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How technology is transforming lower and youth soccer leagues
For many years, technological innovations in soccer were reserved for the wealthiest teams in the world. Over time, however, they have become increasingly popular among clubs in less popular leagues, lower league tiers, and sports academies.
Below you will find an overview of the most important technologies already changing the game in your local teams.
Data-driven approach
Even amateur joggers measure the results of their training to effectively implement their plans and have control over their progress.
No wonder that such technologies also exist in soccer – the most popular sport in the world. The first devices measuring basic statistics appeared in 1997. These were systems based on the use of cameras and the work of analysts. Despite the huge financial outlays for maintenance, they provided a relatively small amount of information. This was primarily basic data, such as distance travelled or possession of the ball. These statistics are now a standard in television broadcasts of matches.
However, for coaches, they proved to be insufficient. There was a need for solutions which would enable precise and individual measurement of an athlete’s performance. The first GPS systems introduced in the early 2000s. They required very large financial outlays (several hundreds of thousands of dollars per year) and the employment of special analysts.
Despite the costs and level of complexity, GPS systems have proven to be a breakthrough. Thanks to the data provided by this technology, for the first time in the history of soccer, coaches were able to make decisions based on objective data. This enabled the acceleration of the development of sports players, while at the same time reducing their risk of injury. Thanks to this technology, it was possible to achieve a whole new level of intensity in soccer training sessions.
Despite the obvious advantages, until recently there were no solutions that would allow less wealthy clubs to effectively measure the performance of their players. Conducting such analyses every day required several dedicated specialists and the purchase of extremely expensive equipment.
Fortunately, a few years ago, companies such as Sonda Sports appeared on the market, which aimed to provide the widest possible access to clubs and individual players to this technology.
“I have been involved in sports technologies for many years. I have always been surprised by the absurdly high costs of using GPS technology in football, which is why we decided to solve this problem by making it available to almost all soccer clubs – regardless of the level, age, and gender of the players “- says Wojciech Ganczarski, CEO at Sonda Sports.
Youth football players using Sonda Sports system
How are these systems used? Academies most often use data from GPS trackers to quickly identify the strong and weak points of a young player. Then, by means of individualized training, they lead him towards achieving the required performance. This way, they professionalize the process of developing young stars.
However, clubs playing in professional leagues concentrate primarily on the perfect physical preparation of their players. By analyzing data such as Player Load, Red Zones, or other exercise statistics, they adjust the training load of the players. Thanks to this, they try to find the perfect “sweet spot” that will allow them to maximize the performance of the athletes, while reducing the risk of injury. With the development of the intensity of games, especially the latter is becoming increasingly important.
Fanbase building and monetization
Before the Internet era, most teams from outside the biggest leagues had a fanbase consisting mainly of the local community, living within a few dozen kilometres of the club. The revenue came from local sponsors, tickets, and merchandise sold in local stores.
Today, even for many semi-amateur teams, the revenue structure often looks different. The influence of the Internet, and in particular social media, has changed the way of gaining fans and sponsors. Of course, the main factor is still the relationship with the local community, but increasingly often it is also important what values or history the club has and how it can manage its image in the media.
This is how clubs such as FC St. Pauli, Lazio, and Rayo Vallecano, through a strong manifestation of their identity and views, have gained fans all over the world. Even despite the fact that they rarely compete for the most important trophies.
By using platforms like Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, a properly run club can become a global brand, providing entertainment and excitement to fans located all over the world, and thus ensure higher revenues enabling further development.
A great example of using the power of social media in lower leagues is Real Oviedo. In 2012, via Twitter, the club organised a crowdfunding project among fans who saved it from bankruptcy. The viral effect was so great that the list of donors included Fiorentino Perez – president of Real Madrid, and Carlos Slim – telecommunications magnate, one of the richest people in the world.
Real Oviedo’s fans have saved their club, using buzz on Social Media
In addition to extreme situations, monetization of the fanbase has become so much easier that clubs do not have to rely only on local sponsors and stores. With the advancement of e-commerce technologies, selling jerseys, flags and shoes to fans around the world has become easier than ever.
Access to specialist knowledge and scouting databases
Traditionally, coaching knowledge and experience was passed on mainly through working with the best professionals. To become a competent coach, you had to get an internship at one of the most renowned clubs in the world. This often required large financial outlays as well as a wide network of contacts.
An alternative was to acquire FIFA certification degrees and participate in conferences. These options also weren’t cheap, which prevented many prospective coached from developing for a long time. Consequently, it also inhibited the sharing of new advancements in tactics and training with lower-tier clubs, thus limiting their development.
Fortunately, the Internet has enabled easy access to specialist knowledge from anywhere in the world. Currently, there are at least a few free or extremely cheap ways to broaden your training knowledge.
Thanks to websites such as Keep it on the Deck and The Coaches’ Voice, anyone can easily expand their knowledge.
Using video platforms such as Youtube, you can watch training sessions from some of the best clubs in the world, conducted by the absolute global elite of coaches. It is also possible to just create a list of industry’s influencer to follow in Social Media – they often share valuable insights on the training regimes and tactical bases.
The appropriate use of tactical and training knowledge in lower leagues and youth competitions can be a turning point for many teams. Using the processes in which the best training staff have invested millions of pounds and years of research, you can help your players by providing them faster and more sustainable development, and your team by getting promoted to higher tiers.
Easier access to knowledge is also manifested through the emergence of global scouting databases, which allow you to learn more about the most promising players. There is no need any more to spend a lot of money on sending of scouts to all parts of the world.
This opens up the international transfer market also for clubs that previously could only operate locally, while making it easier to acquire funds from selling their best players and young talents.
Whether we like it or not, technology continues to change the game of soccer every day. We can stand aside and passively observe the revolution, or become an active part of this change and ensure our team’s success.
When Spanish defender Dean Huijsen signed for Bournemouth in the summer of 2024, he was just 19 years old. The fee—12.8 million pounds paid to Juventus—might sound modest by Premier League standards, where hundreds of millions are spent each window. But his first season in England? Anything but modest.
Since arriving, Huijsen has made a name for himself and sports betting fans can bet on him. Almost immediately, his name was linked with numerous top clubs. Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, Newcastle, Tottenham, and giants beyond England like Bayern Munich, Barcelona, and Real Madrid.
Born in Amsterdam in 2005, Dean is the son of Donny Huijsen, a former professional who played in the Dutch top leagues. In 2010, the family relocated to Spain, where Dean began to shine in Málaga’s academy. In 2021, he joined Juventus, worked through the youth ranks, and made his senior debut in 2023. A five-month loan to Roma opened the door to top-level football—and Bournemouth acted quickly to sign the rising star.
He represented the Netherlands youth teams up to under-19 level but received Spanish citizenship in 2024. In 2025, he debuted for Spain’s senior national team—ironically against the Netherlands, at De Kuip in Rotterdam.
Coach Andoni Iraola gave him a platform at Bournemouth, and Huijsen delivered standout performances. “My dad is my agent,” he explained regarding transfer rumors. “He handles everything. I don’t read any of it. I just focus on my football.”
Defensive Attributes
Huijsen is an aggressive, tall (1.97m), right-footed center back who is comfortable playing on either side of a central pairing. He likes stepping out of the defensive line to challenge attackers or attempt interceptions high up the pitch. He has good timing, strong game understanding, and is not afraid to engage physically with opposing midfielders.
His goal is to disrupt the opponent’s reception of the ball, preventing them from turning or receiving it facing the goal. Instead, he forces them to receive with their back to goal—a position that limits attacking options. This proactive style requires backup from mobile fullbacks and midfielders who can recover loose balls. Trust Alonso to bring this modern, aggressive tactical edge to Real Madrid.
Huijsen follows his marker deep into the field rather than passing off responsibility. In aerial duels, he excels, often challenging even the most physical strikers. Though lean, his frame is deceptive—he is strong and unafraid of contact. If he loses the initial duel, it can expose gaps behind, but in a three-center-back setup, Madrid would have cover for his proactive movements. As a pressure-leading defender, he sometimes struggles to recover quickly, especially when dribbled past, which is something he will need to improve over time.
On the Ball
Huijsen is comfortable on both feet. He likes to drive forward and launch long, arching passes, often over the top of the defense. While accurate, he still needs to add ground-breaking passes to his toolkit, especially against deep defensive blocks.
He often drives forward at pace, but that can hinder decision-making. Slowing down slightly could help him make better choices. Alonso will need to teach Huijsen how to control the tempo—something the coach excelled at during his own playing days. Against compact defenses, Huijsen will need to find sharper solutions rather than relying on long balls.
Anchor in Bournemouth’s Defense
Despite being right-footed, Huijsen played almost exclusively as the left center back in a four-man defense this season. He paired with Ukrainian defender Illia Zabarnyi, just two years older—and together, they formed one of the league’s top duos.
Iraola’s Bournemouth posted the highest number of defensive duels per game in the league (72.4), and Huijsen was a key contributor—with a success rate of 74.3 percent (the best in the team among players with 50 or more duels) and 5.26 interceptions per match, third best in the squad.
The center backs supported a high press, closing central spaces and enabling midfielders to step up. Huijsen pressed, intercepted, and midfielders like Lewis Cook and Ryan Christie reacted to win second balls and launch counters.
When defending deep, the center backs stayed close to limit exposure to pace. Bournemouth’s fullbacks pushed high, requiring the central defenders and holding midfielders to cover critical space—and Huijsen did this well.
Bottom Line
Bournemouth gave Dean Huijsen the platform—and he delivered big time. In his first Premier League season, he became one of Europe’s most exciting young defenders.
If he improves in a few specific areas at Real Madrid, like ground-based progression—a key in Alonso’s system—and recovery tracking during transitions, he has the potential to become one of the best center backs in Europe in the coming years.
2025/2026 will see some of the biggest leagues kick off and unfold into the biggest sports stadiums around the world. From the World Cup 2026 that takes place in the highest level of English football in the Premier League and the ever-growing popularity of the UEFA Women’s Champions League, 2025/26 will see serious football action unfold.
Get informed about dates, ticket prices, and how to secure your seat here.
The Premier League 2025/26 Season
The Premier League is widely regarded as one of the most competitive football leagues globally. Kicking off in mid-August, the league runs through May, featuring 20 teams that battle it out for the championship. The 2025/26 season is set to start on August 16, 2025, and conclude on May 24, 2026.
- Average price for general tickets: Approximately £125
- Average price for VIP/hospitality ticket: Ranges from £600 to £1,300 depending on the venue and match importance.
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, Europe’s premier club competition, draws football fans from around the world with thrilling matchups between the elite of European football. The tournament commences with the group stage in September and includes knockout rounds leading to the final in late May.
- Dates: The Group stage started on 9 July 2024, and the final is scheduled for May 31, 2025.
- Average price for general tickets: Around €50+
- Average price for VIP/hospitality tickets: Can range up to €1,425 or more, depending entirely on the match stage and seating arrangements.
UEFA Women’s Champions League
The Women’s Champions League continues to grow in popularity, showcasing the top female football talent from around Europe. The tournament’s structure and timing mirror that of the men’s competition, offering thrilling matches each season.
- Dates: Commences on 30 July 2025, with the final taking place on May 22 – 24, 2026.
- Average price for general tickets: Approximately €10 – €70
- Average price for VIP/hospitality tickets: Prices vary, averaging between €165 and €2100.
FIFA World Cup 26
The FIFA World Cup 26 will be co-hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico, marking the first time the tournament will feature 48 teams instead of 32. Furthermore, the group stage will see teams divided into twelve groups of four teams.
- Dates: The tournament is slated to kick off on June 11 2026, and will culminate in the final match on July 19, 2026.
- Average price for general tickets: Estimated at $70 for most matches, but can vary significantly for high-demand games, such as the final.
- Average price for VIP/hospitality tickets: Prices are expected to start at $8,000 for team packages and can go up to $100,000 for suites.
*Important – FIFA World Cup tickets generally sell out before the general public has a chance to secure their season tickets. If you miss out on the general public sales, request availability for World Cup 2026 tickets from trusted resell platforms such as Premium Tickets.
Serie A 2025/2026
Italy’s top professional football league, Serie A, is known for its rich history and fierce rivalries. The league typically runs from August to May and features 20 teams.
- Dates: The 2025/26 season starts in August 2025 and ends in May 2026.
- Average price for general tickets: Roughly €40 – €105
- Average price for VIP/hospitality tickets: Shifts between €2500+, with prices influenced by the stadium and match significance.
Conclusion – Secure Your Seat On Time
As we prepare for a thrilling year in football, securing tickets to your preferred tournaments and leagues can guarantee unforgettable experiences. Whether searching for general admission or exclusive hospitality options, the 2025/26 calendar promises a feast of football excitement.
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Police are looking into the wife of Arsenal forward Kai Havertz being abused after their FA Cup Exit. Find out more about Kai Havertz’s wife, Sophia Havertz.
Kai Havert and Wife Sophia Havertz announce they are expecting a child.
Following Arsenal’s FA Cup loss to Manchester United on January, Kai Havertz’s wife posted that she was receiving derogatory words and comments on social media. Sophia Havertz posted two images to her Instagram story, one of which featured a threat to “slaughter” her unborn child. Police are looking into harassment that Arsenal forward Kai Havertz’s wife received online. Following Arsenal’s FA Cup elimination at the hands of Manchester United on Sunday, Sophia Havertz posted direct messages she received on social media.
After the game, Sophia Havertz expressed her anger at the abuse she had experienced by saying:
“For anyone to think it’s okay to write something like this is so shocking to me… I hope you are ashamed of yourself,” she posted.
In response to the threat to her baby, she posted: “I’m not sure what to even say but please guys be more respectful. We are better than this…”
German International Kai Havertz had a joyous announcement to make in November 2024 as he posted pictures with his wife conveying they at expecting a child. This comes after the couple got married earlier that year. The pair shared pictures of them together as his wife flashes the baby bump on Instagram.
Havertz has been finding his feet after moving front the South side of London a few years back. Scoring nine goals in the Premier League as of February, he is Arsenal’s top goal scorer and a constant threat. Furthermore, After struggling to put numbers up the board while always being a standard choice for them over the past few seasons. Mikel Artera’s belief in the old school striker has finally started to show its effect.
Who is Kai Havertz’s Wife? Sophia Havertz
Sophia Weber Havertz is the wife of Kai Havertz. The couple met around 2022 and have been together since. Havertz proposed to Sophia a few years after they started going out as the couple is ready to start their family. The duo currently resides in London since Havertz moved to Chelsea.
Sophia Havertz Age
Sophia Havertz is 24 years old as of February 2025. She was born on May 28, 2000 as per Kai’s social media post.
Sophia Havertz Profession
Sophia Weber Havertz is a social media influencer inspiring her followers with her fashion and beauty sense. She currently has 551,000 followers on Instagram as of February 2025.
Sophia Havertz Social Handles
Instagram: @sophiamelia
How long have Kai Havertz and Sophia Havertz been together?
Kai Havertz and Sophia Weber met around 2021 as per their social media post. Moreover, The couple were seen going out on several dates as they shared their life on social media. Kai Havertz and Sophia Weber got engaged in July 2023. After a year of being engaged, Kai and Sophia Havertz tied the knot on July 18, 2024 as per their social media post.
Kai Havertz was born on June 11, 1999, 25 years old.
Kai Havertz plays as a center-forward.
Kai Havertz plays for Germany.
Kai Havertz has played for Leverkusen, Chelsea, and Arsenal as of February 2025.
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