Italy vs Ireland: Preview

Team News<br /> <br /> Italy<br /> <br />     Antonio Conte has already confirmed he will be making a number of changes after already securing top spot in Group E inside two matches.<br />     Eder, Daniele De Rossi, Giorgio Chiellini, Leonardo Bonucci, Gianluigi Buffon and Tiago Motta are all a booking away from a suspension, though Bonucci and Motta are in line to start.<br />     Federico Bernardeschi and Stephan El Shaarawy are battling for a place on the right.<br />     Antonio Candreva picked up a hamstring injury against Sweden and will not be risked here.<br /> <br /> Ireland<br /> <br />     Jonathan Walters missed the 3-0 defeat against Belgium with a heel problem and he remains a huge doubt for Ireland's must win match against Italy on Wednesday.<br />     Martin O'Neil will reportedly axe three of the back four that started against Belgium with Seamus Coleman set to be the only survivor. Shane Duffy and Richard Keogh could replace Ciaran Clark and John O'Shea at the heart of the defence, while Robbie Brady will return to left-back.<br />     Shane Long could also be dropped in favour of Daryl Murphy and then be brought off the bench as an impact sub later on in the game. James McCarthy could be replaced by Stephen Quinn as another change.<br />     Ireland cannot afford to be too conservative in this match as they have done in the first two matches as they need to win to have any chance of progressing out of the group.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <center> <script async="" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script> <!-- olfa --> <ins class="adsbygoogle" data-ad-client="ca-pub-8981092383058457" data-ad-slot="8264054525" style="display: inline-block; height: 280px; width: 336px;"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </center>

Italy vs Ireland: Preview

Team News Italy     Antonio Conte has already confirmed he will be making a number of changes after already securing top spot in Group E...

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Euro 2016 Sweden v Belgium preview

 Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic stepped up to the mark to fire Sweden into this tournament with his goals in the qualifying play-off against Denmark. And now he must do so again if he's to ensure that his international career doesn't finish on a low.<br /><br />The task is simple: Sweden must beat Belgium to have any chance of making the last 16, since a draw and a two-point tally would be too few to qualify as a third-placed side, in the event that Ireland fail to beat Italy.<br /><br />Not that Sweden have looked like winning. Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois may wonder whether he even needs to turn up to face Sweden on Wednesday given his opponents' dismal attacking record at Euro 2016.<br /><br />The Swedes have failed to muster a single shot on target in their first two games, a statistic made all the more embarrassing by the presence of Ibrahimovic in their attack. Their only goal so far was scored for them by Ireland's Ciaran Clark in a 1-1 draw but they have singularly failed to exploit Ibrahimovic's presence and they are now in danger of a second successive group stage exit.<br /><br />Belgium need only a draw to confirm second place - and they cannot finish top having lost to Italy in their opening match.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <br /></div> <div style="background-image: url(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/l/t1.0-9/13335564_250537935313307_1213420863819695961_n.jpg?oh=fe81e0f3a5bd2a51986f7acfeb694153&oe=57D4E58E); height: 390px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 30px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 610px;"> <center> <script async="" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script> <!-- olfa --> <ins class="adsbygoogle" data-ad-client="ca-pub-8981092383058457" data-ad-slot="8264054525" style="display: inline-block; height: 280px; width: 336px;"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </center> <ins style="border: none; display: inline-table; height: 250px; margin: 0; padding: 0; position: relative; visibility: visible; width: 300px;"><ins id="aswift_2_anchor" style="border: none; display: block; height: 250px; margin: 0; padding: 0; position: relative; visibility: visible; width: 300px;"><iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="250" hspace="0" id="aswift_2" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" name="aswift_2" onload="var i=this.id,s=window.google_iframe_oncopy,H=s&&s.handlers,h=H&&H [i],w=this.contentWindow,d;try{d=w.document}catch(e){}if (h&&d&&(!d.body||!d.body.firstChild)){if(h.call){setTimeout (h,0)}else if(h.match){w.location.replace(h)}}" scrolling="no" style="left: 0; position: absolute; top: 0;" vspace="0" width="300"></iframe></ins></ins></div> <br /> <br /></div> <br /> <br /> <iframe scrolling="no" src="http://channeltv.site/livetv/live14.php" frameborder="0" height="480" width="700"></iframe>

Euro 2016 Sweden v Belgium preview

 Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic stepped up to the mark to fire Sweden into this tournament with his goals in the qualifying play-off agai...

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Austria vs Hungary - Preview

Team News<br /> Austria<br /> <br />     Austria striker Marc Janko is carrying a back injury, but is expected to be fit to lead the attack against Hungary.<br />     Kevin Wimmer may have to settle for a place on the bench, with Martin Hinteregger and the highly rated Aleksandar Dragovic set to start at the heart of the defence.<br />     All in all, no surprise selections are expected here.<br /> <br /> Hungary<br /> <br />     Krisztian Nemeth is a doubt for Hungary ahead of Tuesday's meeting with Austria, with the wideman carrying a muscle injury.<br />     Tamas Kadar is sidelined due to injuyr, with Mihaly Korhut expected to start at left-back in his absence.<br />     Gergo Lovrencsics is also ruled out for Hungary.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <center> <script async="" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script> <!-- olfa --> <ins class="adsbygoogle" data-ad-client="ca-pub-8981092383058457" data-ad-slot="8264054525" style="display: inline-block; height: 280px; width: 336px;"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </center>

Austria vs Hungary - Preview

Team News Austria     Austria striker Marc Janko is carrying a back injury, but is expected to be fit to lead the attack against Hungary....

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Preview: Republic of Ireland v Sweden

The squad have just spent one week training in Dublin, another in Cork and the final week of preparation in the historic town of Versailles on the outskirts of Paris.<br /> <br /> Three weeks is a long time to wait for a game of competitive football and it was certainly showing on the face of the Ireland manager as he worked through his last batch of questions before the real work would start tonight at the northern Paris venue.<br /> <br /> In fact, O’Neill’s demeanour has barely changed throughout this intensive period, building up to the tournament and the Derryman admitted that he would “just like to get on with it”, having “waited impatiently” for the opening game.<br /> <br /> Just a few hours earlier, Swedish superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic was sat in those same seats, yet showing none of O’Neill’s reticence, in fact the charismatic centre forward was the polar opposite to the Ireland pair who were speaking through gritted teeth.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <br /></div> <div style="background-image: url(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/l/t1.0-9/13335564_250537935313307_1213420863819695961_n.jpg?oh=fe81e0f3a5bd2a51986f7acfeb694153&oe=57D4E58E); height: 390px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 30px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 610px;"> <center> <script async="" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script> <!-- olfa --> <ins class="adsbygoogle" data-ad-client="ca-pub-8981092383058457" data-ad-slot="8264054525" style="display: inline-block; height: 280px; width: 336px;"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </center> <ins style="border: none; display: inline-table; height: 250px; margin: 0; padding: 0; position: relative; visibility: visible; width: 300px;"><ins id="aswift_2_anchor" style="border: none; display: block; height: 250px; margin: 0; padding: 0; position: relative; visibility: visible; width: 300px;"><iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="250" hspace="0" id="aswift_2" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" name="aswift_2" onload="var i=this.id,s=window.google_iframe_oncopy,H=s&&s.handlers,h=H&&H [i],w=this.contentWindow,d;try{d=w.document}catch(e){}if (h&&d&&(!d.body||!d.body.firstChild)){if(h.call){setTimeout (h,0)}else if(h.match){w.location.replace(h)}}" scrolling="no" style="left: 0; position: absolute; top: 0;" vspace="0" width="300"></iframe></ins></ins></div> <br /> <br /></div> <br /> <br /> <iframe frameborder="0" height="480" scrolling="no" src="http://wizhdsports.sx/live/stream5.php" width="700"></iframe> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://img.rasset.ie/000c617a-800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://img.rasset.ie/000c617a-800.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <br />

Preview: Republic of Ireland v Sweden

The squad have just spent one week training in Dublin, another in Cork and the final week of preparation in the historic town of Versailles ...

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Turkey vs Croatia: Preview

Turkey will go into football battle with Croatia for their first game of the 2016 edition of European Championship cup at Parc des Princes Paris France on Sunday 12th June 2016.<br /><br />Turkey failed to qualify for the the last edition of the competition in 2012, but they finished in the semi-finals during the 2008. They are now hoping to get themselves to the semi-finals in this year’s edition as look forward to a win in this game to kick off their campaign with good performance.<br /><br />Croatia come into this game from a 10-0 mauling of San Marino in their last friendly game, they are in high spirit and hopeful of a good performance against the Turkish side as they kick start their campaign.<br />Form Comparison<br /><br />    Croatia are currently on a Jolly ride, they are unbeaten in their last 7 games as they have drawn 1 and won 6 which includes 10-0 victory against San Manrino.<br />    Croatia also have a good defensive record, they kept 5 clean sheets in their last 7 games, and also they conceded only 2 goals in their last 7 games.<br />    Croatia also have a good scoring record; they have scored at least 2 goals in 4 of their last 7 games.<br />    Turkey also have a good record in their last 7 games, except for the dent received from England’s 2-1 defeat, they have won 5 of their last 7 games and drawn 1.<br /><br />Turkey Team News:<br /><br />The biggest worry for Fatih Terim will be lack of playing time for star striker Burak Yilmaz, who recently returned from an injury. He is expected to start, with Besiktas striker Cenk Tosun is also an option.<br /><br />Arda Turan and Hakan Calhanoglu are the key men to watch out for, who will be supporting Yilmaz on either flanks.<br /><br />Other than this Turkey has no major injuries and Terim is expected to field the strongest possible eleven.<br />Turkey Predicted Line-up (4-2-3-1)<br /><br />Babacan – Erkin, Topal, Balta, Gonul – Inan, Tufan – Turan, Ozyakup, Calhanoglu – Yilmaz.<br />Croatia: Team News<br /><br />Croatia has no injury or fitness concerns and manager Ante Cacic is expected to start with a 4-3-2-1 formation considering the quality in the midfield.<br /><br />Juventus striker Mario Mandzukic is expected to lead the attack, supported by Real Madrid’s Mateo Kovacic and Ivan Perisic, who had an exceptional season for Serie A side Inter Milan.<br /><br />Ivan Rakitic and Luka Modric alongside Fiorentina’s Milan Badelj will start in a withdrawn midfield role, but all three of them are capable of making strong runs into the opposition penalty box.<br /> <br /> <br />

Turkey vs Croatia: Preview

Turkey will go into football battle with Croatia for their first game of the 2016 edition of European Championship cup at Parc des Princes P...

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Euro 2016Looking to build momentum after Sunday's win over Bosnia and Herzegovina

Spain face South Korea on Wednesday looking to continue their preparations for Euro 2016 with another win, after beating Bosnia and Herzegovina 3-1 on Sunday.<br /><br />Uli Stielike's South Korea, meanwhile, are on a 13-game unbeaten streak stretching back to January 2015, when they lost 2-1 to Australia in the AFC Asian Cup final.<br /><br />South Korea have also won all of their 2018 World Cup qualifying games thus far, an 8-0 win against Laos in September 2015 being the heaviest winning margin.<br /><br />Injuries and suspensions<br /><br />Celebrations and commiserations are ongoing for Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid respectively after the Champions League final on Saturday, so both sets of players are unlikely to join up with the squad until the Georgia friendly on June 7.<br /><br />Vicente del Bosque has no injuries to contend with within the squad, although Dani Carvajal has recently been ruled out of the European Championship.<br /><br />The 24-year-old picked up a hip problem in Milan and will most likely be replaced by Arsenal's Hector Bellerin.<br /><br />South Korea, in turn, has two injuries: a fractured toe for Ja-Cheol Koo means he's unlikely to return until June, while Joo-Ho Park has been unavailable since April 21 due to a tibia injury.<br /><br />History<br /><br />South Korea famously beat Spain on penalties in the 2002 World Cup, but have been less succesful in their other encounters against La Roja.<br /><br />Michel's hat-trick was enough to beat South Korea 3-1 in the 1990 World Cup group stages, and a 2-2 stalemate followed in the 1994 World Cup.<br /><br />The two teams' last meeting came in May 2012 during a 4-1 friendly win for the Roja.<br /><br />Player to watch: Nolito<br /><br />Having already been prolific for Celta Vigo during the 2015/16 season and contributing 12 goals and seven assists, Nolito staked his claim with a brace on Sunday.<br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://e02-marca.uecdn.es/assets/multimedia/imagenes/2016/05/31/14646839286728.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="http://e02-marca.uecdn.es/assets/multimedia/imagenes/2016/05/31/14646839286728.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <br />

Euro 2016Looking to build momentum after Sunday's win over Bosnia and Herzegovina

Spain face South Korea on Wednesday looking to continue their preparations for Euro 2016 with another win, after beating Bosnia and Herzegov...

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Cristiano Ronaldo remains Portugal's talisman

Cristiano Ronaldo owes most of his fame and fortune to his exploits with Real Madrid, yet he also remains a hugely influential figure when representing his country.<br /> <br /> Portugal's results have improved enormously since Ronaldo made his international debut against Kazakhstan as an 18-year-old in 2003.<br /> <br /> Their recent record at major tournaments is the envy of many bigger countries after they reached the Euro 2004 final, 2006 World Cup semi-finals and the Euro 2012 semi-finals, where they lost to eventual winners Spain in a shootout.<br /> <br /> Portugal have suffered when Ronaldo, who has captained them since he was 22, has been off-form such as at the last World Cup when he suffered a bout of tendinosis in his left knee in the run-up to the competition.<br /> <br /> The Madeira-born forward, who makes a point of breaking records, is Portugal's all-time leading scorer with 56 goals in 125 appearances and needs three more caps to beat Luis Figo's record.<br /> <br /> Nevertheless, the three-times world player of the year has not been above criticism, with most of his goals coming in qualifying matches against weaker opponents and many supporters wondering why he did not take a penalty in the 2012 shootout against Spain.<br /> <br /> <span id="goog_1803938263"></span><span id="goog_1803938264"></span><br />

Cristiano Ronaldo remains Portugal's talisman

Cristiano Ronaldo owes most of his fame and fortune to his exploits with Real Madrid, yet he also remains a hugely influential figure when r...

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distractions could undo Conte's Italy

Italy coach Antonio Conte goes into the European Championship with questions hanging over his team after injuries disrupted his selection plans and a lack of punch was exposed up front.<br /><br />Adding to the frustrations of only occasional get-togethers with his players has been the distraction of his impending move back to club football with Chelsea.<br /><br />However, the former Juventus coach was relieved to be cleared of any role in a 2011 match-fixing scandal while in charge of Serie B side Siena a month before the tournament's June 10 kickoff.<br /><br />The passionate Conte showed his frustration with managing a national team when he graphically described his displeasure with the long spells "in the garage" and far from the track.<br /><br />That will not lessen his desire to bow out in glory in France and he has the tactical nous and motivational powers to succeed.<br /><br />"I'm very tired of spending so much time in the garage," he said before two March friendlies in which Italy drew 1-1 with European Championship holders Spain and were beaten 4-1 by World Cup winners Germany.<br /><br />"In the garage, I smelt the smell of the machine, or rubber and motor oil, not the grass of the pitch."<br /><br />Italy, who lost the Euro 2012 final to Spain in Kiev, were unbeaten in the qualifiers this time round thanks to a strong defence and a brilliant goalkeeper in captain Gianluigi Buffon.<br /><br />However, injuries have disrupted Conte's midfield plans with Paris Saint-Germain's Marco Verratti and Claudio Marchisio of Juventus both out of the tournament after injuries requiring surgery.<br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://e01-marca.uecdn.es/assets/multimedia/imagenes/2016/05/25/14642063278188.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="http://e01-marca.uecdn.es/assets/multimedia/imagenes/2016/05/25/14642063278188.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <br />

distractions could undo Conte's Italy

Italy coach Antonio Conte goes into the European Championship with questions hanging over his team after injuries disrupted his selection pl...

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Goalkeeping giant Buffon stands test for Italy

There is no stopping master goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon in his ambition to add more major titles to his collection of the 2006 World Cup and seven Serie A championships.<br /><br />Buffon, who will lead Italy in France when they look to end a 48-year wait for their second European Championship crown, has extended his contract with Juventus beyond his 40th birthday as he also seeks the equally elusive Champions League.<br /><br />He has been a runner-up in both, finishing on the losing side in the Euro 2012 final against Spain in Kiev.<br /><br />The question is whether Antonio Conte's Italy will be good enough to go one better even with record holder Buffon, ripening with age like a vintage Chianti, between the posts.<br /><br />Buffon, Italy's most capped player with 156 appearances, set a Serie A record in March of 974 minutes without conceding a goal.<br /><br />"I was born for this type of work and to be the exception," Buffon was recently quoted as saying in La Gazzetta dello Sport.<br /><br />"If it could happen that I'd be the first player to compete in six World Cups, it would certainly mean something because of its rarity," he added with the 2018 tournament in his sights. He has seen action at the last four tournaments after being an unused reserve at France 1998.<br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://e04-marca.uecdn.es/assets/multimedia/imagenes/2016/05/25/14642064297774.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="http://e04-marca.uecdn.es/assets/multimedia/imagenes/2016/05/25/14642064297774.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <br />

Goalkeeping giant Buffon stands test for Italy

There is no stopping master goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon in his ambition to add more major titles to his collection of the 2006 World Cup and...

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Iniesta aims for more glory

Andres Iniesta, the driving force behind Spanish triumphs at the last two Euros and scorer of the goal that delivered their only World Cup in between, will hope to provide further inspiration as his country target a record fourth European Championship triumph.<br /><br />The virtuoso midfielder's extra-time strike against the Netherlands in Johannesburg in 2010 earned him universal devotion in Spain, with even Real Madrid supporters giving the Barcelona man a standing ovation on his most recent visits to the Bernabeu.<br /><br />With his trusted midfield companion Xavi Hernandez retired from international football, Iniesta is the last architect of the 'tiki-taka'style of fast-moving passing football which Spain mastered to dominate the world game between 2008 and 2012.<br /><br />He has also evolved his game in recent years, dropping deeper and dictating the play rather than just fuelling the attack. His influence on games is more subtle now, yet it is no less important.<br /><br />"Iniesta has unique peripheral vision. He is a magical player," said Barca coach Luis Enrique earlier this year, while Spain coach Vicente del Bosque said recently that the midfielder was "in the form of his life".<br /><br />Named best player at Euro 2012, Iniesta is set for his sixth major tournament with Spain in France. At the age of 32, it could well be his last.<br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://e02-marca.uecdn.es/assets/multimedia/imagenes/2016/05/25/14642065201950.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="http://e02-marca.uecdn.es/assets/multimedia/imagenes/2016/05/25/14642065201950.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <br />

Iniesta aims for more glory

Andres Iniesta, the driving force behind Spanish triumphs at the last two Euros and scorer of the goal that delivered their only World Cup i...

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Hungary have the chance to update their history

Hungary have not appeared in a major tournament since the 1986 World Cup and their last European Championship appearance was in 1972. So just being there in 2016 ranks as a major achievement for a team who finished only third in their group, eventually qualifying via a 2-1 aggregate play-off win over Norway.<br /><br />Their campaign was troubled, with one coach sacked and another leaving for club football in Germany before Storck delivered unexpected qualification on an unforgettable night in Budapest.<br /><br />The qualifiers had begun in the worst possible way with a 2-1 defeat to Northern Ireland, a result that led to Attila Pinter being replaced by Pal Dardai, who started the difficult job of rebuilding a team short on confidence and cohesion.<br /><br />Dardai soon departed for Hertha Berlin, leaving Storck, the former head coach of Kazakhstan, to introduce young blood and dare his team to come good with a more attacking style.<br /><br />Among some surprising calls was his decision to play Laszlo Kleinheisler in the first game against Norway despite the midfielder not having played for his club all season after refusing to sign a contract extension.<br /><br />The 22-year-old rewarded Storck's faith with a man-of-the-match performance that was followed by a move to Werder Bremen. Kleinheisler is tipped to catch the eye in France, not least for his red hair which has led to the nickname Scholes. The midfielder also shares former Manchester United player Paul Scholes's eye for a goal.<br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://e04-marca.uecdn.es/assets/multimedia/imagenes/2016/05/25/14642067170825.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="http://e04-marca.uecdn.es/assets/multimedia/imagenes/2016/05/25/14642067170825.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <br />

Hungary have the chance to update their history

Hungary have not appeared in a major tournament since the 1986 World Cup and their last European Championship appearance was in 1972. So jus...

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