Then Como won promotion. Restrictions on registering non-EU players in professional football stopped the plan, leaving the owners with a club whose ambitions and costs kept growing. 

Seven years after the takeover, Como beat Manchester United 4–1 in the Champions League. Two weeks later, on November 4, they won 9–1 away to Lens, equalling the competition’s largest winning margin.

Behind those results is investment from Indonesia’s Hartono family , whose Djarum business group backed the purchase. The owners have financed new players while developing businesses that sell clothing, travel and hospitality around the club and Lake Como. 

A television plan changes

SENT Entertainment, a UK-based media and entertainment company backed by the family, acquired Como on April 4, 2019. The club was in Serie D, Italy’s fourth division, after financial problems had forced another restart in 2017.

“We bought the club, originally, for a TV station,” club president Mirwan Suwarso told The Observer .

Suwarso’s earlier programme, Garuda Select, followed Indonesian prospects playing European academy teams. Como was intended as a follow-up.

After the player-registration restrictions blocked that approach, the owners produced The American, a documentary following the club’s American chief executive. But television couldn't cover the rising costs.

“If we wanted to grow, it had to be a business,” Suwarso said.

Como won Serie D in 2019 and Serie C in 2021. Promotion from Serie B followed in 2024, returning the club to Italy’s top division after 21 years.

Fàbregas and the squad

Cesc Fàbregas joined as a player in 2022, when Como were still in Serie B. He later moved into coaching and became permanent head coach in July 2024, after serving as interim coach and assistant during the promotion campaign. Osian Roberts, who helped secure promotion, became head of development.

Under Fàbregas, Como finished fourth in Serie A in 2025–26 and qualified for the Champions League for the first time. Their squad includes Argentina midfielder Nico Paz, Croatia’s Martin Baturina and Senegal winger Assane Diao.

The owners have spent heavily to support that progress. The Telegraph estimated Como’s net transfer spending across the previous two windows at around £130 million.

Fàbregas favours short passing and keeping possession. His team had completed more passes than any other Serie A side this season at the time of that report.

Selling more than football

The owners are also using Lake Como’s appeal to reach customers beyond the club’s supporters.

“We have to build what we own,” Suwarso told City AM , “and what we own is the location and the destination.” The club was already selling wider Lake Como merchandise while playing in the second division, he said.

Como appointed Rhude founder Rhuigi Villaseñor as chief brand officer and has developed clothing collections with the fashion label. Its commercial work includes collaborations with adidas.

Match packages have included yacht or seaplane transfers, while the club runs the Destination Calcio travel platform. Its merchandising operation also works with other European clubs.

These businesses are growing alongside substantial losses. Como reported a €105 million loss for the year to June 2025, according to accounts reviewed by Calcio e Finanza . Revenue reached €55.4 million, up from €9.8 million a year earlier. Costs rose to €158.6 million.

Shareholders contributed more than €133 million (US$149 million) during 2024–25 and another €69 million in the early months of the following season, the publication reported.

Expanding the stadium

Como’s rise has also required changes to the Giuseppe Sinigaglia stadium. The club completed a new stand and infrastructure, safety and operational upgrades to secure approval for Champions League home matches this season.

A larger redevelopment remains in preparation. Como and the municipality presented initial plans with architects Populous in February 2025. On November 4, The Stadium Business reported that Suwarso said revised proposals were ready for submission to the city council.

The original schedule envisaged construction phases in October 2027 and August 2028. The revised project will go through the council’s approval process before the wider redevelopment can proceed.

Featuring iconic destinations and hidden gems alike, the 2025 rankings, compiled by global travel experts and beach enthusiasts, celebrate natural beauty, accessibility, sustainability, and overall wow factor.

Let’s dive into some of the standout destinations that made waves this year, as visualised by World Visualized .

Cala Goloritzé (Italy)

A UNESCO-listed natural monument in Sardinia, Cala Goloritzé is famed for its jagged cliffs, bright blue waters, and hiking access. It’s a beach lover’s dream with an adventurous twist.

Entalula Beach ( Philippines )

A crown jewel of El Nido, Palawan, Entalula Beach captivates with its crystal-clear turquoise waters, lush limestone cliffs, and pristine white sands. Often accessible only by boat, this beach offers a secluded tropical paradise perfect for snorkelling and photography.

PK 9 Beach (French Polynesia)

PK 9 Beach, near Fakarava Atoll , stuns with its line of swaying palms and gentle lagoon tides. Renowned for its untouched beauty and biodiversity , this beach is a favourite for eco-tourists and snorkelers exploring French Polynesia’s marine sanctuaries.

The blackout, which began around 12:30 p.m. local time, affected major cities including Madrid, Lisbon, and Barcelona, leading to halted transportation systems, grounded flights, and widespread communication failures. Authorities are investigating the cause, with possibilities ranging from technical failures to cyberattacks.​

In Spain, the outage brought public transportation to a standstill . Madrid's metro system was evacuated, and traffic lights ceased functioning, causing significant congestion. Airports operated on backup generators, leading to flight delays nationwide.

Hospitals suspended routine operations, relying on emergency power to treat critical patients. Retailers like IKEA closed stores or limited access, and oil refineries , including those operated by Moeve and Petronor, halted operations due to the power failure.​

Portugal faced similar challenges. Lisbon's metro and train services were suspended, and traffic signals failed across the country. Water supplier EPAL warned of potential disruptions, and residents rushed to purchase emergency supplies. All IKEA stores in Portugal closed for the day, and airports operated on limited capacity.​

The exact cause of the outage remains unclear. Spanish grid operator Red Eléctrica and Portuguese operator REN are investigating, with initial reports suggesting a possible technical failure in the high-voltage network. Authorities have not ruled out a cyberattack, and Spain's National Cybersecurity Institute (INCIBE) is examining the possibility.​

A fire in southwest France, between Perpignan and Narbonne, damaged a high-voltage power line, which some speculate may have contributed to the outage. However, French grid operator RTE stated that the incident was unrelated to the blackout.​

Power restoration efforts began within hours in some regions. By early afternoon, electricity returned to parts of the Basque Country and Barcelona. However, full restoration across affected areas is expected to take longer, with Portuguese utility EDP unable to provide a definitive timeline.​

The outage also impacted cultural events. At the Madrid Open tennis tournament, matches were suspended as electronic systems failed, leaving players and spectators in the dark.

From explosive celebrations to sacred rituals, here are 10 of the most unique Easter traditions practised around the world.

Sweden: Easter witches

Forget the Easter Bunny—in Sweden, children dress up as “Easter witches,” donning colourful clothes and painted cheeks as they go door to door trading drawings for sweets, a whimsical blend of Halloween and Easter.

Germany: Easter egg trees and bonfires

Germans bring colour to their gardens with Ostereierbaum—trees decorated with hand-painted eggs. The season is also marked by towering Easter bonfires, meant to chase away the dark of winter and welcome spring.

Slovakia: Whipping tradition

In Slovakia, Easter Monday comes with a quirky and controversial custom: men playfully whip women with decorated willow branches, believed to bring beauty and vitality for the year ahead.

Greece: Rocket wars and clay pots

On the island of Chios, two rival churches engage in a thrilling "rocket war ," firing thousands of homemade fireworks across the night sky. Meanwhile, in Corfu, residents hurl clay pots from balconies to ward off evil spirits.

France: Giant omelette for a thousand

In the town of Haux, chefs cook a giant omelette made with over 4,000 eggs—enough to feed an entire village. Legend has it that Napoleon once ordered a massive omelette here, and the tradition stuck.

Guatemala: Flower carpets

In Antigua, streets bloom with intricate alfombras—vibrant carpets of dyed sawdust, flowers, and fruit that line the roads for Easter processions. These temporary artworks are as fleeting as they are breathtaking.

Philippines : Self-crucifixion

In a dramatic and controversial act of faith, some Filipino devotees reenact Christ’s crucifixion —complete with nails and crosses—as a form of penance. Though discouraged by the Church, the practice draws large crowds each year.

Papua New Guinea: Cigarette trees

Churches in Papua New Guinea hang tobacco leaves and cigarettes on trees around Easter, encouraging congregants, especially men, to attend services and receive their “reward.”

Despite these, the are employees in various parts of the who give out their all at the workplace in terms of work hours.

According to data provided by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), there are some 5 countries in the world that work the most hours annually.

Here is the list:

Mexico

Topping the list is Mexico, where the average worker clocks in an impressive 2,207 hours per year. This high number reflects the country's labour dynamics, which often involve a six-day workweek.

Costa Rica

Following closely is Costa Rica, with an average of 2,171 hours worked annually. Known for its "Pura Vida" lifestyle, Costa Rica's high working hours might come as a surprise. However, the country frequently ranks high on the World Economic Forum’s Happy Planet Index, indicating a unique blend of hard work and overall well-being.

Chile

In third place is Chile, where the average annual hours worked is 1,953. Chile's economy is one of the most stable in Latin America, and its workforce is known for its dedication and productivity.

Greece

Greece which is the fourth place has an annual work hours of 1897. Like the rest of the countries on the list, Greece has a stable workforce which drives its innovation and development.

Israel

Rounding out the top five is Israel, with an average of 1,880 hours worked per year. Israel's workforce is known for its high productivity and innovation, contributing to the country's strong economic performance.