Spain says lessons learned from Croatia loss (The Associated Press)
SAINT-MARTIN-DE-RE, France (AP) — An over-confident Spain has learned the lessons of its shock defeat to Croatia and won’t fall into the same trap against Italy in the last 16 of the European Championship. Defender Juanfran Torres said Thursday that Spain, already qualified for the round of 16, fell into a trap at 1-0 up. ”This small excess of confidence that we had is something that needs to change against Italy,” Torres said.
Fan chief says Russians suffering ‘politicized’ treatment at Euro 2016 (Reuters)
By Dmitriy Rogovitskiy MOSCOW (Reuters) – The head of Russia’s football supporters’ association on Thursday said Russian fans were the victims of “politicized” treatment at Euro 2016 and blamed French authorities for violence. Alexander Shprygin said the All-Russian Supporters Association was looking at how to bring home three supporters who were jailed in France for taking part in violence in Marseille on June 11 as England played Russia. Shprygin said he was in contact with Alexei Yerunov, Nikolai Morozov and Sergei Gorbachev, who received sentences of up to two years.
Euro 2016 so far: Minnows impress, goals dearth, fans’ shame (The Associated Press)
With the European Championship group stage over, UEFA proudly flagged up a statistic on Thursday: no team won all three games. The lack of walkovers and dead-rubber group games provides some vindication for UEFA after eight teams were added to make its showpiece a 24-team event. Part of the joy of the expanded European Championship was the appearance of five new teams.
O’Neill: Ireland does not need France revenge for motivation (The Associated Press)
Forget revenge, Ireland’s game against France on Sunday is all about a chance to reach the quarterfinals of the European Championship. Back in November, 2009, Ireland lost a World Cup playoff to France following a blatant handball from forward Thierry Henry in the return leg at Stade de France. After handling it, Henry’s cross led to the extra time equalizer from center half William Gallas that sent Les Bleus through to the 2010 World Cup on aggregate.
Germany waiting on Boateng’s fitness ahead of Slovakia game (The Associated Press)
EVIAN-LES-BAINS, France (AP) — With fitness worries over central defender Jerome Boateng, Germany coach Joachim Loew gave his players the day off Thursday. It starts with the round of 16 game against Slovakia in Lille on Sunday. ”The medical team and Jerome are working hard on it.
Switzerland and Poland looking to solve attacking woes (The Associated Press)
Led by prolific Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski, Poland was the top scoring team in qualifying for the European Championship with a remarkable 33 goals in 10 games. After scoring 13 goals in qualifying, Lewandowski has failed to find the net so far and his team has managed just two goals in its three matches. Only Ukraine, Sweden, Albania and Austria scored fewer goals in the group stage – and all four of those teams have been eliminated.
Slovakia expects different Germany than it beat in friendly (The Associated Press)
Slovakia did it before, and now they have a chance to do it again. Getting ready for its first European Championship as an independent nation, Slovakia beat world champion Germany 3-1 in a warm-up match in Augsburg on May 29. On Sunday, they will meet again with a spot in the Euro 2016 quarterfinals on the line.
5 controversial moments in sport that continue to enthrall (CBC)
One of the most infamous such moments took place 30 years ago — June 22, 1986 — when Diego Maradona scored his infamous “Hand of God” goal against England in the quarter-finals of the World Cup in Mexico. Brett Hull wins the Stanley Cup for the Stars in Game 6 with a goal in the third overtime. Even though his foot was in Dominik Hasek’s crease, Hull’s goal was allowed to stand, setting of a firestorm of criticism and controversy. The Republic of Ireland was 16 minutes away from a penalty shootout that could have earned it a place in the 2010 World Cup when Frenchman Thierry Henry commits an obvious hand ball before passing it to William Gallas for an easy header.
Curse of the penalty shootout hangs over England again (The Associated Press)
England is back in the knockout stage of a major soccer tournament. England has lost six of its seven shootouts in major tournaments since 1990, making it something of an unwanted tradition for the national team. Players like Stuart Pearce, Chris Waddle, Gareth Southgate and David Batty are as well known for missing penalties for England than anything else they achieved in their careers.
Galatasaray banned from Europa League as CAS appeal rejected (The Associated Press)
LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — The Court of Arbitration has rejected Galatasaray’s bid to overturn its one-season ban from UEFA competitions for breaking financial fair play rules.
Qatar uses 3D printers to make World Cup stadiums ‘desert-proof’ (Reuters)
By Tom Finn DOHA (Reuters) – Scientists at Qatar University are testing 3D-printed models of football stadiums that Qatar is building for the 2022 World Cup to see if they can endure the Gulf state’s punishing desert climate. Qatar has sought to allay concerns about its summer heat and moved the competition to the cooler month of November. It also wants the stadiums to be used all year round beyond the 2022 tournament, Saud Ghani, a Qatar University engineering professor, said.
New Euro 2016 pitch in Lille already familiar to Germany (The Associated Press)
If playing on a brand new soccer pitch requires any specific skills, Germany might have an advantage over Slovakia in Sunday’s last 16 match at the European Championship. The Dutch company which is replacing the turf at Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille on Thursday provided Germany with an identical field at their pre-tournament training camp in Ascona, Switzerland, last month. UEFA called in Hendriks Graszoden to install the new playing surface at Euro 2016’s most northern venue after the initial pitch was badly damaged because of non-soccer events before the tournament and unfavorable weather conditions.
Vardy agrees deal to stay at champ Leicester another 4 years (The Associated Press)
Leicester says striker Jamie Vardy has agreed to extend his contract with the English Premier League champion by four years. Arsenal activated Vardy’s release clause before the European Championship, but Leicester’s top scorer stayed silent publicly on his future. Now it appears the 29-year-old England striker will stay at the surprise first-time English champion, although Leicester’s statement did not say the new contract had been signed.
Sinclair, Nadim score and the Thorns beat the Red Stars 2-0 (The Associated Press)
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Christine Sinclair scored in the sixth minute to give Portland the lead and the Thorns went on to beat the Chicago Red Stars 2-0 on Wednesday night.
Jordan Allen’s 87th-minute goal helps RSL beat Red Bulls 2-1 (The Associated Press)
SANDY, Utah (AP) — Jordan Allen broke a tie in the 87th minute and Real Salt Lake beat New York 2-1 on Wednesday night to end the Red Bulls’ four-game winning streak.
Chile beat Colombia 2-0 to set up final against Argentina (Reuters)
(Reuters) – Chile beat Colombia 2-0 in the Copa America semi-final on Wednesday and will face Argentina in Sunday’s final after surviving a tumultuous match in Chicago that was halted for more than two hours due to a torrential rain storm. Chile were already two goals up at half time but the second half was delayed as an electrical storm powered towards Soldier Field and drenched the stadium with rain. The teams came back to a waterlogged pitch and Colombia, who had a man sent off early in the second period, could not reduce the deficit.
Rapids tie Galaxy 0-0 to run unbeaten streak to 11 games (The Associated Press)
Brian Rowe made crucial saves in both halves for Los Angeles and the Galaxy held on for a scoreless draw with the MLS-leading Colorado Rapids on Wednesday night. Zac MacMath had three saves for Colorado (9-2-5), including two in the final 15 minutes for his sixth shutout of the season. The Rapids extended their overall lead in the MLS standings and ran their unbeaten streak to 11.
Alberg has Philadelphia’s second hat trick, Union beat Fire (The Associated Press)
Roland Alberg had the second three-goal game in Philadelphia history and the Union beat the Chicago Fire 4-3 on Wednesday night. Philadelphia (7-4-5) snapped a seven-game winless streak in the series, which included three losses and four draws. Chicago (2-7-5) had its MLS-record road winless streak extended to 32 games, dating to July 2014.
Chile v Colombia suspended at halftime due to storm (Reuters)
(Reuters) – The second half of Wednesday’s Copa America semi-final between Chile and Colombia in Chicago has been suspended because of an approaching storm, officials said. With Chile leading 2-0 at the break, fans at Soldier Field were advised to take shelter before an announcement was made that the second half would be delayed. “Due to inclement weather in the immediate stadium vicinity, tonight’s Copa America Centenario match at Soldier Field has been temporarily suspended,” authorities said.
Ronaldo, Ireland, Iceland fuel European Championship drama (The Associated Press)
Cristiano Ronaldo dragged Portugal back from the brink of elimination twice, and Ireland found a late goal to stun Italy and stay in the European Championship on Wednesday. Iceland’s winning goal in stoppage-time against Austria wrote another chapter of the tournament’s feel-good story and set up a round of 16 clash with England. Sweden and Austria are heading home now, as are Turkey and Albania, which had hung around in France hoping that results would fall their way and lead to a place in the last 16 among the best third-placed teams.
Belgium knocks out Sweden in Ibrahimovic’s last game (The Associated Press)
Zlatan Ibrahimovic chested the ball down, let it bounce and hit it. The Swedes were eliminated from the competition while Belgium advanced to the round of 16, where it will play Hungary on Sunday in Toulouse. ”It feels heavy, it feels disappointing but at the same time I enjoyed it,” Ibrahimovic said.
Column: Ibrahimovic doesn’t go out like a legend (The Associated Press)
The self-proclaimed legend of Swedish football stopped delivering. Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s last game in Swedish bright yellow wasn’t worthy of a movie and had no Hollywood ending. Sweden’s record scorer leaves international football with memories to cherish, none more powerful than the acrobatic overhead kick against England that won him FIFA’s goal of the year award in 2013, but also with a gnawing feeling that a player with his talents and footwork that was astounding for a 6-foot, 4-inches (1.94-meter) tall colossus could and should have achieved more.
Wildly popular Icelandic TV commentator is a worldwide hit (The Associated Press)
He calls himself Gummi Ben and he’s becoming a cultish phenomenon of the European Championship. Gudmundur Benediktsson’s wildly enthusiastic calls of Iceland’s goals for national television have been finding new fans worldwide as clips are shared on social media. On Wednesday, Gummi Ben broadcast an instant classic to describe Iceland’s stoppage-time goal to beat Austria 2-1.
Ronaldo’s passion and rage rewarded with goals (The Associated Press)
Waving his arms in frustration and shouting frenziedly to all around him, Cristiano Ronaldo seethed as Hungarian rivals celebrated. Ronaldo couldn’t believe his teammates in the rearguard had conceded less than five minutes after he had finally scored his first goal at this European Championship. In the heat and humidity of Lyon, the pent-up frustration simmering inside Ronaldo after two goalless games was visible to one and all.
Conte wants Italy to get excited about facing Spain (The Associated Press)
Italy coach Antonio Conte has urged his team to be upbeat about facing two-time defending champion Spain in the last 16 of the European Championship. ”With regards to the draw, it’s definitely odd to win the group and come up against Spain,” Conte said through a translator. Italy began Euro 2016 with a 2-0 win over Belgium and then beat Sweden 1-0 to secure a first place finish in the group.
Hungary have improved with each game, says coach Stork (Reuters)
By Zoran Milosavljevic LYON, France (Reuters) – Euro 2016 upstarts Hungary have steadily improved during the group stage of the tournament and played their best football in Wednesday’s pulsating 3-3 draw against Portugal, coach Bernd Storck said. The Hungarians, playing in their first major tournament in 44 years, led three times thanks to smash-and-grab goals against a dominant Portuguese side rescued by a brace from Cristiano Ronaldo, who became the first player to score in four European Championship finals. Despite being denied a win, Hungary went through to the last 16 as group winners and Storck heaped praise on his outfit.
Sad end for Ibrahimovic as Belgium advance (Reuters)
By Ed Osmond NICE, France (Reuters) – Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s international career ended in a damp squib when Sweden lost 1-0 to Belgium in their final Euro 2016 Group E match on Wednesday and failed to reach the last 16. Radja Nainggolan’s fine shot after 84 minutes sent Belgium into the knockout stages and a game against Hungary as they finished second in the standings, level on six points with group winners Italy. The Swedes ended bottom on one point and Ibrahimovic’s bold promise that he would never finish with a disappointment proved to be mistaken.
Austria out of Euro 2016 after tactics backfire (The Associated Press)
Marcel Koller’s team made an early exit from after losing 2-1 to Iceland on Wednesday, following a goalless draw against Portugal. Having started as a playmaker and then been substituted in the 65th minute against Portugal, Alaba was handed the same role in the first half against Iceland. With his team trailing 1-0 as the players headed back to the dressing room, Koller finally decided to make Alaba play in a more familiar, deeper role after the interval.
Belgium knocks out Sweden in Ibrahimovic’s last game (The Canadian Press)
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has played his last game for Sweden, a 1-0 loss to Belgium on Wednesday at the European Championship. The Swedes were eliminated from the competition while Belgium advanced to the round of 16, where they will play Hungary on Sunday in Toulose. Radja Nainggolan scored the winning goal for the Belgians, who finished second in Group E behind Italy.
Ireland beats Italy 1-0 to advance to round of 16 (The Associated Press)
LILLE, France (AP) — A late goal from Robby Brady proved enough for Ireland to beat Italy 1-0 on Wednesday and secure a place for his team in the knockout stages of the European Championship.
Brady’s late goal fires Ireland into last 16 (Reuters)
By Philip O’Connor LILLE, France (Reuters) – Robbie Brady scored a glorious late winner for Ireland to put them through to the knockout stages of the European Championship for the first time thanks to a 1-0 win over Group E winners Italy. Brady scored his 85th minute headed goal from a pinpoint cross by his Norwich City clubmate Wes Hoolahan, who had just spurned a golden opportunity to seal the well-deserved victory himself. It earned the Irish a famous victory against a second-string Italy side, with the three points securing third place in the group and setting up a last-16 tie against hosts France in Lyon on Sunday.
No Modric, no Mandzukic, but plenty of youth for Croatia (The Associated Press)
The youth came through for Croatia. With Luka Modric and Mario Mandzukic both out injured, the Croats lined up to face defending champion Spain with three of its starting players 21 or under. The Spanish hadn’t lost a match at the European Championship in 12 years, but they couldn’t shake Croatia on Tuesday at Stade de Bordeaux.
Iceland advance to last 16 after 2-1 win against Austria (Reuters)
Iceland snatched a stoppage-time winner to continue their fairytale story at Euro 2016 by making it through to the last 16 after a deserved 2-1 victory against Austria in their final Group F match on Wednesday. Iceland end their section second with five points. Austria go out with one point.
Ronaldo scores 2 in Portugal’s 3-3 draw with Hungary (The Associated Press)
Cristiano Ronaldo erupted from his scoring slump by netting his first two goals of the European Championship on Wednesday, helping Portugal earn a 3-3 draw with Hungary and sending both teams into the round of 16. Ronaldo scored in the 50th and 62nd minutes, the first with a spectacular back heel, making him the first player to score in four consecutive European Championships. Portugal ended up with three points in Group F from three draws, advancing as one of the top four third-place teams.
Tiny Iceland beats Austria 2-1 to set up England clash (The Associated Press)
Iceland, the smallest nation at the European Championship, delivered the feel-good story of the tournament by beating Austria 2-1 on Wednesday. Iceland’s victory, which came with virtually the last kick of the game, means the team has qualified for the round of 16. There it will meet England in Nice on Monday, a prospect described as a ”dream” by captain Aron Gunnarsson.
Le Graet slams poor pitches at Euro 2016 – praises security (The Associated Press)
France coach Didier Deschamps was unhappy with the quality of the field at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille for Sunday’s match against Switzerland and was scathing about the state of the Stade Velodrome in Marseille, where France played against Albania four days earlier. Speaking at a news conference on Wednesday at the national team’s Clairefontaine training camp on the outskirts of Paris, Le Graet backed his coach. ”For our league to become better quality, it needs better pitches.
Czech Republic facing need to overhaul aging squad (The Associated Press)
For the Czech Republic, it’s time to give youth a chance. Following its group stage exit from the European Championship, the Czech Republic has little option than to replace its aging starts with the next generation of players. For this tournament, Czech coach Pavel Vrba stuck with an experienced group of players, many of whom came from the domestic league, such as 34-year-old Sparta Prague forward David Lafata, who failed to replicate his club form.
McGovern set to cash in on his European Championship heroics (The Associated Press)
PARIS (AP) — Michael McGovern gave all he had in the game of his life at the European Championship, and got plenty in return.
Will Grigg’s on Fire chant lights up Euro 2016 (The Associated Press)
Will Grigg hasn’t had any playing time yet at the European Championship, but a catchy chant featuring the Northern Ireland striker is lighting up the tournament. The 24-year-old is one of the hits of Euro 2016 thanks to the chant that has gone viral around grounds and on social media, even as he remained rooted to the bench while coach Michael O’Neill’s mash-up of lower-league journeymen qualified for the round of 16. The chant originates at Grigg’s club Wigan Athletic, where he earned fans’ adoration by scoring 25 league goals last season to lead the team to promotion to England’s second-tier Championship.
Unhappy Ronaldo riled by reporter on his morning stroll (The Associated Press)
Memo to reporters at the European Championship: Don’t disturb Cristiano Ronaldo on his morning stroll. Already enduring a frustrating tournament on the field, the Portugal star was clearly unhappy to be approached by a reporter for the TV station of a Portuguese tabloid and asked how he was feeling ahead of Wednesday’s match against Hungary at the European Championship. ”Are you ready for the game?” the 31-year-old Ronaldo was asked as he walked with teammates beside a lake in a park, with some Portuguese security personnel shielding them from fans.
Spain counts cost of several wrong steps (The Associated Press)
Spain has not made many wrong steps over the past eight years at the European Championship. Spain’s traditional give-and-go approach malfunctioned against the gritty Croatians. It had never lost after taking the lead in the European Championship since the tournament age began in 1980.
The Latest: Lineups for Hungary and Portugal (The Associated Press)
The Latest at the European Championship (all times local):
France opens door to Benzema after missing Euro 2016 (The Associated Press)
PARIS (AP) — French Football Federation president Noel Le Graet has opened the door for striker Karim Benzema’s return after the European Championship.
Goal machine Messi leads Argentina to Copa final (Reuters)
(Reuters) – Lionel Messi scored his 55th international goal to become his country’s all-time leading scorer as Argentina thrashed hosts the United States 4-0 to ease into the final of the Centenary Copa America on Tuesday. Many of those in the 70,858 crowd in Houston had come to witness the Barcelona star etch his name in the history books and he did not disappoint, curling a sensational free kick past Brad Guzan after 32 minutes to put Argentina 2-0 ahead. Messi had been chopped down by Chris Wondolowski 25 yards from goal as he burst forward and the ensuing strike moved him clear of previous record holder Gabriel Batistuta’s 54 goal tally.
Factbox: Profile of Lionel Messi (Reuters)
Factbox on Barcelona and Argentina forward Lionel Messi, who became his country’s all-time top goalscorer on Tuesday when he scored his 55th international goal. Born June 24, 1987 in Rosario, Argentina. EARLY CAREER * Joined Barcelona as a 13-year-old in 2000 and shone in the youth ranks before then-coach Frank Rijkaard gave him his senior debut at the age of 16 in a friendly against Porto in 2003. * Made his La Liga debut in October 2004 and scored his first La Liga goal the following May in a match against Albacete at the Nou Camp. * Scored six goals in 17 appearances in 2005-06 as Barca won La Liga for the second year in a row but did not feature in their 2-1 victory over Arsenal in the Champions League final.
Croatia ends Spain’s 12-year unbeaten run at European finals (The Associated Press)
Spain’s 12-year unbeaten run at the European Championship ended when Croatia rallied for a stunning 2-1 win on Tuesday, sending the two-time champions into an intense, high-profile knockout match against Italy in the round of 16. Ivan Perisic’s 87th-minute winner for Croatia not only ended Spain’s unbeaten run at the tournament that stretched back to 2004, it also relegated the defending champions into second place in Group D. A draw would have been enough for Spain to secure first place in the group and a potentially easier second-round game.
Fire-Union preview (The Associated Press)
The Philadelphia Union sit atop Major League Soccer’s Eastern Conference and get to host the conference’s last-place team Wednesday night, but the Chicago Fire have proven rather nettlesome over the last four years. When the teams meet at Talen Energy Stadium in Chester, Pa., Philadelphia (6-3-5) will try to snap a seven-match winless streak against Chicago (2-5-5), dating back to a win on May 18, 2013, in Chester.
Messi becomes Argentina’s all-time top goalscorer (Reuters)
(Reuters) – Argentina striker Lionel Messi became his country’s all-time top goalscorer on Tuesday when he scored in the Copa America semi-final against the United States to take his international tally to 55 goals. The five-time world player of the year scored in the 32nd minute of the match in Houston to give Argentina a 2-0 lead. The goal in his 112th international lifts him above Gabriel Batistuta, who scored 54 goals in 78 games for the two-time world champions.
Giovinco leads TFC past Vancouver in first leg of Canadian Championship final (The Canadian Press)
“I thought we were terrible in the first half and much better in the second half,” said Toronto coach Greg Vanney. Sebastian Giovinco, whose influence grew as the game wore on, scored the lone goal in the 43rd minute but could have had several on the night as Toronto fielded a lineup closer to its norm than Vancouver did. The result means Vancouver needs to score and keep Toronto from doing so at B.C. Place in the second leg June 29.
6 teams advance, 1 goes home as Euro 2016 takes shape (The Associated Press)
Spain dropped into an unwanted match against its old rival after conceding an 87th-minute goal in a 2-1 defeat by Croatia late on Tuesday. Croatia is the unexpected winner of Group D and is rewarded with a game against one of the third-place teams.
Iceland’s underdogs keen for Euro 2016 adventure to continue (The Associated Press)
With a dentist as a coach, a movie director in goal and a squad of mostly unheralded players, the underdogs of Iceland were always going to be the feel-good story of the European Championship. After draws against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal and then Hungary, Iceland knows a third draw against Austria at the Stade de France in Paris on Wednesday will secure a place in the last 16. ”It’s been a wonderful experience, obviously, getting the interest that we deserve,” Iceland captain Aron Gunnarsson said Tuesday.
Turkey remains in contention with 2-0 win over Czechs (The Associated Press)
Turkey rebounded from two losses at the European Championship to beat the Czech Republic 2-0 on Tuesday and keep alive its chances of reaching the knockout stages from Group D. With their team having failed to score in its defeats to Spain and Croatia, some Turkish fans celebrated with firecrackers and flares that landed on the pitch after the second goal at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis. Turkey must now wait until the final group matches are played on Wednesday to discover whether it can advance as one of the four best third-place teams.
After difficult months in China, Yilmaz shines for Turkey (The Associated Press)
Four disappointing months after moving to a Chinese club, Turkey striker Burak Yilmaz needed just 10 minutes against the Czech Republic to shrug off his troubles at the European Championship. Approaching the near post to meet a cross by right winger Emre Mor, Yilmaz beat goalkeeper Petr Cech with a well-placed strike on Tuesday to finally give his team its first goal of the tournament. Turkey ultimately won 2-0 and remained in the running for a place in the last 16, despite earlier defeats against Croatia and Spain.
France expels Russian soccer fan chief again (Reuters)
France deported Russian soccer fan leader Alexander Shprygin on Wednesday for the second time in less than a week over violence that marred the start of the Euro 2016 tournament, a spokesman for France’s Interior Ministry said. Police re-arrested Shprygin on Monday in the southwestern city of Toulouse, where the Russian team was playing Wales. “Alexander Shprygin was expelled from France.
Gomez stakes claim to be Germany’s main striker at Euro 2016 (The Associated Press)
Two years on from perhaps his biggest disappointment in football, Mario Gomez staked a claim to lead Germany’s misfiring attack at the European Championship. Gomez, who wasn’t picked for Germany’s triumphant World Cup campaign in Brazil through poor form, scored his side’s sole goal in a 1-0 victory over Northern Ireland on Tuesday. My time with the national team can’t be ended like that,” Gomez said.
Red Bulls-Real Salt Lake preview (The Associated Press)
The good news for Real Salt Lake is that it hasn’t lost at home yet this year. The better news is that it’s 7-4-3 despite playing only five of its 14 matches at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah.
Germany tops group after 1-0 win over Northern Ireland (The Associated Press)
Germany missed a series of clear chances during its narrow win over Northern Ireland on Tuesday. Germany pounded Northern Ireland, particularly during a frantic passage of play in the first half, but was consistently denied by the woodwork and standout Northern Ireland goalkeeper Michael McGovern. ”It was the game of their lives against the world champion,” Germany coach Joachim Loew said.
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