UEFA EUROS 2020 CONTENDERS IN FOCUS: RUSSIA

With the UEFA Euro 2020 just around the corner and taking place at a later time this year, we take a look at one of the competition’s favorite, and also the 1960 winners of the tournament Russia. Russia are already gearing up preparations as they continue to try to appear ready for the tournament, they have failed to lay their hands on since last winning it back in 1960. Here is an analysis of the team as they head into the competition later this year as one of the favorites.


EURO Pedigree:

Previous Final Tournaments: 11

Best Euro Record: Winners (1960)

The maiden European Nations’ Cup was won by the Soviet team which had legendary goalkeeper Lev Yashin as the man between the sticks. They are yet to enjoy success in the competition ever since and continue to try to make a statement as serious Contenders. Continue reading “UEFA EUROS 2020 CONTENDERS IN FOCUS: RUSSIA”

STONES BACK IN CONTENTION FOR ENGLAND

Manchester City defender John Stones is back in contention for the Three Lions of England ahead of the rescheduled Euro 2020 later this year. The Daily Mail revealed that the ex-Barnsley and Everton centre back is in England contention ahead of Euro 2020 which kicks off in various countries later this year. Euro 2020 was initially scheduled to take place last summer before the tournament was postponed as a result of the effects of the dreaded Coronavirus Pandemic. Euro 2020 became Euro 2021 as a result of the postponement though organising body, UEFA confirmed that the tournament will retain Euro 2020 rather than Euro 2021.


John Stones won’t have played at Euro 2020 if the tournament had taken place last summer but the postponement has allowed him to play his way into England contention for the tournament this summer as a result of his form for Manchester City in the last two months.
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HOW MANY TEAMS FOR EURO 2020?

The 2020 European Championship is a unique edition in many ways than one. The tournament was shifted by one year due to the impact of the dreaded Covid-19. It will still retain its name EURO 2020 despite the shift till next year. Euro 2020/2021 is a precise representation of the tournament which is also unique for being the 60th year from the maiden edition in 1960 in France and the old Soviet Union emerged winners from that edition.


European football’s governing body, UEFA announced a change in the number of teams participating at the European Championship from 16 to 24 ahead of the last edition known as Euro 2016 hosted by France and won by Portugal. The 24-team format from the last edition on French soil will be retained for Euro 2020/2021 and the 24 teams have already been drawn into six groups of four teams. Euro 2020 is also a unique edition of the European Championship as it would be hosted by 12 countries. Until now, more than two countries have not hosted the tournament at once. Continue reading “HOW MANY TEAMS FOR EURO 2020?”

Jordan Henderson aiming to win Euro 2020 with Englandnext summer

 

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson has said that he has the ambition of winning more trophies and has a big opportunity of doing so with the England national side. The midfielder recently helped the Reds win their maiden Premier League crown and he was voted as the Footballer Writers’ Association Player of the Year for his leadership qualities.


He is also the front-runner for the PFA Player of the Year award alongside Kevin de Bruyne and the announcement is likely to be made at some point of time in August. In a recent interview, Henderson emphasised that he wants to carry on improving and talked up the possibility of winning a long-awaited trophy with the Three Lions.
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Sky Sports pundit fancies Danny Ings to represent England at Euro 2020

 

Sky Sports pundit Matt Murray has backed Danny Ings to make England squad for the European Championships next summer. Ings has been one of the in-form strikers in the Premier League this term and he bagged his 17th and 18th goals of the campaign during the 3-1 win over Watford away from home.


He is currently the third-best performing striker after Jamie Vardy and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Murray sees no reason why Ings should not return to the national team ahead of Euro 2020, he told: “If the Euros had been now, with especially Harry Kane’s injury, he’d surely have been on that plane and when somebody’s playing with that much confidence, the way he links up play, the work rate and he seems like a lovely lad as well – just his interview there with the smile on his face.
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Modric will Captain Croatia, Confirms Suker

The president of Croatian football federation Davor Sukerhas said that Luka Modric will be leading the Croatian national team in Euro 2022 despite his age. Modric is currently playing for Real Madrid and his playing time has been decreased by Zinedine Zidane as he is trying to put more time for Toni Kroos and Federico Valverde.


Modric has led team to the finals in the World Cup 2018 and he was the first one to win the Ballon d’Or award since 2007 other than Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
Euro 2020 has been postponedto 2021 due to the outbreak of coronavirus. These have lead to many speculations regarding the older players in the teams. But the legendary striker Suker has assured that Modric will be playing in Euro 2021. They have finished first in the Euro qualification group even with the likes of Wales and Slovakia. Suker expects the team to perform as likein the FIFA World Cup 2018.
“I’m sure that he will be at his best level. He is our captain, and he still plays very good football. He showed that in our recent games, and with Real Madrid. I’m sure that he will be our leader next year, in the same way that he did in Russia,” said Suker.
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Keane slams De Gea’s goalkeeping mistake against Everton

Manchester United legend Roy Keane has slammed the goalkeeping mistake made by David de Gea during the Red Devils’ Premier League clash at Everton. The Spain international dwelled too long in possession and that allowed Dominic Calvert-Lewin to close down his clearance and deflect the ball into the net.


The Red Devils shot-stopper managed to redeem himself with a superb diving save few moments late but the damage was already made as the club only managed a 1-1 draw at Goodison Park. Speaking on Sky Sports, Keane was far from impressed with the performance of the United ace and said that he would have lynched him at the interval.
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Joachim Loew insists Germany are not Euro 2020 favourites

Germany head coach Joachim Loew has said that his team are unlikely to be among the favourites when the Euro 2020 tournament begins next summer. Loew’s side have gone through a transition following their shock group stage exit at the 2018 World Cup and they are currently on course to qualify for Euro 2020 barring any major mishap.


Speaking in a press conference, Loew stressed that Germany are no longer among the European powerhouses and the likes of Netherlands, Spain and England are the ones to watch out for next summer, considering they have stuck with a settled squad, he told: “We don’t belong to the tournament favourites. France, England have been playing with the same players for years. There are the Dutch, Spain.”
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Southgate explains Tomori’s maiden England call-up for Euro 2020 qualifiers

England manager Gareth Southgate has said that Fikayo Tomori’s selection for the Three Lions resulted from the fact that he has been performing consistently over the past year. The young centre-back made his breakthrough under manager Frank Lampard in late August and he has since been an undisputed starter in the Premier League and Europe.


Speaking in a press conference, Southgate reserved praise for Chelsea manager Frank Lampard, who has taken the incentive to offer opportunities to a number of young players. He added that Tomori has been on the radar since his under-20 World Cup success with the Young Lions and the upcoming internationals will allow him to have a close look on the centre-back.
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