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Home , Adam Nemec, Adrien Silva, Alan Dzagoev, Alban Hoxha, Albin Ekdal, Alexandru Chipciu

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT THURSDAY 9 JUNE 2016 Europe’s best under spotlight

after becoming engulfed by the Northern Ireland, , Ice- Hotspur’s . FIFA corruption scandal that land, Slovakia and Wales are all One consequence of the All eyes on hosts as a has rocked the sport, means appearing for the first time in fatter format means only eight 24 nations begin quest he will be a notable absentee. the tournament which is sec- teams will be eliminated from Against such a backdrop ond only to the World Cup in the six initial groups of four, for supremacy it can only be hoped that the terms of prestige and not too with even third place likely to tournament, the first since the far behind in quality. seal a last-16 spot. sleaze hit the fan last summer For Spain’s old guard, play- Spain’s group looks the and the last with a single host ers such as Andres Iniesta, toughest on paper, with the Reuters before it goes continent-wide in Sergio Busquets, Gerard Pique Czech Republic, and 2020, can deliver some memo- and Sergio Ramos, Euro 2016 Croatia, while France should rable moments on the pitch. It could be their last hurrah after comfortably top a section certainly has the potential to do the disappointment of the Bra- including Albania, Romania : Bigger than ever, the so with 51 matches in 31 days zil World Cup two years ago, and . European Championship kicks spread across France from the and with old sage Vicente del will also have to be on off in with a four-week coal-mining country of Lens in Bosque at the helm, they will their guard against a danger- feast of football that prom- the north to the Mediterranean take some stopping. ous-looking Belgium squad, ises to elevate the game above port of Marseille. France, winners in 1984 Ireland and who in the corruption scandals and Unfamiliar qualifiers and 2000, will carry the Zlatan Ibrahimovic have one security fears that have over- will be hoping to show they hopes of a nation still coming of the tournament’s A-listers. shadowed its build-up. belong and vindicate Plati- to terms with last year’s mil- Others vying for the All eyes will be on hosts ni’s brainchild, criticised by itant attacks. Manager Didier limelight include Portu- France when they get the ball some as substituting quality Deschamps has some enviable gal’s who rolling against Romania in for quantity. quality at his disposal in Juven- endured a disappointing the on June The establishment should tus and World Cup and is running out 10 -- 210 days after suicide prove again, however, that the forwards Kingsley Coman and of time to claim a first title for bombers at the same venue cream inevitably rises to the . his country. Of the debutants, triggered a night of horror top and that Greece’s surprise World champions Germany Iceland’s appearance will add across the capital which killed triumph in 2004 was an anom- will be targeting a first Euro novelty value although having 130 people. aly. Spain retained the title title in 20 years while England finished above the Nether- It should have been a four years ago in Poland and seek their first international lands in qualifying they will proud moment for former UEFA , a tournament com- success since the World Cup of need to be taken seriously by president . prising only 16 nations, and 1966. ’s youthful group rivals Portugal, The France great, who will be among the favourites side went through qualifying and Hungary. Wales, too, will inspired his country’s 1984 title to make it a hat-trick, although with a 100 percent record and not just be making up the num- on home soil, achieved his wish three-times champions Ger- have real goal threat in the bers if talisman , of expanding the tournament many, 2012 runners-up Italy, form of , one of the who has led them to their first to a record 24 nations. But a France and a resurgent England stars for unlikely champions finals since the 1958 World Cup, four-year ban, handed down will all fancy their chances. Leicester City, and Tottenham is fit and firing.

VENUE GUIDE

CHAIRMAN ACTING MANAGING EDITOR SPORTS TEAM DESIGN IMAGE PROCESSING Sheikh Thani bin Abdullah Al Thani Mohammed Salim Mohamed Rizwan Rehmat Abraham Augusthy Mohd Sajad Sahir (HEAD OF SPORTS SECTION) Armstrong Vas EDITOR-IN-CHIEF ADVERTISING MANAGER M Fawad Hussain PRODUCTION Dr. Khalid Al-Shafi Ali Wahba Chinthana Priyankara Viswanath Sharma 02 THURSDAY 9 JUNE 2016 The complete guide to every

GROUP A

ALBANIA Goalkeepers: (Lazio), (Partizani ), (Skenderbeu Korce)

Defenders: (Frosi- none), (), Mergim Mavraj (Cologne), (Nantes), (Napoli), (Qarabag), Frederic Veseli (Lugano)

Midfielders: (Pescara), Ergys Kace (PAOK), (PAS Giannina), (Como), (), (FC Zurich), (Nantes), (Basel), (Freiburg)

Forwards: Bekim Bala (Rijeka), (Istanbul BB), (), Shkelzen Gashi (Colorado Rapids)

FRANCE Goalkeepers: (Tottenham), (Marseille), Benoit Costil (Stade Rennais)

Defenders: (Lyon), (Arsenal), Eli- aquim Mangala (Manchester City), (Sevilla), (Juventus), (Man- chester City), (AS Roma), (Lyon)

Midfielders: Paul Pogba (Juven- tus), (Paris Saint-Germain), Morgan Schnei- derlin (Manchester United), N’Golo Kante (Leicester), (Crystal Palace), (Newcastle)

Forwards: Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid), (Ludogorets Razgrad), Bogdan St Petersburg), Alexander Koko- (West Ham), Stancu (Genclerbirligi), Florin GROUP B rin (Zenit St Petersburg), Fedor WALES (Manchester United), Kingsley Andone (Cordoba), Goalkeepers: (CSKA Smolov (Krasnodar) Goalkeepers: Wayne Hennes- Coman (Bayern Munich), Olivier (Astra Giurgiu) ), Guilherme (Lokomotiv sey (Crystal Palace), Daniel Ward Giroud (Arsenal), Andre-Pierre Moscow), (Zenit St (Liverpool), Owain Fon Williams Gignac (UANL Tigres) SWITZERLAND Petersburg). (Inverness Caledonian Thistle) Goalkeepers: (Borussia Monchengladbach), Defenders: Alexei Berezut- Defenders: Ashley Williams Roman Burki (), ski (CSKA Moscow), Vasili (Swansea), (West (Augsburg) Berezutski (CSKA Moscow), Ser- Brom), Ben Davies (Tottenham), gei Ignashevich (CSKA Moscow), James Collins (West Ham), Chris Defenders: (Spartak Mos- Gunter (Reading), (Juventus), (Borus- cow), Roman Neustadter (Schalke (Swansea), (Fulham) sia Monchengladbach), Michael 04), Georgi Schennikov (CSKA Lang (Basel), (Ham- Moscow), (Loko- Midfielders: (Crys- burg), (Young motiv Moscow), tal Palace), (Liverpool), Boys), Fabian Schar (Hoffenheim), (Zenit) David Vaughan (Nottingham For- ROMANIA Francois Moubandje (Toulouse), SLOVAKIA est), Jonathan Williams (Crystal Goalkeepers: Ciprian Tatarusanu Ricardo Rodriguez (Wolfsburg) ENGLAND Midfielders: Goalkeepers: Jan Mucha (Slovan Palace), David Edwards (Wolves), (Fiorentina), Goalkeepers: (Dynamo Moscow), ), Matus Kozacik (Vikto- George Williams (Fulham), Aaron (Watford), (Astra Midfielders: (Wat- (Southampton), (Man- (CSKA Moscow), Denis Glusha- ria Plzen), Jan Novota (Rapid Wien) Ramsey (Arsenal), Andy King Giurgiu) ford), Blerim Dzemaili (Genoa), chester City), Tom Heaton (Burnley) kov (Spartak Moscow), Alexander (Leicester) (Rennes), Fabian Golovin (CSKA Moscow), Oleg Defenders: Martin Skrtel (Liv- Defenders: Cristian Sapunaru Frei (Mainz), (Arse- Defenders: Ryan Betrand (South- Ivanov (Terek Grozny), Pavel erpool), Jan Durica (Lokomotiv Forwards: Gareth Bale (Real (Pandurii Targu Jiu), Alexandru nal), (Stoke City), ampton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Mamaev (Krasnodar), Alexander Moscow), Peter Pekarik (Hertha Madrid), (Bir- Matel (Dinamo ), Vlad Renato Steffen (Basel), Denis Zaka- Nathaniel Clyne (Liverpool), Samedov (Lokomotiv Moscow), ), Tomas Hubocan (Dynamo mingham City), Hal Robson-Kanu Chiriches (Napoli), Valerica Gaman ria (Young Boys) Rose (Tottenham), Chris (Zenit St Petersburg), Moscow), Kornel Salata (Sloven (Reading), Simon Church (Aber- (Astra Giurgiu), Dragos Grigore (Al- Smalling (Manchester United), (CSKA Moscow) Bratislava), Dusan Svento (FC deen, on loan from Milton Keynes Sailiya), Cosmin Moti (Ludogorets Forwards: (Basel), John Stones (Everton), Kyle Walker Forwards: (Zenit Koln), Norbert Gyomber (Roma), Dons), (Burnley) Razgrad), Razvan Rat (Rayo Val- Haris Seferovic (Eintracht Frank- (Tottenham) Milan Skriniar (Sampdoria). lecano), (Dinamo furt), (Bayer Midfielders: (Tottenham), ) Leverkusen), Ross Barkley (Everton), Midfielders: Marek Hamsik (Kasimpasa), (Tottenham), Jordan Henderson (Napoli), Stanislav Sestak (Ferenc- Midfielders: (Steaua (Everton) (Liverpool), (Liv- varos), (), Bucharest), (Hapoel erpool), James Milner (Liverpool), Vladimir Weiss (Al-Gharafa), Juraj Be’er Sheva), Andrei Prepelita Raheem Sterling (Manchester City), Kucka (AC Milan), Viktor Pecovsky (Ludogorets Razgrad), Adrian Popa Jack Wilshere (Arsenal). (Zilina), Robert Mak (PAOK), Patrik (Steaua Bucharest), Hrosovsky (Viktoria Plzen), Ondrej (Osmanlispor), Forwards: Harry Kane (Tot- Duda (Legia ), Jan Gregus (Steaua Bucharest), Nicolae Stanciu tenham), Marcus Rashford (Baumit Jablonec). (Steaua Bucharest), Lucian San- (Manchester United), Wayne martean (Al Ittihad) Rooney (Manchester United), Forwards: Michal Duris (Vikto- Daniel Sturridge (Liver- ria Plzen), (Willem Forwards: Claudiu Keseru pool), Jamie Vardy (Leicester) II), Stanislav Sestak (Ferencvaros) THURSDAY 9 JUNE 2016 03 team and player

(Lech Poznan), Krzysztof Mac- (Sparta ), Tomas Sivok (Bur- (Mechelen) GROUP C zynski (Wisla), Slawomir Peszko saspor), Roman Hubnik (Viktoria (Lechia Gdansk), Filip Starzynski Pilsen), (Sheffield Defenders: (Zaglebie Lubin), Piotr Zielinski Wednesday) (Tottenham), (Empoli) (Tottenham), Thomas Vermae- Midfielders: Borek Dockal (Sparta len (), Forwards: (Ajax), Prague), Jiri Skalak (Brighton), (Galatasaray), (Bayern Vladimir Darida (Hertha Berlin), (Oostende), (Club Munich), Mariusz Stepinski (Ruch Daniel Kolar (Viktoria Pilsen), Brugges), Montreal Chorzow) Ladislav Krejci (Sparta Prague), Impact), (Genk) Josef Sural (Sparta Prague), (Kasimpasa), Jaroslav Midfielders: Moussa Dembele Plasil (Bordeaux), Tomas Rosicky (Tottenham), (Arsenal) (Roma), (Man- GERMANY chester United), (Zenit Goalkeepers: (Bay- Forwards: Milan Skoda (Slavia Saint-Petersburg), Eden Haz- ern Munich), Bernd Leno (Bayer Prague), Tomas Necid (Bursas- ard (Chelsea), FC), Adam Lang (Videoton FC), Leverkusen), Marc-Andre ter Ste- por), (Sparta Prague) (Manchester City), Tamas Kadar (Lech Poznan), Mih- gen (Barcelona) (Napoli), aly Korhut (Debreceni VSC) (Atletico Madrid) Defenders: Jerome Boateng Midfielders: Akos Elek (Diyosgyori (Bayern Munich), Forwards: Mitchy Batshuayi (Mar- VTK), Adam Pinter (Ferencvaros), (Borussia Dortmund), Shko- seille), (Everton), Zoltan Gera (Ferencvaros), Lazlo dran Mustafi (Valencia), Benedikt UKRAINE (Liverpool), Kleinheisler (Werder Bremen), Howedes (Schalke), (Liverpool) Gergo Lovrencsics (Lech Poznan), (Cologne), (Liverpool), Goalkeepers: (Sha- Zoltan Stieber (FC Nuremberg) Antonio Rudiger (Roma) khtar), (Besiktas), (Zorya) Forwards: Balazs Dzsudzsak Midfielders: Bastian Schwein- SPAIN (Bursaspor), Adam Szalai (Han- steiger (Manchester United), Defenders: Evhen Khacheridi Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Porto), Defenders: Ludwig Augustins- nover, on loan from Hoffenheim), Sami Khedira (Juventus), Mesut (Dynamo Kiev), (Manchester United), son (), Erik Johansson Krisztian Nemeth (Al-Gharafa), Ozil (Arsenal), (Real (Amkar), Artem Fedetskyi (Dni- Sergio Rico (Sevilla) (Copenhagen), Nemanja Nikolic (), Madrid), Mario Gotze (Bayern pro), Oleksandr Karavaev (Zorya), (Torino), Victor Lindelof (Benfica) Tamas Priskin (Slovan Bratislava), Munich), Thomas Muller (Bayern (Shakhtar), Defenders: Sergio Ramos (Real (Krasnodar), Daniel Bode (Ferencvaros) Munich), Julian Draxler (Wolfs- Yaroslav Rakytskyi (Shakhtar), Madrid), Gerard Pique (Barce- (Celtic), Martin Ols- burg), Leroy Sane (Schalke), Andre (Shakhtar) lona), Hector Bellerin (Arsenal), son (Norwich) Schurrle (Wolfsburg), Joshua Kim- Jordi Alba (Barcelona), Marc Bar- mich (Bayern Munich), Julian Weigl Midfielders: tra (Barcelona), Cesar Azpilicueta Midfielders: (Borussia Dortmund) (Dynamo Kiev), Denys Garmash (Chelsea), Mikel San Jose (Athletic (Olympiakos), (Ham- (Dynamo Kiev), Bilbao), Juanfran (Atletico Madrid) ITALY burg), (Palermo), Forwards: (Dynamo Kiev), Andriy Yarmo- Goalkeepers: (Sunderland), (Galatasaray), Mario Gomez lenko (Dynamo Kiev), Evhen Midfielders: Bruno (Villarreal), (Juventus), (CSKA Mos- (Besiktas) Konoplyanka (Sevilla), Ruslan Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), (Lazio), (Paris cow), (), Rotan (Dnipro), Koke (Atletico Madrid), Thiago Saint-Germain) (Malmo), Emil Fors- (Shakhtar), Viktor Kovalenko (Bayern Munich), Andres Iniesta berg (Leipzig), Kim Kallstrom (Shakhtar), Anatolyi Tumoschuk (Barcelona), (Man City), Defenders: (Grasshoppers) (Kairat), Oleksandr Zinchenko Pedro (Chelsea), Cesc Fabregas (Juventus), ICELAND (UFA) (Chelsea) (Juventus), (Juven- Forwards: (Panathi- Goalkeepers: Hannes Halldorsson tus), (Manchester naikos), (Celta Vigo), (Bodo/Glimt), Ogmundur Kristins- Forwards: Roman Zozylya (Dni- Forwards: Aritz Aduriz (Athletic United), (AC Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Paris), Emir son (Hammarby), Ingvar Jonsson pro), Pylyp Budkivskyi (Zorya), Bilbao), (Celta Vigo), Alvaro Milan), (West Kujovic (Norrkoping) (Sandefjord) Evhen Seleznyov (Shakhtar) Morata (Juventus), Lucas Vasquez Ham) (Real Madrid) Defenders: Ari Skulason (OB), Hor- Midfielders: Federico Bernar- dur Magnusson (Cesena), Hjortur GROUP D deschi (Fiorentina), Antonio GROUP F Hermannsson (PSV Eindhoven), NORTHERN IRELAND Candreva (Lazio), Daniele De Ragnar Sigurdsson (Krasnodar), Goalkeepers: Goalkeepers: Rossi (Roma), Kari Arnason (Malmo), Sverrir Ingi Michael McGovern (Hamilton), (Roma), Ingason (Lokeren), Birkir Sævars- (Notts County), Alan (Roma), son (Hammarby), Haukur Heidar Mannus (St Johnstone) (Bologna), (Lazio), Hauksson (AIK) (Juventus), Thiago Defenders: (Wat- Motta (Paris Saint-Germain) Midfielders: Emil Hallfredsson ford), Gareth McAuley (West (Udinese), Gylfi Sigurdsson (Swan- Brom), (West Brom), Forwards: Eder (Inter), Ciro AUSTRIA sea), (), Luke McCullough (Doncaster), Immobile (Borussia Dortmund), Goalkeepers: Theodor Elmar Bjarnason (AGF), (Melbourne), Conor (Napoli), Graziano (Austria Vienna), Arnor Ingvi Traustason (Norrko- McLaughlin (Fleetwood), Lee Hod- CROATIA TURKEY Pelle (Southampton), (), Ramazan ping), (Basel), son (MK Dons), Paddy McNair Goalkeepers: Danijel Subasic Goalkeepers: (Juventus) Oezcan (Ingolstadt) Johann Gudmundsson (Charlton), (Manchester United) (Monaco), Lovre Kalinic (Hajduk (Medipol Basaksehir), Onur Recep Eidur Gudjohnsen (Molde), Runar Split), Ivan Vargic (Rijeka) Kivrak (Trabzonspor), Defenders: Aleksandar Dragovic Mar Sigurjonsson (Sundsvall) Midfielders: (Bursaspor) (Dynamo Kiev), (Millwall), (Leeds), Defenders: Vedran Corluka (Leicester City), Gyorgy Garics Forwards: Kolbeinn Sigthors- (Southampton), Oliver (Lokomotiv Moscow), Defenders: Gokhan Gonul, (Darmstadt), son (Nantes), Alfred Finnbogason Norwood (Reading), (Shakhtar ), Sener Ozbayrakli, , (Borussia Moenchengladbach), (Augsburg), Jon Dadi Bodvarsson (Derby), (Blackburn), (Dynamo Kiev), Sime Vrsaljko (all Fenerbahce), (), Sebastian (Kaiserslautern) Niall McGinn (Aberdeen), Josh (Sassuolo), Gordon Schilden- Hakan Kadir Balta, Prodl (Watford), Magennis (Kilmarnock) feld (Dinamo Zagreb), Ivan (both Galatasaray), Ismail Koybasi (Ingolstadt), (Tot- Strinic (Napoli), (Bayer (Besiktas), Ahmet Yilmaz Calik tenham Hotspur) Forwards: (Nor- Leverkusen) (Genclerbirligi) wich), (Nottingham Midfielders: (Bay- Forest), (Queens Midfielders: Luka Modric, Mateo Midfielders: Selcuk Inan ern Munich), Marko Arnautovic Park Rangers), (Wigan) Kovacic (both Real Madrid), Ivan (Galatasaray), (Nord- (Stoke City), Rakitic (Barcelona), Marcelo Bro- sjaelland), , Volkan (Mainz), (Stuttgart), zovic, Ivan Perisic (both Inter Sen (both Fenerbahce), Oguzhan REPUBLIC OF IRELAND (RB Leipzig), Jakob Milan), (Fiorentina), Ozyakup, Olcay Sahan (both Goalkeepers: (Stoke), Jantscher (), Zlatko Junu- , Ante Coric (both Besiktas), Hakan Calhanoglu (West Ham), zovic (Werder Bremen), Marcel Dinamo Zagreb) (Bayer Leverkusen), Nuri Sahin (Sheffield Sabitzer (RB Leipzig), Alessandro (Borussia Dortmund), Wednesday) Schoepf (Schalke) Forwards: Mario Mandzukic (Barcelona), Yunus Malli (Mainz (Juventus), Nikola Kalinic (Fioren- 05) Defenders: Seamus Coleman Forwards: tina), , Duje Cop (both (Everton), (Derby), (Ingolstadt), (1860 PORTUGAL Dinamo Zagreb), Andrej Kramaric Forwards: Burak Yilmaz (Beijing (Aston Villa), Richard Munich), (Basel) Goalkeepers: Rui Patricio (Sport- (Hoffenheim) Guoan), (Besiktas) Keogh (Derby), John O’Shea (Sun- ing), (Lyon), derland), (Blackburn), Eduardo (Dinamo Zagreb) Stephen Ward (Burnley) POLAND Defenders: Cedric Soares Goalkeepers: Lukasz Fabianski GROUP E Midfielders: (Nor- (Southampton), (Wolfs- (Swansea), Wojciech Szczesny (AS wich), Aiden McGeady (Everton), burg), (Fenerbahce), Roma), (Bournemouth) James McClean (West Brom), Glenn (Monaco), Jose Whelan (Stoke), James McCarthy Fonte (Southampton), Pepe (Real Defenders: (Pal- (Everton), (Derby), Madrid), (Benfica), Raphael ermo), (Torino), Artur (Hull), Stephen Guerreiro (Lorient) Jedrzejczyk (Legia Warsaw), Quinn (Reading), Michal Pazdan (Legia Warsaw), (Norwich) Midfielders: Danilo Pereira Lukasz Piszczek (Borussia Dort- (Porto), (Sport- mund), (Cagliari), CZECH REPUBLIC Forwards: (LA Gal- HUNGARY ing), (Sporting), Joao (Lechia Goalkeepers: Petr Cech (Arse- axy), (Southampton), Goalkeepers: Gabor Kiraly (Szom- Mario (Sporting), Joao Moutinho Gdansk) nal), Tomas Vaclik (Basel), Tomas Jon Walters (Stoke), bathelyi Haladas), Denes Dibusz (Monaco), Andre Gomes (Valencia), Koubek (Sparta Prague) (Ipswich) (Ferencvaros), Peter Gulasci (RB (Benfica) Midfielders: Jakub Blaszc- Leipzig) zykowski (Fiorentina), Kamil Defenders: Theodor Gebre Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Grosicki (Rennes), Tomasz Jod- Selassie (Werder Bremen), Pavel BELGIUM SWEDEN Defenders: Attila Fiola (FC Madrid), (Fenerbahce), Eder lowiec (Legia Warsaw), Bartosz Kaderabek (Hoffenheim), David Goalkeepers: Thibaut Cour- Goalkeepers: Akademia), Barnabas Bese (MTK (Lille - on loan from Swansea City), Kapustka (Cracovia), Grzegorz Limbersky (Viktoria Pilsen), Marek tois (Chelsea), (Kasimpasa), (Copen- ), Richard Guzmics (Wisla (Besiktas), Rafa Krychowiak (Sevilla), Suchy (Basel), (Liverpool), Jean-Francois Gillet hagen), (AIK) Krakow), Roland Juhasz (Videoton Silva (Braga)

06 THURSDAY 9 JUNE 2016

Martial the newcomer off French football assembly line

AFP

es Ulis is not a chic suburb of Paris but it deserves a monument as a nursery of French football talent, after pro- ducing , Patrice Evra nowL Anthony Martial. It could have been different for the Man- chester United star however as he prepares for the European Championship finals. A sign at the entrance to the Janvier tower, the pub- lic housing block where the Martial family lived, declares: “Ball games forbidden.” Now the district is a draw for football pil- grims. “That’s where Anthony Martial lived,” said Gaye Niakate, a neighbour who told of the regular visits. “Once it was three English journalists. I had to pass the phone to my wife who speaks English,” he laughed. Martial has only been an international star for a few months. “But we have been talking about ‘Toto’ for a long time,” added Niakate, using the teenager’s childhood nickname. Niakate’s brother, Mahamadou, is deputy sporting director of the Club Ominsport des Ulis. “He was always way above the others,” the club official said of Martial’s rise. And CO Les Ulis should know. Before Martial brought the spotlght on the club, it produced French football legend Henry and Evra, who left Manchester before Martial’s minimum 50m euro ($55m) trans- fer from Monaco last year. Martial, 20, played at Les Ulis from 2001 to 2009 before signing with Lyon, then Monaco and now Manchester. “I’m not going to say that I expected him to go so quickly to such a club, but I am not so surprised,” said Mahamadou Niakate, sat in Les Ulis club house amid jerseys worn by some of the most famous past players. Martial is a “source of great pride for Les Ulis, an example of success for the young,” said the town’s mayor Francoise Marhuenda. The footballer has kept strong links to the town, just 30 kilometers (19 miles) south- west of Paris. He returned to Les Ulis to coach the new generation before its annual gala on May 23. Patrice Evra -- who will also be at Euro 2016 -- was also present and was the star draw. “Martial is young and has a long career ahead of him,” said Niakate. But even the club’s assistant sporting director cannot explain how it produced as many stars with standing of Henry, Evra and Martial. Yaya Sanogo, another product off the Les Ulis conveyer belt, is at Charlton Athletic in England. Sega Keita is at Troyes in .

Euro 2016 could impact France’s Olympic bid: Paris 2024 official

rance’s hosting of the Euro 2016, It’s a free country and it’s good that peo- monitored very closely, IOC members are which is threatened with disruption ple express themselves. At the same time talking to us about it, security issues ...,” Fby strikes, could impact the coun- we continue to defend the major sporting said Estanguet ahead of the football tour- try’s bid to host the 2024 Olympic Games, events, because for us they’re outside of pol- nament which gets underway on June 10 the Vice-President of the Paris bid com- itics and useful to society,” the former triple with France taking on Romania in Stade mittee said. Olympic canoeing champion said. de France. With less than two weeks to Euro 2016, “Even if it is tense (and) if the social cli- “From the outset of our bid we stressed looming air and train strikes threaten travel mate is complicated, we believe that sport we’re experts in organising events, we obvi- chaos as unions continue to press for the should be separate from all that.” ously want it to go well and we’re confident.” withdrawal of controversial labour reforms. Paris faces competition from Los Ange- The Stade de France, which will also “We’re concerned about that,” Tony les, and Budapest to host the 2024 host the final, was targeted by suicide Estanguet said on the sidelines of a Paris Olympics. The winner will be named by the bombers during the attacks by the Islamic 2024 partners’ dinner that was attended International Olympic Committee (IOC) on State group on the French capital in Novem- by President Francois Hollande. “We’re September 13, 2017, in Lima. ber. The assailants tried unsuccessfully to not here to clash with the French people. “It’s certain that the Euro will be get inside the security perimeter. THURSDAY 9 JUNE 2016 07 No stars but with in-form strikers Russia target knock-out stage

Reuters Leonid Slutskiy

ussia travel to France with a line- up that has few world names but plenty of ambition and head coach Leonid Slutskiy sees qualifying Rfrom the group stage as the bare minimum to expect. Though they have made it to the Euro- pean Championship finals on four previous occasions, the only time Russia made it beyond the groups was in 2008 when, under , they reached the semi-finals where they lost to Spain. Though a semi-final repeat might be good footballers. The team won all 10 of the with Match TV. “I think that our team has beyond them, Russian football chief Vitaly matches in the group stage. This shows how the potential to have a good tournament,” Mutko expects them to emerge from a Group good they are,” Slutskiy said in an interview he added. Russia’s team has undergone a B that includes England, Wales and Slovakia. with the Sport Express newspaper. few changes since the last Euros in Poland Slutskiy largely benefits from a clean Later Russia will face Slovakia in Lille, and Ukraine four years ago, when the Rus- bill of health -- with the exception of Denis while five days later they take on Wales in sians under crashed out at Cheryshev who has been ruled out of the Toulouse. Two draws against the Slovaks in the group stages. tournament due to injury -- as he prepares 2004 and 2005 stopped Russia from qual- Forward Artem Dzyuba failed to make his squad for their opening game against ifying for the World Cup. “Historically, we the squad on that occasion but the 27-year- England on June 11 in Marseille. have a difficult relationship with Slovakia,” old, who plays for Zenit St. Petersburg, made In their last encounter, Russia beat the 45-year-old head coach said. sure of his Euro finals place in France with a Steve McLaren’s side 2-1 on an emotionally “Wales will also be tough, so we defi- record eight goals in the qualifiers. charged night in 2007 to help them qualify nitely won’t be the favourites.” He will team up with Fedor Smolov, for Euro 2008 at England’s expense. Russia’s minimum task is to try to qual- another prolific goal scorer this season, to Slutskiy will not be letting that fond ify from the group stages. “If we don’t make make up Russia’s strike force. memory cloud his judgment or affect his the knockout stages, this will be failure,” Vit- “I think we will be alright in the group preparations for the Marseille clash. aly Mutko, the Sports Minister and national and I am sure that we will be able to get out “England have a new generation of football union president, said in an interview of the group,” said Smolov. Pirlo says no hard feelings Slovakia look to continue fine run over omission

Reuters against a Russian side who con- with top quality players. It’s hard Reuters ceded four goals to France in a to say whether he would have been recent friendly. better off remaining in our league.” The final qualifier will bring a Defender Lukas Tesak, mid- ROME: says he has f Slovakia start the European tougher foe in England, who won fielders Erik Sabo and Matus Bero no hard feelings towards Italy Championship finals the way all 10 of their qualifiers and have and forward Adam Zrelak were coach after the vet- they did the qualifiers the rest beaten Slovakia in three previous the four players cut from the pro- eran was overlooked of Group B had better beware. meetings. visional squad. for next month’s European Cham- ISix straight wins, including “I like the idea of playing Kozak told reporters that pionship in France. victory against champions Spain, against England in the final group defenders Norbert Gyomber and The 37-year-old midfielder, set them on the way to qualifying game,” Hamsik told the UEFA web- Tomas Hubocan had recovered who plays for Major League Soc- in second place in their group for site after the draw. “We will know from toe and heel injuries respec- cer (MLS) club New York City, has what will be their first Euro finals before the first whistle whether tively. Slovakia, making their debut featured in every major tourna- since becoming an independ- that is a good thing or not.” at the European championship and ment for his country since Euro ent nation in 1993. However, they Slovakia are capable of a sur- beaten only twice in the last two 2004 but that run ended when face a tough task in France against prise, having knocked out Italy at years, face Wales, Russia and Eng- he was left out of the provisional group opponents England, Russia the group stage in the 2010 World land in their first-round group. squad last week. and fellow Euro debutants Wales, Cup -- their only major tournament Napoli’s Marek Hamsik and “I have spoken to Conte and all ranked higher than the Slovaks. in the past quarter-century. Liverpool’s Martin Skrtel are the there is no disappointment on my First up they must muzzle the As part of the old Czechoslo- top names in solid, workmanlike part,” Pirlo told Italia. rampaging threat of Real Madrid vakia they won the tournament in team. “He knows what he has to do and winger Gareth Bale, who netted 1976 and had third-place finishes Goalkeepers: Matus Koza- what he should not do. seven of Wales’s 11 goals in qual- in 1980 and 1960. cik (Viktoria Plzen), Jan Mucha “We had discussions during the ifying, on June 11. Bale has fond Meanwnhile, Sampdo- (Slovan Bratislava), Jan Novota season and both parties made their memories of Slovakia’s defence, ria defender Milan Skriniar was (Rapid Vienna) own decisions. He is the coach and having scored his first interna- named in Slovakia’s squad for Defenders: Peter Pekarik it’s only right he makes his deci- tional goal against them in a Euro Euro 2016. (Hertha Berlin), Milan Skriniar sions and decides what is best for 2008 qualifier. The 21-year-old’s inclusion, (Sampdoria), Martin Skrtel (Liver- Slovakian him.” Although Slovakia have some- despite playing only three matches pool), Norbert Gyomber (AS Roma), defender Conte said last week that Pirlo times struggled to score, failing for Sampdoria following his move Jan Durica (Lokomotiv Moscow), Milan Skriniar and , who plays to find the net for three succes- from Slovan Bratislava in January, Kornel Salata (Slovan Bratislava), (left) and for Toronto, had paid the price for sive games midway through their was the only real surprise as coach Tomas Hubocan (Dinamo Moscow), Germany’s their decision to play in MLS. qualifying campaign, they are not Jan Kozak announced his final 23 Dusan Svento (Cologne). midfielder Italy’s coach suggested in reliant on one source of goals with for the tournament in France. Midfielders: Marek Ham- Julian Draxler November that 2006 World Cup nine different scorers chipping in Skriniar won his first in the sik (Napoli), (AC vie for the winner Pirlo should return to his on the road to France. 3-1 win over Georgia on Friday and Milan), Miroslav Stoch (Bursas- ball during homeland if he wanted to continue Leading the way was Marek came on as a substitute in Sunday’s por), Vladimir Weiss (Al Gharafa), their friendly his international career. Hamsik, the 28-year-old Napoli 3-1 defeat of Germany. Robert Mak (PAOK), Patrik Hros- match in Pirlo made the last of his 116 midfielder, who finished top scorer “I needed an alternative in the ovsky (Viktoria Plzen), Jan Gregus Augsburg, appearances against Malta in with five goals. He will be relied centre of the defence and Milan (Jablonec), Viktor Pecovsky (Zilina), southern September. upon to control the middle and get Skriniar meets all the criteria,” Stanislav Sestak (Ferencvaros), He was called up for subse- Germany, on forward at every opportunity. Kozak told reporters. (Legia Warsaw). quent Euro 2016 qualifiers against May 29, 2016. If Slovakia can get their “It’s a little bit of a worry that Forwards: Michal Duris Azerbaijan and Norway but missed attack firing, they may fancy their he hasn’t played match but on the (Viktoria Plzen), Adam Nemec those games through injury and chances in their second game other hand, he trains every day (Willem II Tilburg) has not been picked since. Italy have been drawn in Group E with Belgium, Ireland and Sweden. Avid Turkish fans await mystery Euro 2016 song

Agencies recorded and released an official to pick and announce an official song already been recorded by Turkey’s and Fenerbahce, Emre Demir, a us feel in the moment and make us song. Even tiny Wales, albeit well- “belong to the Coca-Cola Company”. vast army of pop acts. Several were 28-year-old Galatasaray fan, said: feel we stand with our team every step known for its musical heritage, has “The song will be picked by Coca- released after Turkey’s qualification “A good, firing song will definitely of the way”. ANKARA: Turkey’s epic footballing released ‘Together Stronger (C’mon Cola from among the candidate songs; to the tournament was settled, but give the team and the fans the feel- “The song by Mustafa Sandal journey to the European Champion- Wales)’ by acclaimed Welsh rock then it will be labeled as the ‘official’ an official song for Turkey’s football ing of unity and solidarity.” He recalls ‘Pazara Kadar Degil Mezara Kadar’ ship in France is almost ready to begin group, the Manic Street Preachers. song of Turkey’s UEFA Euro 2016 jour- squad remains a mystery. ‘12 Giant Men’ – a popular song com- [‘It’s Not Until Sunday, It’s Until The but one vital element of any side’s However, Turkish football fans – ney,” Ugur said. Anadolu Agency spoke to Turk- posed for Turkey’s basketball side Tomb’] in the 2002 World Cup for our preparation appears to be missing – eagerly awaiting the tournament after Coca-Cola also confirmed that ish fans about the lack of an official when the country hosted the sport’s football team was one of the best,” Sen an official team song. their team delivered a promising dis- the song will be picked and released song, with many saying they wanted a 2001 European Championship: “It adds. “It was definitely among the UEFA Euro 2016 is set to start on play in the qualifiers – are still waiting “within the next several days” but did tune that will “fire up the crowd” and was really catchy and sung by the catchiest songs.” A Turkey’s Euro July 10 in Paris where 24 teams will for a rousing anthem. not give any details about what type “make us feel the moment”. entire crowd all the time.” Alper 2016 campaign will start with Group D battle it out for Europe’s most pres- The Turkish Football Federation’s of music the candidate songs feature Speaking in Ankara while watch- Sen, a 27-year-old research assistant matches; they will face Spain – 2008 tigious international title. Communication Director Ilker Ugur or which famous singers are involved. ing this week’s final who supports Fenerbahce, said any and 2012 winners – the Czech Repub- Many national sides have already told Anadolu Agency that the rights Unofficially, several songs have between Istanbul sides Galatasaray upcoming official song “must make lic and Croatia. 08 THURSDAY 9 JUNE 2016

When Spain emerged champs in 2012

ajestic Spain took their place among the game’s greats by thrashing Italy 4-0 to retain their Euro- Mpean title on July 1, 2012, the biggest victory margin in a World Cup or Euro final - and all without a recog- nized striker. Their success rewrote the tactical handbook and the record books after goals from David Silva, Jordi Alba and late substitutes and gave the world champions an ultimately easy victory over an Italian team down to 10 men through injury for the last half-hour. While Spain’s brilliant performance brought them a fully deserved success at the 2012 tournament. Spain become the first national side to win three major tournaments in the modern era after their Euro 2008 suc- cess and World Cup victory two years ago and have equaled Germany’s record of three European titles. Their 2012 final win also beat the victory margin Hel- mut Schoen’s West Germany side recorded for a Euro final with their 3-0 win over the in 1972.