Two of Europe’s best goalkeepers will do battle on Monday with David de Gea and Gianluigi Buffon expected to lead La Roja and the Azzurri respectively. Gianluigi Buffon is one of the greatest goalkeepers of all-time, according to David De Gea ahead of Spain and Italy’s meeting in the last-16 on Monday. The 38-year-old will earn his 160th cap for the Azzurri at the Stade de France, and the La Roja goalkeeper hopes to emulate the Juventus player’s longevity and success. “I have been following him for a long time, he is a living legend,” … [Read more...]
Germany ease into Euro 2016 quarter-finals
World champions Germany breezed into the quarter-finals of Euro 2016 with a commanding 3-0 victory over Slovakia. Germany took the lead after only eight minutes when Jerome Boateng scored with an excellent low volley from the edge of the box. And Germany could have doubled their lead five minutes later after being awarded a penalty, only for Mesut Ozil to see his spot-kick saved by Matus Kozacik. Mario Gomez made no mistake minutes before half-time, however, converting from inside the six-yard box after excellent work from Julian … [Read more...]
Eden Hazard back to brilliant best as Belgium thumped Hungary into Euro 2016 Quarter-finals
Belgium trampled Hungary 4-0 with their best performance of Euro 2016, firing on all cylinders, getting a world class performance out of their stars, and most importantly, showing that notoriously stubborn manager Marc Wilmots has the ability to learn from his mistakes and do what's best for his team. If they continue to improve at the rate they have so far, they have to be considered one of the favorites to raise the European trophy. Belgium struggled early on in the tournament, slumping to a 2-0 loss against Italy before bouncing back … [Read more...]
Moyes wanted Kroos at United as Paul Scholes replacement
David Moyes has confirmed wanted to sign Toni Kroos for Manchester United as Paul Scholes' long-term replacement. During Moyes' opening months in charge at Old Trafford Kroos was strongly linked with a move to the club before eventually remaining at Bayern Munich and joining Real Madrid the following summer. Moyes has been working at Euro 2016 as a technical observer for UEFA and has watched Germany play as part of that role. Writing in the Sunday Times, the former Everton boss explained his plans for the central midfielder. "I wanted … [Read more...]
Ricardo Quaresma scores late in extra-time to keep Portugal hope alive
Ex Chelsea player Ricardo Quaresma headed in a 117th-minute winner as Portugal reached the Euro 2016 quarter-finals with a 1-0 victory over Croatia after extra time in Lens. It was the first time either goalkeeper had been remotely threatened by either side who both struggled to create chances and the fact the Portuguese are into the last eight having not yet won a match in 90 minutes speaks volumes about the quality on show. Cristiano Ronaldo cut a peripheral figure throughout until a quick counter-attack immediately after Ivan Perisic … [Read more...]
Ryan Giggs set to meet Jose Mourinho over future
Ryan Giggs is unlikely to accept a lesser position under the ex-Chelsea manager following nearly 30 years at the club But his next move will be finalised within days when he meets the Special One face-to-face. Mourinho is still completing his backroom staff after taking over from Louis van Gaal at United for the new season. Portuguese coach Rui Faria, who worked with him at Chelsea, will be the main assistant — the role Giggs had under LVG. Giggs, 42, is said to be unlikely to accept a lesser role. He may now choose to go into … [Read more...]
Ireland plays France for the first time after Henry dubious handball
The Republic of Ireland could be looking to exorcise some demons in Sunday's knockout round match against France. The last time the Ireland squared off against France in a competitive match, there was a bit of controversy. OK, there was a lot of controversy, as France crushed Ireland's 2010 World Cup hopes when a dubious Thierry Henry handball resulted in the decisive goal. Irish fans, you might want to look away (unless you're the kind of person that will use this as rage fuel to root on your team, then go ahead): Henry's handball in … [Read more...]
Liverpool reject Swansea bid for Welsh midfielder Joe Allen
Liverpool have rejected an £8m bid made by Swansea for Wales internatioonal Joe Allen, but are demanding £10m for the 26-year old midfielder. The Welshman has played a somewhat peripheral role in Jurgen Klopp’s side this season but impressed towards the end of the year. Allen took this form with him into Euro 2016 where’s he so far impressed for Wales and has subsequently earned himself many admirers across the Premier League. Many fans have expressed their desire to hold onto the Welshman – who’s been affectionately dubbed the “Welsh … [Read more...]
Euro 2016: Wales edge out Northern Ireland after a Gareth McAuley own goal
Gareth McAuley’s cruel own-goal was enough edge Wales into the Euro 2016 quarter-finals with a 1-0 win over Northern Ireland. On one of Europe’s grandest football stages at the Parc des Princes, the two sides produced a game that would not have won any beauty contests. It was competitive and wholehearted, but entertainment and chances were at a premium with so much at stake. So perhaps the goal which decided matters – and sends Wales through to a quarter-final against either Hungary or Belgium in Lille on Friday – was appropriate as … [Read more...]
Poles reach Euro quarter-final for the first time in their history after Arsenal new boy Granit Xhaka misses in shootou
Arsenal new boy Granit Xhaka suffered a penalty shootout woe as Switzerland were dumped out of Euro 2016 (5-4) on penalties after their last-16 tie had finished 1-1 AET. A Jakub Blaszczykowski strike had looked to be enough in normal time for Poland only for Stoke’s Xherdan Shaqiri to make it 1-1 with a tremendous athletic volley to send the game into extra-time. With no winning goal found, the tie was decided on penalties with new Arsenal signing Granit Xhaka missing and Sevilla’s Grzegorz Krychowiak hammering home the winning … [Read more...]
Marc Wilmots confirms Nianggolan smoking habit
It isn’t unheard of for Radja Nainggolan to smoke five or six cigarettes a day from his special hotel room balcony admits Marc Wilmots Radja Nainggolan is the only member of Belgium’s Euro 2016 squad who smokes, national team coach Marc Wilmots has confirmed in response to rumours. In his homeland, the Roma star has been hitting the headlines for the wrong reasons as newspapers blast him over his alleged smoking, prompting the tactician to intervene and justify the habit on behalf of his player. “I confirm, Radja does smoke,” he told … [Read more...]