Tuesday, July 5, 2016
Monday, July 4, 2016
Wales at Euro 2016 RECAP: Breaking news as Gareth Bale faces the media ahead of historic semi-final
The Wales star faces a showdown with his Real Madrid team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo on Wednesday
After the elation of Friday night, Chris Coleman's men will now be firmly focused on the impending historic Euro 2016 semi-final.
Amid heightened media interest at Wales' Dinard training base, Gareth Bale will hold a press conference this afternoon and is likely to face questions about facing a certain Cristiano Ronaldo on Wednesday night.
There will also be plenty of build up to the Portugal clash and we'll be bringing everything to you LIVE.
Follow our updates below...
Key Events So Far
Principality Stadium fanzone for the big one
Ledley could be forced to cancel his wedding
Gareth Bale press conference highlights
Bale: Pepe would be a big loss
Greatest moment of your career?
Matthew Southcombe
How the media are building up the semi-final
Clearly, Wales are big news at the moment.
And the national media have been building up Wednesday’s semi-final against Portugal.
Matthew Southcombe
Football takes centre stage
An interesting comment piece from our resident rugby writer about how football is taking over Wales...
Matthew Southcombe
Ledley could be forced to cancel his wedding
You thought Chris Gunter’s predicament was bad.
Wales’ run deep into the knockout stages has caused chaos again.
This time, Joe Ledley is the man who could have to rearrange things and this is no small occasion.
The midfielder might have to totally reschedule his wedding!
Go here for the full story...
Matthew Southcombe
Bale was all smiles at the presser today
Gareth Bale after a press conference
Gareth Bale was all smiles ahead of the semi-final
Matthew Southcombe
Options
You can dwell on the disappointment of Aaron Ramsey and Ben Davies being suspended for the semi-final as much as you like, but it won’t change the fact that it’s a reality.
Time to focus on the alternatives, we think.
This is how Chris Coleman could manage the dilemma...
Matthew Southcombe
Gareth Bale press conference highlights
Here’s the pick of what Gareth Bale had to say...
He insisted this game was not about two player, but about two nations.
Praised Ronaldo as a ‘fantastic player’.
Bale said playing at the Euros is the ‘most honoured I’ve been’.
He said Pepe would be a big loss to Portugal.
Bale revealed that they are playing for the nation, the badge and for Ramsey and Davies.
Chris Wathan
Bale: The milkshakes are nice here...
“The milkshakes are nice.
“The people of the town have been brilliant, been happy to give pictures and autographs.
“It’s been great to stay here and I would like to thank hospitality they’ve given us.”
Chris Wathan
Do Portugal play boring football?
“Not at all, they’ve got a good defence and scored a few.
“They’ve been enjoyable to watch.
“I’m sure they would have wanted to win a few more games but they’re in the semis and you can’t ask for much more.”
Gareth Bale
Chris Wathan
Do you think Ronaldo is fit? It's been a long season...
“Yeah, don’t see a reason why not. For everybody it’s a long season, some guys played 66 games.
“As soon as you’re out on the pitch, all injuries and worries go away.”
Gareth Bale
Chris Wathan
Bale: Ramsey and Davies will be hurt, but they aren't showing it
“It’s horrible.
“The rules are difficult to take, sometimes you wish at this stage of tournament yellow cards would be wiped.
“You feel for them and they’ll be hurt, but they’re not showing it and they’ve given us more motivation to win so they can play again.
“We’re playing for the nation and the badge but also for them.”
Chris Wathan
Bale: Pepe would be a big loss
“Firstly he’s a fantastic player, he’s incredible for Real Madrid, professional and a great man who’s been very good to me.
“He’ll be a big loss if he’s not fit but if he does play he’ll make it difficult.”
Chris Wathan
Bale: We won't freeze
“They won’t dwell on the past, it’s a brand new game.
“It doesn’t make a difference. They are different situations with different pressures.
“We’ll enjoy it, we won’t freeze, hopefully play the best we can.”
Chris Wathan
Greatest moment of your career?
“It’s difficult to say, but it’s right up there, it’s the most honoured I’ve been, playing for your country is the biggest honour and to be in the biggest game is amazing.
“But we don’t want it to end, it’s our time, we want to continue fighting and hopefully make history.”
Gareth Bale
Chris Wathan
Is Ronaldo tense?
“I’m not too sure, I can’t comment on what he’s feeling.
“For me I feel comfortable.
“We get on well, we enjoy playing with each other, I’m not sure what he does off the pitch, that’s his private life.”
Gareth Bale
Chris Wathan
Bale: There are no stars, we're together
“The team is a star, there are no stars, we’re together, we work as one, we run for each other, tackle for each other.
“We get along like brothers, we joke around and have a laugh as you’ve seen on social media.
“We have no fear, we go into each game as best as we can.”
Chris Wathan
Bale: Ronaldo is a fantastic player
“He’s a fantastic player, everybody knows what he can do, but we speak about we can do as a team.
“Teams we’ve played had very good individuals, but it’s about how we perform as a team and by doing that we can shut out a lot of threats.”
Chris Wathan
Bale: We've always believed
“We all believed from the start.
“We didn’t come to make up the numbers, we’re here to do a job.
“We want to win the tournament, we’re a step closer but we can’t think past this game.
“Hopefully we can get the job done and look forward to the final.”
Chris Wathan
Bale: It's not about two players
“It’s not about two players, everybody knows that, it’s about two nations, 11 men v 11 men.
“It will be a very different game, they’re in the semi for a reason but we’ll enjoy the occasion as we have done.”
Chris Wathan
Gareth Bale press conference begins...
“It just an extra day recovery.
You get stiff after games so it was just a bit more recovery, nothing to be worried and we continue as normal.”
Gareth Bale
Chris Wathan
Watch Gareth Bale's press conference...
Watch things as they unfold below
Chris Wathan
Huge interest in Gareth Bale today
Our man Chris Wathan is there for us...
“We’re just a few minutes away from Gareth Bale arriving at the media centre for the sixth time during this tournament.
“Interestingly, the previous occasions have seen his appearance kept low-key with not much notice of confirmation, but the FAW made it known yesterday it would be the world’s most expensive player in the hot seat today.
“As a result we’ve seen huge numbers arrive in Dinard from every conceivable country... Russia, Spain, Italy, Norway, Germany, England and, of course, Portugal are among those in the centre’s busiest day.
“Security has been stepped up as a result.”
Matthew Southcombe
Wales could ruin Clattenburg's Euros
Mark Clattenburg is England’s sole remaining representative at Euro 2016 and he’s been hotly tipped to referee the final.
It would cap a wonderful year for the English official after he took charge of the FA Cup final and the Champions League final.
However, Wales could toss a real spanner in the works if they get past Portugal on Wednesday night.
It would mean Clattenburg would be unable to officiate because of UEFA’s regulation that bar British referees from taking charge of matches involving the home nations.
Matthew Southcombe
Portugal have been training too...
Cristiano Ronaldo (L) and teammates take part in a training session
Matthew Southcombe
Pepe a doubt for Wales clash
Portugal centre-back Pepe has missed training today with a thigh problem.
The Real Madrid defender has been in good form this tournament and if he were to miss the semi-final against Wales, it would be a huge blow.
Matthew Southcombe
More training pics
Wales' Neil Taylor during a training session
Hal Robson-Kanu controls the ball in training
Joe Allen and Joe Ledley tangle during training
Wales players during a training session at their base in Dinard
Matthew Southcombe
Portugal's Andre Gomes talks about Wales...
I know Gareth Bale from the Spanish league.
I also played against British teams in the past so I know the way they play, their style.
They are very strong physically, they’ve got a very good team.
We are preparing to face very strong Wales team, they attack well. I think they counter-attack very well as well.
But we will use our weapons the best way we can to beat them on Wednesday.
Andre Gomes, Portugal
Matthew Southcombe
Wales back at it...
Wales' (left to right) Joe Allen, Jazz Richards and Jonathan Williams during the training session
Matthew Southcombe
Gunter attracting interest - reports
Chris Gunter, who has had a fantastic European Championship, is reportedly attracting interest from Scottish giants Celtic.
The 26-year-old has been one of Wales’ stars of the tournament and his performances are understood to have impressed Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers.
According to the Daily Mail, the former Swans boss is ready to trigger a £1 million release clause.
Matthew Southcombe
Lucky charm?
Sweden’s Jonas Eriksson has been appointed as the referee for the semi-final against Portugal.
He was in charge when Wales were utterly irresistible against Russia in the final group game.
Matthew Southcombe
Joe Allen to miss pre-season tour
Wales’ Euro 2016 journey affecting how the players prepare for next season.
The Mirror have reported that Joe Allen will miss the Liverpool’s pre-season tour of the USA as Wales’ competition continues.
Jurgen Klopp and his men depart on July 21 but Allen, along with Wales ‘keeper Danny Ward and Germany’s Emre Can, won’t be on the flight.
Matthew Southcombe
Right answer!
If he wasn’t already, Chris Coleman became everyone’s favourite Welshman with this.
He was asked by the English media if he would ever consider taking on the top job with the Three Lions.
What he said next was glorious...
Matthew Southcombe
Good morning!
Welcome to our live coverage of Wales at Euro 2016.
There is plenty going on today and we’ll be bringing you all the build up to Wednesday’s semi-final against Portugal.
Wales’ run in the tournament has seen an increased attendance at the media centre and Gareth Bale will be holding a press conference later.
Should be a belter.
Stay tuned throughout the day..
CREDIT TO:http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/wales-euro-2016-recap-breaking-11561922Italy's Simone Zaza apologises for woeful penalty in Germany defeat - 'I will live with it for a lifetime'
Zaza was brought on specifically to take a spot-kick but ballooned his effort over the bar after a ridiculous run-up
Simone Zaza has apologised to Italy fans after his shocking penalty miss in the Euro 2016 quarter-final defeat to Germany.
Zaza was left red-faced after his woeful spot-kick during the shootout defeat on Saturday night.
He put on a ridiculously over the top run-up before scooping his penalty high and wide, having being brought on towards the end of extra time specifically to take a spot-kick.
The move backfired in spectacular fashion for the Azzurri though, and the 25-year-old took to his Instagram account to post a lengthy apology.
Getty
Laurence Griffiths
A picture of the whole 23-man Italy squad was uploaded alongside an apology to the Italian supporters.
“I want to say that I am first a supporter of this national team so I am disappointed, sad and angry with myself," he said.
“What has happened I will live for a lifetime, it was the target of the team and mine and I failed.”
The Juventus man was the first Italian to miss in the shootout, with Graziano Pelle also putting his penalty hopelessly wide before Leonardo Bonucci and Matteo Darmian saw their spot kicks saved by German keeper Manuel Neuer.
Bonucci had earlier scored from the spot in normal time to cancel out Mesut Ozil's opener.
But after Italy's woeful penalty taking, Germany now go on to face hosts France in a blockbuster semi final.
After signing for Juventus last summer Zaza endured a difficult first season in Turin, making only 19 league appearances and netting just five goals as he struggled to displace Paolo Dybala and Mario Mandzukic.
CREDIT TO:http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/italys-simone-zaza-apologises-woeful-8348730Manchester United legend Patrice Evra shows his colours after encounter with young France supporter
Patrice Evra is a key member of France’s Euro 2016 team (Picture: Getty)Patrice Evra has proven he is a class act after revealing he believes his international duties with France go beyond the playing squad.
The defender is a popular figure in France despite leading a player revolt in the disastrous 2010 World Cup campaign and said he always tries to hang behind at training to sign autographs.
Evra has plied his trade at massive clubs like Manchester United and Juventus and is currently attempting to led France to a Euro 2016 home victory, but says he wants to inspire and encourage the next generation of Les Blues.
The 35-year-old has often been seen taking time to mingle with supporters and revealed a telling conversation he had with a fan recently.
‘Football is never easy. You could have the technique of Cristiano Ronaldo or Messi but the most important thing is that you believe what you can achieve,’ Evra told Uefa.com
‘I always give young people that message. I said that to a fan yesterday.
‘I was signing a jersey and he said, ‘You are my favourite player’.
‘I told him, ‘I hope one day I will come [to a game] with my son and you will sign an autograph for him’. The kids, they are the future so we need to show them a good example and make sure that, maybe, they can achieve their dream.’
France’s emphatic 5-2 victory over Iceland on Sunday secured a semi-final clash with Germany on Thursday as their quest to win the tournament on home soil remains on track.
Euro 2016: I would never manage England - Coleman
Chris Coleman's next job is set to be abroad as the Wales manager ruled out ever taking the helm at England.
Chris Coleman's next job is set to be abroad as the Wales manager ruled out ever ta...
Wales manager Chris Coleman insists he would never take the helm at England or any other national team.
Coleman was among those linked to replace Roy Hodgson, having led Wales to the Euro 2016 semi-finals.
However, the 46-year-old former Fulham and Coventry City boss rubbished suggestions he would even consider taking on the England job.
"It's something that would never, ever enter my thinking," Coleman said.
"I'm a Welshman through and through. It would only ever be Wales."
Coleman has been in charge of Wales since 2012, and his side face Portugal in the last four in France.
As for what his future holds, he wants to work overseas – having already experienced Spain and Greece with Real Sociedad and Larissa respectively.
"My next job after Wales, whenever that is, will be somewhere abroad," he said.
"I quite fancy the chance of going abroad again, because I think that's my best one of managing in the Champions League.
"Champions League football in the Premier League – you're talking about the top, big, massive clubs, and it's not something I think I'd get linked with.
"So, my best chance of managing Champions League football would be abroad and it's an ambition of mine to do that. To manage another country? No, I wouldn't. That's not something I would consider."
