Euro 2024

Subterms

    More stories

    • 225 Shares199 Views

      in Soccer

      Wales captain Aaron Ramsey suffers injury blow and is major doubt for crunch Euro 2024 qualifier with Croatia

      by

      AARON RAMSEY is to see a knee specialist amid fears the Wales captain could miss the crunch Euro 2024 qualifier with Croatia.The Cardiff midfielder, 32, faces a race against time to be fit for the October 15 clash in Cardiff after sustaining the ligament injury to his right knee in training this week.
      Aaron Ramsey is set to miss three weeks after picking up knee injuryCredit: Getty
      Ramsey scored from the spot in Wales’ 2-0 win in Latvia earlier this monthCredit: AP
      Ramsey’s Bluebirds manager Erol Bulut has ruled the ex-Arsenal star out for up to three weeks but club and country are now sweating on the results of scans to find out the extent of the injury.
      Ramsey posted on Instagram: “Absolutely gutted to say that last week I picked up an injury in training.
      “I will be seeking the specialist advice on next steps. I’m determined to get back and help the team as quickly as I can.”
      Ramsey has not played since Cardiff’s South Wales derby 2-0 victory over Swansea on September 16 when he scored the second goal from the penalty spot.
      READ MORE WALES NEWS
      Since then Rambo has missed league games against Coventry and Sunderland as well as Wednesday’s Carabao Cup defeat to Blackburn.
      Wales boss Robert Page names his squad next Wednesday in Wrexham for the showdown against Group D leaders Croatia.
      The Dragons also face Gibraltar in a North Wales friendly on October 11.
      Wales lie in fourth spot after five matches but trail the Croats, who have played one game less, by three points.
      Most read in Euro 2020
      FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS
      And losing Ramsey would represent a major blow as they bid for a top-two place to secure automatic qualification for Germany next year.
      Cardiff boss Bulut said: “Aaron picked up him the injury in training on Monday.
      “It is a ligament injury in the back of his right knee – the same knee on which he had an operation a few years ago.
      “The medical report says he won’t be available for three weeks.
      “We don’t know if it is a rupture, we are still awaiting the scans to see how serious it is. I hope that we can have him back after the international break.
      “We will miss him. We need a player like him who can keep hold of the ball and read the game.”
      Wales’ suffered back-to-back summer defeats to Armenia – a shock 4-2 home loss – and Turkey.
      The 2-0 win in Latvia threw Page’s side a lifeline with the Dragons now just three points behind second-placed Turkey and Armenia.
      The Football Association of Wales are in contact with the UK Foreign Office ahead of November’s qualifier in Armenia following conflict in the Nagorno-Karabakh region.
      The territory, which had been controlled by Armenians for three decades, was seized by Azerbaijan last week.
      Uefa are monitoring the situation with the tie due to be played in Yerevan – 171 miles from Nagorno-Karabakh.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      Meanwhile, Gareth Bale will join a Welsh delegation for the Euro 2028 announcement in Geneva on October 10.
      The UK and Ireland bid faces competition from Turkey. More

    • 200 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Germany CONFIRM Julian Nagelsmann as new manager with ex-Bayern Munich chief targeting ‘special’ Euro 2024 campaign

      by

      JULIAN NAGELSMANN has been confirmed as the new German national team coach and is now preparing for a “special” Euro 2024.The 36-year-old was sacked from Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich just six months ago.
      Julian Nagelsmann has been confirmed as the new German national team head coachCredit: Getty
      The former Bayern manager has been out of work since last season as he was replaced by ex-Chelsea and PSG coach Thomas Tuchel.
      The 36-year-old signed a contract for the German national team until 31 July 2024 at the DFB Campus in Frankfurt.
      A statement released by the German FA confirmed the news: “Julian Nagelsmann will lead the senior men’s national team as national coach to next year’s European Championships in Germany.”
      Nagelsmann takes over the national team as successor to Hansi Flick, who was relieved of his duties on September 10th.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      The German boss opened up about his new role and his plans for the squad.
      He told DFB said: “We have a European Championship in our own country. This is something special – something that happens once every few decades.
      “I subordinate everything to this fact of having a great tournament in a great country. I have a great desire to take on this challenge.
      “The performance in Dortmund was the beginning. We’re going to be a tight-knit bunch in the coming year.”
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS
      Germany will host the Euro 2024 and aim to redeem themselves after suffering some huge losses in the last few years.
      The 2014 World Cup champions suffered two group-stage exits at the last two World Cups and crashed out of Euro 2020 in the last 16 to England.
      They have recorded just three wins from their last 12 fixtures – beating Oman, Costa Rica and Peru.
      The German FAsporting director Rudi Völler said: “Julian Nagelsmann was our preferred candidate as national coach when the search began.
      “He is not only an absolute football expert, but has already proven at all his clubs, at a very young age for a head coach, he can motivate and inspire a team and the entire environment.
      “His passion for football is palpable and contagious.”  More

    • 225 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Forgotten former Premier League star and Euro legend, 49, to take over as Turkey manager in shock decision

      by

      FORMER Premier League star Vincenzo Montella is set to be appointed as Turkey’s new boss.This comes after manager Stefan Kuntz was sacked following a two-year spell in charge.
      Vincenzo Montella is set to become manager of TurkeyCredit: EPA
      The Italian hero previously played for FulhamCredit: PA:Press Association
      The Turkish FA initially denied he had been fired but two days later confirmed the German had been axed ahead of Euro 2024 next summer.
      Montella, 49, is now set to take over, having been out of work since agreeing to mutually part ways with Adana Demirspor in June.
      He had guided the side to a fourth place finish in the Turkish Super Lig last season.
      Montella previously managed Sampdoria, AC Milan, Sevilla and had two reigns at Fiorentina.
      READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS
      As a player, the striker is best remembered by his days at Roma.
      The Italian won Serie A in 2001 and played a total of 258 games for the club, finding the back of the net 102 times.
      He also featured in Euro 2000 as Dino Zoff’s side lost in the final to France 2-1.
      Montella also had a short spell in the Premier League on loan at Fulham in 2007.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS
      He swiftly became popular with the club’s fans, scoring six goals in 15 matches for them.
      But he rarely started under then manager Chris Coleman and after Lawrie Sanchez was appointed the loan move was terminated a week prior to it expiring.
      Montella will now be hoping to lead Turkey to Euro 2024 with the country currently sitting second in qualification Group D behind Croatia and narrowly ahead of Armenia and Wales.
      But it will be a tough job for him after Kuntz demanded his players need to work harder and that he “shouldn’t take all the blame.” More

    • 263 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Harry Maguire must be axed by England for Euro 2024.. it’s painful to watch Man Utd star after summer transfer blunder

      by

      LIVERPOOL legend Jamie Carragher has urged Gareth Southgate to drop Harry Maguire from the England squad “for his own protection” ahead of Euro 2024.Maguire, 30, was taunted by Scotland fans during Tuesday’s international friendly at Hampden Park.
      Maguire has been heavily criticised by fansCredit: Getty
      The defender was booed by fans during England’s match against ScotlandCredit: PA
      Carragher believes Maguire should be dropped from the England teamCredit: Alamy
      He also received criticism from England supporters after scoring an own-goal in the 67th minute.
      Southgate stepped in to defend the centre-back after the match, blasting the “ridiculous treatment” of him.
      The England boss said: “I’ve never known a player treated the way he is. He’s been an absolute stalwart for us in the second most successful England team for decades – he’s been an absolutely key part of that.”
      He later added: “From a Scotland fans’ point of view I get it. I have absolutely no complaints with what they did. But it’s a consequence of ridiculous treatment of him for a long period of time.
      Read More on Football
      “It’s a joke. Not by the Scottish fans but by our own commentators, pundits or whatever it is. They’ve created something that’s beyond anything I have ever seen.”
      Many fans and pundits questioned Maguire’s place in the squad given his lack of game time at club level.
      He has played just 23 minutes of Premier League football so far this season for Man Utd, with his only appearance coming against Arsenal just before the international break.
      The defender has also come under fire at Old Trafford, with some fans now turning against him.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS
      Maguire has also come under fire at Man UtdCredit: PA
      The centre-back has made just one appearance for the Red Devils this seasonCredit: Getty
      And Carragher, who made over 500 Premier League appearances as a player and earned 38 senior England caps, believes the situation has become out of control.
      In his column for The Telegraph, the Liverpool icon wrote: “For his own protection, Harry Maguire should not play for England until his career is back on track. Personally and professionally the current situation is unsustainable.
      “There must be a frank and honest conversation with those closest to him about how to resolve a mess because this drama around him needs fixing.
      “I was watching the England versus Scotland match with my son, James. It was painful to watch. ‘If that was you, I would want you out of the firing line. This has gone too far,’ I told him as Maguire endured a nightmare second half.
      “My first thought after the game was that I really hope Maguire is okay. More than ever we are aware of mental health issues impacting on footballers, or anyone subjected to such unrelenting ridicule.
      “I cannot recall any top level player enduring as much as Maguire over several years and struggling to find a meaningful response to it.
      “I do not see how continually putting him on such a stage without regular, high class club football will help him get back to the level he was. This has to stop, first and foremost, for Maguire’s sake.”
      Carragher also believes Maguire should have left Old Trafford this summer in a bid to reignite his form after falling out of favour with Man Utd manager Erik ten Hag.
      The defender was linked with a move to West Ham, but talks broke down when the two parties failed to agree terms.
      Ex-Liverpool star Carragher claims it will be “unfeasible” for Maguire to be selected for Euro 2024 if he refuses to leave the Red Devils.
      He added: “He missed the opportunity to start landing a few punches when he turned down West Ham in the summer. David Moyes would have had the perfect manager in an ideal team for Maguire’s attributes. I am sure he would have been a success there.
      “Too many transfers stall because a player feels mistreated and refuses to leave without a pay-off. Maguire had to think beyond that, especially when considering his international career.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      “It is unfeasible for a centre-back to go into the next Euros when they have not been a regular for their club for two years.”
      Maguire joined Man Utd in a record-breaking £80million transfer from Leicester in 2019 and has since made 176 appearances. More

    • 250 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Hard-up Wales force players to SHARE ROOMS on international duty as Dragons face financial black hole if they miss Euros

      by

      WALES are in financial crisis and the cost-cutting means stars have to share hotel rooms.Robert Page’s Dragons clinched a vital 2-0 Euro 2024 win in Latvia on Monday night to keep alive their qualification dreams for Germany.
      The Welsh FA are strapped for cashCredit: PA
      Wales players are having to share rooms in order to keep costs lowCredit: REUTERS
      But SunSport understands Wales are battling major money woes with chief executive Noel Mooney taking a series of cash-saving measures.
      The return to room-sharing in this international window was one of those, with purse strings also tightened on opposition analysis.
      Wales only took 21 players for the must-win Group D trip to Latvia and did not fill the bench — unheard of in recent times.
      Boss Page initially named a 25-man party but Kieffer Moore and Joe Morrell, who played the second half of last Thursday’s 0-0 friendly with South Korea, were suspended for the Riga follow-up.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      Then Wayne Hennessey and Wes Burns pulled out ahead of Latvia and NONE of the four were replaced.
      The Football Association of Wales made a financial loss of £100,659 for the year ending June 2022.
      And sources at the FAW have indicated Wales now bank on reaching major tournaments rather than the hope of following on from the success of two Euro qualifications in 2016 and 2020 as well as last year’s World Cup.
      The budget for this year is showing a potential seven-figure loss and the pressure on the FAW has even led to an attempt to increase ticket prices.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS
      Welsh FA chief Noel Mooney is counting pennies amid a financial crisisCredit: PA
      The FAW’s HQ at Hensol near Cardiff was also due to an expansion but it is understood to be on hold.
      Mooney was slammed by fans after charging adults £25 plus a £3 booking fee for the Korea stalemate at Cardiff City Stadium.
      Wales attracted just 13,668 which was their worst home attendance — Covid matches aside — in four years.
      Angry Dragons fans vented their fury at Mooney on social media for his greedy ticket policy.
      In the summer, the Irishman also tried to increase prices for future qualifiers. But his proposal was rejected at a Wales supporters’ meeting and delayed until 2024.
      Mooney, appointed in August 2021, has made a string of financial promises to Wales’ grassroots game and pledged millions to the Cymru Premier.
      He said last month: “We’re going to invest a few million pounds into this league.”
      The FAW chief issued a public vote of confidence to under-pressure boss Page in July.
      But SunSport understands he privately prefers a bigger name in the hot seat.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      Even before Latvia, it was believed Mooney was preparing for a switch. But Page signed a new four-year deal a year ago and any change would cost compensation.
      Welsh players and staff are behind the manager.
      Wales kept their Euro 2024 hopes alive with a win over LativaCredit: EPA More

    • 200 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      Forgotten former Arsenal star on verge of guiding minnows to Euro 2024 with ex-team-mate Pablo Zabaleta

      by

      SYLVINHO is on the verge of guiding Albania to Euro 2024 alongside ex-team-mate Pablo Zabaleta.The former Arsenal defender has been in charge of Albania since January, with Zabaleta joining him as assistant manager.
      Sylvinho is on the verge of guiding Albania to Euro 2024Credit: Reuters
      The Brazilian spent two years at Arsenal during his playing daysCredit: Getty
      Under Sylvinho, the Eagles have lost just once and are unbeaten in their last four qualifiers.
      Sunday’s win over Poland has seen Albania move top of their group with ten points from their first five matches.
      The result leaves them just three games away from just a second-ever major tournament.
      Albania previously qualified for Euro 2016, but were eliminated in the group stage.
      READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS
      Standing in their way is a home match against the Czech Republic next month before clashes with Moldova and the Faroe Islands in November.
      Prior to taking over the side placed 65th in the FIFA World Rankings, Sylvinho had an impressive playing career.
      During his time as a left-back the Brazilian spent two years with Arsenal.
      He scored five goals in 80 appearances for the Gunners after arriving from Corinthians before returning to England with Manchester City.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS
      Pablo Zabaleta (second from left) is one of Sylvinho’s assistant managersCredit: instagram / @pablo_zabaleta_5
      It was after joining City in 2009 that Sylvinho played with Zabaleta, playing 15 times before retiring a year later.
      The 49-year-old occupied the dugout at both Lyon and Corinthians before getting a taste of international management, which has seen him give Zabaleta his first coaching role. More

    • 175 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      £97m Chelsea flop Mykhailo Mudryk benched by Ukraine for huge Euro 2024 qualifying clash

      by

      UKRAINE benched Chelsea flop Mykhailo Mudryk for Tuesday’s vital Euro 2024 qualifier away to Italy.The £97million winger was taken off in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with England.
      Mykhailo Mudryk was reduced to a sub role for Tuesday’s vital qualifierCredit: Rex
      Mudryk has failed to impress Mauricio Pochettino since the ex-Spurs chief took over as Stamford Bridge manager in the summer.
      Now the ex-Shakhtar Donetsk star has been axed by his national team.
      Ukraine went into the clash at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza three points ahead of Italy, who have a game in hand.
      England top Group C on 13 points from five matches, with the Ukrainians second on seven from four games.
      READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS
      Not surprisingly, huge national hero Oleksandr Zinchenko stays in at left-back after shocking England by firing the opener at the weekend.
      The Arsenal ace, 26, was given a massive reception when he was replaced after 76 minutes, with Mudryk following him off just before stoppage time.
      The 22-year-old cost Chelsea an initial £62m back in January.
      And the cruel joke around the club is that all the add-ons in the transfer fee will take ages to be paid.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS
      After spluttering last term, Mudryk has again been a bit-part player this season, now under Pochettino.
      Ukraine legend and ex-Chelsea attacker Andriy Shevchenko has tried to help Mudryk during the 46-year-old’s regular visits to London. More

    • 213 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      International star, 43, retires after playing centre-back over four decades – and he’s still country’s TOP SCORER

      by

      ANDORRA are saying goodbye to a legend during their Euro 2024 qualification clash with Switzerland.Ildefons Lima has been playing for his country since 1997 and is finally calling time on his lengthy career – at the age of 43.
      Andorra star Ildefons Lima is calling an end to his careerCredit: AFP
      He is his nation’s all-time top scorer with 11 goalsCredit: Sportsfile
      Lima has played across FOUR decades for his countryCredit: EPA
      Lima made his debut for Andorra when he was just 17 years old in a friendly against Estonia.
      The Tricolours lost 4-1, but Lima left the pitch happy after scoring a debut goal in the 67th minute.
      A rare feat for a centre-back to find himself on the scoresheet, but not for Lima who defies the defensive stereotype.
      Despite his position, the star sits top of the list of Andorra’s all-time goal scorers with 11 goals during his international career.
      READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS
      He also boasts the record for number of appearances, with the match-up against Switzerland set to be 137th time representing his homeland.
      Lima took to X (formerly Twitter) to share his thoughts ahead of his big night.

      He wrote: “The last day has arrived, 26 years since the first, four different decades…today, The Last Dance.”
      And it’s not just his international career where Lima has shone, with the star a seven-time Andorran champion.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS
      He’s also had spells at an array of other European teams with time at UD Las Palmas, Rayo Vallecano and US Triestina.
      Lima will end his time with Andorra as the oldest player to ever play in a European qualifying match.
      Lima has rubbed shoulders with some of the best players in the worldCredit: EPA
      He faced off against England four times during his time representing AndorraCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd More