BC-SOC--Euro 2016 Digest

SOC--EURO 2016 ROUNDUP

PARIS - France, Germany and Belgium sealed their places in the quarterfinals of the European Championship on Sunday as three of the pre-tournament favorites lived up to their promise. By Trevor Huggins. SENT 640 words, photos.

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SOC--EURO 2016-FRANCE-IRELAND

LYON, France - Antoine Griezmann again rescued France from another patchy and nervous performance at the European Championship. The diminutive forward's two quick goals early in the second half on Sunday helped see off a spirited Ireland side 2-1, sealing a spot in the quarterfinals. By Jerome Pugmire. SENT 620 words, photos.

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SOC--EURO 2016-GERMANY-SLOVAKIA

LILLE, France -Germany's first penalty miss at a European Championship for 40 years proved but a footnote Sunday as the team eased into the quarterfinals with a comprehensive 3-0 defeat of Slovakia.. By Ciaran Fahey. SENT 770 words, photos.

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SOC--EURO 2016-HUNGARY-BELGIUM

TOULOUSE, France - Belgium's "golden generation" is finally living up to its billing at the European Championship. Expectations have long been heaped on a group of players led by Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku, and the team has struggled to deliver. Now, Belgium has qualified for a place in the quarterfinals of Euro 2016 after a convincing 4-0 victory against Hungary on Sunday at the Stadium de Toulouse. By Frank Griffiths. SENT 600 words, photos.

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SOC--JOHN LEICESTER-EURO 2016

PARIS - So soon after Britons voted out of the European Union, this was unexpected: Enthusiastic throngs of Frenchmen merrily turning out to cheer them on. After all, the French helped build the EU and hold dear its ideals of unity. For many of them, Brexit, the turning of backs across the English Channel, was a rude slap in the face. By John Leicester. SENT 820 words, photos.

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SOC--BRITAIN-EU-SOCCER

Britain's vote to leave the European Union could mean profound changes for the country's most successful sporting export if continental players can no longer easily join Premier League clubs. Since English soccer reinvented itself in the 1990s and eradicated the rampant hooligan culture, it has become a magnet for both stars and more modest players from Europe. By Rob Harris. SENT 780 words, photos.

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SOC--EURO 2016-EU-ENGLAND FANS

NICE, France - They voted to take Britain out of the European Union. Now they're back on the continent hoping to see England's national soccer team conquer Europe. From beaches to bars around the world, England fans flaunt their patriotism following the team - covering city streets in the flag of St. George and evoking past glories with jingoistic songs. By Rob Harris. SENT 600 words, photos.

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SOC--EURO 2016-TIRED IRELAND

LYON, France - Three days too few. Forty-five minutes too many. Ireland bowed out of the European Championship on Sunday with a 2-1 loss after relinquishing a halftime lead against a better rested France. By Joseph Wilson. SENT 510 words, photos.

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SOC--EURO 2016-GERMANY-DRAXLER

LILLE, France - Julian Draxler isn't sure whether his performance against Slovakia was his best yet for Germany. Others are unlikely to have such doubts. By Eric Willemsen. SENT 490 words, photos.

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SOC--EURO 2016-SLOVAKIA

LILLE, France - For a team that's been drilled to defend, conceding early is never ideal. That's the fate that befell Slovakia on Sunday against Germany in a round of 16-match at the European Championship, which it eventually lost 3-0. By Karel Janicek. SENT 240 words, photos.

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SOC-EURO 2016-BELGIUM-HAZARD

TOULOUSE, France - In undoubtedly his best performance in a Belgian shirt, Eden Hazard showed exactly why his coach made him captain of the team. Hazard was the driving force behind Belgium's 4-0 drubbing of Hungary in a round of 16-match at the European Championship on Sunday. By Daniella Matar. SENT 400 words, photos.

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SOC--EURO 2016-SPAIN-MORATA

SAINT-DENIS, France - Better than anyone, Alvaro Morata knows what Spain will be up against on Monday. The 23-year-old Juventus striker has spent the last two seasons playing in Italy, the country the defending champions will face in the round of 16 at the European Championship. By Tales Azzoni. SENT 520 words, photos.

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SOC--EURO 2016-ITALY

SAINT-DENIS, France - To Italy coach Antonio Conte, there is no doubt that Spain is the favorite. Of course, that doesn't mean his team can't win. By Tales Azzoni. SENT 360 words, photos.

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SOC--EURO 2016-ENGLAND

NICE, France - England appears to have cracked one of its biggest problems in recent major tournaments: Keeping hold of the ball. Next problem to solve: What to do with it. By Steve Douglas. SENT 530 words, photos.

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SOC--EURO 2016-ICELAND

NICE, France - England will be facing an old foe when it meets Iceland at the European Championship on Monday. Lars Lagerback, one half of the coaching team behind Iceland's advance to the round of 16, knows all about frustrating England. By James Ellingworth. SENT 460 words, photos.

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SOC--EURO 2016-SWITZERLAND-EMBOLO

GELSENKIRCHEN, Germany - Less than 24 hours after being eliminated from the European Championship, Switzerland forward Breel Embolo has secured a move to Schalke in the Bundesliga. Swiss champion Basel and Schalke confirmed Sunday that the 19-year-old striker has signed a five-year contract. SENT 190 words, photos.

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SOC--EURO 2016-POLAND-BLASZCZYKOWSKI

LYON, France - Poland has found a stand-in for stymied star Robert Lewandowski. Little-known outside Poland and Italy, Jakub Blaszczykowski has so far scored the goals expected from the Bayern Munich striker, becoming the surprise leader of Poland's run to a first ever quarterfinal appearance at the European Championship. By Joseph Wilson. SENT 490 words, photos.

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