Norwegian Haaland once again on the top – who were the main favorites to win the Ballon d’Or 2020?

August 10, 2020

Ballon d’Or 2020 was cancelled amid the coronavirus pandemic. However, we should not omit the main contenders who were favorites to win this trophy. In this article we will talk about the players who exceeded during the campaign and demonstrated themselves successfully.

Timo Werner (RB Leipzig)

The second half of the season was not very successful for Werner, but in general, it was a spectacular season for him. Would he have won? Hardly: for the sake of a move to Chelsea, the German refused to play in the final stage of the Champions League, because of which many spectators will not see his performances.

Jordan Henderson (Liverpool)

Henderson’s stats are not astounding, but we can’t forget that he is the leader of Liverpool, who won his first title in 30 years. In England, he is one of the best in his position.

Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)

In 2020, Sterling was struggling a bit, but then, after a pause, he reminded everyone what he was capable of. At the beginning of the season, City had a lot of ambition but had to forget about the hopes for the PL title, and even about the FA Cup.

Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich)

At the opening of this season, Alphonso Davies impressed both Bayern fans and neutral spectators. At the beginning of the season, he was considered a bench player, but now he is technically irreplaceable. The Canadian is fast, combative and irreconcilable, and he is able to give accurate passes.

Sadio Mane (Liverpool)

Many call Mane the best player of the current Liverpool, and they can be understood: the Senegalese has reached the level of the top players of the world. He has been a pivotal player of Liverpool who clinched the title after 30 years.

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Kai Havertz (Leverkusen)

In Germany, Havertz’s form does not surprise anyone, but this season the German player has been talked about all over Europe. Many seriously call him the best talent on the planet, and this summer he is almost guaranteed a transfer to Chelsea.

Paulo Dybala (Juventus)

Juventus did their best to sell Dybala in 2019, but transfers to Manchester United and Tottenham have failed. As it turned out, it was for the better: now Maurizio Sarri mostly relies on his striker, who helped Turin to take another Scudetto.

Erling Braut Håland (Borussia Dortmund)

Haaland just impressed us with his performance. It seems that in the future he will turn into a new Zlatan Ibrahimovic. He has every characteristic to become a complete player who will conquer the heights of every league.

It goes without question that Haaland is by far the best player in Norway. He is the future of the Norwegian national team alongside Martin Odegaard and Sander Berge. Following his incredible results in both the Champions League and Dortmund, the youngster has become a star in his homeland. Because of him, even the betting industry started to turn its attention towards the Norwegian, and the NorskeCasino website was a pioneer that started featuring banners and stats of the 20-year-old player. The main reason behind this move was the popularization of Haaland who has been simply outstanding in this season so far.

Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund)

Sancho had another outstanding season, proving that at the age of 20 he is already worthy of being considered one of the best. Unfortunately, Dortmund surrendered by the end of the season and was unable to give the fight to Bayern.

Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United)

Bruno’s transfer to Manchester United was a turning point for the club: with the arrival of the Portuguese, Ole-Gunnar Solskjaer’s team played better than ever before, and the club eventually even made it to the Champions League – a feat that seemed impossible at the beginning of the year. He still has a chance of winning the Europa League.

Serge Gnabry (Bayern Munich)

A key player at both the club and the national team, Gnabry has grown into an outstanding player since leaving Arsenal in 2016. He is one of the best players of the season in the Bundesliga.

Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid)

Real Madrid’s first title since 2017 would not have been possible without a reliable defence, and what is the Los Blancos defence without Ramos? The ageless Spaniard not only defends his team’s goal but also consistently scores important goals.

Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich)

Muller’s days at Bayern seemed to be numbered, but the change of coach changed everything: now he is once again considered the most important element of the German machine. Bayern are favourites to win the Champions League.

Kylian Mbappe (PSG)

Mbappe has been impressive for years and PSG can still do well in the Champions League. Add to this the championship in France and excellent statistics, and it turns out a good picture. One problem: the injury of the striker, who may not play in the match against Atalanta.

Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)

One of the best in the Premier League, De Bruyne showed an outstanding game in this season. What is worth his performance in the match against Real Madrid, thanks to which City are still hoping for a triumph in the Champions League

Neymar (PSG)

It was probably the best chance for Neymar to win the Golden Ball. Thanks to the Brazilian, PSG beat Dortmund and won another league title. Whatever you think of the striker, it is impossible to deny his influence on the results of the French team.

Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)

He is always written off, but still, he continues to do his job: this year Benzema once again justified the trust of the coach, scoring 21 goals and making four assists. It is on him that the Los Blancos will count on in the Champions League.

Lionel Messi (Barcelona)

An example of a complete player, the author of the highest number of assists in the history of Spain and the eternal record holder. Well, Messi does not seem to age right? The Argentine is hampered by Barca’s failures in La Liga and the team’s poor form in 2020, but he still has a chance to win the Champions League.

Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus)

In 2020, Ronaldo scored and made dangerous passes in almost every match. Thanks to this form Juventus were, in fact, guaranteed another title in Serie A. The only thing that hampered him in this season was his performance at the Champions League and domestic cups.

Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)

No one was hurt by the cancellation of the Ballon d’Or more than Robert Lewandowski. The Polish Player has been in incredible form this season, and not without his help Bayern have won almost everything they can. He is 31 years old, and it is difficult to say whether he will be able to repeat his exploits in the future.

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How To Make Your Gardening More Sustainable with Eco-friendly Practices

In these times of global warming and climate change, many of us are trying to do our bit to help our planet. And many people start trying to make a difference from home. Making our homes more sustainable has been made simple by innovative products for heating, more efficient approaches to water usage, energy-saving appliances and smart technology. But what about outside? Your garden can be sustainable as well, and it is cheap and easy to make it so. Making small changes in your gardening habits and materials you use yields big results. And the boost to your physical wellbeing and mental health that comes from sustainable gardening and fresh veg on the table cannot be overstated. Here are some tips to help you go sustainable. Compost If you’re a keen gardener, the chances are you already have a compost heap. But if not, start one! Compost is the best natural fertiliser for your plants and vegetables, and better still – it’s free! Food scraps from the table can go on the pile, as can grass cuttings and leaves. If you have fallen leaves you can also mulch them. Not adding waste to landfill and instead turning it into nutrient-rich food for your garden is a great way to start being more sustainable. Another good idea is to use a bin to collect compost in – this way you can protect it from the elements off-season, and have it ready and waiting for when you sow new crops. It is recommended to get (or make) a bin from natural materials, rather than buying a plastic one. Wood, ceramic and stone, all are usable. And it is worth doing a bit of compost research, to see what sort is best for your specific needs. Ditch the Chemicals This goes alongside composting – why use chemical fertiliser when you have a natural and sustainable alternative. Chemical pesticides and weed killers are harmful to friendly insects and to the environment, and natural solutions are available – many of which you can make yourself. Neem leaf, salt spray, garlic and onion spray and eucalyptus oil are just some of the options available. Chemicals for your garden also come in heavy plastic containers, another negative. Eradicating them from your garden is beneficial on many levels. Grow Your Own Growing fruit and vegetables in your garden is inherently sustainable. Peelings and food scraps go back into circulation as compost to grow more. It’s great if you have a large garden with plenty of sunlight, but it is possible to create a hassle-free vegetable garden with limited space. There are many benefits of growing your own, not only will you have delicious, seasonal fruit and veg, you’ll also cut down on the plastic packaging so prevalent in supermarkets, and the greenery around your plot will provide pollen for bees and butterflies. Healthy eating and exercise also give your physical and mental health a big boost. And if you need one more reason – it is much cheaper in the long run! Save Water Your garden needs water. But many of us are guilty of severe overwatering, especially in hotter months. There are effective times of the day to sprinkle – early in the morning before it is too hot, or in the evening when it cools down, otherwise the sun will evaporate much of the water. Invest in a rain barrel, a cheap and easy way to get free water for your plants, crops and lawn. Irrigation hoses and sprinklers are available, as is underground irrigation – these solutions water more effectively, and can be more tightly controlled. Plant a Tree If you have space, a tree is an excellent addition to your sustainable garden. They act as a carbon sink, purifying the air around them. They also attract wildlife to your garden, offering a home to birds and friendly bugs. Scientists say that planting trees is the cheapest and easiest step towards halting climate change. You should read up on how best to plant and care for your tree(s) – your garden centre should be able to advise you, or there are plenty of online resources to consult. Some trees require more maintenance than others, so choose the tree that is right for you. Eco-friendly Materials Do you have many plants in plastic pots? Think about reducing your plastic usage by adopting natural or upcycled materials in your garden. Use egg boxes or coconut husks as planters. If you are buying furniture or accessories for your garden, natural materials like wood and clay lessen your carbon footprint and look better. Upcycling is a great way to reduce waste and give your garden a unique character, whether you use a discarded item for a practical purpose, or simply as a quirky decoration. Sustainable gardening is beginning to trend, and not a moment too soon. Without much hassle or many drastic changes, we can all do our bit for the planet.
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Pianist Day on November 8th. History of the holiday

Pianist Day, which is celebrated annually on November 8th, is rapidly gaining popularity in the musical milieu. Every Nov. 8, people organize piano concerts and events, such as «free piano», where anyone passing by on the street or in a mall can play a favorite piece on the free-standing piano. It has also become an important tradition on Piano Day to congratulate one’s music teacher or mentor, as those people have a huge influence on a pianist’s formation. November 8 is also a musical «Black Friday». Music stores announce unprecedented sales of pianos and other keyboard musical instruments. Topical events are held in Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Israel, China, and Austria. The number of countries celebrating this holiday is constantly growing. Why do people need this holiday? Piano music originated in the 18th century, gained popularity, and became widespread in the second half of the century after piano had become popular itself. Before that moment, all the glory belonged to its predecessors – the harpsichord and clavichord. Italian master Bartolomeo Cristofori is considered to be the creator of the piano. The instrument, which mechanism had been developed and formed mainly during the 18th century, has two main variations of performance: grand piano with horizontal strings and piano with vertical strings. But what is piano without a musician, who makes it alive by their mastery? History has given our world the names of brilliant, magnificent performers of piano music, who contributed to its development and improved performance technique. Each of them had unique abilities and a unique playing style, turning the sound into a truly living intangible substance, possessing its own character, and able to convey an incredibly wide range of emotions from the lofty feelings of elation to sorrow and tears. It is impossible to forget the names of Frederic Chopin, Franz Liszt, Pyotr Tchaikovsky, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Arthur Rubinstein, Svyatoslav Richter, Joseph Hoffmann, and Vladimir Horowitz, Emil Gilels, Evgeny Kissin, and many others.
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What are the main aspects of inventory management that help businesses?

Some businesses need to look into inventory management to better organize their business and increase productivity levels. The main aspects of inventory management businesses need to utilize! First, we need to know what inventory management is before you can decide if it is the right call for your business. Inventory management is a process and method of helping to source, find, store, and sell inventory. Inventory can be classified into different groups, such as components and products. In the business sense, inventory management typically refers to buying the right stock in precise quantities, ensuring you get the right amount of inventory at the best price possible. Inventory management also includes various business aspects, such as controlling and determining the time and the price of purchases, manning the stock storage in your business, controlling how much product you are selling on the market, and completing and fulfilling orders. Retail inventory management is a part of inventory management that refers to business-to-consumer selling, with the main types of retail management being online or offline retail. Online refers to eCommerce stores that happen in the digital marketplace, whereas offline retail is through a physical store location. So, what is the importance of inventory management? Why should you use Odoo for your inventory manager needs as a business? For any type of company or business that focuses on producing or selling goods, the value of inventory is one of the most important aspects of your company. For companies that are using enterprise resource planning, you need to take into account how to utilize inventory management to the best of your ability to reduce poor customer service or excessive overhead costs. By using Odoo and inventory management for your business, you can help reduce daily costs and fees, optimize the fulfilment of orders, provide enhanced customer service experiences, and prevent your business from theft or loss. To get started with Odoo and inventory management, you need to first take into account the various formulas you can use for this process: economic order quantity, days inventory outstanding, reorder point, or safety stock formula. The economic order quantity formula is the number of products you should buy to reduce the total cost of holding stock. The economic formula helps give you a standard idea of how much to purchase to make a profit. Days inventory outstanding formula is the number of days it takes for you to convert inventory into a profit. This can give you insight as to how long you may have to wait to earn a profit. Reorder point formula helps you answer the question of when is the right time to purchase more stocks. Safety stock formula helps you with an emergency formula and buffer if you are not doing well financially. Conclusion For those who need to boost their daily productivity and reduce total costs, consider using inventory management for your business. Using Odoo can help you to properly utilize your inventory for the highest profit return and boost your daily productivity levels.
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Here Are 9 Ways For A Faster Personal Loan Approval

By: Raymond James When you’re in a financial bind, you cannot afford to wait days or weeks for a lender to disburse a loan. Fortunately, some quick personal loans can provide financing, though not always guaranteed as fast as the same day upon approval. You can increase your chances of approval by following some tips. Choose an Online Lender Online lenders generally offer faster approval than brick and mortar establishments. While some banks take up to seven business days to disburse funds, some online lenders deposit the money the same day. You will need a checking account to get same-day or next-day funding. You’ll provide the lender with your financial information, and upon approval, it will send the money to your checking account. Have Money in the Bank If possible, apply when you have money in your bank account. Having money in your account shows the lender that you can repay the funds. If your bank account is empty or has a negative balance, the online lender is more likely to deny your funding request. You don’t need to have hundreds or thousands of dollars in your account, but it’s wise to have some money. Check the Lender’s Requirements When browsing your personal loan options, you’ll notice that lenders have specific requirements that differ from one company to the next. For instance, some lenders require that you have a direct deposit set up. Others might have income or credit score requirements. Make sure you meet the requirements before applying. That way, you’ll be more likely to get approved quickly. Only Ask for What You Need You’re more likely to get approved for a small-dollar loan than a large one. Consider how much money you need and ask for that amount. Along with improving your chances for approval, it will be easier for you to repay the loan. The payments won’t stretch your finances thin, putting you in a bind. Get a Co-Signer If you have poor credit or don’t make much money, you can add a co-signer to your application. Keep in mind that if you fail to repay the loan, the co-signer will have to take over the payments. Due to the risk, you need to prepare your pitch before asking someone to co-sign. Explain why you need the money and how you will repay the loan. Be ready to answer questions from the potential co-signer as well. Provide Collateral If you want to get cash quickly, providing collateral can help. Some lenders offer fast funding when you secure the loan with collateral such as a car, even if you have poor credit. Collateral reduces the lender’s risk and allows you to get your money much faster. In many cases, using collateral eliminates the need to get a co-signer. That’s a massive relief if you don’t want to let others know that you need money. Choose a Short-Term Loan Choosing a short-term loan can also help you get funding quickly. You’re less likely to experience a job loss or something else catastrophic over the life of a short-term loan. Because of that, lenders are more willing to provide you with the money you need quickly. Show Proof of All Sources of Income Do you bring in money that doesn’t come from your job? For instance, maybe you receive alimony or do graphic design on the side. If you make money outside of your regular job, show documents that prove the income. The more money you make, the easier it is to get approved for a loan, so don’t leave anything out when applying. Avoid Shopping Around When you get approved for a loan, you might start to wonder if you can get a better rate elsewhere. Fight the urge to apply for other loans so you can compare rates. Each time you apply for a loan, the inquiry shows up on your credit report. Lenders see those inquiries when deciding to approve or deny your application. If your credit report has lots of inquiries, lenders might think you are desperate and unlikely to have the money necessary to repay the loan. One denial can snowball into the next, and soon, you’ll have trouble getting a loan. About the Author: Ray is a sought after thought leader and an expert in financial and money management. He has been published and featured in over 50 leading sites and aims to contribute articles to help novice financial planners. One of his goals is to impart his knowledge in finance to educate and help ordinary people create and achieve their financial goals.
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A Quick History of Music Videos

The importance of videos and animations cannot be denied as they continue to become powerful marketing tools. Music videos may have evolved over time, and the narrative may have changed, but their importance has increased more than ever in the eyes of the video creators and the viewers. Today’s filmmakers are well aware of the benefits of using videos as a communication channel. Over time, storytelling became integral to creating music, and song visuals have become as important as its music, tune, and lyrics. While video creators are well aware of the importance of music video production, at Gear Seven, they have also been curious about how music videos have evolved over time to become what they are today. It is why Gear Seven has delved deeper into the history of music video productions to have an insight into their development and how Gear Seven can contribute to the music video production landscape in current times and the future. If you, too, have no idea about how music videos came to be, their history, and their influence on the contemporary video business, here is your chance to find out. The early era- a brief history In 1894, a sheet music publisher hired George Thomas, an electrician, to orchestrate a live performance with the help of a magic lantern that showed projected images. This can be marked as the beginning of adding visuals to music, but it only remained restricted to live performances. Another significant development in this regard was the movie The Jazz Singer in 1927, which synced audios and images, and for the first time, individuals could see audio with music that was not live. In the 1930s, the Spooney Melodies introduced the concept of short films with the performer’s live-action footage, which was aired before the main presentation in theatres. 1958 marked the introduction of Scopitone, the iPhone of that era. Bars and nightclubs introduced these jukeboxes that played 16mm films synced with audio. A technology that had been invented for WWII had become quite a rage in the 60s. Even today, the Scopitone is considered to be the precursor to small screen technology like the one used in smartphones. While, on the one hand, pop culture was gaining traction in the mid-’60s till the early 70s, on the other hand, film technology was becoming more economical and accessible. All avenues were being explored around that time to promote music artists and their work. In 1965, We can work it out by the Beatles was the first video to be broadcasted on TV. The band was gaining immense popularity and was exploring mediums to promote its music and albums without having to make an appearance in person. In the years that followed, there was more experimentation as video creators explored new possibilities and introduced new technologies as there was more focus on visual aesthetics and building a strong narrative. From Rolling Stones to Pink Floyd to David Bowie, all toyed with the idea of experimentation and using music videos to promote their music and popularize their brand. The MTV era The endless possibilities due to new technology and innovation revolutionized how music video production was perceived and opened more doors for artists and video makers. Who doesn’t remember Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen? The song from 1974 is considered to be the video that virtually invented MTV several years prior to its launch. The song became immensely popular globally, while its video was highly regarded as well. 1981 marks the launch of MTV, which quickly became the biggest platform for music videos. Music videos had become the most significant medium for new artists to get attention and for established artists to showcase their work. While the initial years after MTV’s launch were characterized by low-budget DIY videos, they were soon replaced by high-budgeted production projects. It was a time when a music video’s cost was equal to or more than a feature film. One prominent example of the transition is Thriller by Michael Jackson, released in 1983. The song brought back the idea of combining films with a music video, though at a higher scale and in a more advanced form. Music videos and brand endorsement During the 80s and 90s, albums and concert tickets were the main income source for producers and music creators. However, in the early 90s, sales declined, and so did the revenues while MTV shifted its focus, and the notion of a 24-hour music channel was discarded as reality shows began reigning over the channel. However, that was not the end of the era of music video production. The launch of YouTube in 2005 caused a major stir and helped in the music industry’s revival. As the industry grew by leaps and bounds, it garnered attention from marketers who saw major potential in combining brand endorsement and advertising with music videos. While it meant an additional income stream for music producers, it also meant increased reach for the brand through artists and their videos. The notion of monetizing music videos was hence beneficial in every way for artists and brands both. For instance, Telephone by Lady Gaga has around nine brand endorsements, including the likes of Virgin Mobile, Miracle Whip, and Diet Coke. The video has been viewed over 423M times. Imagine the outreach the brands can get from such exposure. The digital era As technology became rampant, it was time to go back to the basics and explore the concept of making low-budget music videos. Since the censorship of broadcast TV did not bind producers and artists, it paved the way for them to explore the possibility of introducing new ideas that couldn’t be broadcasted on TV. In recent years, the growth of the music video production industry can be attributed to the advent of social media and technology and easy access to platforms and tools. As the price of digital cameras goes down with competitive rates and an improvement in the quality of the images, video makers can now produce content >>Read more
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Norwegian Haaland once again on the top – who were the main favorites to win the Ballon d’Or 2020?

Timo Werner (RB Leipzig)

Jordan Henderson (Liverpool)

Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)

Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich)

Sadio Mane (Liverpool)

Kai Havertz (Leverkusen)

Paulo Dybala (Juventus)

Erling Braut Håland (Borussia Dortmund)

Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund)

Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United)

Serge Gnabry (Bayern Munich)

Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid)

Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich)

Kylian Mbappe (PSG)

Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)

Neymar (PSG)

Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)

Lionel Messi (Barcelona)

Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus)

Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)

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