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Following the grand finale of UEFA Euro 2016 where Portugal beat France 1-0 to clinch their first ever European trophy, UEFA have announced the team of the tournament. The Player of the Tournament was also announced and it came as no surprise that tournament top scorer Antoine Griezmann took home the prize.
The best goalkeeper of the tournament was Portugal’s Rui Patricio. The goalkeeper did not top the table for the most saves over the course of the entire tournament but he did make the most crucial ones. The Sporting Clube de Portugal keeper kept out the likes of Gareth Bale in the semi-final and Antoine Griezmann in the final to ensure the Seleccao went home with the prize.
The defensive back-line sees two players each from Germany and Portugal. Jerome Boateng and Pepe form the central defensive partnership. Boateng almost saw his side get knocked out when his handball gifted Italy a penalty but made up for it in the shootout. He was a rock at the back and also made a crucial goal line clearance that has become one of the ‘saves’ of the tournament.
The full-backs voted into the team were Joshua Kimmich and Raphael Guerreiro. 21-year-old Kimmich was brought in to replace the limited Benedikt Howedes and put in fine performances for a youngster in defence. Although his mistake saw France score a second and put the game out of reach, his overall performances were lauded. As too was Guerreiro’s performances after he impressed in both defence and attack with assists and shots on goal that gave goalkeepers a scare.
Ronaldo had his worst nightmare when he was stretchered off in the final but ultimately saw his tears of sorrow turn to joy after his side managed to win without him in extra-time. Ronaldo finished with three goals and two assists to his name.
Griezmann voted Player of the Tournament
Not many expected Griezmann to top the goalscoring charts with so many other big names in the tournament. But with a brace in two games in the knockout stages, the highlight being the two goals scored in the 2-0 semi-final win over Germany, the Atletico Madrid forward will now see his transfer value rise.
But he was obviously disappointed after losing the final, saying: “I've just lost my second final in just over a month and it sucks.” Atletico had also lost the UEFA Champions League final to derby rivals Real Madrid. Even France coach Didier Deschamps praised Griezmann. “Antoine is a great player and we owe him a lot,” he said.
Other awards
Golden Boot: Antoine Griezmann (France)
Silver Boot: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
Bronze Boot: Olivier Giroud (France)
Young Player of the Tournament: Renato Sanches (Portugal)
Portugal 1-0 France (aet) Portugal shrugged off an early injury to Cristiano Ronaldo to claim a first-ever major tournament trophy thanks to Éder's 109th-minute strike.
Portugal beat France 1-0 after extra time to lift their first major trophy
Sub Éder scores 109th-minute long-range winner, his first competitive goal for country
Portugal captain and all-time record scorer Cristiano Ronaldo limps off after 25 minutes
Both teams – through André-Pierre Gignac and Raphael Guerreiro –denied by woodwork
France's first tournament defeat on home soil in 19 games, since 1960 third-place play-off
Portugal are UEFA EURO 2016 champions. The team that drew all three of their group games, that won only once inside 90 minutes all tournament, beat hosts France after extra time at Saint-Denis to get their hands on their first major trophy.
They did it without the talismanic Cristiano Ronaldo too, their captain forced off early in the first half through injury. Fernando Santos's side clung on at times but, with Ronaldo orchestrating things from the technical area as much as their coach by the end, they eventually provided the one moment of magic required. Éder's fizzing 20-metre strike in the second half of extra time was just too good.
Such a scenario looked impossible after eight minutes, Ronaldo initially continuing after a heavy collision with Dimitri Payet before eventually being replaced. There were tears and a standing ovation from all corners as he was taken off. All the talk, all the analysis, all the predictions – out the window. Off went 61 international goals.
One man chasing only his second was Moussa Sissoko. The France midfielder was rampant and threatened to break the deadlock soon after Ronaldo's departure yet his shot was saved.
Rui Patrício had earlier thwarted Antoine Griezmann, athletically tipping away the in-form forward's looping header. Portugal offered little in those opening exchanges, three passes straight out of play encouraging the hosts.
Kingsley Coman came on for Payet inside the hour and soon teed up Griezmann for surely the chance of the game – Les Bleus' No7 was unmarked but headed over. Though Olivier Giroud briefly got in on the act with a low effort, Rui Patrício was again up to the task. He had to be sharper still to keep out Sissoko's thumping strike later in the half.
Only once, well into added time, was the Portugal keeper beaten. Substitute André-Pierre Gignac turned in the box and scuffed a shot into the ground which bobbled towards the net only to bounce agonisingly back off a post.
Hugo Lloris had been far less employed in regulation time, only really called into action to claw away Nani's miscued cross and then hold Ricardo Quaresma's acrobatic attempt from the rebound. Though he subsequently dealt with Éder's header, the French captain was rescued by the crossbar when Raphael Guerreiro fired in a free-kick and, with 109 minutes on the clock, could do nothing to keep out the sensational winner.
Man of the Match: Pepe (Portugal) Pepe missed the semi-final with a thigh injury but returned in style, keeping adidas Golden Boot winner Griezmann as quiet as could have been hoped. "We've written a brilliant page in the story of Portuguese football," said the centre-back.
All without Ronaldo The only place to start. The man Portugal's hopes apparently rested on was out of action after less than ten minutes. To watch him battle on for a quarter of an hour was both desperately sad and hugely admirable. It was indicative of his relentless drive to have an impact – a desire that is heightened on the big occasion. For him then to cajole his players before extra time and gesticulate desperately throughout the additional 30 minutes was testimony to his team spirit. He was, if only briefly, a coach as well as a star player.
Who needs goals for drama?
This was not exactly thrill-a-minute stuff. Clear-cut opportunities were at a premium and some of the biggest names on the field were either not at their best or not on the pitch at all. However, it quickly became evident that one moment would decide this. That knowledge that someone was only a split-second from becoming a hero made for a gloriously nervy night. The tension was palpable throughout the stadium.
EURO2016.com team reporters' views
Joe Walker, Portugal (@UEFAcomJoeW)
I'm quite frankly speechless. Portugal have won this against all the odds. All this after three draws in the group stage. Tonight they were not pretty but they were mighty effective. They did a job on France, stifling their main threats, with Paul Pogba especially subdued, and owed goalkeeper Ruí Patrício a debt of thanks too. Fair play to Santos for seeing they needed something up top and for gambling on Éder. The forward, who plays his club football in France, was brilliant after coming off the bench and the game's standout moment belonged to him.
David Crossan, France (@UEFAcomDavidC)
I am still struggling to understand how France lost that. Everything was set up for Didier Deschamps' charges to lift the trophy as Portugal did not offer a great deal going forward after Ronaldo left the field. Rui Patrício was excellent in the Portuguese goal and Griezmann must be wondering how he failed to convert that free header. Gignac was also unfortunate and France, who had done enough even though not at their best, were caught by a sucker-punch. This was not the happy ending the hosts had anticipated.
Materazzi reveals what he said to Zidane in 2006 World Cup final
Rome, July 9 (IANS) Ten years after the infamous Zinedine Zidane head-butt in the 2006 World Cup final former Italian defender Marco Materazzi has finally revealed what he said to the legend back then.
Materazzi and his side went on to win the final 5-3 via the penalty shoot out after Zidane was red carded during extra time.
The then 32-year-old had provoked Zidane with his words, which caused him to react that way.
Media reports suggested that Materazzi had insulted the French captain's mother, but the Italian insisted it wasn't so.
"What I said was stupid," Materazzi told L'Equipe. "But it didn't deserve that reaction."
"You would hear stronger words said on the streets of Naples, or Milan, or Paris, much more serious things. My mother died when I was 15, so I would never have insulted his," he added.
"I spoke about his sister."
The incident overshadowed the 2006 World Cup final and is believed to have cost Zidane the chance to bag the golden ball. Materazzi wishes that he was remembered more for scoring in the penalty shootout as Italy went on win the World Cup.
"But it doesn't matter, I don't hold any grudges and never will," he remarked.
--IANS
3 Reasons why Real Madrid must sell James Rodríguez
1. Real Madrid face a very important decision about James Rodríguez. The Colombian signed for the club two years ago and after a surprisingly good debut campaign with Los Blancos, his second season left a lot to be desired, so much that James ended up being on the bench most of the time.
2. Madrid spent €80 million on James after his brilliant performances in the 2014 FIFA World Cup, and while he has not played as a high-caliber playmaker this past season, some big clubs are interested in his potential. Real could keep James on the squad as he's definitely a very useful asset and a decisive player, but questions about whether he fits in Zidane's system or not and also his level of commitment should also be considered.
3.All in all, here are three reasons why Real Madrid should sell James Rodríguez this summer and part ways with the Colombian midfielder.a.
Next summer it will be too late. If he keeps being a reserve, there's no way a big club offers more than €40 million for him, so Madrid should at least try to recover the money they initially spent on James two years ago while they still can.
He's not a crucial player in Real's current system. Let's face it, Real Madrid won the Champions League without James playing any relevant role. Los Blancos should probably sell one either Isco or James as they are currently reserves and there will be bigger offers for the Colombian midfielder.
He's too good to sit on the bench but he does not deserve to start. Zinedine Zidane doesn't need €80 million sitting on the bench match after match but James simply doesn't deserve to start either. He wants to play and he will be unsettled about his role sooner rather than later, if he is not unsettled already.
Saturday, 9 July 2016
Portugal v France: UEFA EURO 2016 final preview
Didier Deschamps and his players are "privileged" to have made it to a home final against a Portugal side boosted by Pepe's fitness but needing to end a ten-game losing run if they are to lift a first major trophy.
Portugal – eyeing a first major trophy – take on hosts France in UEFA EURO 2016 final
France have won their last ten games against Portugal, a run dating back to 1975
France coach Didier Deschamps: "We need to seize this opportunity"
Les Bleus also won EURO '84 and 1998 FIFA World Cup on home soil
Portugal's Fernando Santos says his side have "great belief"
Portugal defender Pepe expected to be declared fit to start
Possible line-ups Portugal: Rui Patrício; Cédric, Pepe, Fonte, Guerreiro; William Carvalho, Adrien, João Mário, Renato Sanches; Nani, Ronaldo. Doubtful: Pepe (thigh)
Pepe missed the semi-final with a thigh injury but trained on Saturday and "didn't express any complaints", according to Fernando Santos. William Carvalho is expected to replace Danilo in central midfield.
France should be unchanged, despite French media speculation about N'Golo Kanté being brought in to stiffen the midfield and whether Dimitri Payet should start after a quiet game in the semis.
Coach quotes Fernando Santos, Portugal I've said before that our objective was to play in the final and win it. We have great belief because we want to make the Portuguese people happy. We want to give them something to celebrate.
Didier Deschamps, France We have this opportunity to become European champions. Whether you're 18, 20 or much older, there's a chance to win a title and we need to seize it without thinking about what might happen in the future. The players know they're privileged to be playing the UEFA EURO 2016 final at home in Paris.
Ronaldo dreaming of EURO glory with Portugal In an exclusive interview with EURO 2016, Cristiano Ronaldo explains why France are favorites for the final, the belief in the Portugal camp and his ambition to win international silverware. Twelve years on from their one previous final appearance, Portugal are back at the summit of European football – only this time the situation has been reversed.
Then, on home soil, they were left heartbroken as underdogs Greece stunned the world by winning UEFA EURO 2004. Now, at UEFA EURO 2016, the boot is on the other foot. Portugal, the unfancied outsiders that few expected to reach the final, are gearing up to take on the much-fancied hosts.
Portugal youngster Renato Sanches has truly had a breakout summer that will likely define his career.
After a stunning first campaign for Benfica and constant links with Manchester United, Renato Sanches moved to Bayern Munich in May for a transfer fee that could rise to 80 million euros.
This was followed by an excellent Euro 2016 where Renato Sanches has shown what all the fuss is about with some fine performances.
Sanches scored in the Euro 2016 quarter-final for Portugal against Poland, where he became the youngest player to ever win a man of the match award at a European Championship match.
On Sunday, Renato Sanches is expected to be in the Portugal side that plays France in the Euro 2016 final.
2. RENATO SANCHES IS 18
As Sanches came to prominence, so did issues surrounding how old he is.
Ultimately, Sanches has played so well for Benfica and Portugal that many haters could not believe that he was 18.
These doubts were given a little more credence by Portuguese newspaper Jornal de Noticias who carried out an investigation to prove that the player’s date of birth was the date stipulated – August 18, 1997 – it transpired that the birth hadn’t been registered until 2002, a full five years later.
But this late registration was due to his parents’ break-up; his father emigrated to France just 5 months after Renato’s birth, and it was only when he returned to Portugal 5 years later that the registration could be completed.
So heated has this age controversy become that it has been a huge source of animosity between two of Portugal’s biggest clubs: Benfica and Sporting Lisbon.
3. Diário de Notícias release Renato Sanches’ birth certificate
On Saturday, Portuguese newspaper Diário de Notícias released Renato Sanches’ birth certificate to finally end the saga.
Renato Sanches is indeed 18, and was born on August 18, 1997.
The birth certificate was produced by the Hospital de Amadora-Sintra.
And, this confirms that Renato Sanches is indeed the youngest player to ever appear in a European Championship semi-final.
See the birth certificate via Diário de Notícias here
Thursday, 7 July 2016
Euro 2016: France thirst for revenge against wounded Germany
HIGHLIGHTS
France can expect near-fanatical support from home fans in Marseille.
The hosts are buoyed by a 5-2 quarter-final thumping of plucky minnows Iceland.
France are unbeaten in their last nine games, while Germany have not lost in their last six
MARSEILLE:Didier Deschamps' talented France block the path of Germany's splutteringjuggernautin Thursday's Euro 2016 semi-final and the world champions have mounting personnel problems.
With an element of revenge in the air, France can expect near- fanatical support from home fans in Marseille as they seek a place in Sunday's Paris final.
The hosts are buoyed by a 5-2 quarter-final thumping of plucky minnows Iceland when Olivier Giroud, Antoine Griezmann and Dimitri Payet all netted at the Stade de France.
Germany are also confident mood, despite missing key players with injury and suspension after their penalty shoot-out win over Italy in the last eight.
France are unbeaten in their last nine games, while Germany have not lost in their last six.
"For us, there is no fear. We know that France are loaded with good individual players, but they are under pressure as hosts," said Germany forward Thomas Mueller. "Iceland didn't look so happy with the goals they conceded.
"They have our respect, but I am optimistic that we will find solutions (to the injury problems).For us there is no loss of quality."
Germany's tense penalty shoot-out win in Bordeaux came at a high price.
Centre-back Mats Hummels picked up a yellow card which sees him suspended in Marseille.
Who is Jorge Mendes - The Super-agent managing Jose Mourinho & Cristiano Ronaldo?
Jorge Mendes at his book launch alongside his biggest client and good friend, Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo
You’ve probably already heard of him - if you haven’t, you really need to get updated with all of the latest transfers going on. Jorge Mendes is one of football’s most powerful men, whose uncanny ability to foresee - and now influence - some of the planet’s biggest transfer deals has made him bigger than many football clubs! He represents all of your favourite superstars (including Cristiano Ronaldo, Jose Mourinho, Angel Di Maria) and all of the ones you love to hate (Diego Costa, Pepe, anyone?). No transfer window is complete without Jorge Mendes engineering a big-money move for a big-money player to a big-money club - and that’s the ones you hear about. As the wheeling-and-dealing has already begun, there’s no way we’ll let go on without introducing you to the biggest one of them all. Everyone, meet Mr. Jorge Mendes, the billion-dollar transfer man!
1. Jorge Mendes – Biography:
Jorge Paulo Agostinho Mendes was born 7 January 1966, in Lisbon, Portugal. As the son of a Petrogal (Portugal’s biggest gas company) employee, he often played at their local grounds. His mother used to weave straw hats and baskets, which he would take to the Fonte da Telha beach and sell. Back then, he was known by his more modest nickname ‘Cabanas’; fitting for the young man who held cones at a Cornetto factory to ensure their ice cream didn’t fall off their cones. He initially started as a footballer (like many other agents), but he wasn’t destined for that. After being turned down by several Portuguese clubs in his early 20s, he gave up professional football - he was a left winger - and focused on running his video rental store to make a living. Mendes was also a DJ in his early days making money and developing his business knowledge. He rose and eventually opened up a restaurant, and then a bar - he didn’t know it then, but that was when his whole life was about to change.
In that bar (‘Luz Do Mar’) in Guimaraes one night in 1996, he bumped into professional goalkeeper Nuno Espirito Santo, who was then contracted to Vitoria De Guimaraes. Eventually, they got to know each other and he sealed his transfer to Spanish side Deportivo La Coruna, driving 300km and waiting every day to speak to its president. Predictably, that made some other players’ ears perk, and more and more began to join him. He started becoming an increasingly regular presence at youth teams and soccer schools in Portugal, looking out for the next big thing.
Sucess came in the form of another man’s fall-out - Portugal’s biggest agent at the time, Jose Veiga, had a major falling out with Porto’s president Pinto Da Costa. At the time, Mendes was looking after Costinha, Deco and other young stars. Veiga was the agent to people like Luis Figo and Nuno Gomes. One of the men that joined his books at the time was Hugo Viana, the Newcastle flop. He was the one who really kicked off his transnational agency career, as he brokered his €12 million move from Sporting CP to Newcastle United. Just months later, a certain Maria Dolores Aveiro ended her contract with Jose Veiga and signed with Jorge Mendes. Cristiano Ronaldo knows her better as ‘mother’ - and just a few months later, he switched from Sporting CP to Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United. That later proved to be just the biggest of his many, many coups, including managers, club chairmen and multiple player transfers to a single club. Today, he is unrivaled in the transfer market, winning the award for ‘world’s best agent’ from 2010 to 2015 – an incredible six consecutive times!
2. Jorge Mendes – Top 10 Biggest Deals
Jorge Mendes has already conducted over a $1.5 billion dollars in transfer deals, easily placing him at the very top of the football agency world. With several of his clients at all the top clubs (including Chelsea, Manchester United, Barcelona & Real Madrid), he’s literally everywhere. He has men in villages across the planet, watching out for skillful, energetic youths who have the potential to tear apart European football. Let’s take a look at his 10 biggest transfer moves:
With so many players on his books and so many glowing reviews, it’s inevitable that many players decide to join him. One of them was Nani, who’s previous agent Ana Almeida filed a complaint about the forward ending her contract with her just before a big-money move with Mendes. His infamous fisticuffs with Jose Veiga at a Lisbon airport were also over some rumours the latter was allegedly spreading about Mendes. Even Bebe’s agent complained about Mendes muscling in on his client in the middle of their contract before his infamous sale to Manchester United, where he didn’t even have a ghost of a career.
Jorge Mendes’ company Gestifute was cited as one of the players in a player consultancy ring that goes against the FIFA regulations about player interests and 3rd party ownership. Ex-Manchester United & Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon runs a company called Opto, which supposedly advises undeclared investors on which players to purchase ownership. Both operate out of tax havens like Jersey & Ireland, saving them millions.
The kicker here is that most of the players they advise these investors to purchase are players that they in turn represent. If that’s not clear, it’s kind of like a medical doctor advising patients to buy pharmaceuticals from a company they own - which can lead to some unsavoury scenarios. The day after the news was broken by the media, FIFA came out with a statement stating their intention to clamp down on 3rd party ownership. All parties denied any wrongdoing, but Sporting CP declared that most of the funds were only agreeing to buy the players if they renewed their contracts - which, you guessed it - would earn their agents another chance to sit at the negotiation table. *Wink*!
4. Jorge Mendes – What they say...
Diego Costa - on his first big Mendes meeting while serving a ban for violent conduct: “I don’t know why I was allowed to play that day. I don’t know if it was him or God, but I played... When the game was over, this person offered me a contract to play for Sporting Braga, and that’s how I came to Europe.”
Diego Costa - on his second big Mendes meeting one year later:"Jorge told me I had to get a flight to Madrid, I knew nothing of what was going on and when we arrived he told me I was signing for Atlético Madrid... We were in the house of Atlético sporting director Jesús García Pitcarch, and I didn’t even know who he was.”
Fabio Coentrao - on Mendes influence: “Without him right now I wouldn’t be a footballer, I’d be working in the sea.”
Cristiano Ronaldo - on Jorge Mendes: “Jorge’s greatest virtues are that he is honest, sincere and professional...Nobody works as much as he does...he’s number one without a doubt.”
5. Jorge Mendes – What he says...
Jorge Mendes - on Nani’s former agent: "There are people that have signed contracts with players and are there waiting for a Jorge Mendes to show up and take him to a big club. They want to be glued to the operation without ever having done anything to promote it."
Jorge Mendes - on his rise to the top: "Portugal is a small country, where people who do well are the target of envy, but you have to struggle against the tide."
6. Jorge Mendes – A Starting XI of His Biggest Clients
![Renato Sanches birth certificate released by hospital [Diário de Notícias]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uQJmY3wjTdlg0k3gj-9GcDUyOozOOCO-TuQ9y3VlkWmZQRnIX_qKBLyg1W_cTVtl3uM2p1612BFWaPza44CGbTKimhg9wdExHpM-rElzsoxCAtCm9zpj_ot09amWMOXkeuYWVaD_MWpJvdSeh3-xahJ5rGUpiuv-uisozp2P6lzA=s0-d "Renato Sanches birth certificate released by hospital [Diário de Notícias]")
