The Euro 2016 draw has opened up for Belgium, but Marc Wilmots&#39; side are still to confirm their title credentials before their round of 16 match against undefeated Hungary on Sunday. 
 
Belgium finished second in Group E after an opening defeat by Italy, but Wilmots refuses to see it as a blessing in disguise, even if the draw means they will avoid Spain, Germany, France, England and the Italians until the final. 
 
Concerned about the pressure on his team, the coach hinted that he would rather face one of the heavyweights. 
 
&quot;These are games in which you have nothing to lose,&quot; he told reporters. &quot;Matches like we played against Brazil in the 2002 World Cup are nicer.&nbsp;In this Euro there are no easy games, no small teams,&quot; he added. &quot;They criticised us for losing to Wales (during qualification) and look where they are now.&quot; 
 
Belgium&#39;s prospects have improved with the draw - bookmaker William Hill has slash their championship odds from 11/1 to 11/2 - but Wilmots is yet to prove he can make the most of his talented squad. 
 
They were outworked and outthought against Italy, but romped to victory against Ireland in perhaps the best performance yet by this collection of talented players. 
 
Despite Wilmots&#39; bullish response to critics after this match, hopes Belgium had turned the corner were deflated when they again lacked fluency against Sweden. 
 
Wilmots insisted Belgium had grown since their opener, but conceded that there was still much to improve. 
 
Euro 2016 joint top scorers Hungary may have a taste for blood after giving Portugal an almighty scare in a 3-3 draw on Wednesday, but they will face a sterner test from a Belgium defence eyeing a third straight clean sheet. 
 
That thrilling game also exposed Hungary&#39;s defensive deficiencies and they should provide Belgium with ample opportunity to rediscover the attacking coherency they demonstrated against Ireland. 
 
For that match, the introduction of Mousa Dembele was decisive in providing midfield mobility that had previously been lacking, although an ankle knock picked up in that match may mean Radja Nainggolan again partners Axel Witsel. 
 
Hungary coach Bernd Storck has demonstrated an admirable tactical flexibility, giving all of his 20 outfield players some action, and has hinted at more changes for Sunday&#39;s match. 
 
Adam Lang will likely continue at right back with Attila Fiola injured and attacking midfielder Zoltan Gera should return after being injured against Portugal. 
 
(Reuters)

Marc Wilmots insisted Belgium had grown since their opener, but conceded there was still much to improve

The Euro 2016 draw has opened up for Belgium, but Marc Wilmots' side are still to confirm their title credentials before their round of 16 match against undefeated Hungary on Sunday. Belgium finished second in Group E after an opening defeat by Italy, but Wilmots refuses to see it as a blessing in disguise, even if the draw means they will avoid Spain, Germany, France, England and the Italians until the final. Concerned about the pressure on his team, the coach hinted that he would rather face one of the heavyweights. "These are games in which you have nothing to lose," he told reporters. "Matches like we played against Brazil in the 2002 World Cup are nicer. In this Euro there are no easy games, no small teams," he added. "They criticised us for losing to Wales (during qualification) and look where they are now." Belgium's prospects have improved with the draw - bookmaker William Hill has slash their championship odds from 11/1 to 11/2 - but Wilmots is yet to prove he can make the most of his talented squad. They were outworked and outthought against Italy, but romped to victory against Ireland in perhaps the best performance yet by this collection of talented players. Despite Wilmots' bullish response to critics after this match, hopes Belgium had turned the corner were deflated when they again lacked fluency against Sweden. Wilmots insisted Belgium had grown since their opener, but conceded that there was still much to improve. Euro 2016 joint top scorers Hungary may have a taste for blood after giving Portugal an almighty scare in a 3-3 draw on Wednesday, but they will face a sterner test from a Belgium defence eyeing a third straight clean sheet. That thrilling game also exposed Hungary's defensive deficiencies and they should provide Belgium with ample opportunity to rediscover the attacking coherency they demonstrated against Ireland. For that match, the introduction of Mousa Dembele was decisive in providing midfield mobility that had previously been lacking, although an ankle knock picked up in that match may mean Radja Nainggolan again partners Axel Witsel. Hungary coach Bernd Storck has demonstrated an admirable tactical flexibility, giving all of his 20 outfield players some action, and has hinted at more changes for Sunday's match. Adam Lang will likely continue at right back with Attila Fiola injured and attacking midfielder Zoltan Gera should return after being injured against Portugal. (Reuters)

Belgium yet to prove themselves as Hungary awaits

Thierry&nbsp;Henry&#39;s&nbsp;handball&nbsp;sent such shockwaves that barely anyone remembers it was actually William Gallas who scored the infamous goal in France that ruined Ireland&#39;s chances of a World Cup appearance more than six years ago.

On Sunday, Les Bleus face the&nbsp;Irish&nbsp;in Lyon in a Euro 2016 last-16 clash in which the host nation will start as heavy favourites.

In the stands, there is little doubt the&nbsp;Irish&nbsp;fans, who are enjoying growing popularity in France thanks to their good-natured presence in the streets across the country, will outsing the local supporters.

Qualification for a quarter-final against Iceland or England, however, will be decided on the field, where the&nbsp;Irish&nbsp;will take&nbsp;extra&nbsp;motivation&nbsp;from the drama at the Stade de France in 2009.

&quot;It is absolutely (extra&nbsp;motivation), but we&#39;ve got all the&nbsp;motivation&nbsp;in the world here regardless of that, we&#39;ve got a side that are prepared and actually love playing for their country and that&#39;s very, very important. It&#39;s a driving force,&quot; Ireland manager Martin O&#39;Neill told reporters.

His assistant Roy Keane believes the team have the qualities to trouble the French, who have been remarkably quiet on the&nbsp;Henry&nbsp;incident.

&quot;It&#39;s massive game against France who will be red-hot favourites,&quot; he said, adding that Ireland&#39;s goal was to create another bit of history.

Keane hopes Ireland will make the most of their set pieces.

&quot;I&#39;d like to think every time we get the ball in the box their fans will be nervous wrecks,&quot; he said.

France, who have yet to play a full match at their best in the tournament, have only conceded one goal in three matches, a penalty, but the back four have not been really tested.

Coach Didier Deschamps is likely to field the team who beat Romania in the tournament&#39;s curtain-raiser, with striker Olivier Giroud supported by Antoine Griezmann and Dimitri Payet,&nbsp;himself a lethal weapon on set pieces.

France played their last group game on Sunday and will have had three more days to prepare than Ireland, who clinched their qualification with a last-gasp 1-0 win over a depleted Italy team on Wednesday.

&quot;In the past, some teams have had a lot of time to get ready and they were knocked out,&quot; France assistant coach Guy Stephan said.

&quot;You have to find the balance between recovery, preparation and training. It was difficult because at the beginning of the week we did not know who we would face.&quot;

Giroud and defender Adil Rami missed a training session each to nurse minor problems but will be fit for Sunday.

(Reuters)

Ireland looks for vengeance against team that eliminated them from World Cup over 6 years ago

Thierry Henry's handball sent such shockwaves that barely anyone remembers it was actually William Gallas who scored the infamous goal in France that ruined Ireland's chances of a World Cup appearance more than six years ago. On Sunday, Les Bleus face the Irish in Lyon in a Euro 2016 last-16 clash in which the host nation will start as heavy favourites. In the stands, there is little doubt the Irish fans, who are enjoying growing popularity in France thanks to their good-natured presence in the streets across the country, will outsing the local supporters. Qualification for a quarter-final against Iceland or England, however, will be decided on the field, where the Irish will take extra motivation from the drama at the Stade de France in 2009. "It is absolutely (extra motivation), but we've got all the motivation in the world here regardless of that, we've got a side that are prepared and actually love playing for their country and that's very, very important. It's a driving force," Ireland manager Martin O'Neill told reporters. His assistant Roy Keane believes the team have the qualities to trouble the French, who have been remarkably quiet on the Henry incident. "It's massive game against France who will be red-hot favourites," he said, adding that Ireland's goal was to create another bit of history. Keane hopes Ireland will make the most of their set pieces. "I'd like to think every time we get the ball in the box their fans will be nervous wrecks," he said. France, who have yet to play a full match at their best in the tournament, have only conceded one goal in three matches, a penalty, but the back four have not been really tested. Coach Didier Deschamps is likely to field the team who beat Romania in the tournament's curtain-raiser, with striker Olivier Giroud supported by Antoine Griezmann and Dimitri Payet, himself a lethal weapon on set pieces. France played their last group game on Sunday and will have had three more days to prepare than Ireland, who clinched their qualification with a last-gasp 1-0 win over a depleted Italy team on Wednesday. "In the past, some teams have had a lot of time to get ready and they were knocked out," France assistant coach Guy Stephan said. "You have to find the balance between recovery, preparation and training. It was difficult because at the beginning of the week we did not know who we would face." Giroud and defender Adil Rami missed a training session each to nurse minor problems but will be fit for Sunday. (Reuters)

Henry handball gives Irish extra motivation vs France

<div style="text-align: justify;">Cristiano Ronaldo will not be the only number seven hoping to redeem himself when his Portugal side meet Austria in their Euro 2016 group F match on Saturday. 
 
Ronaldo&#39;s less heralded opposite number for Austria, Marko Arnautovic, also came into the tournament with high hopes only to start with a below-par display made worse by a sulky attitude. 
 
Ronaldo missed a late chance, repeatedly wasted free kicks, protested to the referee and then made some unsporting comments about the opposition after Portugal drew 1-1 against rank outsiders Iceland. 
 
Arnautovic fared little better in Austria&#39;s 2-0 defeat by Hungary, losing heart as he was effectively marked out of the game. 
 
He went to ground far too easily, moaned at the match officials and his body language bore the hallmarks of a man who felt the world was against him. 
 
Arnautovic&#39;s temperament has often threatened to override his talent, with his career marked by some bizarre episodes. 
 
He famously borrowed a Bentley belonging to team mate Samuel Eto&#39;o at Inter Milan, only to have it stolen while he was eating at a restaurant. 
 
During a stint at Werder Bremen, he was pulled over for speeding in the early hours of the morning on the day of the game and he once injured his knee playing with his dog. 
 
But Austria coach Marcel Koller and his club coach Mark Hughes at Stoke City have between them managed to tame a man who was compared to a child by Jose Mourinho at Inter. 
 
Asked at a press conference earlier in the tournament how he had managed to curb Arnautovic&#39;s excesses, Koller said it was not an issue he could adequately explain &quot;in a few minutes&quot;. 
 
But he did give a feel for the efforts that have gone into keeping Arnautovic on the straight and narrow. 
 
&quot;It&#39;s always been important to look at his qualities as a footballer, he&#39;s always had ability from that perspective but he wasn&#39;t necessarily able to harness that ability on the pitch,&quot; said Koller. 
 
&quot;It is important that he has confidence even if he makes a mistake. Right from the outset, we knew we needed to support him, to try and talk to him, to try and help him to improve. 
 
&quot;I think he really has adapted very well. He has his own family, he has got a wife and two kids, he has calmed down and we are delighted he is finally able to harness his ability as a footballer on the field, and he can really help us.&quot; 
 
Koller will doubtless have his arm around Arnautovic&#39;s shoulder again in the run-up to Saturday&#39;s match.</div>

Portugal take on Austria on Saturday. Both their no. 7's have silky skills, but they haven't shown up as yet

Cristiano Ronaldo will not be the only number seven hoping to redeem himself when his Portugal side meet Austria in their Euro 2016 group F match on Saturday. Ronaldo's less heralded opposite number for Austria, Marko Arnautovic, also came into the tournament with high hopes only to start with a below-par display made worse by a sulky attitude. Ronaldo missed a late chance, repeatedly wasted free kicks, protested to the referee and then made some unsporting comments about the opposition after Portugal drew 1-1 against rank outsiders Iceland. Arnautovic fared little better in Austria's 2-0 defeat by Hungary, losing heart as he was effectively marked out of the game. He went to ground far too easily, moaned at the match officials and his body language bore the hallmarks of a man who felt the world was against him. Arnautovic's temperament has often threatened to override his talent, with his career marked by some bizarre episodes. He famously borrowed a Bentley belonging to team mate Samuel Eto'o at Inter Milan, only to have it stolen while he was eating at a restaurant. During a stint at Werder Bremen, he was pulled over for speeding in the early hours of the morning on the day of the game and he once injured his knee playing with his dog. But Austria coach Marcel Koller and his club coach Mark Hughes at Stoke City have between them managed to tame a man who was compared to a child by Jose Mourinho at Inter. Asked at a press conference earlier in the tournament how he had managed to curb Arnautovic's excesses, Koller said it was not an issue he could adequately explain "in a few minutes". But he did give a feel for the efforts that have gone into keeping Arnautovic on the straight and narrow. "It's always been important to look at his qualities as a footballer, he's always had ability from that perspective but he wasn't necessarily able to harness that ability on the pitch," said Koller. "It is important that he has confidence even if he makes a mistake. Right from the outset, we knew we needed to support him, to try and talk to him, to try and help him to improve. "I think he really has adapted very well. He has his own family, he has got a wife and two kids, he has calmed down and we are delighted he is finally able to harness his ability as a footballer on the field, and he can really help us." Koller will doubtless have his arm around Arnautovic's shoulder again in the run-up to Saturday's match.

Two sulky number sevens look for redemption

Slovakia forward Vladimir Weiss is backing his country to beat England in their crucial Euro 2016 Group B game.&nbsp;The teams meet on Monday in Saint-Etienne with both sides looking to book a place in the last 16 of the competition. 
 
&quot;We have beaten big teams before and if we play at our best we can beat anyone, even England,&quot; said Weiss. 
 
England currently top the group with four points, one point ahead of third-placed Slovakia.&nbsp;A draw could be enough for both teams to progress but a defeat for either team in the high-stakes match could see one of them return home. 
 
The sides will approach the game with confidence having both won their second group matches 2-1 -- England against Wales and Weiss&#39;s Slovakia against Russia. 
 
&quot;The win against Russia gives us a lot of confidence going into the last game.&nbsp;We needed a win and we&#39;re very happy that we got it.&nbsp;I am sure England have seen our game against Russia and they know we will give it everything to get something from the final game to qualify,&quot; he told the website of Qatar&#39;s World Cup organising committee, the Supreme Committee for Delivery &amp; Legacy. 
 
Weiss currently plays his team football in Qatar with Al-Gharafa.&nbsp;With the opening goal against Russia, Weiss made history by becoming the first-ever player based outside Europe to score at the championships since they were first contested in 1960. 
 
The 26-year-old former Rangers and Manchester City player said he knew was going to hit the net before he shot. 
 
&quot;Once I turned inside the two defenders, I knew I was going to score.&nbsp;I was already thinking where I would go to celebrate the goal and I went to my parents.&nbsp;I dedicated the goal to my mum, she knew I wasn&#39;t happy after the first game.&nbsp;She said my time will come, and it did,&quot; he said. 
(AFP)

The teams meet Monday in Saint-Etienne, with both sides looking to book a place in the last 16 of the competition

Slovakia forward Vladimir Weiss is backing his country to beat England in their crucial Euro 2016 Group B game. The teams meet on Monday in Saint-Etienne with both sides looking to book a place in the last 16 of the competition. "We have beaten big teams before and if we play at our best we can beat anyone, even England," said Weiss. England currently top the group with four points, one point ahead of third-placed Slovakia. A draw could be enough for both teams to progress but a defeat for either team in the high-stakes match could see one of them return home. The sides will approach the game with confidence having both won their second group matches 2-1 -- England against Wales and Weiss's Slovakia against Russia. "The win against Russia gives us a lot of confidence going into the last game. We needed a win and we're very happy that we got it. I am sure England have seen our game against Russia and they know we will give it everything to get something from the final game to qualify," he told the website of Qatar's World Cup organising committee, the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy. Weiss currently plays his team football in Qatar with Al-Gharafa. With the opening goal against Russia, Weiss made history by becoming the first-ever player based outside Europe to score at the championships since they were first contested in 1960. The 26-year-old former Rangers and Manchester City player said he knew was going to hit the net before he shot. "Once I turned inside the two defenders, I knew I was going to score. I was already thinking where I would go to celebrate the goal and I went to my parents. I dedicated the goal to my mum, she knew I wasn't happy after the first game. She said my time will come, and it did," he said. (AFP)

Slovakia can beat England says goal scorer Weiss

Without the star names that have graced Italy sides in the past, coach Antonio Conte says the secret to their success at Euro 2016 has been to shun the mentality of a national team and behave like a club. 
 
Italy came into the European Championship with an ageing squad shorn of standout talents and with few tipping them for success. 
 
Their tournament performances, however, have confounded expectations and a 2-0 victory over Spain on Monday propelled them into the quarter-finals, where they will face Germany in Bordeaux on Saturday. 
 
Recent Italy teams went into major tournaments with individual talents such as Mario Balotelli or Andrea Pirlo, who attracted enormous amounts of media attention. 
 
For Conte, who has a notorious emphasis on the team ethic and industry over individuality, the way to achieve success is to mould the national team around the model of a club, where a well-drilled tactical system can stifle even the best opponents. 
 
&quot;I&#39;ve always said, right from the start of my work here with the national team, that the only road we can follow if we want a bit of success is to be like a club, to be like a team that play together every week - we cannot allow ourselves to be a selection,&quot; Conte told reporters following the victory over Spain at the Stade de France. 
 
&quot;I&#39;m happy above all for the players. It&#39;s more than a month that we&#39;ve been working tactically, technically, mentally and we&#39;ve been trying to surprise everybody and I think we&#39;ve succeeded to some extent.&quot; 
 
Spain were comprehensively snuffed out, barely posing a threat until the closing stages of the game. 
 
Conte feels next opponents Germany, however, could pose a greater challenge. 
 
The world champions cruised through the group stage and thumped Slovakia 3-0 to reach the last eight. 
 
&quot;We now face the best side at the European Championship next Saturday,&quot; Conte said. &quot;It&#39;s going to be very, very hard in all aspects. We&#39;ve got to do well to recover and prepare for Germany the best way we can. We are without Thiago Motta (suspended) and that&#39;s a big blow, also because (Daniele) De Rossi took a knock to his hip. But we know that in adversity, we give that little bit more.&quot; 
 
(Reuters)

The team has been winning games despite fielding an ageing squad lacking any big-name talent

Without the star names that have graced Italy sides in the past, coach Antonio Conte says the secret to their success at Euro 2016 has been to shun the mentality of a national team and behave like a club. Italy came into the European Championship with an ageing squad shorn of standout talents and with few tipping them for success. Their tournament performances, however, have confounded expectations and a 2-0 victory over Spain on Monday propelled them into the quarter-finals, where they will face Germany in Bordeaux on Saturday. Recent Italy teams went into major tournaments with individual talents such as Mario Balotelli or Andrea Pirlo, who attracted enormous amounts of media attention. For Conte, who has a notorious emphasis on the team ethic and industry over individuality, the way to achieve success is to mould the national team around the model of a club, where a well-drilled tactical system can stifle even the best opponents. "I've always said, right from the start of my work here with the national team, that the only road we can follow if we want a bit of success is to be like a club, to be like a team that play together every week - we cannot allow ourselves to be a selection," Conte told reporters following the victory over Spain at the Stade de France. "I'm happy above all for the players. It's more than a month that we've been working tactically, technically, mentally and we've been trying to surprise everybody and I think we've succeeded to some extent." Spain were comprehensively snuffed out, barely posing a threat until the closing stages of the game. Conte feels next opponents Germany, however, could pose a greater challenge. The world champions cruised through the group stage and thumped Slovakia 3-0 to reach the last eight. "We now face the best side at the European Championship next Saturday," Conte said. "It's going to be very, very hard in all aspects. We've got to do well to recover and prepare for Germany the best way we can. We are without Thiago Motta (suspended) and that's a big blow, also because (Daniele) De Rossi took a knock to his hip. But we know that in adversity, we give that little bit more." (Reuters)

Italy's Coach Conte says club mentality crucial to success

The Portuguese football team led by Cristiano Ronaldo returned home to a heroes welcome today after their upset triumph over France in the Euro 2016 final. 
 
Tens of thousands of fans waited for the team at Lisbon airport when their special flight arrived. There have been joyous nationwide celebrations since the 1-0 win at the Stade de France in Paris on Sunday night. 
 
Two airport fire trucks sprayed jets of water in the green and red national colours as the the plane taxied to the terminal. 
 
Ronaldo and coach Fernando Santos were first to emerge from the plane with the trophy. 
 
Man-of-the-match defender Pepe carried the prize down the steps, where the 23-man squad boarded an open-top bus to start a victory parade for the country&#39;s first major international football honour. 
 
After meeting President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, the bus was to take Ronaldo and his fellow-conquerors on a tour of the capital. 
 
(AFP)

Tens of thousands of fans waited for the team at Lisbon airport, the city was one huge party pad

The Portuguese football team led by Cristiano Ronaldo returned home to a heroes welcome today after their upset triumph over France in the Euro 2016 final. Tens of thousands of fans waited for the team at Lisbon airport when their special flight arrived. There have been joyous nationwide celebrations since the 1-0 win at the Stade de France in Paris on Sunday night. Two airport fire trucks sprayed jets of water in the green and red national colours as the the plane taxied to the terminal. Ronaldo and coach Fernando Santos were first to emerge from the plane with the trophy. Man-of-the-match defender Pepe carried the prize down the steps, where the 23-man squad boarded an open-top bus to start a victory parade for the country's first major international football honour. After meeting President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, the bus was to take Ronaldo and his fellow-conquerors on a tour of the capital. (AFP)

Lisbon welcomes its Europe-conquering heroes in style

England&#39;s under-21 football coach Gareth Southgate looks likely to be put in temporary charge of the national team after the resignation of Roy Hodgson following the side&#39;s Euro 2016 exit, British media reported on Wednesday. 
 
&quot;Southgate is believed to have already been asked whether he is prepared to take over on a temporary basis and has indicated that he is,&quot; the Daily Telegraph said. 
 
A three-man Football Association (FA) panel has begun the job of finding a successor to Hodgson, who resigned in the wake of England&#39;s humiliating 2-1 defeat by Iceland in the last 16 of the European Championship on Monday. 
 
FA chief executive Martin Glenn has suggested that England might wait to fill the post because it is &quot;such an important decision&quot;, meaning it is unlikely they will have a new man permanently in place before their first World Cup qualifier away to Slovakia on Sept. 4. 
 
British media said that opened the way for former England centre-half Southgate. 
 
The prospect of a delay has intensified speculation that Frenchman Arsene Wenger could take the post in the long term. 
 
Wenger is the final year of his contract with Arsenal and was reported to be open to the idea of talking to England&#39;s football authorities about the job, but the FA may be unwilling to wait a year for the 66-year-old who has always maintained that he would never break a contract. 
 
Other names linked with the job include Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe, possibly in tandem with former England international Steven Gerrard, Hull City&#39;s Steve Bruce, former England manager Glenn Hoddle and Italian Claudio Ranieri, who won many admirers by steering Leicester City to their first Premier League title last month. 
 
The FA would have to move quickly to secure Ranieri, who is expected to sign an improved contract with Leicester next month. 
 
Glenn told a news conference on Tuesday: &quot;We clearly need an inspirational manager who can harness all of the resources that the English game... has got, everything we have now got at (the national football centre) St George&#39;s Park, to make us more resilient in tournaments. 
 
&quot;That I think is the brief... it is for an inspirational manager and management team to get the best out of a squad which has got high potential.&rdquo; 
 
(Reuters)

It is unlikely that the Football Association will have a new man in place before their first World Cup qualifier away to Slovakia

England's under-21 football coach Gareth Southgate looks likely to be put in temporary charge of the national team after the resignation of Roy Hodgson following the side's Euro 2016 exit, British media reported on Wednesday. "Southgate is believed to have already been asked whether he is prepared to take over on a temporary basis and has indicated that he is," the Daily Telegraph said. A three-man Football Association (FA) panel has begun the job of finding a successor to Hodgson, who resigned in the wake of England's humiliating 2-1 defeat by Iceland in the last 16 of the European Championship on Monday. FA chief executive Martin Glenn has suggested that England might wait to fill the post because it is "such an important decision", meaning it is unlikely they will have a new man permanently in place before their first World Cup qualifier away to Slovakia on Sept. 4. British media said that opened the way for former England centre-half Southgate. The prospect of a delay has intensified speculation that Frenchman Arsene Wenger could take the post in the long term. Wenger is the final year of his contract with Arsenal and was reported to be open to the idea of talking to England's football authorities about the job, but the FA may be unwilling to wait a year for the 66-year-old who has always maintained that he would never break a contract. Other names linked with the job include Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe, possibly in tandem with former England international Steven Gerrard, Hull City's Steve Bruce, former England manager Glenn Hoddle and Italian Claudio Ranieri, who won many admirers by steering Leicester City to their first Premier League title last month. The FA would have to move quickly to secure Ranieri, who is expected to sign an improved contract with Leicester next month. Glenn told a news conference on Tuesday: "We clearly need an inspirational manager who can harness all of the resources that the English game... has got, everything we have now got at (the national football centre) St George's Park, to make us more resilient in tournaments. "That I think is the brief... it is for an inspirational manager and management team to get the best out of a squad which has got high potential.” (Reuters)

Reports say Southgate may be England's temporary manager

The open-top bus for the victory parade was ready and President Francois Hollande said France&#39;s success at Euro 2016 was helping the country to heal from the Paris attacks, but the party fell flat. 
 
Authorities had braced for mass celebrations if France, a country still on high terrorist alert, won Sunday&#39;s final against Cristiano Ronaldo&#39;s Portugal, but the 1-0 defeat crushed the host nation&#39;s hopes. 
 
Portuguese fans were the only ones celebrating at the Stade de France and the 90,000 crowd at the fan zone under the Eiffel Tower fell silent when Eder scored Portugal&#39;s long-range winner. 
 
&quot;With everything that has happened, the attacks, the demonstrations, the economic crisis, we deserved something to make us feel better,&quot; said Lazaro de Santana, 31, as he joined thousands who filed away dejected. 
 
The night was also scarred by disgruntled supporters&#39; clashing with riot police after they were denied entry to the filled-to-capacity fan zone. 
 
Police fired teargas after fans pelted them with bottles. Other youths lit a bonfire near the Eiffel Tower. 
 
The buildup to Euro 2016 had been overshadowed by fears of more jihadist attacks. In the days before it kicked off, unions disrupted trains and grounded planes and uncollected rubbish built up in the streets in strikes and protests against labour reforms. 
 
But once the football began, the crowds at the fan zones grew with every match featuring France, while restaurants and cafes showing Les Bleus&#39; matches were reservation-only by the time of the final. 
 
&quot;The French people needed to find their way again,&quot; Hollande said in a commentary on the wave of support for the national team. 
 
&quot;We saw it at the time of the attacks. We came together in the dramas, we had to find ourselves in the happiness, to come together,&quot; he wrote in the Journal du Dimanche. 
 
The November 13 attacks across Paris left 130 dead. The Stade de France where France were playing Germany at the time was one of the sites targeted by suicide bombers along with the Bataclan concert hall and cafes. 
 
&nbsp;France &#39;marked&#39;&nbsp; 
 
Hollande said Didier Deschamps&#39; French team had been &quot;very marked&quot; by the attacks. 
 
&quot;The attacks were the same for them,&quot; he wrote. 
 
&quot;They have decided they want to bring joy to the French people who experienced those events. 
 
&quot;They want to give happiness. Deschamps has given them this desire to make people happy. They know that this isn&#39;t just any ordinary moment in time,&quot; Hollande said. 
 
France, with its young lineup built around striker Antoine Griezmann and charismatic midfielder Paul Pogba, were hot favourites against Cristiano Ronaldo&#39;s Portugal. 
 
Organisers had even prepared a bus for a victory parade with &quot;Thanks&quot; on the back and &quot;European Champions 2016&quot; on the side, according to video taken by a motorist who spotted it on a main road into Paris before Sunday&#39;s final. 
 
Victory would have been &quot;good for France after the attacks to have revenge against the Islamists and all the lows we&#39;ve had recently,&quot; said 18-year-old Shanel Aoudi, a barmaid in Paris. 
 
&quot;We would have put all that aside,&quot; said Elliot Fromentin, 20, tears in his eyes after the bitter defeat. 
 
Before attending the final, Hollande admitted that reality would eventually crowd in even if France had won. 
 
&quot;Sport allows people to come together but politics divides people,&quot; the president said. 
 
&quot;The Euro sweeps away everything else, it brings people together, but life will resume afterwards.&quot; 
 
Hollande has recorded some of the lowest popularity scores for a post-war French president, but the Socialist might still stand for re-election next year. 
 
&quot;I support the French team, I go to all their matches but I don&#39;t want to use sport for politics. That&#39;s not good for sport or for politics,&quot; the president said. 
 
(AFP)

Authorities had braced for mass celebrations if France, a country still on high terrorist alert, won but the party fell flat

The open-top bus for the victory parade was ready and President Francois Hollande said France's success at Euro 2016 was helping the country to heal from the Paris attacks, but the party fell flat. Authorities had braced for mass celebrations if France, a country still on high terrorist alert, won Sunday's final against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal, but the 1-0 defeat crushed the host nation's hopes. Portuguese fans were the only ones celebrating at the Stade de France and the 90,000 crowd at the fan zone under the Eiffel Tower fell silent when Eder scored Portugal's long-range winner. "With everything that has happened, the attacks, the demonstrations, the economic crisis, we deserved something to make us feel better," said Lazaro de Santana, 31, as he joined thousands who filed away dejected. The night was also scarred by disgruntled supporters' clashing with riot police after they were denied entry to the filled-to-capacity fan zone. Police fired teargas after fans pelted them with bottles. Other youths lit a bonfire near the Eiffel Tower. The buildup to Euro 2016 had been overshadowed by fears of more jihadist attacks. In the days before it kicked off, unions disrupted trains and grounded planes and uncollected rubbish built up in the streets in strikes and protests against labour reforms. But once the football began, the crowds at the fan zones grew with every match featuring France, while restaurants and cafes showing Les Bleus' matches were reservation-only by the time of the final. "The French people needed to find their way again," Hollande said in a commentary on the wave of support for the national team. "We saw it at the time of the attacks. We came together in the dramas, we had to find ourselves in the happiness, to come together," he wrote in the Journal du Dimanche. The November 13 attacks across Paris left 130 dead. The Stade de France where France were playing Germany at the time was one of the sites targeted by suicide bombers along with the Bataclan concert hall and cafes. France 'marked' Hollande said Didier Deschamps' French team had been "very marked" by the attacks. "The attacks were the same for them," he wrote. "They have decided they want to bring joy to the French people who experienced those events. "They want to give happiness. Deschamps has given them this desire to make people happy. They know that this isn't just any ordinary moment in time," Hollande said. France, with its young lineup built around striker Antoine Griezmann and charismatic midfielder Paul Pogba, were hot favourites against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal. Organisers had even prepared a bus for a victory parade with "Thanks" on the back and "European Champions 2016" on the side, according to video taken by a motorist who spotted it on a main road into Paris before Sunday's final. Victory would have been "good for France after the attacks to have revenge against the Islamists and all the lows we've had recently," said 18-year-old Shanel Aoudi, a barmaid in Paris. "We would have put all that aside," said Elliot Fromentin, 20, tears in his eyes after the bitter defeat. Before attending the final, Hollande admitted that reality would eventually crowd in even if France had won. "Sport allows people to come together but politics divides people," the president said. "The Euro sweeps away everything else, it brings people together, but life will resume afterwards." Hollande has recorded some of the lowest popularity scores for a post-war French president, but the Socialist might still stand for re-election next year. "I support the French team, I go to all their matches but I don't want to use sport for politics. That's not good for sport or for politics," the president said. (AFP)

France goes into mourning

As football fans prepare for the climax of the Euro 2016 tournament in France, battle-hardened Ukrainian troops are playing their own tournament against locals near the front in the war-scarred east. 
 
&quot;After completing your watch at the front with a machinegun in your hands, standing knee-deep in mud in the trenches, you think about only about getting some sleep, not training,&quot; shared 37-year-old Ukrainian soldier Oleksandr Demchenko, as exploding shells reverberated around him. 
 
But in spite of their exhausting missions, many of the fighters arrive to play straight from the battlefield. 
 
Some still had mud on their boots as they prepared to take to the slippery pitch in the government-held town of Kurakhove, a community of 20,000 mostly blue-collar workers about 20 kilometres (12 miles) from the front. 
 
The area around Kurakhove, just west of the pro-Russian rebels&#39; de facto capital Donetsk, has seen some of the conflict&#39;s bloodiest battles. 
 
The competition is intended to relieve tension and bring a sense of normality to the frontline of the 26-month war that has claimed nearly 9,500 lives. 
 
The teams facing the soldiers are made up of local athletes who support the pro-EU revolution that shattered Ukraine`s ties with Russia and set it on a collision course with its eastern neighbour in February 2014. 
 
&quot;Our tactical level of play is much poorer than that of the professional athletes. But our motivation is higher,&quot; Demchenko said with a smile.Members of Ukraine`s 10th assault brigade have had no access to television or radio since being dispatched to the area, a couldron of violence that several ceasefires have failed to quench. 
 
But despite their isolation, the soldiers are keenly aware of developments in France, and their own team&#39;s humiliation. 
 
&#39;And football distracts us from the war&#39; 
 
Ukraine had the dubious honour of being the first to be knocked out after losing all their matches without scoring a goal. 
 
Many of the forces have switched their allegiance to Iceland, the minnows that shocked the world by beating England and getting to the quarterfinals before being drubbed by the hosts Sunday. 
 
&quot;They are close to us in spirit,&quot; Demchenko said. &quot;You can see that the Icelandic footballers are real fighters.&quot;A number of players on one of the teams of local civilians admitted they are actually rooting for the soldiers in the tournament that has been timed to coincide with Euro 2016. 
 
Dressed in a green kit, Kurakhove team member Grygoriy, 27, said that winning is not important. 
 
&quot;Everyone feels the impact of this war, and with us being so close to the front, we feel it especially hard,&quot; Grygoriy said as a steady drizzle mixed with the sweat on his face. 
 
&quot;And football distracts us from the war.&quot; 
 
A soldier dressed in a traditional Ukrainian broidered shirt who identifies himself by the `nom de guerre` Uragan (Hurricane) agreed. 
 
&quot;Victory is not important here,&quot; he said. &quot;The locals just have to have a chance to get their minds off the war and the horrible conditions in which they live in.&quot; 
 
The contest of 17 teams ultimately ended with victory for one of the local sides, which received strong support from Lyubov, a pensioner who lives in an apartment block overlooking the school yard in which games are played. 
 
Standing on the balcony, Lyubov said: &quot;It is much better to kick around a ball than to fight.&quot; 
 
&quot;I wish there were more matches like this.&quot; 
 
Ukranian fighter Demchenko said he would even be prepared to play pro-Russian insurgents from nearby Donetsk, raising the prospect of an encounter reminiscent of when English troops downed their weapons to play football with German soldiers in the trenches during World War I. 
 
&quot;Why not? They are guys just like us,&quot; he said. 
 
&quot;A match like that would be a much better way to resolve this conflict.&quot; 
 
(AFP)

The competition with locals is intended to bring a sense of normality to the frontline of the 26-month war that claimed nearly 9,500 lives

As football fans prepare for the climax of the Euro 2016 tournament in France, battle-hardened Ukrainian troops are playing their own tournament against locals near the front in the war-scarred east. "After completing your watch at the front with a machinegun in your hands, standing knee-deep in mud in the trenches, you think about only about getting some sleep, not training," shared 37-year-old Ukrainian soldier Oleksandr Demchenko, as exploding shells reverberated around him. But in spite of their exhausting missions, many of the fighters arrive to play straight from the battlefield. Some still had mud on their boots as they prepared to take to the slippery pitch in the government-held town of Kurakhove, a community of 20,000 mostly blue-collar workers about 20 kilometres (12 miles) from the front. The area around Kurakhove, just west of the pro-Russian rebels' de facto capital Donetsk, has seen some of the conflict's bloodiest battles. The competition is intended to relieve tension and bring a sense of normality to the frontline of the 26-month war that has claimed nearly 9,500 lives. The teams facing the soldiers are made up of local athletes who support the pro-EU revolution that shattered Ukraine`s ties with Russia and set it on a collision course with its eastern neighbour in February 2014. "Our tactical level of play is much poorer than that of the professional athletes. But our motivation is higher," Demchenko said with a smile.Members of Ukraine`s 10th assault brigade have had no access to television or radio since being dispatched to the area, a couldron of violence that several ceasefires have failed to quench. But despite their isolation, the soldiers are keenly aware of developments in France, and their own team's humiliation. 'And football distracts us from the war' Ukraine had the dubious honour of being the first to be knocked out after losing all their matches without scoring a goal. Many of the forces have switched their allegiance to Iceland, the minnows that shocked the world by beating England and getting to the quarterfinals before being drubbed by the hosts Sunday. "They are close to us in spirit," Demchenko said. "You can see that the Icelandic footballers are real fighters."A number of players on one of the teams of local civilians admitted they are actually rooting for the soldiers in the tournament that has been timed to coincide with Euro 2016. Dressed in a green kit, Kurakhove team member Grygoriy, 27, said that winning is not important. "Everyone feels the impact of this war, and with us being so close to the front, we feel it especially hard," Grygoriy said as a steady drizzle mixed with the sweat on his face. "And football distracts us from the war." A soldier dressed in a traditional Ukrainian broidered shirt who identifies himself by the `nom de guerre` Uragan (Hurricane) agreed. "Victory is not important here," he said. "The locals just have to have a chance to get their minds off the war and the horrible conditions in which they live in." The contest of 17 teams ultimately ended with victory for one of the local sides, which received strong support from Lyubov, a pensioner who lives in an apartment block overlooking the school yard in which games are played. Standing on the balcony, Lyubov said: "It is much better to kick around a ball than to fight." "I wish there were more matches like this." Ukranian fighter Demchenko said he would even be prepared to play pro-Russian insurgents from nearby Donetsk, raising the prospect of an encounter reminiscent of when English troops downed their weapons to play football with German soldiers in the trenches during World War I. "Why not? They are guys just like us," he said. "A match like that would be a much better way to resolve this conflict." (AFP)

Soaking in Euro fever, Ukraine soldiers stage own frontline tournament

Hal Robson-Kanu put Wales into a major tournament semi-final for the first time in their history with a superb goal on Friday but he has a challenge beyond facing Portugal -- finding a new club. 
 
On the day his contract expired at English second-tier club Reading, the 27-year-old striker got a boost for a CV that a month ago looked like taking him nowhere fast as he battled an ankle injury to even make the Euro 2016 squad. 
 
&quot;I&#39;ve been at Reading for 12 years, have given them a lot of service and have been very loyal,&quot; Robson-Kanu, who got Wales&#39; second goal in a shock 3-1 win over Belgium, told reporters of his decision to quit the team that signed him as a schoolboy. 
 
&quot;During the course of the season, I&#39;ve made the decision to run my contract down and take my future into my own hands,&quot; he said, adding that a move would be good for his family&#39;s future. 
 
That future can surely take him to grander surroundings than Reading&#39;s Madejski Stadium. 
 
Robson-Kanu saved the day as he braved early Belgian onslaught&nbsp; 
 
Robson- Kanu was man of the match on Friday for a performance that included a Cruyff-like shimmy with his back to goal that opened up the space for him to give Wales a 2-1 lead in the second half after they had gone behind in an early Belgian onslaught. 
 
&quot;The ball&#39;s coming to my feet,&quot; the matter-of-fact Londoner said of the cross he received from Aaron Ramsey. &quot;I was able to turn in the box and put it in the back of the net,&quot; he added.&nbsp; 
 
Wales coach Chris Coleman had nothing but praise for a player who a month ago looked as if he wasn&#39;t going to make it to France after a late ankle injury put him in doubt. 
 
After a battle to get fit, Robson-Kanu repaid Coleman&#39;s confidence, scoring the late winner in a 2-1 group victory over Slovakia that set the dark horses on their way. 
 
&quot;I was delighted he got the goal because he nearly didn&#39;t make the tournament,&quot; Coleman said and added, &quot;He worked his socks off to get into shape ... Hal was up for everything.&quot;&nbsp; 
 
&quot;He was looking for a battle. He&#39;s a defender&#39;s nightmare,&quot; the Wales Coach asserted.&nbsp; 
 
His next stop is a date with Portugal stopper Pepe in Lyon on Wednesday when Robson-Kanu thinks the Welsh can continue their dream run and reach the final in Paris. 
 
(Reuters)&nbsp; 
 
 
 
&nbsp;

Hal Robson-Kanu's contract with English second-tier club Reading has expired, he is now sans club

Hal Robson-Kanu put Wales into a major tournament semi-final for the first time in their history with a superb goal on Friday but he has a challenge beyond facing Portugal -- finding a new club. On the day his contract expired at English second-tier club Reading, the 27-year-old striker got a boost for a CV that a month ago looked like taking him nowhere fast as he battled an ankle injury to even make the Euro 2016 squad. "I've been at Reading for 12 years, have given them a lot of service and have been very loyal," Robson-Kanu, who got Wales' second goal in a shock 3-1 win over Belgium, told reporters of his decision to quit the team that signed him as a schoolboy. "During the course of the season, I've made the decision to run my contract down and take my future into my own hands," he said, adding that a move would be good for his family's future. That future can surely take him to grander surroundings than Reading's Madejski Stadium. Robson-Kanu saved the day as he braved early Belgian onslaught Robson- Kanu was man of the match on Friday for a performance that included a Cruyff-like shimmy with his back to goal that opened up the space for him to give Wales a 2-1 lead in the second half after they had gone behind in an early Belgian onslaught. "The ball's coming to my feet," the matter-of-fact Londoner said of the cross he received from Aaron Ramsey. "I was able to turn in the box and put it in the back of the net," he added. Wales coach Chris Coleman had nothing but praise for a player who a month ago looked as if he wasn't going to make it to France after a late ankle injury put him in doubt. After a battle to get fit, Robson-Kanu repaid Coleman's confidence, scoring the late winner in a 2-1 group victory over Slovakia that set the dark horses on their way. "I was delighted he got the goal because he nearly didn't make the tournament," Coleman said and added, "He worked his socks off to get into shape ... Hal was up for everything." "He was looking for a battle. He's a defender's nightmare," the Wales Coach asserted. His next stop is a date with Portugal stopper Pepe in Lyon on Wednesday when Robson-Kanu thinks the Welsh can continue their dream run and reach the final in Paris. (Reuters)

Now that he's got the job done, he needs a job

Wales&#39;s Euro 2016 victory over Belgium, officially the second-best team in football, showed again that you can have all the attacking talent in the world -- but you will be found out if you are weak at the back. 
 
Injuries and a suspension forced Belgium coach Marc Wilmots to start Friday&#39;s quarter-final with Jason Denayer at centre-back and the inexperienced 21-year-old had a horror night that is likely to haunt him for the rest of his career. 
 
Belgium had come into the tournament without Manchester City&#39;s injured Vincent Kompany, possibly the most accomplished centre-back in the English Premier League, but then also lost Thomas Vermaelen to suspension and Jan Vertonghen to injury, for the last eight clash. 
 
Belgium has strong attacking and creative talents but even as they dominated the early stages and led through Radja Nainggolan&#39;s long-range strike, Denayer and stand-in left-back Jordan Lukaku looked ill at ease which gave huge encouragement to the Welsh. 
 
Denayer spent last season on loan from Manchester City to Turkey&#39;s Galatasaray, following another loan year at Scotland&#39;s Celtic, but Friday&#39;s performance showed that he would have been better off staying with his parent club and learning from Kompany. 
 
With the four defenders barely on first-name familiarity, it was perhaps no surprise that they were left scattered and confused by Wales&#39;s &#39;conga&#39; approach to a corner as captain Ashley Williams easily escaped Denayer to head in the equaliser. 
 
The Welsh captain should have got a second soon afterwards when they performed the same trick, with the same confused response from their supposed markers. 
 
The low point for Belgium defence, and the moment that ultimately ended their interest in the tournament, came in the 55th minute when Hal Robson-Kanu, a player without a club having just been released by English second-tier side Reading, collected the ball with his back to goal just inside the box. 
 
One clever turn shrugged off the attention of Thomas Meunier and Marouane Fellaini, while Denayer seemed to have spotted the ghost of another player entirely as he inexplicably flew past and far beyond the action, giving Robson-Kanu all the time and space he needed to smash the ball home. 
 
Belgium were still in the game and cranking up the pressure when Denayer&#39;s final blunder, another shocking wander into a defensive no-man&#39;s land allowed Chris Gunter&#39;s cross to sail over his head and straight onto that of substitute Sam Vokes, who powered home for Wales to wrap up a 3-1 win. 
 
&quot;We came up against a very good team and it was very difficult to compensate for the loss of Vermaelen and Vertonghen, really experienced, talented players, it was very hard to do without them,&quot; said Wilmots. 
 
&quot;You sometimes have to take risks and play the youngsters. You learn from tough times so it is not all lost.&quot; 
 
Not all, but this match, and Belgium&#39;s best chance of lifting a major trophy for the first time is lost, certainly with Wales now looking forward to facing Portugal in the semi-finals. 
 
(Reuters)&nbsp;

Belgium's four defenders were left shocked and awed, which was little surprise considering they were just about on a first-name basis

Wales's Euro 2016 victory over Belgium, officially the second-best team in football, showed again that you can have all the attacking talent in the world -- but you will be found out if you are weak at the back. Injuries and a suspension forced Belgium coach Marc Wilmots to start Friday's quarter-final with Jason Denayer at centre-back and the inexperienced 21-year-old had a horror night that is likely to haunt him for the rest of his career. Belgium had come into the tournament without Manchester City's injured Vincent Kompany, possibly the most accomplished centre-back in the English Premier League, but then also lost Thomas Vermaelen to suspension and Jan Vertonghen to injury, for the last eight clash. Belgium has strong attacking and creative talents but even as they dominated the early stages and led through Radja Nainggolan's long-range strike, Denayer and stand-in left-back Jordan Lukaku looked ill at ease which gave huge encouragement to the Welsh. Denayer spent last season on loan from Manchester City to Turkey's Galatasaray, following another loan year at Scotland's Celtic, but Friday's performance showed that he would have been better off staying with his parent club and learning from Kompany. With the four defenders barely on first-name familiarity, it was perhaps no surprise that they were left scattered and confused by Wales's 'conga' approach to a corner as captain Ashley Williams easily escaped Denayer to head in the equaliser. The Welsh captain should have got a second soon afterwards when they performed the same trick, with the same confused response from their supposed markers. The low point for Belgium defence, and the moment that ultimately ended their interest in the tournament, came in the 55th minute when Hal Robson-Kanu, a player without a club having just been released by English second-tier side Reading, collected the ball with his back to goal just inside the box. One clever turn shrugged off the attention of Thomas Meunier and Marouane Fellaini, while Denayer seemed to have spotted the ghost of another player entirely as he inexplicably flew past and far beyond the action, giving Robson-Kanu all the time and space he needed to smash the ball home. Belgium were still in the game and cranking up the pressure when Denayer's final blunder, another shocking wander into a defensive no-man's land allowed Chris Gunter's cross to sail over his head and straight onto that of substitute Sam Vokes, who powered home for Wales to wrap up a 3-1 win. "We came up against a very good team and it was very difficult to compensate for the loss of Vermaelen and Vertonghen, really experienced, talented players, it was very hard to do without them," said Wilmots. "You sometimes have to take risks and play the youngsters. You learn from tough times so it is not all lost." Not all, but this match, and Belgium's best chance of lifting a major trophy for the first time is lost, certainly with Wales now looking forward to facing Portugal in the semi-finals. (Reuters)

Doesn't matter if you're the second-best team in the world, you've still got to defend

Wales produced a stunning upset to reach the Euro 2016 semi-finals after Hal Robson-Kanu&#39;s superbly fashioned goal and Sam Vokes&#39;s late header secured a 3-1 comeback win over Belgium on Friday to set up a clash with Portugal. 
 
Robson-Kanu left three Belgium players for dead with a &#39;Cruyff&#39; turn and calmly stroked the ball home to put Wales ahead in the second half, while substitute Vokes&#39;s header ensured they reached their first major tournament semi-final. 
 
It was a crushing blow for heavy favourites Belgium, who had taken the lead in the 13th minute when Radja Nainggolan rifled a shot into the top corner from distance only for Wales captain Ashley Williams to level with a header from a corner. 
 
&quot;I said before we kicked the ball today, we&#39;re not here to enjoy it, we are here to compete,&quot; Wales manager Chris Coleman said. 
 
&quot;Don&#39;t be afraid to have dreams. Four years ago I was as far away from this as you could imagine. I&#39;ve had more failures than successes but I&#39;m not afraid to fail. We deserve this,&quot; he added saying.&nbsp; 
 
World&#39;s two most expensive players pitted against each-other in semi-finals&nbsp; 
 
Wales, playing in their first quarter-final, and major tournament, since losing to Brazil at the 1958 World Cup, next have a match that pits the world&#39;s two most expensive players -- Portugal&#39;s Cristiano Ronaldo and his Real Madrid team mate Gareth Bale -- against each other in a mouth-watering clash. 
 
Coleman&#39;s side, however, will have to cope without their inspirational midfielder Aaron Ramsey and defender Ben Davies who both picked up bookings that ruled them out of the semi-final in Lyon on Wednesday. 
 
Belgium coach Marc Wilmots was left to rue an injury and suspension in defence that robbed him of the experienced Jan Vertonghen and Thomas Vermaelen as their younger replacements, Jordan Lukaku and Jason Denayer, were frequently exposed. 
 
The manner of the defeat, however, is likely to increase the scrutiny on Wilmots, who has faced criticism for failing to make the most of what many believe to be a golden generation of Belgium players. 
 
&quot;This Belgian team is a team that demands respect, but we let things go a bit today and we paid for that in cash,&quot; he said, before adding he would take time to consider his future. 
 
A frenetic opening followed a nail-biting match&nbsp; 
 
There was a frenetic opening to Friday&#39;s match, which many had predicted would be a cagey encounter, as Belgium took the early initiative and would have grabbed the lead after seven minutes but for some superb last-ditch Wales defending. 
 
Wayne Hennessey saved superbly from Yannick Carrasco before efforts from Thomas Meunier and Eden Hazard were blocked by lunging defenders as Wales, looking to talisman Bale for an outlet, sought to stem the early Belgian tide. 
 
The Welsh were undone, however, when Nainggolan&#39;s powerful shot from 25 metres thundered past Hennessey&#39;s outstretched fingers into the top corner to give Belgium the lead. 
 
Strangely, the goal swung the momentum back in Wales&#39;s favour, with Coleman&#39;s side fluffing a chance to level when Neil Taylor sidefooted at keeper Thibaut Courtois from six metres. 
 
The equaliser arrived five minutes later in the 31st minute, though, and was clearly crafted on the training ground. Having won a corner, Wales&#39;s players lined up behind each other, before breaking from the pack as Aaron Ramsey whipped the ball in. 
 
Wales captain Williams, who had recovered from a shoulder injury to make the starting lineup, found himself unmarked to head down and past Courtois for the first goal the Belgium keeper had conceded since their opening defeat by Italy. 
 
While Belgium began the second half stronger, with Romelu Lukaku glancing a header wide and Hazard flashing a shot just past the post, it was not long before Wales struck again with Robson-Kanu producing a sublime piece of individual skill. 
 
Ramsey&#39;s cross found the striker in the area with his back to goal but he sold three Belgium players a dummy with a trademark &#39;Cruyff&#39; turn and then sidefooted the ball powerfully past the helpless Courtois in the 55th minute. 
 
Belgium pushed hard for an equaliser but Wales were resilient and then broke with four minutes remaining as Chris Gunter crossed for Vokes to leap and angle his header across goal into the net, sparking wild Welsh celebrations. 
 
(Reuters)&nbsp;

The Belgians scored first in the thirteenth minute

Wales produced a stunning upset to reach the Euro 2016 semi-finals after Hal Robson-Kanu's superbly fashioned goal and Sam Vokes's late header secured a 3-1 comeback win over Belgium on Friday to set up a clash with Portugal. Robson-Kanu left three Belgium players for dead with a 'Cruyff' turn and calmly stroked the ball home to put Wales ahead in the second half, while substitute Vokes's header ensured they reached their first major tournament semi-final. It was a crushing blow for heavy favourites Belgium, who had taken the lead in the 13th minute when Radja Nainggolan rifled a shot into the top corner from distance only for Wales captain Ashley Williams to level with a header from a corner. "I said before we kicked the ball today, we're not here to enjoy it, we are here to compete," Wales manager Chris Coleman said. "Don't be afraid to have dreams. Four years ago I was as far away from this as you could imagine. I've had more failures than successes but I'm not afraid to fail. We deserve this," he added saying. World's two most expensive players pitted against each-other in semi-finals Wales, playing in their first quarter-final, and major tournament, since losing to Brazil at the 1958 World Cup, next have a match that pits the world's two most expensive players -- Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo and his Real Madrid team mate Gareth Bale -- against each other in a mouth-watering clash. Coleman's side, however, will have to cope without their inspirational midfielder Aaron Ramsey and defender Ben Davies who both picked up bookings that ruled them out of the semi-final in Lyon on Wednesday. Belgium coach Marc Wilmots was left to rue an injury and suspension in defence that robbed him of the experienced Jan Vertonghen and Thomas Vermaelen as their younger replacements, Jordan Lukaku and Jason Denayer, were frequently exposed. The manner of the defeat, however, is likely to increase the scrutiny on Wilmots, who has faced criticism for failing to make the most of what many believe to be a golden generation of Belgium players. "This Belgian team is a team that demands respect, but we let things go a bit today and we paid for that in cash," he said, before adding he would take time to consider his future. A frenetic opening followed a nail-biting match There was a frenetic opening to Friday's match, which many had predicted would be a cagey encounter, as Belgium took the early initiative and would have grabbed the lead after seven minutes but for some superb last-ditch Wales defending. Wayne Hennessey saved superbly from Yannick Carrasco before efforts from Thomas Meunier and Eden Hazard were blocked by lunging defenders as Wales, looking to talisman Bale for an outlet, sought to stem the early Belgian tide. The Welsh were undone, however, when Nainggolan's powerful shot from 25 metres thundered past Hennessey's outstretched fingers into the top corner to give Belgium the lead. Strangely, the goal swung the momentum back in Wales's favour, with Coleman's side fluffing a chance to level when Neil Taylor sidefooted at keeper Thibaut Courtois from six metres. The equaliser arrived five minutes later in the 31st minute, though, and was clearly crafted on the training ground. Having won a corner, Wales's players lined up behind each other, before breaking from the pack as Aaron Ramsey whipped the ball in. Wales captain Williams, who had recovered from a shoulder injury to make the starting lineup, found himself unmarked to head down and past Courtois for the first goal the Belgium keeper had conceded since their opening defeat by Italy. While Belgium began the second half stronger, with Romelu Lukaku glancing a header wide and Hazard flashing a shot just past the post, it was not long before Wales struck again with Robson-Kanu producing a sublime piece of individual skill. Ramsey's cross found the striker in the area with his back to goal but he sold three Belgium players a dummy with a trademark 'Cruyff' turn and then sidefooted the ball powerfully past the helpless Courtois in the 55th minute. Belgium pushed hard for an equaliser but Wales were resilient and then broke with four minutes remaining as Chris Gunter crossed for Vokes to leap and angle his header across goal into the net, sparking wild Welsh celebrations. (Reuters)

Wales beat favourites Belgium 3-1, will meet Portugal in the semis

Portugal substitute Ricardo Quaresma, keeper Rui Patricio and 18-year-old midfield sensation Renato Sanches emerged as the heroes as Portugal beat Poland 5-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw to reach the Euro 2016 semi-finals on Thursday. 
 
Patricio dived full length to block Jakub Blaszczykowski&#39;s penalty, Poland&#39;s fourth, allowing substitute Quaresma, whose goal late in extra-time beat Croatia in the round of 16, to bang in Portugal&#39;s fifth in the shootout. 
 
Two hours earlier, Robert Lewandowski put Poland ahead with a second minute strike only for teenager Sanches to equalise with a superb shot 33 minutes into his first international start. 
 
Precious little happened from then on but Portugal, beaten on penalties by Spain in the semi-finals four years ago, will not care as they advance to the last four at the Euros for the fourth time in five tournaments to face Belgium or Wales. 
 
&quot;The goal was an amazing moment. I&#39;m happy to be man of the match again, but the individual comes after the team,&quot; said Sanches, who also scored the second shootout penalty. 
 
Cristiano Ronaldo, who four years ago did not get to take his planned spot kick when he was fifth in line as Portugal lost to eventual winners Spain, went first this time. 
 
Joao Moutinho and Nani also scored confidently from the spot before Patricio swung things Portugal&#39;s way with his fine save and Quaresma applied the coup de grace.&nbsp; 
 
But this defeat hurts: Poland coach 
 
Poland had converted all five of their penalties in knocking out Switzerland in the last round, also after a 1-1 draw, but could not repeat the feat. 
 
&quot;The players put a lot of heart into this match and played bravely throughout this tournament and this defeat hurts,&quot; said Poland coach Adam Nawalka. 
 
&quot;We haven&#39;t lost a match at the tournament - we were knocked out on penalties. We&#39;ve moved forward - this tournament has proved that. We played some very good football but this defeat hurts,&rdquo; the coach added.&nbsp; 
 
An all-action first half followed by 75 minutes of inaction 
 
It was a somewhat strange encounter, with an all-action first half followed by 75 minutes of inaction. 
 
Poland went ahead when Portugal defender Cedric&rsquo;s misjudgement allowed a long ball to bounce over his head to Kamil Grosicki. He drove on down the left and squared for Lewandowski to guide the ball in.&nbsp; 
 
It was the striker&#39;s first goal of the tournament and, at one minute 40 seconds, the second-fastest in European Championship history after Dmitri Kirichenko&#39;s for Russia against Greece after 65 seconds in 2004 
 
Poland looked the more confident team for the next 20 minutes but failed to press home their advantage as Portugal settled and began to make inroads. 
 
The Portuguese levelled when Sanches, due to join Lewandowski at Bayern Munich after the Euros, played a neat 1-2 with Nani and found time to shift the ball onto his left foot at the edge of the box and smash it past Lukasz Fabianski. 
 
Both sides came out for the second half seemingly under instruction to slow things down and the life bled from the game. 
 
 
When near-64,000 crowd was drugged into a drowsy-near silence&nbsp; 
 
The only clear chance of the half came in the 85th when substitute Moutinho lobbed a clever pass for Ronaldo who, having taken the time to glance at the keeper&rsquo;s positioning, failed to make any contact on the dropping ball with the goal gaping. 
 
Little changed in the additional 30 minutes, with the near-64,000 crowd drugged into a drowsy-near silence, seemingly knowing what was afoot almost from the restart. 
 
Portugal have failed to win any of their five games here in 90 minutes, having drawn three group matches and beaten Croatia in extra time but midfielder Sanches, on the greatest day of his fledgling career, was in no mood to apologise. 
 
&quot;It takes a lot of hard work to be this lucky,&quot; he said. &quot;People criticise us but we don&#39;t care because in the end we are in the semis.&quot; 
 
(Reuters)&nbsp;

The game was described as a 'strange encounter', with an all-action first half followed by 75 minutes of inaction

Portugal substitute Ricardo Quaresma, keeper Rui Patricio and 18-year-old midfield sensation Renato Sanches emerged as the heroes as Portugal beat Poland 5-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw to reach the Euro 2016 semi-finals on Thursday. Patricio dived full length to block Jakub Blaszczykowski's penalty, Poland's fourth, allowing substitute Quaresma, whose goal late in extra-time beat Croatia in the round of 16, to bang in Portugal's fifth in the shootout. Two hours earlier, Robert Lewandowski put Poland ahead with a second minute strike only for teenager Sanches to equalise with a superb shot 33 minutes into his first international start. Precious little happened from then on but Portugal, beaten on penalties by Spain in the semi-finals four years ago, will not care as they advance to the last four at the Euros for the fourth time in five tournaments to face Belgium or Wales. "The goal was an amazing moment. I'm happy to be man of the match again, but the individual comes after the team," said Sanches, who also scored the second shootout penalty. Cristiano Ronaldo, who four years ago did not get to take his planned spot kick when he was fifth in line as Portugal lost to eventual winners Spain, went first this time. Joao Moutinho and Nani also scored confidently from the spot before Patricio swung things Portugal's way with his fine save and Quaresma applied the coup de grace. But this defeat hurts: Poland coach Poland had converted all five of their penalties in knocking out Switzerland in the last round, also after a 1-1 draw, but could not repeat the feat. "The players put a lot of heart into this match and played bravely throughout this tournament and this defeat hurts," said Poland coach Adam Nawalka. "We haven't lost a match at the tournament - we were knocked out on penalties. We've moved forward - this tournament has proved that. We played some very good football but this defeat hurts,” the coach added. An all-action first half followed by 75 minutes of inaction It was a somewhat strange encounter, with an all-action first half followed by 75 minutes of inaction. Poland went ahead when Portugal defender Cedric’s misjudgement allowed a long ball to bounce over his head to Kamil Grosicki. He drove on down the left and squared for Lewandowski to guide the ball in. It was the striker's first goal of the tournament and, at one minute 40 seconds, the second-fastest in European Championship history after Dmitri Kirichenko's for Russia against Greece after 65 seconds in 2004 Poland looked the more confident team for the next 20 minutes but failed to press home their advantage as Portugal settled and began to make inroads. The Portuguese levelled when Sanches, due to join Lewandowski at Bayern Munich after the Euros, played a neat 1-2 with Nani and found time to shift the ball onto his left foot at the edge of the box and smash it past Lukasz Fabianski. Both sides came out for the second half seemingly under instruction to slow things down and the life bled from the game. When near-64,000 crowd was drugged into a drowsy-near silence The only clear chance of the half came in the 85th when substitute Moutinho lobbed a clever pass for Ronaldo who, having taken the time to glance at the keeper’s positioning, failed to make any contact on the dropping ball with the goal gaping. Little changed in the additional 30 minutes, with the near-64,000 crowd drugged into a drowsy-near silence, seemingly knowing what was afoot almost from the restart. Portugal have failed to win any of their five games here in 90 minutes, having drawn three group matches and beaten Croatia in extra time but midfielder Sanches, on the greatest day of his fledgling career, was in no mood to apologise. "It takes a lot of hard work to be this lucky," he said. "People criticise us but we don't care because in the end we are in the semis." (Reuters)

Portugal beat Poland 5-3 on penalties, are first team to get into Euro semi-finals

England soccer coach Roy Hodgson&#39;s four-year reign came to an abrupt end after their shock 2-1 defeat by tiny Iceland at the Euro 2016 round of 16 stage on Monday. 
 
Hodgson, 68, wasted little time in announcing he was stepping down at the end of his contract when he read a prepared statement at the post-match news conference. 
 
&quot;We are out of the Euros so now is the time for someone else to oversee the progress of a hungry and extremely talented group of players,&quot; said the man who replaced Italian Fabio Capello. 
 
&quot;My contract was always going to be up after this tournament. I would have loved to have stayed on another two years, but now it is time for someone else to take over this group of players,&quot; he added. 
 
Hodgson had good record in qualifiers&nbsp; 
The coaching staff of Gary Neville and Ray Lewington, who sat with Hodgson at the news conference, are also leaving. 
 
The much-travelled Hodgson was handed the post after a club career mostly served in England and Scandinavia and with a spell as Switzerland coach on his CV. Harry Redknapp had been the media favourite for the job but was overlooked by the FA. 
 
Hodgson had a good record in qualifiers, with England enjoying a perfect 10 wins in their section to reach Euro 2016, but he won only three of 11 games at major tournaments. 
 
England reached the quarter-finals of Euro 2012, losing to Italy on penalties, before a dismal 2014 World Cup where they exited at the group stages without winning a game. 
 
Hodgson paid tribute to his squad on Monday although their poor performance in the defeat by Iceland did not reflect well on players who mostly feature in the Premier League. 
 
&quot;They have done fantastically, and done everything asked of them. When I arrived I was told that players would not turn up or pull out at the last minute but I haven&#39;t seen any of that,&quot; said Hodgson. 
 
&quot;It&#39;s been a fantastic journey, the last four years. I will look back on it with pride. 
 
&quot;I&#39;m sorry it&#39;s ended in another exit but these things happen and I wish you the very best and I hope you can still see an England team in a final of a major tournament very soon, something that we have been unable to deliver.&quot; 
 
FA backs Hodgson&#39;s decision&nbsp; 
The FA issued a statement saying: &quot;Like the nation, we are disappointed to lose this evening and that our run in Euro 2016 has come to a premature end. 
 
&quot;We had high hopes of progressing through to the latter stages of the competition and accept that we have not met our own expectations or those of the country. 
 
&quot;We back Roy Hodgson&rsquo;s decision to step down as England manager and will discuss next steps imminently. 
 
&quot;For now, we congratulate Iceland for reaching the quarter final and wish them well against France at the weekend.&quot; 
 
England under-21 coach Gareth Southgate is the favourite to take over from Hodgson followed by Crystal Palace&#39;s Alan Pardew. 
 
(Reuters)&nbsp;

The coaching staff of Gary Neville and Ray Lewington are also leaving

England soccer coach Roy Hodgson's four-year reign came to an abrupt end after their shock 2-1 defeat by tiny Iceland at the Euro 2016 round of 16 stage on Monday. Hodgson, 68, wasted little time in announcing he was stepping down at the end of his contract when he read a prepared statement at the post-match news conference. "We are out of the Euros so now is the time for someone else to oversee the progress of a hungry and extremely talented group of players," said the man who replaced Italian Fabio Capello. "My contract was always going to be up after this tournament. I would have loved to have stayed on another two years, but now it is time for someone else to take over this group of players," he added. Hodgson had good record in qualifiers The coaching staff of Gary Neville and Ray Lewington, who sat with Hodgson at the news conference, are also leaving. The much-travelled Hodgson was handed the post after a club career mostly served in England and Scandinavia and with a spell as Switzerland coach on his CV. Harry Redknapp had been the media favourite for the job but was overlooked by the FA. Hodgson had a good record in qualifiers, with England enjoying a perfect 10 wins in their section to reach Euro 2016, but he won only three of 11 games at major tournaments. England reached the quarter-finals of Euro 2012, losing to Italy on penalties, before a dismal 2014 World Cup where they exited at the group stages without winning a game. Hodgson paid tribute to his squad on Monday although their poor performance in the defeat by Iceland did not reflect well on players who mostly feature in the Premier League. "They have done fantastically, and done everything asked of them. When I arrived I was told that players would not turn up or pull out at the last minute but I haven't seen any of that," said Hodgson. "It's been a fantastic journey, the last four years. I will look back on it with pride. "I'm sorry it's ended in another exit but these things happen and I wish you the very best and I hope you can still see an England team in a final of a major tournament very soon, something that we have been unable to deliver." FA backs Hodgson's decision The FA issued a statement saying: "Like the nation, we are disappointed to lose this evening and that our run in Euro 2016 has come to a premature end. "We had high hopes of progressing through to the latter stages of the competition and accept that we have not met our own expectations or those of the country. "We back Roy Hodgson’s decision to step down as England manager and will discuss next steps imminently. "For now, we congratulate Iceland for reaching the quarter final and wish them well against France at the weekend." England under-21 coach Gareth Southgate is the favourite to take over from Hodgson followed by Crystal Palace's Alan Pardew. (Reuters)

Hodgson quits

Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko said on Wednesday that he could not rule out Russian soccer fans being involved in more violence at the Euro 2016 tournament in France because they were constantly being provoked, the TASS news agency reported. 
 
Russia, whose fans fought pitched battles in Marseille at the weekend with their English counterparts, is due to play Slovakia later on Wednesday in Lille where English and Welsh fans have gathered ahead of their two teams&#39; game on Thursday. 
 
&quot;I do not have any certainty that disorder involving Russian fans will not be repeated,&quot; TASS quoted Mutko as saying. &quot;Our fans are constantly being provoked. And whatever happens it is immediately said that the Russians are guilty.&quot; 
 
Russian state TV on Wednesday broadcast what it said was footage of an English football fan stamping on a Russian flag in Lille, part of what Russian officials say has been a pattern of offensive provocations towards Russian supporters. 
 
UEFA has said Russia will be thrown out of the tournament if there is a repeat of the violence by Russia fans which marred the end of last Saturday&#39;s match against England. 
 
&quot;There are now 15-20,000 Russians in different towns (in France),&quot; Mutko was cited as saying. &quot;Most of them want to watch good football.&quot; 
(Reuters)

The team will be disqualified from the prestigious tournament if Russian soccer fans are provoked to mob violence by another soccer game

Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko said on Wednesday that he could not rule out Russian soccer fans being involved in more violence at the Euro 2016 tournament in France because they were constantly being provoked, the TASS news agency reported. Russia, whose fans fought pitched battles in Marseille at the weekend with their English counterparts, is due to play Slovakia later on Wednesday in Lille where English and Welsh fans have gathered ahead of their two teams' game on Thursday. "I do not have any certainty that disorder involving Russian fans will not be repeated," TASS quoted Mutko as saying. "Our fans are constantly being provoked. And whatever happens it is immediately said that the Russians are guilty." Russian state TV on Wednesday broadcast what it said was footage of an English football fan stamping on a Russian flag in Lille, part of what Russian officials say has been a pattern of offensive provocations towards Russian supporters. UEFA has said Russia will be thrown out of the tournament if there is a repeat of the violence by Russia fans which marred the end of last Saturday's match against England. "There are now 15-20,000 Russians in different towns (in France)," Mutko was cited as saying. "Most of them want to watch good football." (Reuters)

Russian sports minister doesn't rule our more fan violence at Euro Cup, saying 'disorder' was 'provoked'

Cristiano Ronaldo slammed minnows Iceland for proverbially `parking the bus` in front of their goal as the north Atlantic Islanders held Group F favourites Portugal to a 1-1 draw.&nbsp; 
Real Madrid ace Ronaldo had ten of Portugal`s 24 shots on goal in Saint Etienne on Tuesday, but failed to become the first man to score in four separate European Championships. 
The 31-year-old equalled Luis Figo`s record number of caps with both the Portugal legends now on 127 appearances. 
A superb finish by Nani gave Portugal the lead before Iceland`s industrious midfielder Birkir Bjarnason volleyed the equaliser. 
But Ronaldo stormed off after the final whistle, clearly frustrated by his own failure in front of goal, while Iceland scored by converting one of only four chances. 
Iceland`s dogged defence was capped by an outstanding display from Iceland goalkeeper Hannes Halldorsson.&quot;It was difficult over the 90 minutes, because they scored one goal and that was after they had put every player behind the ball,&quot; fumed Ronaldo. 
&quot;They put the bus in the net. (Parked the bus in front of goal). 
&quot;We tried our best, we created many chances and kept the ball. 
&quot;Iceland didn`t try nothing, they just defend, defend, defend, they had two chances and scored a goal, it was a lucky night for them. 
&quot;We`re frustrated, they didn`t try and play. 
&quot;It`s why I think they will do nothing here. In my opinion, it`s a small mentality. 
&quot;It`s difficult when Portugal tries to win the game and the other team doesn`t.&quot; 
Portugal are now under pressure in their second game against Austria, who earlier lost their opening match 2-0 to Hungary in the other pool match in Bordeaux. 
But Ronaldo is confident of victory in Paris on Saturday. 
&quot;It`s a little bit of frustration for us, but this is just the beginning, we`re not worried about that,&quot; said the former Manchester United star. 
&quot;If you look at Spain and France, they are strong teams in the tournament and they had difficulties winning their first game. 
&quot;It was tough, but we are 100 percent confident we`re going to win the next game.&quot; 
Ronaldo was not the only Portugal forward to feel the effects of a lack of finishing. 
&quot;We had enough chances, but we couldn`t score another one,&quot; added Nani, who also used to grace Old Trafford. 
&quot;It`s only the first game and we have to win our next two games. 
&quot;We were on top, we were the better team and we played the better football, but Iceland are a good team and played a lot of long balls, which caused us problems. That`s football. 
&quot;We`ve shown we are a good team, but this was the first game, there was a lot of anxiety. I think we will relax more from now, but we have to score more.&quot; 
Portugal boss Fernando Santos lamented Nani`s first-half header which smashed off the boot of Iceland goalkeeper Halldorsson. 
&quot;Nani`s header was blocked by their goalkeeper, who still doesn`t know how he did it, that`s football,&quot; said the Portugal manager 
&quot;We could have done better in defending the cross which led for their goal, but this was the first game, there were a few nerves and we need to play better for the next two games.&quot; 
 
(AFP)

After which he refuses to shake hands with any of the Icleandic players

Cristiano Ronaldo slammed minnows Iceland for proverbially `parking the bus` in front of their goal as the north Atlantic Islanders held Group F favourites Portugal to a 1-1 draw. Real Madrid ace Ronaldo had ten of Portugal`s 24 shots on goal in Saint Etienne on Tuesday, but failed to become the first man to score in four separate European Championships. The 31-year-old equalled Luis Figo`s record number of caps with both the Portugal legends now on 127 appearances. A superb finish by Nani gave Portugal the lead before Iceland`s industrious midfielder Birkir Bjarnason volleyed the equaliser. But Ronaldo stormed off after the final whistle, clearly frustrated by his own failure in front of goal, while Iceland scored by converting one of only four chances. Iceland`s dogged defence was capped by an outstanding display from Iceland goalkeeper Hannes Halldorsson."It was difficult over the 90 minutes, because they scored one goal and that was after they had put every player behind the ball," fumed Ronaldo. "They put the bus in the net. (Parked the bus in front of goal). "We tried our best, we created many chances and kept the ball. "Iceland didn`t try nothing, they just defend, defend, defend, they had two chances and scored a goal, it was a lucky night for them. "We`re frustrated, they didn`t try and play. "It`s why I think they will do nothing here. In my opinion, it`s a small mentality. "It`s difficult when Portugal tries to win the game and the other team doesn`t." Portugal are now under pressure in their second game against Austria, who earlier lost their opening match 2-0 to Hungary in the other pool match in Bordeaux. But Ronaldo is confident of victory in Paris on Saturday. "It`s a little bit of frustration for us, but this is just the beginning, we`re not worried about that," said the former Manchester United star. "If you look at Spain and France, they are strong teams in the tournament and they had difficulties winning their first game. "It was tough, but we are 100 percent confident we`re going to win the next game." Ronaldo was not the only Portugal forward to feel the effects of a lack of finishing. "We had enough chances, but we couldn`t score another one," added Nani, who also used to grace Old Trafford. "It`s only the first game and we have to win our next two games. "We were on top, we were the better team and we played the better football, but Iceland are a good team and played a lot of long balls, which caused us problems. That`s football. "We`ve shown we are a good team, but this was the first game, there was a lot of anxiety. I think we will relax more from now, but we have to score more." Portugal boss Fernando Santos lamented Nani`s first-half header which smashed off the boot of Iceland goalkeeper Halldorsson. "Nani`s header was blocked by their goalkeeper, who still doesn`t know how he did it, that`s football," said the Portugal manager "We could have done better in defending the cross which led for their goal, but this was the first game, there were a few nerves and we need to play better for the next two games." (AFP)

Ronaldo whines about Iceland 'parking the bus' in front of goal, then accuses them of having a 'small mentality'

France launched an app to alert users to attacks, on Wednesday, two days before the Euro 2016 soccer championship. The app was developed after last year&#39;s terror attacks in Paris.&nbsp; 
 
The Interior Ministry app, called SAIP, flashes a warning on a user&#39;s mobilephone screen if there is an attack close to their location or suspicion of an imminent strike. Users can also request alerts for up to eight geographic areas&nbsp;including individual districts in the capital. 
 
First impressions on social media were mixed. 
 
&quot;&#39;Things are getting better?&#39; The creation of #SAIP leaves you thinking that, at least in terms of security, it&#39;s not really the case,&quot; said one Twitter user, referring to President Francois Hollande&#39;s mantra that life for the French is improving. 
 
&quot;Not very reassuring, but it is useful,&quot; said another Twitter user. 
 
Britain this week cautioned fans travelling to France for the tournament that stadiums, fan zones and transport hubs were &quot;potential targets for terrorist attacks&quot;, echoing warnings from French intelligence agencies and the United States.

The app called SAIP flashes a warning on a user's mobilephone screen if there is an attack close to their location

France launched an app to alert users to attacks, on Wednesday, two days before the Euro 2016 soccer championship. The app was developed after last year's terror attacks in Paris. The Interior Ministry app, called SAIP, flashes a warning on a user's mobilephone screen if there is an attack close to their location or suspicion of an imminent strike. Users can also request alerts for up to eight geographic areas including individual districts in the capital. First impressions on social media were mixed. "'Things are getting better?' The creation of #SAIP leaves you thinking that, at least in terms of security, it's not really the case," said one Twitter user, referring to President Francois Hollande's mantra that life for the French is improving. "Not very reassuring, but it is useful," said another Twitter user. Britain this week cautioned fans travelling to France for the tournament that stadiums, fan zones and transport hubs were "potential targets for terrorist attacks", echoing warnings from French intelligence agencies and the United States.

France unveils smartphone emergency app ahead of Euro 2016

President Francois Hollande said on Sunday it would be incomprehensible if transport strikes were to disrupt the Euro 2016 soccer tournament that opens in France on Friday, raising pressure on the militant &nbsp;Conf?d?ration g?n?rale du travail (CGT) union to call off the action. 
 
Hollande spoke in a radio interview as an opinion poll showed a majority of French people now opposed the wave of nationwide protests against planned labour law reforms that has disrupted fuel supplies and transport services in recent weeks. 
 
Finance minister Michel Sapin said the stoppages and street demonstrations, which have hit rail services, power stations, oil refineries, ports, and waste treatment plans, were having no significant impact on the economy. 
 
But they have tarnished France&#39;s image with scenes of barricades and picket-line violence just as the eyes of Europe are on the host country of the Euro 2016. 
 
&quot;No one would understand it if trains and planes - I&#39;m thinking of the Air France pilots&#39; dispute - were to prevent fans travelling around easily, even if the competition itself has nothing to fear,&quot; Hollande said on France Inter radio. 
 
Rail services have been roughly halved since the CGT and its allies began an open-ended strike last Wednesday. A new round of talks on a reorganisation on working time are due to be held at the Soci?t? nationale des chemins de fer fran?ais (SNCF) state railway today. 
 
Air France pilots have announced plans to strike from Saturday, the second day of the Euros, in a separate dispute over pay cuts. 
 
The Socialist president acknowledged a heightened threat of terrorism during the soccer tournament but said France was taking all possible measures to keep fans safe. Some 130 people were killed in gun and bomb attacks by Islamic State militants in Paris last November. 
 
Hollande said he had decided to maintain the planned fan zones where tens of thousands of spectators without match tickets can gather to watch games on giant screens. The biggest planned zone is next to the Eiffel Tower in Paris. 
 
Some security officials and commentators have warned the enclosures and queues of fans waiting to enter them could be targets for potential attackers, stretching the resources of police and security firms in charge of protection. 
 
But Hollande said: &quot;I decided not only that the competition must go ahead, (but also) to keep the fan zones and make this into a European festival, a festival of the people, a sporting festival. We have done everything to make it a success.&quot; 
 
A Brul? Ville et Associ?s (BVA) poll showed that many voters were still against the reforms that unions say will strip workers of their rights. A similar poll a month ago showed that a slim majority backed the protests. 
 
&quot;Days before the start of the Euro football tournament, while no solution to the social crisis is in sight, support for the protest movement against the labour reform is dwindling,&quot; Agnes Balle of BVA ( French polling agency) said. 
 
The survey carried out on Thursday and Friday showed that 54 per cent of French people interviewed were against the protests. The same number backed the protests in May. Only 45 per cent currently support the protest movement, BVA said. 
 
The poll showed 29 per cent wanted the government to maintain the bill, which aims to make hiring and firing easier, in an attempt to get stubbornly high unemployment falling, with presidential elections a year away. The same percentage want the bill withdrawn, while 41 per cent want a negotiated solution.

French President Francois Hollande is concerned that rail and air strikes might prevent fans of Euro 2016 travelling around easily

President Francois Hollande said on Sunday it would be incomprehensible if transport strikes were to disrupt the Euro 2016 soccer tournament that opens in France on Friday, raising pressure on the militant Conf?d?ration g?n?rale du travail (CGT) union to call off the action. Hollande spoke in a radio interview as an opinion poll showed a majority of French people now opposed the wave of nationwide protests against planned labour law reforms that has disrupted fuel supplies and transport services in recent weeks. Finance minister Michel Sapin said the stoppages and street demonstrations, which have hit rail services, power stations, oil refineries, ports, and waste treatment plans, were having no significant impact on the economy. But they have tarnished France's image with scenes of barricades and picket-line violence just as the eyes of Europe are on the host country of the Euro 2016. "No one would understand it if trains and planes - I'm thinking of the Air France pilots' dispute - were to prevent fans travelling around easily, even if the competition itself has nothing to fear," Hollande said on France Inter radio. Rail services have been roughly halved since the CGT and its allies began an open-ended strike last Wednesday. A new round of talks on a reorganisation on working time are due to be held at the Soci?t? nationale des chemins de fer fran?ais (SNCF) state railway today. Air France pilots have announced plans to strike from Saturday, the second day of the Euros, in a separate dispute over pay cuts. The Socialist president acknowledged a heightened threat of terrorism during the soccer tournament but said France was taking all possible measures to keep fans safe. Some 130 people were killed in gun and bomb attacks by Islamic State militants in Paris last November. Hollande said he had decided to maintain the planned fan zones where tens of thousands of spectators without match tickets can gather to watch games on giant screens. The biggest planned zone is next to the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Some security officials and commentators have warned the enclosures and queues of fans waiting to enter them could be targets for potential attackers, stretching the resources of police and security firms in charge of protection. But Hollande said: "I decided not only that the competition must go ahead, (but also) to keep the fan zones and make this into a European festival, a festival of the people, a sporting festival. We have done everything to make it a success." A Brul? Ville et Associ?s (BVA) poll showed that many voters were still against the reforms that unions say will strip workers of their rights. A similar poll a month ago showed that a slim majority backed the protests. "Days before the start of the Euro football tournament, while no solution to the social crisis is in sight, support for the protest movement against the labour reform is dwindling," Agnes Balle of BVA ( French polling agency) said. The survey carried out on Thursday and Friday showed that 54 per cent of French people interviewed were against the protests. The same number backed the protests in May. Only 45 per cent currently support the protest movement, BVA said. The poll showed 29 per cent wanted the government to maintain the bill, which aims to make hiring and firing easier, in an attempt to get stubbornly high unemployment falling, with presidential elections a year away. The same percentage want the bill withdrawn, while 41 per cent want a negotiated solution.

Hollande puts pressure on French trade unions to refrain from strike action during Euro 2016

France&#39;s government, scrambling to end a wave of protests that could disrupt the Euro 2016 soccer championship, called today for an end to the national rail strike and told Air France pilots their plans to stop work were &quot;irresponsible&quot;. 
 
The calls came as an open-ended stoppage at the railways entered its third day, reducing train services by about half, a week before the June 10 opening of the soccer tournament which should draw some 2.5 million fans, many of them from abroad. 
 
Transport minister Alain Vidalies said the government had satisfied union demands to protect rest periods for rail workers and help with the 50 billion euro ($55.76 billion) debt of the Soci?t? nationale des chemins de fer fran?ais rail company(SNCF), saying the militant Conf?d?ration g?n?rale du travail (CGT) union should call off its action. 
 
&quot;It&#39;s time to acknowledge the progress that&#39;s been made and to get back to work,&quot; the minister told RTL radio. 
 
The Socialist government has intervened in internal talks on reorganisation of the SNCF to try to defuse tensions, and made concessions to avert an air traffic controllers&#39; strike. But it now faces a walkout by pilots at flag carrier Air France next week. 
 
&quot;This is irresponsible,&quot; the minister said, adding that nobody would understand why a stoppage over planned pay curbs was timed to start one day into the month-long soccer event. 
 
Two unions representing the bulk of Air France pilots have given notice of a strike from June 11 to 14 and said they may schedule further stoppages. 
 
The militant CGT union is spearheading strikes at the state rail company and at refinieries and nuclear power stations in a bid to force the government to withdraw a contested reform of labour laws that would make hiring and firing easier. 
 
The core protest has coincided with sectoral issues such as difficult reorganisation negotiations to prepare the SNCF for Europe-wide liberalisation of train traffic in 2020 and, at Air France, efforts to reduce costs. 
 
Prime Minister Manuel Valls has said the CGT union, one of the two large unions in France, was waging an increasingly lonely war now that most other unions had dropped their grievances. 
 
&quot;If we gave into the CGT, a union which is in the minority even if I respect its history and struggle, it would no longer be possible to reform France,&quot; he told l&#39;Est Republicain.

The transport strike is taking place in a bid to force the French government to withdraw labour reform bill which will grant companies power to hire and fire workers and extend working hours.

France's government, scrambling to end a wave of protests that could disrupt the Euro 2016 soccer championship, called today for an end to the national rail strike and told Air France pilots their plans to stop work were "irresponsible". The calls came as an open-ended stoppage at the railways entered its third day, reducing train services by about half, a week before the June 10 opening of the soccer tournament which should draw some 2.5 million fans, many of them from abroad. Transport minister Alain Vidalies said the government had satisfied union demands to protect rest periods for rail workers and help with the 50 billion euro ($55.76 billion) debt of the Soci?t? nationale des chemins de fer fran?ais rail company(SNCF), saying the militant Conf?d?ration g?n?rale du travail (CGT) union should call off its action. "It's time to acknowledge the progress that's been made and to get back to work," the minister told RTL radio. The Socialist government has intervened in internal talks on reorganisation of the SNCF to try to defuse tensions, and made concessions to avert an air traffic controllers' strike. But it now faces a walkout by pilots at flag carrier Air France next week. "This is irresponsible," the minister said, adding that nobody would understand why a stoppage over planned pay curbs was timed to start one day into the month-long soccer event. Two unions representing the bulk of Air France pilots have given notice of a strike from June 11 to 14 and said they may schedule further stoppages. The militant CGT union is spearheading strikes at the state rail company and at refinieries and nuclear power stations in a bid to force the government to withdraw a contested reform of labour laws that would make hiring and firing easier. The core protest has coincided with sectoral issues such as difficult reorganisation negotiations to prepare the SNCF for Europe-wide liberalisation of train traffic in 2020 and, at Air France, efforts to reduce costs. Prime Minister Manuel Valls has said the CGT union, one of the two large unions in France, was waging an increasingly lonely war now that most other unions had dropped their grievances. "If we gave into the CGT, a union which is in the minority even if I respect its history and struggle, it would no longer be possible to reform France," he told l'Est Republicain.

French government urges end to strikes a week from Euro soccer

England defender Chris Smalling headed in the only goal with five minutes left as they beat 10-man Portugal 1-0 in a turgid Euro 2016 warm-up match at Wembley on Thursday. 
 
The Manchester United centre half nodded the ball home from substitute Raheem Sterling&#39;s left-wing cross after the visitors failed to adequately clear a free kick by Kyle Walker. 
 
The game offered precious little entertainment and even less goalmouth incident until Smalling struck. 
 
Portugal, who rested striker Cristiano Ronaldo, had centre half Bruno Alves sent off for a reckless aerial challenge on Harry Kane in the 35th minute. 
 
&quot;It&#39;s never easy to play against 10 men,&quot; manager Roy Hodgson told ITV Sport after England collected their third friendly victory in 12 days. 
 
&quot;I thought in the second half we played some very good football and I thought especially in the last 30 minutes, after we made changes and brought on some fresh legs, that we looked good.&quot; 
 
The crowd, which included newly-appointed Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho, had to wait until the 23rd minute for the first effort on goal, a tame header from England captain Wayne Rooney easily saved by Rui Patricio. 
 
Twelve minutes later Alves received a straight red card after catching Kane with a dangerous blow on the side of the head from his flying boot. 
 
SET PIECES 
 
There was no sign England were playing with a one-man advantage as Portugal completely dominated possession at the start of the second half. 
 
Equally frustrating for the home fans was the sight of chief goal threat Kane taking the corners and set pieces until he was substituted in the 78th minute. 
 
&quot;Our composure throughout the game was good,&quot; added Hodgson as he accentuated the positives. &quot;As a preparatory game it would have been better if we had played against 10 men but I&#39;m pleased we kept a clean sheet and never looked like conceding a goal.&quot; 
 
Portugal defender Jose Fonte said his team would benefit from their Wembley outing. 
 
&quot;We are disappointed obviously but we will come out of this stronger,&quot; said the Southampton centre half. &quot;I thought we were compact and defended well. 
 
&quot;They didn&#39;t create many chances in the second half and we actually had two good chances to nick a goal.&quot; 
 
England have been drawn in Euro 2016 Group B along with Wales, Russia and Slovakia while Portugal will meet Iceland, Hungary and Austria in Group F. 
 
The Euros in France start on June 10.

England defender Chris Smalling headed in the only goal in the friendly match between Portugal and England at Wembley

England defender Chris Smalling headed in the only goal with five minutes left as they beat 10-man Portugal 1-0 in a turgid Euro 2016 warm-up match at Wembley on Thursday. The Manchester United centre half nodded the ball home from substitute Raheem Sterling's left-wing cross after the visitors failed to adequately clear a free kick by Kyle Walker. The game offered precious little entertainment and even less goalmouth incident until Smalling struck. Portugal, who rested striker Cristiano Ronaldo, had centre half Bruno Alves sent off for a reckless aerial challenge on Harry Kane in the 35th minute. "It's never easy to play against 10 men," manager Roy Hodgson told ITV Sport after England collected their third friendly victory in 12 days. "I thought in the second half we played some very good football and I thought especially in the last 30 minutes, after we made changes and brought on some fresh legs, that we looked good." The crowd, which included newly-appointed Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho, had to wait until the 23rd minute for the first effort on goal, a tame header from England captain Wayne Rooney easily saved by Rui Patricio. Twelve minutes later Alves received a straight red card after catching Kane with a dangerous blow on the side of the head from his flying boot. SET PIECES There was no sign England were playing with a one-man advantage as Portugal completely dominated possession at the start of the second half. Equally frustrating for the home fans was the sight of chief goal threat Kane taking the corners and set pieces until he was substituted in the 78th minute. "Our composure throughout the game was good," added Hodgson as he accentuated the positives. "As a preparatory game it would have been better if we had played against 10 men but I'm pleased we kept a clean sheet and never looked like conceding a goal." Portugal defender Jose Fonte said his team would benefit from their Wembley outing. "We are disappointed obviously but we will come out of this stronger," said the Southampton centre half. "I thought we were compact and defended well. "They didn't create many chances in the second half and we actually had two good chances to nick a goal." England have been drawn in Euro 2016 Group B along with Wales, Russia and Slovakia while Portugal will meet Iceland, Hungary and Austria in Group F. The Euros in France start on June 10.

England sink Portugal in Euro 2016 warm-up match

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