Poland camp plays down goalscoring worries over misfiring Bayern Munich hitman Robert Lewandowski June 21, 2016 Poland boss Adam Nawalka dismissed concerns over the form of striker Robert Lewandowski after the Bayern Munich hitman again fired blanks during his side’s 1-0 qualification-clinching victory over Ukraine in Marseille. Victory, courtesy of a skilful strike from half-time substitute Jakub Blaszczykowski, was enough for Poland to seal second place in Group C and progress [...]
Slovakia 0, England 0: Three Lions not doomed yet, roars Hodgson after England progress to Euro 2016 knockout phase but fail to seal top spot June 20, 2016 England boss Roy Hodgson insists his side’s Euro 2016 campaign is not doomed despite drawing a blank against Slovakia and failing to seal top spot in Group B following a frustrating stalemate in Saint-Etienne. The Three Lions, sporting six changes from the side which beat Wales last week, enjoyed close to 60 per cent possession [...]
Let’s show we mean business and can make waves at major international tournaments, says England skipper Eoin Morgan June 20, 2016 Skipper Eoin Morgan has urged his England side to prove during the one-day series with Sri Lanka that they are contenders for the major 50-over competitions to be staged on home soil in the coming years. England and Wales are the host nations for the ICC Champions Trophy in 2017 and the 2019 World Cup, while [...]
Didier Deschamps shrugs off criticism as France secure favourable last-16 draw with point June 19, 2016 France boss Didier Deschamps rebuffed criticism of a lacklustre showing after Les Bleus snared the point they needed to secure their passage to the last 16 as group winners with a goalless draw against a resilient Switzerland in Lille. Recalled midfielder Paul Pogba twice struck the woodwork in the first half and substitute Dimitri Payet did likewise [...]
Roy Hodgson ignores contract talk and plans to make as many as six changes for Slovakia clash June 19, 2016 England boss Roy Hodgson has shrugged off renewed speculation over his future as the Three Lions bid to seal top spot in Group B with victory over Slovakia in Saint-Etienne on Monday. The issue of Hodgson’s contact, which expires at the end of Euro 2016, was reignited by outgoing Football Association chairman Greg Dyke who [...]
Ukraine 0, Northern Ireland 2: Kings of Lyon Northern Ireland prove their point and make history June 16, 2016 Northern Ireland defender Gareth McAuley refused to hide his satisfaction at proving his side’s doubters wrong after Michael O’Neill’s minnows boosted their hopes of a place in the last-16 with victory over Ukraine in Lyon. McAuley became the first Northern Ireland player to score at a major tournament since 1986 when he powered home a [...]
England 2, Wales 1: Sturridge and Vardy late show gets England’s Euro 2016 back on track as manager’s gamble pays off June 16, 2016 Relieved England boss Roy Hodgson revelled in the depth of his squad after his game-changing substitutions conjured a pivotal last-gasp victory over Wales in Lens. Hodgson gambled with England looking increasingly bereft of inspiration and losing 1-0 at half-time, courtesy of Gareth Bale’s free-kick and a Joe Hart howler, and unleashed strikers Daniel Sturridge and Jamie [...]
Betting: France set for lift-off against Switzerland June 16, 2016 France have been late to their own party in the opening two matches of Euro 2016, relying on last-minute magic in wins against Romania and Albania. It may have been far from convincing, but those results put Les Bleus safely through to the next round with a game to go. With the pressure off, we [...]
Betting: Republic of Ireland to hold underwhelming Belgium June 16, 2016 Belgium entered the European Championships as the highest ranked team in Europe according to FIFA, but have so far failed to live up to the billing. In Monday’s 2-0 defeat to Italy they lacked ideas and, following a limp exit to Argentina at the last World Cup, there is a genuine worry that the country’s golden [...]
Shock Dream Boat win at Royal Ascot keeps Adam Kirby buoyant June 15, 2016 Jockey Adam Kirby admitted struggling to come to terms with a whirlwind week after continuing his Royal Ascot success with victory on 16/1 shot My Dream Boat on Wednesday. Kirby, who tasted glory on Tuesday just hours after his partner had given birth to a boy, added a second Group One winner in as many [...]