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CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy (AP) — Spectators trekking through heavy snow to the Cortina Olympic curling stadium were delighted to be greeted by a traditional Scottish bagpipe performance from a group of high sock-wearing, kilt-sporting, snare drum-carrying, glengarry-topped ... Italians.

The Milan Cortina Winter Games have put their own spin on the tradition of having a pipe band play at Olympic curling medal ceremonies, an homage that is meant to honor the sport's Scottish heritage.

For this Games, the bagpipers are from northeastern Italy, more than 2,000 miles (about 3,200 kilometers) from Scotland. The Cateaters Pipe Band say they are one of two pipe bands in the Veneto region.

Until recently, the Cateaters’ performances were limited to local concerts, ballet performances and ceremonies around Veneto. Performing at the Olympic medal ceremony is their biggest gig yet.

“It's so emotional for us to play here for the world,” said Marianna Spadarotto, the lone woman in the band, who is on the bass drum. “For me, yes, it is exciting, but also I'm shy, so it makes me nervous.”

Asked if they add Italian flair to the Scottish tunes, they emphatically shake their heads. They don’t mess with tradition — though it is not unknown in Italy.

Luca Eze, who plays the bagpipes, says he started his career on the zampogna, a type of instrument common in central and southern Italy. In the Veneto region, it’s sometimes called a “piva,” and is played on Christmas and during other festivities.

“I played the electric guitar and then a friend passed along this instrument to me,” says Mauro Fortuna, a Venetian who began playing Scottish music in 2008.

Curling is believed to have originated in Scotland, with the first written evidence of the sport’s existence documented, in Latin, by a notary living in Paisley, Scotland, in the sixteenth century, according to World Curling.

The notary told of a stiff contest between a monk, John Sclater, and a representative of the Abbot, Gavin Hamilton, involving sliding stones across ice. It was in Scotland where organized curling clubs originated, with players sliding stones across frozen lochs.

On a snowy day in front of the Cortina curling center, Olympic fans paused to take in the scene, some wondering how the musicians’ ungloved hands were not too cold to play.

The tufts of Eze’s hair, jutting out from beneath his glengarry cap, were covered in snowflakes that fell down his face with every puff of the bagpipe. He’s bright red and smiling.

Some fans proudly wave Scottish flags. They're here to watch the four players representing Britain on the ice, all of whom are from Scotland.

Italian tourists look animated in the breaks between tunes, realizing they understand the chatter between the bandmates. Cristian Negro, on snare drum, says that as an Italian, choosing to pursue Scottish music has given him frequent opportunities for gigs.

“I focus more on high tension snare drums because there are so few people who play it here," he says. “I get to play more music — and it's necessary for someone to do.”

It's also pretty cool, he admits, because it has brought him to the Olympics.

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AP Winter Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics

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FIFA were so enamoured with the perceived success of the Club World Cup last summer in the United States, that they intend to follow their practice with the World Cup and expand the tournament. The next edition is not due to take place until 2029, before the next World Cup, although there has been some suggestion that FIFA are also keen to make the tournament more regular.

It is not yet clear where the Club World Cup will take place, with the World Cup itself split between Portugal, Spain and Morocco. It has been suggested that FIFA would also like to make the tournament come around every two years too.

FIFA keen to expand Club World Cup to 48 teams

According to Marca, FIFA want to expand the tournament from 32 teams to 48 teams, an increase of 50% as they have done with the World Cup itself. They also reveal that FIFA are open to hosting the 2029 event in Spain and Morocco as a test run for the main event the following year, but the USA remains an option to host it again.

Image via Jacquelyn Martin

UEFA opposed to idea of expansion

However FIFA have been stalled by some opposition from UEFA. The European football body contributed 12 teams to the tournament, the most of any continent, and are not convinced by the idea of adding more games and more teams due to fixture congestion. UEFA themselves recently added an extra four games to the Champions League season for teams that go through the play-off round. Then Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti had criticised the added fixture congestion of the tournament as it was last season, although he later walked his statements back.

FIFA delaying on payment of Club World Cup money

On top of that, The Guardian report that there is growing frustration from a number of clubs at the non-payment of prize money from FIFA. They say that €212m is yet to be dispersed among the Federations in promised solidarity payments, but there is no update on when the money will be paid. Divided up, around €57.3k was due to be distributed to every top flight club around the world.

FIFA only managed to agree a TV deal with DAZN, backed by Saudi Arabia, three months before the tournament, which was worth around €900m but was aired free on the DAZN app. FIFA were also forced to slash ticket prices to around $10 (€8.50) for some games due to empty stadiums.

Liverpool Eye Lucas Bergvall as Midfield Blueprint Echoes Dominik Szoboszlai

Liverpool have always believed in patterns. Not patterns in spreadsheets alone, but patterns in people. Find a type, trust the instinct, and hope lightning behaves like lightning. That is why talk of Lucas Bergvall as Liverpool’s latest midfield interest makes sense in the corridors of Anfield, even if it sounds fanciful in the pubs outside it.

According to Team Talk, Liverpool are considering a move for Tottenham midfielder Lucas Bergvall, a 20-year-old Swedish international once tracked during his breakthrough at Djurgardens. The idea, as framed in that report, is simple: find the next Dominik Szoboszlai before everyone else does.

Szoboszlai has been Liverpool’s shape-shifter this season. “Whether it’s as a right-winger, right-back or as a central midfielder in any role, Szoboszlai is able to stand-out,” the article notes, praising his ability to influence matches from almost anywhere on the pitch. In modern football, versatility is not a luxury. It is survival.

Photo: IMAGO

Bergvall Profile Mirrors Szoboszlai Traits

Bergvall’s appeal lies in that same restless adaptability. He has played wide, deep, advanced, even almost as a wing-back at times for Tottenham. A technician with a stride, comfortable receiving under pressure, willing to run beyond the ball. At 20, with more than 70 appearances already behind him, he carries experience that belies his age.

Liverpool’s recruitment model has long leaned towards players who can grow into roles rather than merely fill them. Think of how Szoboszlai arrived as an attacking midfielder and became an all-purpose engine under Arne Slot, Liverpool’s current manager since June 2024. Think of Alexis Mac Allister shifting from No.10 to No.6 when circumstances demanded. Liverpool buy possibility.

So Bergvall fits. Not perfectly, because nobody fits perfectly. But enough.

Liverpool Recruitment Strategy Under Arne Slot

Arne Slot’s Liverpool have moved from Klopp’s thunderbolt football towards something more measured. A 2-3-5 shape in possession, midfield lines staggered rather than stacked, pressing that hunts intelligently rather than relentlessly. In that structure, adaptable midfielders are gold dust.

Liverpool need depth. They need players who can rotate through positions without the team losing shape or soul. Szoboszlai has been extraordinary in that respect, a Hungarian footballer who seems to understand geometry as well as passion.

Liverpool know they cannot clone him. But they can try to find cousins.

Bergvall, as described in TEAMtalk’s report, is viewed internally as “very similar to Szoboszlai at the same age,” a midfielder who has played across roles and who still has room to grow. That matters, because Liverpool’s strategy is about longevity as much as immediacy.

Tottenham Obstacle Could Define Deal

Tottenham will not let Bergvall go easily. They rarely do. And why would they? A young midfielder with promise, international pedigree, and resale value is the currency of modern football.

Yet football is about opportunity as much as loyalty. Tottenham’s own season has been uneven, their direction uncertain under interim manager Igor Tudor, and Liverpool’s pitch is compelling: European nights, tactical clarity, a midfield culture where young players become important quickly.

Liverpool would have to pay, of course. But they have paid before when convinced of the right profile. Szoboszlai cost real money and delivered real performances. Bergvall would be an investment in possibility.

Szoboszlai Influence on Liverpool Future

Szoboszlai has shown Liverpool something important. He has shown them that adaptability is an advantage. He has shown them that a midfielder who can play anywhere can become indispensable everywhere.

“He’s simply brilliant,” the piece concluded of Szoboszlai. Hyperbole perhaps, but not absurd. Liverpool’s best teams have always had players who could bend roles without breaking structure. Steven Gerrard did it. James Milner did it. Szoboszlai does it now.

Liverpool want another.

Whether Bergvall becomes that player is uncertain. Young midfielders often promise more than they deliver. But Liverpool are not chasing a name here. They are chasing an idea. And in football, ideas are what build dynasties.