Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Ibrahimovic returns to Paris after his goals seal Euro 2016 qualification for Sweden

 November 19, 2015   John Welsh

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It has not been the best of situations in which to play football in Europe during the past days following the fatal terrorist attacks in Paris on Friday evening. Bombs were heard exploding outside the Stade de France during the France versus Germany friendly international and security issues prevented any play in scheduled games between […]

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Euro 2016 qualification

A pivotal moment in Albanian football history as Euro 2016 qualification is secured

 October 13, 2015   John Welsh

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After the draw was completed for Group I of the UEFA Euro 2016 qualifiers, Portugal were installed as favourites to win the group with Denmark and Serbia expected to compete for second and third position while Albania and Armenia were generally dismissed as no-hopers and easy prey for the stronger teams. Albania had never previously […]

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Iceland UEFA Euro 2016 qualification

Iceland secure UEFA Euro 2016 qualification amid Dutch despair

 September 8, 2015   John Welsh

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When the teams were selected for Group A of the UEFA Euro 2016 qualifiers, it was expected to be a formality for the Netherlands in occupying first position with Czech Republic and Turkey vying to be runners-up and Iceland considered the best team among the remainder of the three national squads. With just two games […]

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Gareth Bale

Gareth Bale inspires Wales to the brink of Euro 2016 qualification

 June 15, 2015   John Welsh

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Not since 1958 have Wales qualified for a major international football tournament when competing in the Sweden World Cup of that year and at no time have they ever played in the European Championships. However, their surprise 1-0 victory against Belgium in Friday evening’s Euro 2016 qualifier offers the nation great hope that they could […]

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Euro 2016 in France

Netherlands face qualification uncertainty as Iceland aim for Euro 2016 in France

 April 2, 2015   John Welsh

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With the international football break now concluded and the UEFA European Championship 2016 qualifying stage arriving at the half-way stage, it is evident that a couple of teams have almost guaranteed their entry to the finals in France barring any serious loss of form. Slovakia and England can still boast 100% records from five matches […]

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netherlands Euro 2016

Euro 2016 qualification will be no formality for struggling Netherlands

 October 15, 2014   John Welsh

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Amid a series of surprising shoreline’s and some expected one-sided matches, the Euro 2016 qualifying games during these past few days have introduced several interesting scenarios in the group tables. For instance, a late John O’Shea goal for Ireland denied Germany all three points as they tried to recover from losing to 2-0 to Poland […]

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Euro 2016 Germany vs Poland

German defeat in Poland stirs interest in Euro 2016 qualifiers

 October 13, 2014   John Welsh

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It may have been due to a hangover from their World Cup success, complacency or just good play by their opponents but whatever the reason for Germany’s 2-0 defeat by Poland on Saturday evening, the result has most certainly enlivened Group D of the Euro 2016 qualifiers. Poland have never previously beaten Germany in competition […]

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Czech Republic Euro 2016

World Cup teams experience mixed results in early Euro 2016 qualifiers

 September 10, 2014   John Welsh

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When Germany won the final of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil during mid-July, there was a sense that international football needed a break and several established footballers announced their retirement from playing for their respective countries. Yet within the first week of September and with some of the European leagues barely completing their first […]

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