BC-SOC--Euro 2016 Digest
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SOC--EURO 2016-SWITZERLAND-POLAND
SAINT-ETIENNE, France - Poland spent time preparing for a penalty shootout - and it showed. Pinned back in its own half for long spells by Switzerland as fatigue appeared to take its toll in extra time, Poland focused on the defensive virtues that have served it so well at the European Championship. By Samuel Petrequin. SENT 740 words, photos.
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SOC--EURO 2016-CROATIA-PORTUGAL
LENS, France - Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal seized their chance to stay in the chase for an elusive first title together on Saturday. Ronaldo's only shot created a rare scoring opportunity and substitute Ricardo Quaresma finished it off, helping Portugal to beat Croatia 1-0 on Saturday and advance to the European Championship quarterfinals.. By Graham Dunbar. SENT 660 words, photos.
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SOC--EURO 2016-WALES-NORTHERN IRELAND
PARIS - Wearing a red shirt and white shorts just like daddy, Alba Violet Bale danced around the Parc de Princes field in celebration with her father. The 3-year-old girl hasn't been seeing much of Gareth Bale lately, and the Welsh nation will be hoping they'll have to wait a bit longer before being able to spend any quality time together. By Rob Harris. SENT 600 words, photos.
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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. SENT 825 words, photos.
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SOC--EURO 2016-SWITZERLAND-SHAQIRI
SAINT-ETIENNE, France - As spectacular as it was, Xherdan Shaqiri's beautiful bicycle kick goal just wasn't enough. The Switzerland forward scored the goal of the tournament against Poland on Saturday, jumping with his back to the net before sending a left-footed volley inside the post from near the edge of the area. By Joseph Wilson. SENT 400 words, photos.
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SOC--EURO 2016-PORTUGAL-NANI
LENS, France - That was some way for Portugal winger Nani to celebrate his 100th cap. With barely minutes to go in its round of 16-match against Croatia at the European Championship on Saturday, Portugal conjured a winner from its first really penetrating attack. And Nani, who had hardly featured in what was a pretty drab match, was involved in the attack. By Eric Willemsen. SENT 420 words, photos.
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SOC--EURO 2016-CROATIA
LENS, France - Croatia's creative midfield pairing of Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic has failed to live up to its billing at a major tournament again. By Karel Janicek. SENT 275 words, photos.
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SOC--EURO 2016-ITALY-SPAIN
SAINT-MARTIN-DE-RE, France - A lot has changed for Spain since it routed Italy in the European Championship final four years ago. While Italy remains the same hard-working team with solid defense and efficient offense, Spain is no longer the dominant force it once was, having lost some important players from its most successful generation and coming off an embarrassing elimination in the 2014 World Cup. By Tales Azzoni. SENT 640 words, photos.
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SOC--EURO 2016-GERMANY-SLOVAKIA
LILLE, France - Germany coach Joachim Loew is confident his side will be "better than England" when it plays Slovakia on Sunday in the last 16 at the European Championship. Slovakia held England to a goalless draw to reach the knockout stage as one of four third-place sides behind Wales and England in Group B. The draw earned praise from Loew, whose own side was beaten 3-1 by Slovakia in a storm-interrupted friendly in Augsburg, Germany on May 29. By Ciaran Fahey. SENT 430 words, photos.
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SOC--EURO 2016-HUNGARY
TOULOUSE, France - For Hungary, the pressure is all on Belgium ahead of their round of 16 clash at the European Championship. Hungary has surprised many by qualifying for the knockout stages of Euro 2016 as group winner. Belgium, on the other hand, was one of the pre-tournament favorites, many of its players earning their living at some of Europe's biggest clubs. By Frank Griffiths. SENT 380 words, photos.
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SOC--EURO 2016-IRELAND-O'NEILL'S GRIPE
LYON, France - Coach Martin O'Neill has questioned Ireland's "unfair" ticket allocation for Sunday's match against host France in the last 16 of the European Championship. It rankles strongly with him that Irish fans should be so under-represented at the 58,000-seater Stade de Lyon. By Jerome Pugmire. SENT 420 words, photos.
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SOC--EURO 2016-BELGIUM-IMPROVEMENT NEEDED
TOULOUSE, France - Belgium coach Marc Wilmots has told his players to step up a level when they take on Hungary in the last 16 of the European Championship on Sunday. Hungary has been one of the surprise packages of the tournament, while Belgium had mixed results in Group E - losing 2-0 to Italy, beating Ireland 3-0 and scraping a 1-0 win over Sweden in its final match. By Daniella Matar. SENT 330 words, photos.
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SOC--EURO 2016-FRANCE-LLORIS' RECORD
PARIS - It is hard to notice that Hugo Lloris is captain of France, such is his calm, soft-spoken attitude. No screaming at his defenders; no flapping his hands at a bad decision by a linesman, no in-your-face celebrations when he makes a save. He will captain Les Bleus for the 55th time against Ireland in the last 16 of the European Championship on Sunday, breaking the record held by France coach Didier Deschamps. By Jerome Pugmire. Sent 460 words, photos.
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SOC--EURO 2016-ENGLAND-ICELAND
NICE, France - Brought up on a regular supply of the Premier League, Iceland's players are used to cheering on England at major soccer tournaments. Now, they're trying to eliminate them. By Steve Douglas. SENT 500 words, photos.
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SOC--EURO 2016-FRANCE-IRELAND
LYON, France - France plays Ireland for a place in the quarterfinals of the European Championship. In the first meeting between the sides for nearly seven years, tournament host France is favorite having had three days more rest than Ireland before the match. By Jerome Pugmire. UPCOMING: 500 words by 1530 GMT, photos.
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SOC--EURO-2016-SPAIN
SAINT-MARTIN-DE-RE, France - Spain will stick to its acclaimed passing game to try to break through Italy's tough defensive scheme in the round of 16 of the European Championship. Facing one of the best defenses at Euro 2016, Spain is vowing to stay patient and keep control of the ball for as long as needed to be able to create scoring chances against its old rival in Monday's match at Stade de France. By Tales Azzoni. UPCOMING: 500 words by 1400 GMT, photos.
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