Euro 2016 Team Preview: Northern Ireland

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Despite making three appearances at the World Cup, Northern Ireland have never sent a team to a European Championship. All-time top marksman David Healy and one of the greatest ever players ever, George Best, sadly never graced a major tournament either. The current crop though, under manager Michael O’Neill, will get that opportunity to shine on the big stage in France. Expectations might be none existent so, whatever happens, happens. The boys from the Northern part of The Emerald Isle will no doubt be hungry to spring an upset.

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Euro 2016 Team Preview: England

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Perennial underachievers of major tournaments, a new era for England beckons with a number of high profile retirements in the recent past. Too good for the qualifiers, but not good enough for the tournament itself is a familiar story for England. However, a new hunger within England’s ranks is becoming very clear. After some surprisingly fantastic performances by English players in an unforgettable Premier League this season it still might prove a little too difficult NOT to allow England to expect glory this time around.

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Euro 2016 Team Preview: Romania

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Romania only conceded 2 goals in their 10 qualifying matches where their defense provided an ample and solid base for them to precede to the tournament in France. Even though they’re not expected to set the tournament on fire with their cautious approach, it is entirely possible that the squad which possesses a mixture of experience and youth might just squeak through to the knockout-stage.

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England’s Excuses Part Four: An English Manager

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After the so called failure of the experiment in appointing an foreign coach to the England manager post, The FA went full circle and did their best to interview solely British and particularly English candidates. After smarting from the soap opera that was Sven-Goran Eriksson’s reign they opted for the familiar after their first choice option said no.

 The Panenka looks at the role of the worst England boss since Graham Taylor as an excuse for England’s failings on the international scene, we are of course talking about Steve McClaren.
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England’s Excuses Part Three: A Foreign Manager

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After the formation of The English Football Association in 1863, it is insane that the nation that gave the greatest sport to the world could not find a native, adequate enough at the art of coaching, to take charge of the national team in 2001.

 The Panenka looks at the outcome that having a foreign manager had on the already damaged psyche of the England team in the period between 2001 and 2006.

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