Bordeaux (AFP) – Jonas Hector, who scored the decisive spot-kick as Germany beat Italy 6-5 in a penalty shootout to reach the Euro 2016 semi-finals on Saturday, admitted his nerves had been jangling. "I knew I had to take one at some point and I had my heart in my mouth," Hector said. "It's hard […]

Bordeaux (AFP) – Jonas Hector fired Germany into the semi-finals of Euro 2016 at Italy's expense after an epic round of 18 penalty kicks that saw players from both sides produce stunning misses in Bordeaux on Saturday. World Cup holders Germany won the shoot-out 6-5 after a tense match finished 1-1 after 90 minutes and […]

Bordeaux (AFP) – Jonas Hector struck the winning penalty as Germany progressed to the semi-finals of Euro 2016 with a 6-5 win over Italy on penalties after a marathon shootout. The match ended 1-1 at the end of extra-time as Leonardo Bonucci's penalty cancelled out Mesut Ozil's opener for Germany.

Bordeaux (AFP) – World champions Germany's blockbuster Euro 2016 quarter-final against Italy went to extra-time in Bordeaux after Leonardo Bonucci's penalty 12 minutes from time cancelled out Mesut Ozil's opener. Ozil made Germany's pressure count when he slotted home Jonas Hector's deflected cross midway through the second-half, but a needless handball from Jerome Boateng inside […]

Marseille (AFP) – Belgian international striker Michy Batshuayi, reportedly set for a 40 million-euro (£32.9m, $44.4m) switch from Marseille to Premier League side Chelsea, confirmed he was leaving the Ligue 1 outfit on Saturday. Marseille had requested their 22-year-old top scorer from last season keep quiet on the move until details had been hammered out […]

Reykjavik (AFP) – Team jerseys are almost sold out, there is barely a seat left on a plane to Paris and the country's one fan zone has tripled in size — Iceland is feverishly preparing for its surprise Euro 2016 quarter-final against France on Sunday. One sentence has been on everyone's lips in Reykjavik in […]

Paris (AFP) – Iceland captain Aron Gunnarsson said his side can draw inspiration from Wales when the North Atlantic nation take on Euro 2016 hosts France for a place in the semi-finals on Sunday. Wales stunned Belgium 3-1 on Friday to reach the last four of a major tournament for the first time and Iceland […]

Paris (AFP) – Didier Deschamps' France will be wary of falling victim to the same trap that ensnared England as the Euro 2016 hosts take on rank outsiders Iceland for a place in the semi-finals on Sunday. France are vying for a record-equalling third European Championship title and go into their quarter-final as overwhelming favourites […]

Paris (AFP) – France captain Hugo Lloris vowed the Euro 2016 hosts would not be caught out by surprise by quarter-finalists Iceland in Sunday's tie in Paris. France are seeking to emulate their 1984 European Championship success on home soil, but goalkeeper Lloris is well aware of the dangers posed by Iceland after the North […]

Wonder in Wales, awe in England, bitterness in Belgium, and shock across the Continent, these were the reactions across Europe after the legendary result in Lille. Let’s take a look at how European papers covered footballing history. Wales’ Western Mail leads with a euphoric photo and a headline that perfectly sums up the national mood: […]

FOX Sports and Univision's coverage of the 2016 Copa America averaged more than 4 million viewers per game, but which games were the most-watched during the entire 32 game tournament? Based on our research plus the help of Sports TV Ratings, we've compiled the list of the top 32 most-watched games on US television. Not […]

Bordeaux (AFP) – In a match which could have graced the final of Euro 2016, Joachim Loew's world champions Germany take on Antonio Conte's Italy in a quarter-final clash of giants on Saturday. The prize on offer in Bordeaux is a semi-final against host nation France or surprise package Iceland, who meet on Sunday. Germany […]

Tactics and systems matter. This really isn’t shocking or that groundbreaking in terms of soccer analysis, but if there’s any trend that has emerged from this summer in both the United States and France, it’s that talent can only take a team so far. While this hasn’t been elaborated on all that much with regards […]

The date June 23, 2016 will go down in history as the day the people of the United Kingdom voted to get out of the European Union. As the referendum made big headlines all over world, one would be forgiven to miss the announcement, done on the same day, from newly-relegated Aston Villa Football Club that […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs is to leave after almost 30 years of service, the English Premier League club announced on Saturday in a widely expected move following Jose Mourinho's appointment as manager. The 42-year-old Welshman — an integral part of the great side built by Alex Ferguson and who […]