is set to return to the director’s chair in March with coming-of-age adventure drama “Io Capitano,” on which France’s Pathé will be handling international distribution.Garrone’s new pic, whose title translates as “I, Captain,” will be shot in Italy, Morocco and Senegal, marking the first time, Garrone –– a two-time Cannes jury prize-winner, with “Gomorrah” in 2008 and “Reality” in 2012 –– sets a feature film outside of Italy.As is customary with Garrone, story details of “Io Capitano” are being kept under wraps, besides the fact that he wrote the screenplay with regular collaborators Massimo Gaudioso and Andrea Tagliaferri and actor Massimo Ceccherini (“Pinocchio”), who also contributed to the “Pinocchio” screenplay.

Christopher Vourlias Rwandan director Kivu Ruhorahoza’s “Father’s Day,” which bows in the competitive Encounters strand of the Berlin Film Festival, is a timely story of fatherhood in a country that saw a generation orphaned by one of the worst atrocities of the 20th century.The film presents a trio of interwoven stories set in the East African nation. A mother tries to cope with the loss of her only son.

Christopher Vourlias Russian VOD platform KION has unveiled a slate of original content it will be presenting to buyers at the European Film Market.Launched less than one year ago by telecom giant MTS, the company has so far surpassed expectations, according to Igor Mishin, VP for media business development at MTS and CEO of MTS Media. “We have exceeded all business key performance indicators, in terms of the subscriber base and streaming views,” he said.The company is launching two new feature films and two original series at EFM.“Ophiuchus” is an erotic thriller about a bold and sexually liberated pathologist whose lovers begin to die under mysterious circumstances.

“Death on the Nile” was being released in the rest of the Middle East over the weekend, according to Deadline.Gadot, 36, served in the Israeli armed forces for two years, as is required of all young Israelis, before she entered show business.It’s not the first time the former Miss Israel’s nationality has caused controversy as tensions persist between the two warring nations.

Manchester United need a response as they prepare to face Southampton on Saturday.

Manchester United will be looking to bounce back from Tuesday evening's frustrating 1-1 draw with Burnley when they welcome Southampton to Old Trafford on Saturday lunchtime.

thug from a deadly drug cartel can be heard trying to extort a man, with the threat of abducting his wife, in a chilling phone call shared online. The video comes from the Mexican state of Sonora, which borders Arizona, US, and captures the tense conversation between the drug cartel extortionist and the victim over some unexplained, previous misunderstanding. The criminal notes that the man's wife - who is in the room with him - is a "well known business woman", and insists: "I don’t want to tie your wife up and abduct her."He also reveals that members of the cartel have visited a house nearby to abduct another man, claiming that he now has orders from higher-ups to "go where you are and abduct you, to take your vehicle or car and keep everything that you have of value, fool."As the threats are being laid bare, the terrified victim can be heard agreeing with the "boss" before adding "we won't say anything".

Arsenal are set to complete the signing of goalkeeper Matt Turner, but are reluctant to announce his arrival until the summer transfer window opens.According to football.london, a deal has been reached between the Gunners and MLS outfit New England Revolution for the shot-stopper, with a fee being agreed of £4.5m leading to £7.5m plus further bonuses.However, Arsenal will not announce the signing until Turner has completed his medical.Personal terms have already been agreed with the player and the Revs have even announced that the 27-year-old will be making the move to the Emirates Stadium in the summer, but the Gunners are refusing to jump the gun on the transfer.A statement on the Revolutions' website stated: “The New England Revolution have agreed to terms for goalkeeper Matt Turner to join Arsenal of the English Premier League in a summer transfer for an undisclosed fee pending completion of a medical.“Turner, the 2021 Allstate MLS Goalkeeper of the Year, is expected to join Arsenal in late June 2022, allowing the United States international to remain with New England through the entirety of the 2022 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League campaign and nearly half of the 2022 MLS regular season.“Further information will be shared when the transfer is completed.”The arrival of Turner will open the door for Bernd Leno to leave the club in the summer too, who has been replaced by Englishman Aaron Ramsdale this season.HAVE YOUR SAY! Who else should Arsenal sign in the summer? Comment below.Leno was the first-choice keeper in North London for the three seasons prior to Ramsdale’s arrival, however, he has started just three Premier League fixtures this campaign and the writing is on the wall for the Germany international.Leno

Madison Chock and Evan Bates made headlines over the past week with their exciting and dramatic performance during the Team Figure Skating Event at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, and they’re about to take the ice again for the Rhythm Ice Dance competition today (February 12).

Derek McInnes admitted a lack of a cutting edge cost Aberdeen a major Europa League scalp in Lisbon. The Dons put on a brave display but fell to an early first-half goal from Tiago Tomas against Sporting in the Jose Alvalade Stadium.

Europa League victory against coronavirus-stricken Sporting.There would have been a fair degree of trepidation among Dons fans when the draw for the third qualifying round was made, with a trip to Lisbon arguably the hardest tie their side could have got.However, there is hope for Derek McInnes ' men at the Jose Alvalade Stadium.Sporting have eight players and their manager missing after a series of COVID positives which saw their Premeira Liga opener postponed.It's a one-off tie in Portugal, so if Aberdeen can pull off a shock result against a weakened side they will advance to the play-off round to face either LASK or Dunajska Streda.That's still easier said than done though, and the Dons will have to do without both captain Scott

Scott McKenna but is confident they will cash in when he gets to the Premier League.The Scotland international completed his initial £3million move to Nottingham Forest on Wednesday and there are also a number of add ons that could see the deal hit £5m and a future, chunky 20-plus per cent sell-on clause.McInnes is in no doubt that McKenna will go on and play in England’s top-flight and whether that is with Forest or he is sold on he knows Aberdeen will net a future windfall further down the line.Aberdeen turned down a potential £7m bid from Aston Villa two seasons ago but the financial landscape in England has now changed, while the COVID crisis in Scotland has put financial pressure on clubs and this sale will now allow them to balance

Aberdeen.The Portuguese international knows the Dons have the advantage of games but he believes they can force Derek McInnes’ side to make mistakes and then punish them in tonight’s Europa League clash.Around 10 Sporting players and staff, including head coach Ruben Amorim, will miss the game because of the recent coronavirus outbreak that has destroyed their preparations and left them still to kick a competitive ball this season.Neto said: "Aberdeen are an opponent who already has eight official games."In quality we are the best team, but we have to match the commitment, the focus, the work and, in moments, the intensity.

Ryan Gauld is adamant Aberdeen can spring a Sporting shock even without star defender Scott McKenna on Thursday night. Their Lisbon Europa League opponents will be down nine players and three members of staff - including boss Ruben Amorim - after a litany of positive Covid-19 tests ahead of the capital city clash.

McKenna two years ago but it was turned down because Derek McInnes felt it was too late in the window to bring in a replacement.Several clubs including QPR, Swansea, Celtic, Sheffield Wednesday and Stoke are among the clubs who have made offers for McKenna.Forest have been long-term admirers and look likely to finally get the 23-year-old.McKenna has been keen to leave Pittodrie for some time and put in a transfer request last summer after the Dons blocked a move ahead of their Europa League clash with Rijeka.Aberdeen always thought they would sell McKenna in this window and that was why they did their business in advance, bringing in Tommie Hoban and Ross McCrorie from Rangers.McCrorie comes in on a season-long loan but Aberdeen will sign

Scott McKenna's impending exit from Aberdeen with Nottingham Forest making a bid for the big centre back. Derek McInnes will need to go out and find a new centre back by the looks of things and might even add a couple.He's not the only centre back attracting interest with Kristoffer Ajer still a wanted man.

Scott McKenna to Nottingham Forest for a deal that could eventually hit £5 million and also see the Dons land a hefty sell-on. The initial deal is around £3 million upfront and is made up of realistic add-ons.McKenna travelled south for a medical and talks and all goes well he is expected to sign a long-term deal at the City Ground.

Scott McKenna for around £3million - but Derek McInnes doesn’t expect to see any of the cash.  Nottingham Forest are close to agreeing a fee, which will include add ons, for the big defender and he missed Sunday's defeat to Motherwell, to open talks with the English Championship club. McInnes admitted the fee will go to balancing the books after lockdown and that they had already signed Ross McCrorie and Tommie Hoban in advance because they expected McKenna to leave.

English Championship club Nottingham Forrest.The big defender has been left out of Aberdeen 's side for today's Premiership match with Motherwell and the club moved to confirm a deal is in the offing.The Dons said on Twitter: "Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes confirmed on RedTV that the club has received a significant offer for Scott McKenna."This is now being dealt with by the Chairman and the relevant club."Sabri Lamouchi's side have started the season poorly with a pair of 2-0 defeats from QPR and Cardiff and have been looking for new recruits to boost their chances on improving on last season's seventh place finish.McKenna has been the subject of transfer interest before with Aston Villa bidding £7m for the strapping stopper in 2018 but

Europa League tie against Aberdeen ON – even if they have to field players from their B team.But it looks like Dons won’t know if the tie will go ahead until the day of the game when they are already in Portugal.Sporting have been hit with a Covid-19 crisis after NINE players and their coach Ruben Amorim tested positive.Their Primeira Liga game against Gil Vincente this weekend has already been postponed.Sporting are in talks with UEFA to ensure the Aberdeen tie goes ahead and are isolating at a training camp in the Algarve.UEFA will make a final decision after further Covid-19 tests 24 hours before kick-off.The club’s fit players trained yesterday in Lagos and will be tested again today but Sporting will field younger players from their B