Germany focus on Poland for emotional Paris return at Euro 2016 Paris (AFP) – Old rivalries and fresh memories face Germany when they return to the Stade de France in Paris to face familiar foes Poland in a crucial Euro 2016 clash just seven months after being caught up in last November’s terror attacks in Paris. Die Mannschaft were forced to spend a traumatic night in the dressing rooms at … [Read more...]

US aim to end ‘underdog’ tag in Copa quarters Seattle (AFP) – United States manager Jurgen Klinsmann wants his team to shed their “underdog” mentality as they prepare for a Copa America Centenario quarter-final showdown with Ecuador on Thursday. Klinsmann’s side upset the form book by qualifying as winners of Group A, topping a pool that included World Cup quarter-finalists Colombia and Costa … [Read more...]

Mourning N.Ireland battle for Euro survival Lyon (AFP) – Northern Ireland face Ukraine in Lyon on Thursday with both sides needing a win to keep their Euro 2016 knockout stage dreams alive while the Irish are mourning the death of a young fan. Irish fans plan a round of applause at the Stade de Lyon in the 24th-minute of the Group C clash to pay their respects to Darren Rodgers. The 24-year-old … [Read more...]

England face neighbours Wales in Euro 2016 Group B showdown Chantilly (France) (AFP) – England face the twin threats of a disqualification warning if their fans misbehave and a super-motivated Gareth Bale ahead of their Euro 2016 showdown with neighbours Wales in Lens on Thursday. The bloody clashes between rival fans that marred England’s opening 1-1 draw with Russia in Marseille at the weekend … [Read more...]

Frustrating Ronaldo delights Iceland’s hero goalie Saint-Étienne (France) (AFP) – Iceland goalkeeper Hannes Halldorsson was on cloud nine after stopping Cristiano Ronaldo from making history as the Atlantic island minnows held Portugal to a 1-1 draw on their Euro 2016 debut. The Real Madrid ace had ten shots on goal in Saint Etienne but failed to become the first man to score in four European … [Read more...]

New Aston Villa owner Xia passes first test Birmingham (United Kingdom) (AFP) – China’s Tony Xia completed his takeover of relegated former Premier League side Aston Villa on Tuesday after passing the English Football League’s owners and directors test.  Xia, whose Chinese name is Xia Jiantong, purchased Villa last month for a reported $87 million (77.6 million euros) from American Randy Lerner … [Read more...]

Gambian refugee joins Germany’s HSV Berlin (AFP) – Gambian refugee Bakery Jatta has signed a contract with German Bundesliga side Hamburg, the club said Tuesday, in what local media dubbed a “football fairytale”. Jatta — who made the dangerous Mediterranean crossing from North Africa to Italy last year as a lone teenager — on Tuesday inked a 10,000 euro ($11,000) a month contract with HSV. The … [Read more...]

Where to find Chile vs. Panama on US TV and streaming If you’re trying to find out how you can watch Chile vs. Panama in the Copa America Centenario, you’ve come to the right place. Tonight in Philadelphia at the Lincoln Financial Field, the winner of the Chile vs. Panama game will advance to the Copa America quarter-final to play Mexico. A draw for Chile will be enough to advance, but Panama … [Read more...]

England's Wilshere: 'Wales don't like us' 11:39 PM GMT Jack Wilshere is not expecting England's Euro 2016 meeting with Wales to be a case of friends reunited. Thursdays' Group B match in Lens is the first time the neighbouring nations have met since the Euro 2012 qualifiers, when England won home and away. Wales' Real Madrid star Gareth Bale fired the first broadside in the … [Read more...]

Russian fans thrown out of France Paris (AFP) – A group of Russian football supporters was being thrown out of France on Tuesday because authorities fear they will cause trouble at Euro 2016 matches, officials said. French officials were checking the identities of 29 supporters at a hotel in Mandelieu-La Napoule near Marseille and authorities have already decided to take some of them to a … [Read more...]