THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2016 SPORTS

Germany’s Tah earns Euro call to replace injured Ruediger

EVIAN: Defender Jonathan Tah was Mats Hummels, as the world champions their first training session in France on squad I had imagined a few months ago. where we want to go and this target called up for Germany in place of injured eye their first continental crown in 20 Tuesday, only hours after the team’s But that is not the case,” said the coach. will not shift.” Hummels was also mak- Antonio Ruediger yesterday, two days years. arrival. Loew’s men, who are chasing their ing progress, recovering gradually from before the start of Euro 2016, with coach “I wanted a one-on-one replacement “Players who were a key part of my fourth European Championship trophy a muscle injury, Loew said. “Hummels Joachim Loew keeping his sights on the for Ruediger, someone who can play a plans a few months ago are now miss- but their first since 1996, play Ukraine, shows very positive development,” title despite the mounting injury woes. centre-back role,” Loew said, praising ing,” Loew told reporters in his first news Northern Ireland and Poland in the Loew said. “We are now going day by Loew has turned to the 20-year-old Tah’s individual fitness regime of the past conference at their tournament base. group stage of the competition that day and will increase his training pro- Bayer Leverkusen player after he enjoyed three weeks despite not being called up “Marco Reus, Ilkay Guendogan and starts on Friday. gramme.” But he still trained alone yes- a good season, hoping he in the preliminary squad last month. now Ruediger. Bastian Schweinsteiger “But we won’t be complaining. What terday, looking unlikely to be fit in time can provide solutions to his injury-ridden Tah, who has won one senior cap, and Mats Hummels are nursing injuries. is important is to find solutions and we for the first match, against Ukraine on backline that also includes centre-back replaces Ruediger who was injured in Obviously I would have liked to have the are not lowering our target. We know June 12. — Reuters

Portugal seek support for Ronaldo’s genius at Euro

PARIS: ’s Portugal tower but I would never leave out a Cristiano at above their rivals and should ease into the 80 percent.” knockout stages at Euro 2016, but the illus- Austria flew under the radar as they trious team cannot underestimate a blos- topped their qualifying section ahead of soming Austria side. Russia and Sweden, with Marcel Koller’s Ranked eighth in the world, Portugal men participating at the finals for just the cruised towards a sixth straight appearance second time having co-hosted the 2008 at the finals-in Group F against Austria, event. Austria broke into the world top 10 Hungary and Iceland-by reeling off seven for the first time in November and in versa- straight qualifying wins after an opening tile Bayern Munich star David Alaba they defeat to Albania. possess one of Europe’s most coveted play- But 12 years after the losing the final to ers. But the 23-year-old also has the likes of Greece on home soil, Ronaldo’s hopes of Marko Arnautovic, Zlatko Junuzovic and landing an international title appear skipper Christian Fuchs to help ease the remote unless his supporting cast can burden. Austria, ranked above England, deliver where they have failed in the past. Italy and France, has the potential to finish Portugal lost on penalties to Spain in far higher than the one that exited with just the semi-finals at Euro 2012 and then a single point on their debut appearance. crashed out in the group stage of the World “We did very well in qualifying and Cup in Brazil. Ronaldo, slowed by a knee we’ve been enjoying more and more suc- injury, was then a shadow of the player cess in recent years and have constantly who won that year’s Ballon d’Or. improved,” Alaba told bundesliga.com. “If he is so important in Madrid, just “Our biggest strength, though, is the imagine he’s the same if not more so with collective and it’s this which sets us apart. Portugal,” coach Fernando Santos told We want to get even better and we certain- Spanish sports daily Marca. ly are no longer a team who need to have “When you have a player who scores 50 any fear.” Iceland-with a population of or 60 goals a season, and can always score, 330,000 — became the smallest nation to they are vitally important. qualify for the finals after twice beating 1988 European champions the Netherlands UNDERRATED AUSTRIANS as well as Czech Republic and Turkey. “But Cristiano can’t win alone. No one Swansea City Gylfi can win matches on their own. He needs Sigurdsson supplied a team-leading six help from the others. But, for sure, he’s goals and the Nordic side will use the expe- more important for us than he is for rience of former Sweden coach Lars Madrid.” The Portuguese have never failed Lagerback and ex-Chelsea and Barcelona to advance beyond the group stage at a striker Eidur Gudjohnsen, now 37, as they European Championship and Ronaldo will plot further surprises. fancy his chances of becoming the first Hungary returned to the finals of a player to score at four editions. major tournament for the first time since But Santos admitted Ronaldo, who net- the 1986 World Cup after beating Norway : (L-R) Belgium’s forward , Belgium’s defender , Belgium’s midfielder and Belgium’s ted Real’s winning penalty in the 3-1 on aggregate in the play-offs, but the midfielder Radja Nianggolan take part in a public training session during the Euro 2016 football tournament at the Chaban-Delmas Stadium in Champions League final against Atletico current generation is a far cry from the Bordeaux, yesterday. — AFP Madrid having laboured through 120 min- Ferenc Puskas-inspired Magical Magyars of utes in Milan, is unlikely to be fully fit in the 1950s. The Hungarians lack genuine France although he shrugged off any gen- star quality but goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly, 40, uine concerns about his skipper. is poised to become the oldest player in Star-studded Belgium “Look, they always took about players tournament history-eclipsing the record set having to arrive at 100%, but it’s never the by Germany’s Lothar Matthaus, who reality,” said Santos. “Obviously, the ideal appeared aged 39 years and 91 days at thing would be for him to be at his best, Euro 2000. — AFP think ‘big’ at Euro

PARIS: ’ Belgium are aiming to too high a hurdle for what Wilmots called “easily Euro 2012. At that tournament Italy cruised to topple the established favourites at Euro 2016 the youngest of the quarter-finalists”. a 2-0 win over Ireland and will expect a similar and with stars like and Kevin de Two years on, high home expectations are outcome when they meet in Lille on June 22. Bruyne have the weapons to so. matched by a sense the time has arrived for the Ireland’s boisterous fans have called their Belgium have qualified for the European team to justify its world ranking. draw the Group of Death, but will travel Championship finals for the first time since co- “People will be waiting for Belgium and wait- undaunted in hope of a better campaign than hosting the 2000 tournament. They are in a ing for me (to deliver) but we’ll give our utmost,” Euro 2012 when they crashed to defeats by tough Group E with Italy, Sweden and Irish said skipper Eden Hazard. Belgium’s first Group Croatia and Spain. Republic but Wilmots is eager for succeess. E match is on June 13 in Lyon against Italy who It is 14 years since the “Boys in Green” last “There’s no doubt that we have big ambi- they swept aside 3-1 in in November. won a match at a major tournament, a 3-0 win tions; our aim must always be to reach the final,” Italy are always a force to be reckoned with over Saudi Arabia at the 2002 World Cup. coach Marc Wilmots told FIFA.com. Thanks to a though and are expected to at least progress Record goal scorer was Ireland’s golden generation that has produced stars like from the group, even if coach star then but is now 35 and has fitness issues skipper Hazard, De Bruyne, and might be distracted by his impending move to that had put his selection for the squad in , the ‘Red Devils’ have risen to Chelsea following Euro 2016. Italy announced doubt. Ireland’s first major tournament since number two in the world rankings behind on Tuesday that Giampiero Ventura of Torino Martin O’Neill took over as coach in 2013, a pro- Argentina. “Favourites, no,” Wilmots cautioned. will take over as national coach on July 11. longed stay in France will depend on players “France are playing at home, Spain, Germany Conte has played down the Azzurri’s chances like Shane Long and Robbie Brady proving that and then maybe we’re just behind”. after ending preparations with a patchy 1-0 win they have Keane’s star quality. The opener Loaded with attacking talent they have been over Scotland and a 2-0 win over Finland. “We against Sweden will be eyed as their best hit however by injuries to key defenders includ- have to believe that we can challenge Belgium, chance for a win and a third-place finish but the ing , Bjorn Engels, Nicolas but we know they’re a great side,” he said. Swedes, anchored by talisman Zlatan Lombaerts and . “The defenders Italy still appear a work in progress for Ibrahimovic and bolstered by a convincing 3-0 who I have at my disposal are still very good Ventura to pursue. Two years after exiting the win over Wales last Sunday, will have the same : Team captain Cristiano Ronaldo, center, shakes hands with Parliament players,” insisted Wilmots. World Cup at the first round for the second idea. While it might be unfair to call Sweden a President Eduardo Ferro Rodrigues, left, as Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de successive edition, a solid and reliable starting one-man team, they are heavily reliant on the Sousa, center left, talks to defender Pepe, right, as they pose for a photo at the CONTE FAREWELL XI has yet to emerge. Claudio Marchisio and sublime goalscoring talents of the 34-year-old Belem presidential palace in Lisbon Tuesday. The Portugal team was invited by the Belgium reached the last eight at the 2014 Marco Verratti are out through injury, while Ibrahimovic who, unlikely to play in another president for dinner at the palace before departing for France to compete in the Euro World Cup, without really excelling, before Conte overlooked the veteran Andrea Pirlo major tournament, will look to grace Euro 2016 2016 Soccer Championship. — AP falling 1-0 to eventual finalists Argentina. It was and Marco Ballotelli, the semi-final hero of with his legendary flourish. — AFP Stars to watch for at Euro 2016

PARIS: Stars to watch for at Euro 2016: ing to Real Madrid in 2013 in a world-record Rashford awoke a virtual unknown. By the time he established himself as a key cog in a side chasing a minutes as Juventus claimed a fifth straight league 100.8 million euro transfer. Lightning quick, went to bed he was a sensation, having scored third European title. The goals have yet to flow at championship. He joined the Turin giants from SUPERSTARS superb in the air and with a jackhammer left foot, twice on his Manchester United debut in a 5-1 international level, but France are waiting for the Parma in 2001 for a reported 53 million euros, CRISTIANO RONALDO - PORTUGAL he operates in a free role for Wales and his devas- Europa League win over FC Midtjylland. More floodgates to open once Martial gets off the mark. making him the world’s most expensive goalkeep- A three time world player of the year, Cristiano tating pace on the counter-attack will be a source goals followed-a brace against Arsenal on his er. Having signed a two-year contract extension in Ronaldo again rose to the occasion to fire Portugal of concern for every defence he encounters. He debut, a classy derby winner at RENATO SANCHES - PORTUGAL May, Buffon is planning to hang about until the to Euro 2016. The Real Madrid striker scored five of has won two Champions League titles in three Manchester City, a stunning effort at West Ham Born and raised in Lisbon, the 18-year-old 2018 World Cup before calling time. Twice a his country’s 11 goals in qualifying, but an interna- years at Real and his heart-sign goal could United in the FA Cup-and he ended the campaign Renato Sanches made his first-team debut with Champions League runner-up-in 2003 and 2015 tional title remains a glaring absence from his become a feature of Euro 2016. with eight goals in 18 appearances, as well as an Benfica in October, then earned his first interna- — Buffon will captain an Italy side seeking exhaustive list of honours. Snapped up by FA Cup winners’ medal around his neck. tional cap in March before Bayern Munich shelled redemption after a 4-0 thrashing by Spain in the Manchester United in 2003 as an 18-year-old, ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC - SWEDEN Manchester-born, he came through United’s out an initial 35 million euros-a fee that could rise Euro 2012 final. Ronaldo helped the Red Devils to three successive The Swedish striker is steeling himself for a final youth academy and has won admirers everywhere to 80 million euros-to tie down one of Europe’s Premier League crowns and the 2008 Champions farewell to France after four glorious years at Paris with his athleticism and remarkable calmness in most promising youngsters. Injuries to Bernardo IKER CASILLAS - SPAIN League. He became the world’s most expensive Saint-Germain. Having landed league titles with front of goal. After scoring within three minutes Silva and Tiago opened the door for the teenager’s A winner of two European championships and footballer when Real Madrid splashed out 94 mil- Ajax, , Barcelona and AC Milan, on his England debut against Australia, he was inclusion in Fernando Santos’ 23-man squad, with the 2010 World Cup, Casillas will forever be associ- lion euros for him in 2009, but Ronaldo has more Ibrahimovic sent records tumbling during a tro- handed a surprise place in ’s Euro Sanches the youngest player to feature for ated with the golden era of Spanish football. than delivered a return on the investment after phy-laden spell at the as PSG 2016 squad. Portugal at a major finals since Cristiano Ronaldo However, the 35-year-old endured a torrid 2014 leading the Spaniards to the 2012 title and established themselves as the dominant force in at Euro 2004. After drawing rave reviews from Pep World Cup in Brazil and then made an ignomin- two Champions League victories in the past three French football. Time may be ticking down on the - FRANCE Guardiola and Diego Simeone for his command- ious and tearful departure from boyhood club seasons. However, an agonising defeat to Greece Swede’s international career, but Ibrahimovic rein- Derided as an expensive panic buy when ing displays in the heart of midfield, Portugal will Real Madrid a year later. After breaking into the in the Euro 2004 final on home soil is the closest forced his reputation as one of the greatest strikers Manchester United forked out an initial £36 mil- hope Sanches can provide fresh impetus to a side Real first team at just 18, Casillas won three Ronaldo has come to international success. of his generation with 11 goals in qualifying — lion ($52.6 million, 47 million euros), Anthony heavily reliant on Ronaldo. Champions League titles and La Liga five times three against Nordic rivals Denmark in a 4-3 aggre- Martial silenced critics with an impressive debut before leaving for Porto to bring down the curtain GARETH BALE - WALES gate play-off victory. The 34-year-old, Sweden’s season at Old Trafford. The 20-year-old finished VETERANS on a 25-year association with the Spanish giants. With seven goals and two assists in qualifying, record goalscorer, is undoubtedly the key to his with 17 goals and emerged as one of the few GIANLUIGI BUFFON - ITALY Despite inconsistent displays in Portugal and the Bale did more than any other player to end country’s hopes at Euro 2016 but has never gone bright spots as United missed out on Champions At 38, the evergreen Buffon has shown few superb form of heir apparent David de Gea, Spain Wales’s 58-year wait to qualify for a major tourna- beyond the quarter-finals at a major tournament. League football. Hailing from the same Paris sub- signs of slowing down and remains Italy’s undis- coach Vicente del Bosque has stayed fiercely loyal ment. After coming through the ranks at urb as Thierry Henry and Patrice Evra, Martial is fol- puted number one. A star of the Azzurri’s 2006 to his captain. Casillas, who could bow out after Southampton, he exploded onto the global NEWCOMERS lowing a path to stardom similar to that of the one World Cup winning side, Buffon is still at the top of Euro 2016, set a new European record with his scene at Tottenham Hotspur, where he was twice - ENGLAND taken by Henry. After breaking into Didier his game a decade later. He set a new Serie A 167th international cap in Wednesday’s 6-1 maul- named England’s Player of the Year, before mov- On February 25 this year, 18-year-old Marcus Deschamps’ squad in September, the forward has record by going unbeaten for 974 consecutive ing of South Korea. —AFP