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Home , David de Gea, David Silva, Iker Casillas, Jordi Alba, Nolito, Sergio Busquets

FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2016 46 Iniesta still the difference-maker for

SAINT-MARTIN-DE-RE: Andres Iniesta when I play,” said the 32-year-old “Iniesta gave us a world title and is the piece keeping Spain together. Iniesta, who was voted the man of the many more great things,” Spain mid- FAN FERVOR With impeccable passes, great finishes match in Toulouse. “That’s how I enjoy fielder Thiago Alcantara said. “It doesn’t and smart defending, Iniesta remains in my football and it’s no different now. surprise me to see him playing well like charge of Spain’s midfield at the It’s all about the collective, and in that this.” Iniesta has been running the European Championship, the player sense having responsibility isn’t some- show ever since Hernandez retired everyone turns to in times of trouble. thing I try to shirk.” from the national team following “Thirty years from now I’ll be able to Effective as ever, Iniesta converted Spain’s disappointing elimination from say that I played with Iniesta,” Spain 85 of his 93 passes against the Czechs, the group stage of the 2014 World Cup striker Manuel “” Agudo said. “He and became the tournament’s most in Brazil. remains is one of the best players in the world, successful player with 10 victories, alongside him in midfield, but little by the very best in his position.” Iniesta along with teammate Cesc Fabregas. little Del Bosque has been bringing in showed some of his prowess in Spain’s “Iniesta is a unique player,” Spain younger players to replace the aging difficult first game at Euro 2016, when defender said. “It’s a luxury winners from the previous generation. it looked like the two-time defending to have him in the team. In key Striker didn’t even champions were set for a scoreless moments, he steps up.” Spain’s second make it to Euro 2016 and goalkeeper debut against the Czech Republic. With Group D game is Friday against Turkey lost his starting spot to three minutes left, the Barcelona play- in Nice. Iniesta played a major role . Iniesta is an indisputable maker came through with a well-placed when Spain won its two consecutive starter, and will certainly remain so for cross for Gerard Piquet’s winner. Piquet European Championship titles in 2008 as long as he continues to control the called it an “incredible” cross, and Spain and 2012. At the 2010 World Cup, the Spanish midfield. “It’s a privilege to be coach said it was a Barcelona scored the win- able to play with someone like “perfect” assist. ning against the Netherlands in Iniesta,” teammate said. “I always try to take responsibility the final. “What a great player he is.” — AP

LENS: Football supporters walk past a piece of street art as they walk in heavy rain in Lens, northern France, yesterday, on the day England plays against Wales in their Euro 2016 group B football match. — AFP 20 Russians thrown out of France amid new Euro 2016 hooligan alert

MARSEILLE: Twenty Russians including Shprygin heads also confirmed he was trouble fears. Kevin English, a 53-year- a far-right agitator were to be thrown to be expelled. The other 20 supporters old plumber, was drinking beer and still out of France yesterday as the city of in the group will be freed. The arrest of nursing a bruised and cut eye after a Lens went into lockdown ahead of the Russians turned into a diplomatic fight with Russian fans in Marseille. “I England’s next Euro 2016 match. Amid incident on Wednesday when Moscow was by myself having a drink in the Old diplomatic tensions over the case, three summoned France’s ambassador in Port when a group of Russians came out Russian supporters will also be tried in protest. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei of nowhere and attacked me. They Marseille, the first from their country to Lavrov described the arrests as stamped on me. I have bruises all over face justic for their role in violence “absolutely unacceptable”. my body,” he told AFP. around the England- match in the But he said he would not look for city on Saturday. French police ALERT IN LENS confrontation with Russians. “It’s been swooped on a group of 43 Russian fans Thousands of riot police were on and gone. I wouldn’t go looking for in southern France on Tuesday and car- high alert in Lens, the industrial north- revenge,” he said. On Wednesday, ried out identity checks as part of the ern city where up to 50,000 supporters brawling erupted when tens of thou- investigation into the football violence. gathered as England face British rivals sands of fans from the Russia-Slovakia Far-right figure Alexander Shprygin, Wales at 1300 GMT. Security forces match in Lille joined English and Welsh who heads a Russian football support- watched English fans closely after 36 supporters gathering in the city. Riot ers’ association, is among the 20 fans people were arrested Wednesday in police staged several tear gas assaults from the detained group who will be nearby Lille where riot police carrying and baton charges. There are 20 British expelled from France. shields fired teargas in a standoff with police ‘spotters’ mingling with the “He is among the group,” an investi- rival fans. The atmosphere in Lens was crowds. The Germany-Poland game in gation source told AFP, while the good-natured before kickoff, but schools Paris on Thursday night is also consid- Russian supporters’ association that in the city were closed because of fan ered a hooligan risk.—AFP