European Championships

Euro 2016 Team Preview: Turkey

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Turkey have a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde reputation in world football ranging from the magnificent achievements of finishing third at the 2002 World Cup and making it to the Semi-finals of Euro 2008 to not even qualifying at all. They’re up against some understandably high expectations given the caliber of both the players they produce and the improving level of the domestic league. Turkey also has the eyes of the world upon them for political reasons at the moment. The team and fans alike will be under pressure to give a good account of themselves at Euro 2016 because of the government’s pending application for EU membership.

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Euro 2016 Team Preview: Poland

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Entering their third successive European championship after hosting the tournament in 2012, Poland have reasons to be optimistic. Despite not being able to reach the knockout in their last two attempts Poland are aiming to make it third time lucky with a squad who are currently plying their trade in the best leagues around Europe, the difference now is that there are no more excuses no to progress.

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Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain: Impact and Injury

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Arsenal midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has suffered another knee injury that rules him out of the England squad for Euro 2016. Arsene Wenger revealed that the 22-year-old had “no chance” of being fit for the tournament having suffered a new problem that will sideline him for six to eight weeks.

The Panenka has made a quick review of the impact the former Southampton man has made since emerging a a 16-year-old talent at Saint Mary’s, as well the injures that have held back the robust winger from a promising career so far.

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Euro 2016 Team Preview: Russia

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As part of The Soviet Union, Russia won the inaugural European Championship in 1960 and went onto put in impressive performances thereafter finishing as runners-up in 1964, 1972 and 1988. Since the break up of The Soviet Union Russia have qualified for every tournament except Euro 2000. Their best performance occurred when a Guus Hiddink inspired Russia reached the Semi-finals in 2008.

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Euro 2016 Team Preview: Portugal

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Portugal have the unfortunate record of being the only team to lose a Euro final on home turf when they were on the receiving end of a massive sporting upset as Greece ran out 1-0 winners in the 2004 final. They do however have a consistent record of being there or thereabouts in major tournaments and Seleção will be looking to recover from group state elimination at the 2014 World Cup. Portugal look slightly more assured than they did two years ago and it could be the last chance at glory for many of the squad’s experienced players while it’s an excellent opportunity for many of the country’s younger players to makes their mark.

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Paul Breitner: Rebel of The Left Wing

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Paul Breitner is World Cup winner, a five-time Bundesliga champion, a two-time La Liga champion and a European Cup winner. The full back is also part of an elite club involving players who have scored in two separate World Cup finals.

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The defender’s career has been drenched in controversy surrounding his political leanings but the nature of his profession has led him to be dubbed a poser and a fake as he continued his career and lifestyle as a professional footballer. This paradox has made Paul Breitner one of the most interesting footballers of the modern game.

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Euro 2016 Team Preview: France

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France's Pogba celebrates with team mates after scoring against Portugal during their friendly soccer match at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis

As host nation France will be under immense pressure to put on a show. After winning the tournament back in 2000 and losing in the World Cup final to Italy on penalties in 2006, France have been relative sleeping giants on the international stage after some disappointing performances in recent years. Now, Deschamps’ men look to have blooded a squad of new talent including Paul Pogba, Antoine Griezmann, Hugo Lloris, Raphael Varane and N’Golo Kante making them tournament favorites.

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Groups and Fixtures

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UEFA Euro 2016 Groups Confirmed

Group A

Albania

France

Romania

Switzerland

 

Friday, June 10: France v Romania (20:00, Stade de France, Paris)

Saturday, June 11: Albania v Switzerland (14:00, Stade Bollaert-Delelis, Lens)

Wednesday, June 15: Romania v Switzerland (17:00, Parc des Princes, Paris)

Wednesday, June 15: France v Albania (20:00, Stade Velodrome, Marseille)

Sunday, June 19: Romania v Albania (20:00, Stade de Lyon)

Sunday, June 19: Switzerland v France (20:00, Stade Pierre Mauroy, Lille

 

Group B

England

Russia

Slovakia

Wales

 

Saturday, June 11: Wales v Slovakia (17:00, Stade de Bordeaux)

Saturday, June 11: England v Russia (20:00, Stade Velodrome, Marseille)

Wednesday, June 15: Russia v Slovakia (14:00, Stade Pierre Mauroy, Lille)

Thursday, June 16: England v Wales (14:00, Stade Bollaert-Delelis, Lens)

Monday, June 20: Russia v Wales (20:00, Stadium de Toulouse)

Monday, June 20: Slovakia v England (20:00, Stade Geoffroy Guichard, St Etienne

 

Group C

Germany

Northern Ireland

Poland

Ukraine

 

Sunday, June 12: Poland v Northern Ireland (17:00, Stade de Nice)

Sunday, June 12: Germany v Ukraine (20:00, Stade Pierre Mauroy, Lille)

Thursday, June 16: Ukraine v Northern Ireland (17:00, Stade de Lyon)

Thursday, June 16: Germany v Poland (20:00, Stade de France, Paris)

Tuesday, June 21: Ukraine v Poland (17:00, Stade Velodrome, Marseille)

Tuesday, June 21: Northern Ireland v Germany (17:00, Parc des Princes, Paris)

 

Group D

 Croatia

Czech Rep

Spain

Turkey

 

Sunday, June 12: Turkey v Croatia (14:00, Parc des Princes, Paris)

Monday, June 13: Spain v Czech Republic (14:00, Stadium de Toulouse)

Friday, June 17: Czech Republic v Croatia (17:00, Stade Geoffroy Guichard, St Etienne)

Friday, June 17: Spain v Turkey (20:00, Stade de Nice)

Tuesday, June 21: Czech Republic v Turkey (20:00, Stade Bollaert-Delelis, Lens)

Tuesday, June 21: Croatia v Spain (20:00, Stade de Bordeaux)

 

Group E

Belgium

Italy

Rep Ireland

Sweden

 

Monday, June 13: Republic of Ireland v Sweden (17:00, Stade de France, Paris)

Monday, June 13: Belgium v Italy (20:00, Stade de Lyon)

Friday, June 17: Italy v Sweden (14:00, Stadium de Toulouse)

Saturday, June 18: Belgium v Republic of Ireland (14:00, Stade de Bordeaux)

Wednesday, June 22: Italy v Republic of Ireland (20:00, Stade Pierre Mauroy, Lille)

Wednesday, June 22: Sweden v Belgium (20:00, Stade de Nice)

 

 

Group F

Austria

Hungary

Iceland

Portugal

 

Tuesday, June 14: Austria v Hungary (17:00, Stade de Bordeaux)

Tuesday, June 14: Portugal v Iceland (20:00, Stade Geoffroy Guichard, St Etienne)

Saturday, June 18: Iceland v Hungary (17:00, Stade Velodrome, Marseille)

Saturday, June 18: Portugal v Austria (20:00, Parc des Princes, Paris)

Wednesday, June 22: Iceland v Austria (17:00, Stade de France)

Wednesday, June 22: Hungary v Portugal (17:00, Stade de Lyon)
The Knock-Out Stages

 

The Last 16  

Match 1: Runner-up Group A v Runner-up C (14:00, June 25, St-Etienne)

Match 2: Winner D v Third-place B/E/F (20:00, June 25, Lens)

Match 3: Winner B v Third-place A/C/D (17:00, June 25, Paris)

Match 4: Winner F v Runner-up E (20:00, June 26, Toulouse)

Match 5: Winner C v Third-place A/B/F (17:00, June 26, Lille)

Match 6: Winner A v Third-place C/D/E (14:00, June 26, Lyon)

Match 7: Winner E v Runner-up D (17:00, June 27, St-Denis)

Match 8: Runner-up B v Runner-up F (20:00, June 27, Nice)

 

The Quarter-Finals

Winner Match 1 v Winner Match 2 (20:00, June 30, Marseille)

Winner Match 3 v Winner Match 4 (2000, July 1, Lille)

Winner Match 5 v Winner Match 6 (20:00, July 2, Bordeaux

Winner Match 7 v Winner Match 8 (2000, July 3, St-Denis

 

The Semi-Finals

Winner QF1 v Winner QF2 (20:00, July 6, Lyon)

Winner QF3 v Winner QF4 (20:00, July 7, Marseille)

 

The Final

 Winner SF1 v Winner SF2 (20:00, July 10, St-Denis)