
The winner of this last-16 tie will face either Wales or Northern Ireland in the Euro 2016 quarter-final.

The winner of this last-16 tie will face either Wales or Northern Ireland in the Euro 2016 quarter-final.

The winner of this last-16 tie will play either Switzerland or Portugal in the Euro 2016 quarter-final.

Spain entered Euro 2016 shrouded in controversy and with a hangover from their dire performance at the 2014 World Cup looming large. While many have written off the latest group of La Roja players, is there really much difference between the squad now and the one which lifted the European Championship in 2012?
The Panenka compares Vicente de Bosque’s triumphant 23-man squad of 2012 to that of this summer’s European competition.

At 3PM ET on June 22, Portugal play Hungary in Lyon as Iceland take on Austria Paris in the final round of games in Group E at Euro 2016.

On June 22 at 3PM ET the final round of games in Euro 2016’s group of death will take place. In Lille, Italy take on Republic of Ireland while in Nice, Sweden play Belgium to decide Group E.

Germany take on Northern Ireland while Poland face Ukraine in Group C. The games will be played simultaneously on June 21 and kick off at 3PM ET.

Ukrainian football has faced up to some tough times over the past few years. Conflict and crisis in Ukraine is causing clubs to collapse, major disputations to the league and players fleeing the country for their safety. These are just some of the blows to football in the country that co-hosted the European Championship just four years ago.
The Panenka looks at why the war-torn country had been seeking redemption for it’s political and economic strife at Euro 2016 before being dumped out the tournament. Continue reading

England take on Slovakia in St Etienne while Russia play Wales in Toulouse in Group B where there is still all to play for. Both games kick off at 3PM ET on June 20.

France will face Switzerland in Lille while Albania take on Romania in Lyon. The games will kick of simultaneously on June 19 at 3pm ET.

Iceland’s ascent from the lower reaches of the FIFA rankings to Euro 2016 contenders is no coincidence. It is the result of a well thought out and meticulous plan that has thrust greatness upon a squad of players who have made history by reaching the tournament in France.
Iceland had never qualified for a major tournament in 23 attempts but that all changed when they finished 2nd in qualifying Group A to secure a place at Euro 2016. Victories against Holland and Turkey will live long in the memory of Icelandic football fans as their dreams of reaching a major tournament finally became a reality.
The Panenka looks at the steep and dramatic rise of Group F’s Iceland.
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