Category: Eurosport

France fail to top group as Mbappe and Lewandowski exchange penalties

June 25, 2024

France were forced to settle for second place in Euro 2024 Group D despite Kylian Mbappe scoring his first goal at a European Championship in a 1-1 draw with Poland in Dortmund.

The two-time winners looked set to claim progress as group winners when Real Madrid-bound Mbappe, playing in a mask to protect his broken nose, converted a penalty on 56 minutes after Jakub Kiwior had fouled Ousmane Dembele.

France keeper Mike Maignan saved the first effort, but he was deemed to have come off his line too soon and Barcelona striker Lewandowski rolled the second penalty in off the post to earn his eliminated side a first point of the tournament.

France fail to top group as Mbappe and Lewandowski exchange penalties

June 25, 2024

France were forced to settle for second place in Euro 2024 Group D despite Kylian Mbappe scoring his first goal at a European Championship in a 1-1 draw with Poland in Dortmund.

The two-time winners looked set to claim progress as group winners when Real Madrid-bound Mbappe, playing in a mask to protect his broken nose, converted a penalty on 56 minutes after Jakub Kiwior had fouled Ousmane Dembele.

But Poland skipper Robert Lewandowski netted the equaliser with his own spot kick on 79 minutes after VAR had deemed Dayot Upamecano guilty of a clumsy late challenge on substitute Karol Swiderski.

France keeper Mike Maignan saved the first effort, but he was deemed to have come off his line too soon and Barcelona striker Lewandowski rolled the second penalty in off the post to earn his eliminated side a deserved first point of the tournament.

Austria won the group courtesy of their 3-2 victory over the Netherlands in Berlin with the Dutch progressing in third place.

Player of the Match: Lukasz Skorupski (Poland)

Had big gloves to fill in replacing national icon Wojciech Szczesny, but the Bologna keeper produced a fine display against the former world champions to ensure his national side depart the Euros earning a merited point and giving their vociferous army of fans a joyous day out in the baking sunshine of Dortmund.

Player Ratings

France: Maignan 6, Kounde 6, Upamecano 6, Saliba 7, Hernandez 6, Kante 6, Tchouameni 6, Rabiot 6, Dembele 6, Mbappe 8, Barcola 7 Subs: Fofana 6, Camavinga 6, Griezmann 6, Giroud 6, Kolo Muani 6

Poland: Skorupski 8, Bednarek 7, Dawidowicz 7, Kiwior 7, Frankowski 6, Syzmanski 7, Zielinski 7, Moder 7, Zalewski 7, Urbanski 7, Lewandowski 8 Subs: Skoras 6, Swiderski 7

Match Highlights

20′ KANTE SHOWS HIS QUALITY Carries the ball towards the Poland box with real menace before slipping in Dembele, but his shot at the target is well saved by Skorupski. Excellent save to deny France the lead.

51′ MBAPPE ASKING QUESTIONS OF POLAND He tries to swerve an effort into the net from distance, but Skorupski dives to his left to make a solid stop before another pop at the target flies past the post with the Poland keeper happy to see it elude his left-hand post.

56′ FRANCE HAVE A PENALTY! Dembele taken out of the action late by Jakub Kiwior. Couldn’t resist leaving his leg dangling in as Dembele went to ground and that is an obvious decision. No neeed for VAR there.

57′ GOAL! (MBAPPE) FRANCE 1-0 POLAND And there you go. The 48th international goal for Mbappe as he planted the ball to the keeper’s left as Korupski went right. Lovely pen. Off comes the mask to celebrate, and France are 1-0 ahead.

76′ POLAND HAVE A PENALTY! And there we have it. VAR gets involved as Upamecano is deemed to be late on Karol Swiderski. Was a clumsy challenge from behind really. And the referee agrees with VAR. Points to the spot.

79′ GOAL! FRANCE 1-1 POLAND (LEWANDOSWKI) Mike Maignan dives to his right to save the first Lewandoswi effort, but a retake is ordered by the referee for coming off his line too early. And the Poland striker tucks it away to the same side. In off the post and Poland are level at 1-1. Drama in Dortmund.

Key Stat

Hendry quits snooker for second time after rejecting two-year tour card offer

June 25, 2024

Seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry has announced his retirement from snooker for a second time after rejecting the offer to continue completing on the main tour via a two-year invitational card.

But he has failed to recapture the glories of his peak years when he lifted seven world titles between 1990 and 1999 amid a career haul of 36 ranking event titles.

He intends to focus on his work as a pundit in the game and an ambassadorial role in China having won only three matches out of 20 matches over the past three years.

“Let’s be honest, I wasn’t pulling up any trees, was I?,” Hendry was quoted as telling reporters.

“I was a little bit surprised with how good the standard was, but I’ve just got so many other work commitments, I won’t be able to dedicate enough time to practising.

“I know the game inside out, I still know all the shots, but unfortunately the body is not performing like my brain wants it to.”

World Snooker Tour confirmed Hendry’s decision in a statement.

“Stephen Hendry was offered an invitational tour card, but has decided not to accept,” said WST.

“The seven-time world champion had held the card since 2020, but now feels that he is unable to commit to the tour due to other priorities including the growth of his CueTips YouTube Channel and brand, broadcast commitments and ambassadorial role in China.”

Hendry finishes his career having compiled 777 competitive centuries which remains sixth on the all time list with fellow seven-time Crucible winner Ronnie O’Sullivan way out in front on 1,264.

But 1997 world champion Ken Doherty will continue on the main circuit after accepting an invite to extend his playing career over the next two seasons.

discovery+ is the streaming home of the Olympic Games, and the only place you can watch every moment of Paris 2024 this summer

Higgins suffers early exit at Championship League, Wilson reaches last 32

June 24, 2024

Four-time world champion John Higgins suffered an early exit at the Championship League in Leicester, but Gary Wilson reached the last 32 as Group 6 winner.

Higgins dominated his first match in Group 9 on Monday with a 3-0 win over Artemijs Zizins seeing the Scotsman produce breaks of 95, 74 and 120 at the Mattioli Arena.

But he then lost 3-0 to Ben Mertens, who rolled in breaks of 68, 86 and 82, with a closing 2-2 draw against section winner Ma Hailong not enough as the 20-year-old Chinese player produced a break of 111 to help him edge out Higgins and Mertens by a point.

But Scottish and Welsh Open champion Wilson completed wins over Huang Jiahao (3-0) and Michael Holt (3-1), with a 2-2 draw against Joe Perry enough to see the Wallsend potter finish two points ahead of Perry.

Seven-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan is set to begin his first competitive action of the campaign in Group 2 against Kayden Brierley, Mitchell Mann and He Guoqiang on Tuesday with Jack Lisowski facing Anton Kazakov, Jiang Jun and Mark Davis in Group 12.

Stage one consists of 32 groups of four players. The eight group winners contest a further two groups with the winners meeting in the final.

There is £33,000 on the table for the winner plus a spot in the Champion of Champions later in the year which is worth another £12,500 for qualifying.

Championship League: Latest group winners

  • Group 21: Neil Robertson (AUS)
  • Group 11: Ryan Day (WAL)
  • Group 4: Mark Williams (WAL)
  • Group 17: Chris Wakelin (ENG)
  • Group 25: Matthew Stevens (WAL)
  • Group 31: Ashley Carty (ENG)
  • Group 23: Michael White (WAL)
  • Group 22: Joe O’Connor (ENG)
  • Group 10: Jackson Page (WAL)
  • Group 32: Thepchaiya Un-Nooh (THA)
  • Group 30: Jamie Jones (WAL)
  • Group 29: Ben Woollaston (ENG)
  • Group 8: Jak Jones (WAL)
  • Group 7: Robbie McGuigan (NI)
  • Group 24: Martin O’Donnell (Eng)
  • Group 28: Wu Yize (CHN)
  • Group 26: Alexander Ursenbacher (SUI)
  • Group 27: David Lilley (ENG)
  • Group 1: Scott Donaldson (SCO)
  • Group 14: Hossein Vafaei (IRN)
  • Group 18: Stuart Bingham (ENG)
  • Group 13: Si Jiahui (CHN)
  • Group 20: Stuart Carrington (ENG)
  • Group 19: Long Zehuang (CHN)
  • Group 6: Gary Wilson (ENG)
  • Group 9: John Higgins (SCO)
discovery+ is the streaming home of the Olympic Games, and the only place you can watch every moment of Paris 2024 this summer

Foden to retain England place with Gallagher for TAA the only change – Paper Round

June 24, 2024

Phil Foden is set to retain his place in England’s starting XI with Conor Gallagher replacing Trent Alexander-Arnold the only change for the Group C finale against Slovenia, the Telegraph reports.

A defiant Gareth Southgate will not make major changes, and will resist the temptation to change his forward line despite a flat performance in the 1-1 draw against Denmark.

The Telegraph writes: “Gallagher is poised to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield, but that may be Southgate’s only change.

“That could upset critics, who have called for in-form pair Anthony Gordon and Cole Palmer to get a chance, with others wanting Jude Bellingham moved back to partner Declan Rice in central midfield to free up space for Gordon to come in.

“But, despite revealing England had hit the “reset button” after the Denmark game in an attempt to get back on the front foot, Southgate has made it clear that he is not planning major surgery to his team.

“Gordon and Palmer are yet to play a single minute in the tournament, but the in-form pair may have to hope their chance against Slovenia comes from the substitutes’ bench.

“Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa is believed to have impressed Southgate in training and could get a chance from the bench against Slovenia if England get themselves in a position to be able to take players off and give them rests.”

Greenwood sale to fund Zirkzee move

Manchester United’s move for Joshua Zirkzee is progressing well as the club look to sell Mason Greenwood quickly amid interest from three Italian clubs, the i reports. Following his loan at Getafe, Greenwood could fetch £30m for United.

Juventus had been the frontrunners to sign Greenwood, and now Napoli have joined the race along with Lazio.

The i writes: “i understands United are looking to recoup around £30m for the 22-year-old and are adamant he will not be sold on the cheap. The club retain the option of extending his contract, which expires in 2025, by another year.

“However, signing a new forward is a top priority for United this summer and a quick sale of Greenwood is their preferred route as they edge closer to bringing in a replacement.

“A move for Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee is progressing and other targets, including Lille’s Jonathan David, have been identified. The 6ft 4in Zirkzee is seen as the perfect profile to help lessen the workload on Rasmus Hojlund but several other clubs are interested in the Netherlands international, pushing United to move quickly.”

Newcastle out of Calvert-Lewin race

Newcastle are no longer interested in signing Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, the Daily Mail reports. Newcastle believe Everton’s £40m asking price to be too high, and in turn the Toffees will no longer pursue winger Yankuba Minteh.

The Mail adds: “Mail Sport understands Everton would have only been willing to sell the forward in the event a deal could be struck for Minteh.

“Everton had offered around £30m for Minteh, but French side Lyon are understood to be willing to pay Newcastle’s asking price of closer to £40m for the teenage winger.

“Despite ending their interest in Calvert-Lewin, Newcastle are understood to be assessing options as Eddie Howe targets a forward this summer.”

Why Olise chose Bayern

Michael Olise has decided to join Bayern Munich over Manchester United and Chelsea due to the prospect of playing Champions League football, according to the Telegraph. Bayern are expected to agree a deal with Crystal Palace for the forward this week.

Both United and Chelsea had wanted to sign the 22-year-old, but Olise is also keen to work under Vincent Kompany.

The Telegraph adds: “Olise’s decision was not a financial one, with his rapport with Kompany and Bayern’s history of success proving to be key reasons for his imminent switch to the Bundesliga. The German club feel confident that they have demonstrated to Olise why Bayern will be the best place for his career.

“Kompany is understood to have reached an understanding with Olise over his vision for the team and the playing style he wants to impose at Bayern.

“Kompany, the former Manchester City captain, was appointed as Bayern’s head coach in May, with the German club agreeing to pay more than £10 million in compensation to Burnley.

“Kompany’s role in the pursuit of Olise represents one of his first significant acts in the job and continues Bayern’s recent policy of approaching Premier League players. If a deal can be finalised with Palace, as is now expected, Olise will become the third player to move from England to Bayern in the past year, after Harry Kane and Eric Dier.”

Spain ease to win over Albania to go perfect in Euro 2024 Group B

June 24, 2024

Group B winners Spain maintained their 100% record at Euro 2024, as Ferran Torres’ first-half strike proved enough to dump minnows Albania out of the tournament.

Sylvinho’s side came out of the blocks quickly, but La Roja kept tabs on them and after Mikel Merino had seen a strong header saved, they took the lead when Torres received Dani Olmo’s pass and curled into the bottom corner.

From then on, the three-time European Champions were cruising, although Merino and Torres wasted further chances to extend the lead, before Kristjan Asllani nearly equalised at the other end on the stroke of half-time with a fierce shot that was palmed to safety.

That gave Albania hope going into the break, and substitute Armando Broja forced a further fine stop out of David Raya, while Asllani dragged another fizzing strike just wide.

Indeed, The Eagles were impressive and industrious in the second half, but they found no reward for their efforts, with Broja coming closest when denied by Raya, as Albania ultimately slipped to a defeat which means they remained winless at major international tournaments.

TALKING POINT – Can Spain recreate history?

This is only the second time Spain have won each of their three group games at a European Championships, and the previous occasion was in 2008, when they won the tournament.

On this showing, there is no reason why they cannot go again, as they rarely had to get out of second gear to see off an Albania side who rarely threatened them, particularly in the first half.

Crucially for La Roja, they were able to almost completely rotate their squad too, making ten changes from their previous match, meaning stars such as Alvaro Morata, Lamine Yamal and Rodri will be well-rested for the last-16.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH

Ferran Torres (Spain). The former Manchester City man was in fine form as he grabbed his 20th international goal in just his 44th appearance for Spain.

But the midfielder’s performance was about much more than scoring, thanks to an attacking display that made him a constant thorn in the side of the Albanian defence.

Now 24, Torres could still have a decade left at the top level, and that is a scary prospect, given how well he exploited pockets of space and was able to peel off his man to create shooting opportunities.

PLAYER RATINGS

Albania: Strakosha 6; Balliu 7, Ajeti 7, Djimsiti 7, Mitaj 7; Asani 6, Ramadani 6, Laci 6, Asllani 7, Bajrami 6; Manaj 6. Subs: Broja 7, Berisha 6, Hoxha 6, Muci n/a

Spain: Raya 8; Navas 7, Vivian 7, Laporte 6, Grimaldo 6; Torres 8, Zubimendi 6, Olmo 7, Merino 7, Oyarzabal 6; Joselu 6. Subs: Le Normand 6, Lopes 6, Yamal 7, Morata 6, Baena n/a

KEY MOMENTS

13’ GOAL! ALBANIA 0-1 SPAIN (Ferran Torres). We have lift off! Ferran Torres does it against Albania again. It all starts from the back, as Spain play the ball out of defence. Olmo releases the forward with a superb pass, and the Barcelona man curls it into the far corner. 1-0.

45’ RAYA MAKES A FLYING SAVE. That’s the first stop the goalkeeper has had to make this evening, and it’s a good one. Kristjan Asllani lets rip from outside the are with a thunderbolt that is palmed away

47’ JOSELU COMES CLOSE. What a start to the second half that would have been. A cross comes in from the left. It’s in between the penalty spot and the six yard line, and Joselu somehow gets in front of his defender, hooks his leg around and directs the ball just the wrong side of the near post

64’ BROJA TESTS RAYA. Wow! A second huge save from Raya! Broja makes a brilliant run onto a chipped free-kick, and he hooks goalwards from a tough angle, forcing a superb tip over the bar from the goalkeeper

KEY STATS

  • Dani Olmo’s assist was his fourth for Spain at the European Championships – only Cesc Fabregas (five) has registered more
  • This was Albania’s ninth defeat from as many attempts against La Roja

Albania v Spain – Euro 2024 LIVE

June 24, 2024

Follow the Euro 2024 live Football match between Albania and Spain with Eurosport. The match starts at 7:00 PM on June 24th, 2024.

Catch the latest Albania and Spain news and find up to date Euro 2024 standings, results, top scorers and previous winners.

Football fans can read breaking Football news headlines, interviews, expert commentary and watch replays. Keep up with what’s happening in the Premier League, Champions League and other competitions.

Make Eurosport your go-to source for sports online from football to tennis, cycling, snooker and more. Enjoy the best of this season’s top sports competitions.

Zaccagni scores last-second equaliser to send Italy through, breaks Croatian hearts

June 24, 2024

Substitute Mattia Zaccagni struck deep into stoppage time to send Italy into the Last 16 of Euro 2024 following a dramatic 1-1 draw with Croatia in Leipzig.

Luka Modric had looked to have put the Croatians in the box seat when the 38-year-old went from villain to hero in the blink of an eye in the 54th-minute.

First, the Vatreni captain saw his penalty kick saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma but was then on-hand to turn home a rebound to send his country into ecstasy just 30 seconds later.

The Azzurri poured forward in search of the equaliser but Alessandro Bastoni headed a fine chance over the top before Zaccagni fired a wonderful finish into the far corner to save The Azzurri at the death.

The result sees Italy finish second behind Group B winners Spain, while Croatia’s tally of two points and -3 goal difference means they are unlikely to finish as one of the best third-place sides. Minnows Albania end up bottom of the pool and bow out despite some memorable moments at this summer’s tournament.

The Azzurri will now meet Switzerland in the last 16 on Saturday in Berlin (17.00 BST kick off).

Talking Point – A sad finale for Modric and Co?

The Croatia players were on the floor at the end.

They were just seconds away from booking a spot in the Last 16 but that late, late equaliser means they are unlikely to get the reprieve as one of the best third-place teams – and they knew it.

It could well be the end of an era for an ageing squad who have taken their country to unexpected heights on so many occasions. The questions has been asked about the creaking legs of some of these star names, but they have always responded, until this tournament it seems.

As for Italy, they will feel they deserved a point given the way the game transpired over the 90 minutes, but it was too close for comfort in the end and more questions will be asked of Luciano Spalletti and his players in the days ahead.

Player of the match

Luka Modric (Croatia). Stepped up with a fine second-half display, shrugging off the dismay of the penalty miss to fire what looked like being a winner until Italy’s late intervention.

Player ratings

ITALY: Donnarumma 8, Darmian 6, Bastoni 6, Calafiori 7, Di Lorenzo 6, Barella 7, Jorginho 6, Pellegrini 7, Dimarco 6, Raspadori 6, Retegui 6. Subs: Frattesi 6, Chiesa 6, Scamacca 6, Zaccagni n/a, Fagioli n/a.

CROATIA: Livakovic 8, Stanisic 7, Pongracic 7, Gvardiol 8, Sutalo 7, Kovacic 7, Modric 8*, Brozovic 7, Pasalic 7, Kramaric 6, Sucic 7. Subs: Budimir 8, Ivanusec 7, Perisic 7, Majer n/a, Juranovic n/a.

Match Highlights

05’ – CROATIA CHANCE! Gianluigi Donnarumma springs to his right to push away Sucic’s delicious 25-yard curler.

27’ – ITALY CHANCE! Bastoni is left free to meet a sublime ball from Barella but Dominik Livakovic is there to brilliantly push his header to safety.

55’ – GOAL! – Italy 0-1 Croatia: (Modric). Modric scampers on to a rebound to flash a close-range finish beyond Donnarumma after the shot-stopper had kept out Budimir’s flicked effort. It comes just 30 seconds after the Italian ‘keeper had kept out Modric’s penalty. What a dramatic moment!

90+8’ – GOAL! – Italy 1-1 Croatia: (Zccagni). What a finish to rescue the Azzurri. Zaccagni is played in on the left side of the area and curves a lovely effort into the far corner.

Key Stats

Croatia v Italy – Euro 2024 LIVE

June 24, 2024

Follow the Euro 2024 live Football match between Croatia and Italy with Eurosport. The match starts at 7:00 PM on June 24th, 2024.

Catch the latest Croatia and Italy news and find up to date Euro 2024 standings, results, top scorers and previous winners.

Football fans can read breaking Football news headlines, interviews, expert commentary and watch replays. Keep up with what’s happening in the Premier League, Champions League and other competitions.

Make Eurosport your go-to source for sports online from football to tennis, cycling, snooker and more. Enjoy the best of this season’s top sports competitions.