Chris Coleman vows Wales won’t be denied first major final by Portugal gamesmanship July 5, 2016 Wales manager Chris Coleman has vowed that his team will not allow Portugal to cheat them out of a first ever appearance in the final of a major tournament. Portugal stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Pepe – an injury doubt for Wednesday's Euro 2016 semi-final in Lyon – have both faced accusations of feigning injury, but [...]
Euro 2016 betting: Player of the Tournament punt in safe hands with Neuer July 5, 2016 Germany finally broke their duck on Saturday night by beating Italy for the first time at a major tournament. Another long-standing record could fall this weekend if Manuel Neuer becomes the first goalkeeper to be named Player of the Tournament at a European Championship. The ‘sweeper-keeper’ has only conceded once at Euro 2016, with Leonardo [...]
Euro 2016 betting: Fairytale Wales can book their trip to the ball July 5, 2016 It wouldn't be an understatement to call Wales’ run to the Euro 2016 semi-final one of the biggest turnarounds in sporting history. The Dragons were ranked 117th in the world in August 2011, with a side devoid of belief, quality and inspiration. They now stand on the brink of a major tournament final. If they make [...]
Wales v Portugal could come down to duel between Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo July 5, 2016 Wales have been enormously impressive already at Euro 2016 and have a real chance to create more history when they face Portugal in the semi-finals on Wednesday. Gareth Bale says they feel it’s their time, and that bullishness shows the depth of their belief. I don’t think we all realised just how confident Wales were [...]
Jose Mourinho straight onto the front foot in first media appearance as Manchester United manager July 5, 2016 Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has wasted little time in going on the offensive in his new job, taking apparent swipes at the records of old foe Arsene Wenger and predecessor Louis van Gaal, and deriding as “a lie” his reputation as a coach who does not promote young players. In a prickly first media [...]
Gareth Bale admits Wales are dreaming of the unthinkable – winning Euro 2016 July 4, 2016 Fairytale-chasing Wales forward Gareth Bale admits his side are dreaming of winning Euro 2016 as they prepare for their first ever major tournament semi-final against Portugal in Lyon on Wednesday. The clash represents Wales’s biggest match since a World Cup quarter-final showdown with Brazil in 1958 – a remarkable achievement considering the principality were ranked [...]
Uefa urged to consider alternative format to liven up low-scoring European Championship July 4, 2016 Governing body Uefa is being urged to consider a radical shake-up of the European Championship following complaints that the existing system leads to more conservative play and a lack of goals. A Dutch mathematician has devised an alternative format for a 24-team Euros that promises to be both fairer and more entertaining, and Holland’s football [...]
Crystal Palace ready to shell out £45m on Christian Benteke and James Tomkins July 4, 2016 Crystal Palace are closing in on the double signing of Liverpool striker Christian Benteke – a player manager Alan Pardew last season accused of diving – and West Ham defender James Tomkins for combined fees of almost £45m. Palace are nearing agreement with the Reds over a fee for Benteke, after having an initial bid of £25m turned [...]
Leicester set to break transfer record – again – on Nigeria striker July 4, 2016 Champions Leicester are poised to break their transfer record for the second time in days by signing Nigeria striker Ahmed Musa from CSKA Moscow for £16.6m. The 23-year-old, who has scored 54 times in 168 appearances for the Russian side, is expected to travel to the Midlands this week to complete a long-anticipated move. “Everything [...]
Real Madrid and Barcelona ordered to repay millions in state aid July 4, 2016 Real Madrid and Barcelona, the world’s two richest clubs, have been ordered to pay back millions of euros after a European Commission investigation found them guilty of receiving illegal state aid. Real must pay back €18.4m (£15.4m) relating to a land deal with local authorities, who were found to have overpaid, as well up to €5m [...]