On Friday evening, February 13, 2026, sports fans across Saudi Arabia will turn their attention to the Eastern Province, specifically the Ministry of Sports Hall in Dammam, to witness the most exciting chapter in the Saudi Premier Handball League for Seniors. The fourteenth round concludes with a highly anticipated match between league leaders Al-Khaleej and their closest rivals, Al-Ahli, in a clash that could very well determine the season's champion.

Historical and competitive dimensions of the summit

The importance of this match extends beyond mere points; it encompasses the historical and popular significance of handball in the Kingdom. Clubs from the Eastern Province, most notably Al-Khaleej (Al-Dana), are considered the heartland of the sport, while Al-Ahli (Al-Raqi) represents the major force emerging from the Western Province to challenge the Eastern Province giants for gold. This historic rivalry has directly contributed to raising the technical level of the Saudi national team, as both teams boast some of the national team's most prominent players, making the match a showcase of the best national talents and foreign professionals in the league.

Complex top-stakes calculations

Both teams enter the match with meticulous calculations that leave no room for error, amidst a fierce battle for the top spot in the standings:

• Al-Khaleej (the leader): Reigning supreme with a perfect record of 24 points, accumulated from 12 consecutive victories without a single loss or draw. The team boasts a formidable attack, having scored 379 goals, and a rock-solid defense, conceding only 265, reflecting the high level of technical and physical readiness of the Al-Dana squad.
• Al-Ahli (runners-up): They sit second with 20 points, having won 10 matches and lost 2. The Royal Club knows this match is their last chance to close the gap and revive their title hopes.

Resolution and compensation scenarios

The match holds two main scenarios that will determine the course of the tournament:

The first scenario: Al-Khaleej wins, which would widen the gap to a full 6 points. With only a few rounds remaining, this lead would be considered an unofficial declaration that the shield is close to being won by Saihat, benefiting from home advantage and the expected large crowd.

The second scenario: an Al Ahly victory, the only option available to the Cairo giants to reduce the gap to just two points. This would reignite the league title race and put the league leaders under immense psychological pressure in the remaining rounds. Al Ahly is counting on its players' experience in handling big matches and their desire to break their rivals' unbeaten streak.

The impact of the result on the sports scene

This match holds significance that extends beyond the court; the expected high level of play reflects the development of Saudi handball, which now enjoys widespread regional and continental attention. Furthermore, the anticipated large crowd will reaffirm the sport's immense popularity, particularly in the Eastern Province, thus boosting sporting activity and supporting plans to develop various sports.

Other confrontations that are no less important

Aside from the top-of-the-table clash, the fourteenth round features crucial matches for the middle and bottom teams, all taking place on the same day:

• Al-Huda vs. Al-Noor (4:00 PM - Dammam): A special derby and a fiery confrontation between the third and fourth teams, in which each side seeks to establish its foothold in the golden square.
• Al-Safa vs. Al-Zulfi (4:00 PM - Qatif): A match to escape the danger zone and improve positions.
• Al Wahda vs Al Adala (4:00 PM - Mecca): An attempt to correct the course and restore balance.
• Mudar vs Al-Muheet (7:00 PM - Qatif): Mudar (Al-Amlah) seeks to continue chasing the leading teams, while Al-Muheet is looking for a lifeline to improve its results.

In conclusion, round 14 is a pivotal turning point in the Saudi Premier Handball League, as its final result will reveal whether the title has been clinically decided in favor of Al-Khaleej, or whether Al-Ahli has another say that will reshuffle the cards.

Dutch club Feyenoord Rotterdam announced on Thursday that they have officially signed veteran English striker Raheem Sterling on a free transfer deal that runs until the end of the current season, just days after he left Chelsea.

A new challenge outside the Premier League

This move marks a significant turning point in the career of the 31-year-old, who was available to sign with any club even outside the official transfer windows, given his status as a free agent. Sterling recently reached a mutual agreement with Chelsea's management to terminate his contract after falling completely out of favor with the coaching staff and being excluded from matches. This brought an end to his time at Stamford Bridge, which was supposed to run until June 2027, with a hefty weekly wage estimated by the press at around £325,000.

In his first statement after signing, Sterling expressed his optimism about the move, with the Dutch club's official website quoting him as saying: "I'm convinced that Feyenoord is a place where I can be happy and valued by the team." The English star added, emphasizing his desire to prove himself: "Playing abroad is a new challenge for me, and I'm fully prepared to face it.".

A remarkable career and historic achievements

Raheem Sterling, born in Jamaica, boasts an impressive record in English football, enjoying his most successful period with Manchester City. He played a key role in the Citizens' domestic dominance, winning the Premier League title four times (2018, 2019, 2021, and 2022). Internationally, Sterling represented England in 82 matches, the last of which came in 2022, before stepping away from international duty in recent years.

Despite past successes, Sterling has suffered from inconsistency since his move to Chelsea in the summer of 2022. Last season saw him loaned to Arsenal in an attempt to rediscover his form, but the experience was not as successful as hoped, and he returned to Chelsea and was ultimately excluded from the squad.

Feyenoord's ambitions and English experience

Feyenoord, the 16-time Dutch league champions, are counting on Raheem Sterling's vast experience to help the team through the remainder of the season. Currently second in the Eredivisie standings, and despite being 17 points behind leaders PSV Eindhoven, the presence of a player of Sterling's caliber could significantly boost their chances in European competitions and secure a Champions League spot, in addition to the marketing and technical value he brings to the Dutch league as a whole.

Al-Hilal's first football team is preparing for a crucial match against Al-Ettifaq in the 22nd round of the Saudi Professional League. All eyes will be on the Kingdom Arena, which will host this highly anticipated encounter, as Al-Hilal aims to continue its winning streak and secure three points, despite the challenges the team faces regarding its starting lineup.

Al-Hilal's coaching staff, led by Italian coach Simone Inzaghi, is facing significant absences that could disrupt their tactical plans for this match. The star player Theo Hernandez has been confirmed out of the squad due to an injury sustained recently, necessitating the search for a suitable replacement in his position. In addition to Hernandez, Marcos Leonardo is also unavailable, this time due to a purely tactical decision by Inzaghi, who opted to exclude him for reasons related to his vision for the match and the playing style he intends to implement against Al-Ettifaq.

On the bright side, Al-Hilal's lineup sees the return of star striker Karim Benzema, who will bolster the team's attack in this crucial match. Benzema's return comes after his forced absence from the last match against Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai in the AFC Champions League. Regulations prevented his participation due to his prior commitment to Al-Ittihad in the same competition, thus ruling him out of the Asian fixture. He now returns fully fit and ready for domestic competition.

Al-Hilal enters this match aiming to appease its fans after a goalless draw in their last game against Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai in the seventh round of the AFC Champions League. The Al-Ettifaq match is of paramount importance to the Blue team, not only to compensate for the continental draw but also to strengthen their position in the Roshan League standings, where three points are essential given the fierce competition for the title. Inzaghi's squad understands that dropping any points at home in front of their supporters could have negative repercussions in the long league campaign.

Matches between Al-Hilal and Al-Ettifaq are always characterized by intense rivalry and excitement, leading fans to anticipate a high-level tactical contest. Al-Hilal relies on the depth of its squad and the ability of its substitutes to compensate for key absences like Theo Hernandez, while the presence of Karim Benzema provides a significant morale and technical boost to the attack. Supporters hope his contribution will unlock Al-Ettifaq's defense and secure a victory for the home side.