How Renato Sanches Gave Portugal a Glimpse of the Present and Future vs. Poland

Portugal seem to believe that playing the long game is the best route to Euro 2016 success. Now into the semi-finals in France, Fernando Santos’ team have yet to win a match in 90 minutes at the tournament. They have drawn with Iceland, Austria, Hungary, Croatia and now Poland before, in the latter two cases, getting the job done later on. If that’s the plan, then it’s working. But as they reached a fourth European Championship semi-final in the last five tournaments—a record they haven’t received enough credit for—it was impossible not to think of the future... 

It’s Time Olivier Giroud’s Importance to France Was Recognised

Every team needs a scapegoat. Even when things are going well, when the goals are flowing and the wins are racking up, there is always a scapegoat readied to be sacrificed, just in case. France find themselves in the quarter-finals of Euro 2016, unbeaten and largely unscathed. Yet Olivier Giroud has become their scapegoat.  Giroud is everyone’s scapegoat, it seems. At Arsenal, he is often the target of an entire support’s pent-up frustrations of the past decade, taking the blame for things that have generally nothing to do with him. It’s something the striker must be accustomed... 

Vicente del Bosque, Spain Part Ways: Latest Details, Comments and Reaction

Vicente del Bosque said on June 30 he would step down as Spain manager after their exit from UEFA Euro 2016. Spain confirmed his departure on Monday: Speaking to RNE (h/t Sport), the 65-year-old announced on June 30 he was set to walk away when his deal expired in July, and the decision had nothing to do with “how the European Championships turned out.” Per BBC Sport, he previously said the same thing in 2015. Del Bosque succeeded Luis Aragones as La Roja manager following their victory at Euro 2008, and he subsequently guided them to back-to-back victories at the 2010 FIFA... 

Elena Duta Charged with Manslaughter in Death of Patrick Ekeng

Emergency doctor Elena Duta has been charged with manslaughter by Romanian officials in the death of former Cameroon and Dinamo Bucharest midfielder Patrick Ekeng, according to the BBC. Ekeng collapsed during a league match for Romania’s Dinamo Bucharest in May and ultimately died of heart failure. The Romanian public prosecutor has maintained that Duta did nothing to resuscitate the player in the ambulance ride between the stadium and the hospital. While an autopsy did show that Ekeng had been suffering from several heart problems at the time, the prosecutor did not allow that as an excuse,... 

Daniel Sturridge Puts Fragrance on His Kit Before Games so He Smells Nice

All sorts of excuses are being made for England’s poor performances at Euro 2016, but there are no excuses for bad hygiene.  England and Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge is clearly one who likes to “stay fresh” during a game and has revealed in an interview with GQ (h/t Sky Sports) that he sprays fragrance on his kit before matches.  He said: “People might think it’s strange, but I like smelling it, so it’s not about what anyone else thinks. Fragrance probably shows people who you are as much as your clothes do.” Our only concern... 

Jan Vertonghen Injury: Updates on Belgium Star’s Ankle and Return

Belgium have suffered a big blow ahead of the UEFA Euro 2016 quarter-final clash with Wales, as star defender Jan Vertonghen will miss the rest of the tournament after he injured his ankle in training, per Kristof Terreur of Het Laatste Nieuws. Vertonghen will miss six to eight weeks as a result, according to ESPN FC’s John Chapman. Continue for updates. Vertonghen Releases Statement Following Injury Announcement Thursday, June 30 Vertonghen Adds to Belgium’s Defensive Woes The Red Devils lost Vincent Kompany and Nicolas Lombaerts before the start of the tournament, while Thomas... 

Antoine Griezmann Gives France vs. Ireland Ball to Son of Murdered Policeman

Antoine Griezmann gifted the match ball from France’s 2-1 last-16 defeat of the Republic of Ireland on Sunday—in which he scored twice—to the son of a French police officer who was murdered earlier this month. Commander Jean-Baptiste Salvaing and his partner Jessica Schneider were fatally stabbed recently in Paris by Larossi Abballa, a man who has pledged allegiance to Islamic State, per BBC News. French police posted a video on their Twitter feed captioned: “The France team shows solidarity with our police. Antoine Griezmann gives the #FRAIRL match... 

Belgium Appear to Be Picking Up Momentum, but Questions Remain Unanswered

After the shock of the opening defeat to Italy, a sense of calm has returned to Belgium. They’ve won their last three games, scoring eight without reply, and the discontent in the squad—the vague threat of mutiny—seems to have receded. There is nothing, after all, quite so good for team spirit as winning. As they approach Friday’s semi-final against Wales, though, certain doubts remain.  It can never be a bad thing to be the leading scorers in the tournament, but context is required.  Three of their eight goals came against a Republic of Ireland side producing... 

England Need to Embrace a New Culture and Banish the Fear Factor

The best comedy has always been rooted in the truth, however bleak.  In the aftermath of England’s woeful capitulation to Iceland on Monday night, a darkly amusing Vine emerged of manager Roy Hodgson on the side of the pitch. It was in the 56th minute, with England trailing 2-1 to Iceland and desperately trying to find a way back into the game; the camera focused on an anxious Hodgson, who did a double take when he realised he was on the stadium’s large screen, and he quickly placed his hand upon his chin to adopt a thoughtful pose intended to show he was still in control. Of... 

Why Poland Clash Can Finally See Portugal’s William Carvalho Hit the Big Time

There are some players who are just drawn to the transfer rumour mill, seemingly locked in a loving embrace with it as they go around and around without ever actually making the moves that many have said are inevitable. Of course, football transfers are often a lot more complicated than many seem to think they are. This isn’t like Football Manager, where all it takes is a click of a mouse to get your man, but that said, it is surprising that certain players don’t move when it seems they are about to. Take Portugal’s William Carvalho, a rumour-mill veteran and stalwart of the... 

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