Landon Donovan is shining star in FOX Sports’ disappointing Copa America broadcasts While much has been written about the flag-waving, delusional broadcast of the United States v. Argentina Copa America semi-final, one part of the broadcast that was a pleasant surprise was the color commentary by USMNT legend Landon Donovan. This was not Donovan’s first match; he had called the U.S.’s victory … [Read more...]

Germany battling to get Boateng fit for Slovakia Evian (France) (AFP) – Germany’s medical staff are working around-the-clock to get key defender Jerome Boateng fit for Sunday’s Euro 2016 last 16 clash against Slovakia. The burly Bayern Munich centre-back came off on 76 minutes with a knock to his calf in their 1-0 group stage win over Northern Ireland on Tuesday. “The hardening is declining, he … [Read more...]

Five stars of Euro 2016 so far Paris (AFP) – At the end of the European Championship group phase, here are five players who shone in the first round:  Gareth Bale (Wales) Bale arrived in France fresh from winning a second Champions League title with Real Madrid and the 26-year-old forward has lived up to his pre-tournament billing as one of the potential stars of Euro 2016. He inspired Wales to … [Read more...]

Vardy spurns Gunners, commits to Leicester Leicester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Jamie Vardy gave a huge boost to champions Leicester on Thursday by rejecting an offer from Arsenal to sign a new contract. The 29-year-old striker — presently on duty with England at the Euro 2016 finals — agreed to an improved four year contract offer from ‘The Foxes’ and spurning Arsenal’s advances after they … [Read more...]

Bild makes 1966 pledge if UK rejects Brexit 7:23 AM GMT We appreciate acts of diplomacy within football, even if it's something as benign as a player helping up an opponent after a heavy challenge. German newspaper Bild, however, has gone a step further with a bold promise surrounding the upcoming "Brexit" vote in Britain. They're willing to acknowledge that the highly contentious third England … [Read more...]

Ramsey glows for Wales in Bale’s shadow Paris (AFP) – Aaron Ramsey’s man-of-the-match display in Wales’s 3-0 win over Russia at Euro 2016 sent a reminder that there is more to Chris Coleman’s side than Gareth Bale. The 25-year-old Arsenal midfielder scored his team’s opener in Toulouse on Monday — a smooth, lofted finish from Joe Allen’s pass — and teed up Bale for the third goal, his second … [Read more...]

Chile down Colombia to reach Copa final Chicago (AFP) – Chile stormed into the Copa America final, beating Colombia 2-0 in a weather-disrupted semi-final that took more than four hours to complete. The defending champions advanced to a repeat of last year’s final against Argentina on Sunday after a whirlwind start left Colombia chasing the game. Chile, who had destroyed Mexico 7-0 in the … [Read more...]

Goals prove Ronaldo’s back says coach Lyon (AFP) – Portugal’s coach Fernando Santos says Cristiano Ronaldo’s two-goal display against Hungary proves he has shaken off a poor start to return to his best at Euro 2016. Ronaldo scored a pair of brilliant goals in Lyon on Wednesday to go down in European Championship history as the first player to score at four finals. Portugal came from behind three … [Read more...]

Two-goal Ronaldo hails ‘insane’ draw as Portugal progress Lyon (AFP) – Man-of-the-match Cristiano Ronaldo hailed Portugal’s 3-3 draw against Hungary as ‘insane’ as his side scrapped into the last 16 of Euro 2016, thanks to his two record-breaking second-half goals. Ronaldo opened his account in style with a deft backheel flick on 50 minutes, then a bullet header 12 minutes later to twice … [Read more...]

Ronaldo throws reporter’s mic in lake ahead of Euro 2016 crunch match Paris (AFP) – Portugal’s superstar captain Cristiano Ronaldo let the tension show as he prepared for his country’s crunch Euro 2016 match on Wednesday by throwing a reporter’s microphone in a lake. The three-time World Player of the Year has had a frustrating time in France, hitting the post with a penalty in Saturday’s … [Read more...]