Ronaldo’s Portugal, Belgium looking for spark Paris (AFP) – Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal will attempt to reignite their flagging Euro 2016 campaign against Austria on Saturday, while Belgium hope to breathe life into their title bid after a terrible start. Ronaldo was frustrated in his quest to become the first player to score in four European Championships as Portugal stuttered to a 1-1 draw … [Read more...]

Morata double boosts Spain hopes of Euro treble Paris (AFP) – Alvaro Morata scored twice for defending champions Spain and Eder was Italy’s winner as the two booked places in the last 16 of Euro 2016 on another day marred by fan violence. A 2-2 draw between Croatia and the Czech Republic was briefly halted after Croatians threw flares on the pitch, prompting coach Ante Cacic to call them “sports … [Read more...]

Panenka prank keeps keepers busy 40 years on Prague (AFP) – Zinedine Zidane, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Andrea Pirlo have all done it: instead of blasting a penalty kick into the net, they fool the diving keeper by chipping the ball into the middle of the net. Forty years have passed since Czechoslovakia’s playmaker Antonin Panenka first displayed the trick at the 1976 European Championship final … [Read more...]

Pogba furore dogs France ahead of Swiss test at Euro 2016 Lille (France) (AFP) – Juventus star Paul Pogba finds himself at the eye of a storm as Euro 2016 hosts France prepare to face Switzerland in their final Group A game in Lille on Sunday. Dropped for Wednesday’s 2-0 win over Albania in Marseille, Pogba came on at half-time and helped set up the second goal for Dimtri Payet deep into … [Read more...]

Eder fires pale Azzurri into Euro 2016 last 16 Toulouse (France) (AFP) – Brazil-born striker Eder overcame an otherwise patchy performance to hit a cracking late winner in a 1-0 victory over Sweden that sent Italy into the last 16 of Euro 2016 on Friday. Eder, playing in his first major finals for Italy after being naturalised last year, came close to being substituted by Antonio Conte after a … [Read more...]

Walters ruled out for Ireland’s Belgium clash Bordeaux (AFP) – Jon Walters will miss the Republic of Ireland’s Euro 2016 clash with Belgium on Saturday due to injury, manager Martin O’Neill confirmed. “Jon Walters is not going to be fit so we will have to make at least one change. We will have a look at it and decide on it tomorrow morning,” said O’Neill at a press conference in Bordeaux on … [Read more...]

Lukaku in firing line as Belgium prepare for Ireland at Euro 2016 Bordeaux (AFP) – Belgium head into their Euro 2016 clash with the Republic of Ireland on Saturday desperate to atone for their opening defeat to Italy as debate rages about whether Romelu Lukaku should be dropped.  Marc Wilmots’ much-fancied side are second in the FIFA world rankings but they disappointed in a 2-0 loss to Italy in … [Read more...]

Italy frustrate record-chasing Zlatan at half-time Toulouse (France) (AFP) – Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s bid to become the first player to score at four European Championships was foiled as Sweden were level at 0-0 with Italy in their Euro 2016 Group E clash at half-time. Italy could secure a place in the last 16 with victory in Toulouse after a fine 2-0 win over Belgium to open their campaign. … [Read more...]

Spain buoyant for Turkey test after winning start at Euro 2016 Nice (France) (AFP) – European champions Spain are often slow starters at major tournaments but after Gerard Pique’s late winner in their Euro 2016 opener, Vicente del Bosque’s men already have the last 16 in sight when they take on Turkey on Friday. “Starting with a win makes a big difference,” Atletico Madrid defender Juanfran told … [Read more...]

Russians arrested after attack in Cologne 7:48 AM GMT Stephan Uersfeld A group of Russian hooligans has been arrested in the German city of Cologne after they attacked Spanish tourists, local police have said. On Thursday evening, five Russian hooligans travelling back from the European Championship in France were taken into custody after plainclothes officers witnessed an "extremely aggressive … [Read more...]