Germany captain Bastian Schweinsteiger says his side can be proud of their Euro 2016 campaign despite a 2-0 semi-final defeat to France. The world champions were the dominant side in the first half in Marseille but fell a goal behind just before the break. Antoine Griezmann converted a penalty awarded after Patrice Evra's header struck Schweinsteiger's hand. Germany continued to press in the second period but Griezmann prodded home with 18 minutes to play to secure the win for the host nation and set up a final against Portugal. Schweinsteiger feels luck was against his side at the Stade Velodrome but believes they deserve credit for sticking to the style of football that saw them triumph at the World Cup in Brazil two years ago. "It's a real shame," … [Read more...]
Euro 2016: Griezmann brace leads France past Germany
Antoine Griezmann punished Germany’s lack of incision by firing France to a 2-0 victory in the semi-finals of Euro 2016. The 25-year-old Atletico Madrid forward became the highest scorer at a single European Championships since the great Michel Platini scored nine for Les Bleus in 1984. They won the tournament on home soil that year and, having also lifted the 1998 World Cup in Paris, the omens are all pointing towards another domestic triumph against Portugal at the Stade de France on Sunday. Griezmann’s first came via a controversially-awarded penalty in first-half added time but there was no debate about his second – and sixth of the tournament – 18 minutes from the end. It was the first time any host nation had prevailed over the Germans in … [Read more...]
Cech: Wenger has the pedigree to coach England
Goalkeeper Petr Cech is in no doubt manager Arsene Wenger has both the pedigree and quality needed to take over the England job, but believes the 66-year-old remains committed to helping Arsenal win the Premier League. The Football Association has started the process of identifying a permanent successor to Roy Hodgson following England’s poor Euro 2016 campaign, which ended with an embarrassing defeat by Iceland at the last 16 stage. While Wenger has long stated he felt an English coach would be best suited to the role of national team manager, the FA is said to be keen to determine whether there would be any interest in taking up the role, possibly once his current deal at the Emirates Stadium expires next summer. Veteran stopper Cech, who joined the … [Read more...]
Middlesbrough complete the signing of goalkeeper Víctor Valdés on a free transfer
Middlesbrough have completed the signing of former Barcelona and Manchester United goalkeeper Victor Valdes after manager Aitor Karanka impressed his fellow Spaniard with his plans for next season. Boro have also been offered the chance to sign Holland international Robin van Persie, but are unlikely to follow up their initial interest in the 32-year-old, who has been told he can leave Fenerbahce. Karanka has been one of the busiest managers in the Premier League as he looks to improve the squad promoted from the Championship last season and the capture of Valdes is a major breakthrough in his bid to address an obvious weakness. Valdes had offers from clubs in Spain and Portugal, as well as Turkish club Besiktas, but chose to remain in the Premier … [Read more...]
Arsenal set to make a move for United target Matuidi
Arsenal are set to make a move for Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Blaise Matuidi, who has been linked with Manchester United and Chelsea. Reports claim that Matuidi is eager to play in England – but will only consider offers from Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, United and Tottenham. The Frenchman has been looking to manufacture a move to the Premier League, and according to recent reports he flew to England with the permission of Didier Deschamps and PSG to discuss a move. It is thought PSG have decided to let Matuidi move on following the capture of Grzegorz Krychowiak from Sevilla last weekend. Matuidi, who has been crucial in France’s run to the semi-finals of Euro 2016, showed that his mind is firmly on doing well for his country in an … [Read more...]
Ibe set for £15m Bournemouth move
Liverpool are understood to have accepted a £15million bid from Bournemouth for winger Jordon Ibe. Ibe has been given permission to speak to the Cherries after a 2015-16 season that saw him make only 12 Premier League starts for the Reds. The 20-year-old has been with Liverpool since joining from Wycombe in 2011. Ibe, who has a total of 58 Liverpool appearances to his name, made his Reds first-team debut on the final day of the 2012-13 Premier League season. He spent time on loan with Birmingham during the following campaign, then with Derby in the season after that, and has also played four times for England Under-21s. The news of Liverpool accepting a bid for him comes after they recruited winger Sadio Mane from Southampton last month. … [Read more...]
Ozil to Koscielny: we are not Iceland
Mesut Ozil says he has told Arsenal teammate Laurent Koscielny that Germany "are not Iceland" in a text message ahead of their Euro 2016 semifinal with France. The match is set to see Ozil come up against Gunners teammates Koscielny and Olivier Giroud, and the Germany playmaker says the trio have been keeping in contact ahead of the clash. Germany reached the last four with a penalty shootout win over Italy while France thrashed tournament debutants Iceland 5-2, and Ozil told kicker: "We are still teasing each other. "After the quarterfinal I texted Koscielny to say that we are not Iceland. He replied that it will be big match in Marseille, for us and the fans. We are all looking forward to it." Ozil, 27, is the only Germany player to have started … [Read more...]