SUNDAY, JUNE 26, 2016 19 Irish fans eye revenge against hosts France LYON: Both the Republic of Ireland and France camps Army’ of supporters want revenge. energy. “We need to close people down, win the have played down Thierry Henry’s infamous handball, “I think we have decided to forget about it-that’s ball back and when we do get it back, we need to FAN FERVOR but Irish fans will be hoping for revenge in today’s Euro something coming from Ireland,” the Ireland boss take care of it.” “We’ll roll our sleeves up and get on 2016 last 16 clash. It was at the Stade de France in Paris said. “It will be a talking point obviously, but I don’t with it. We’ll be ready.” on November 18, 2009 that Henry used his hand- think it will concern us when we play the game.” twice-to control the ball in the buildup to William The Irish have a few injury concerns. Full-back ‘Payet for president’ Gallas’ late goal. The incident, dubbed ‘Le Hand of God’, Stephen Ward has an ankle injury from the 1-0 win The prize on offer for the winner is a quarter- helped seal France’s 2-1 aggregate win and left Irish over Italy that earned the last-16 berth and sat out final against England or Iceland, who play on fans feeling robbed of a 2010 World Cup place. Both Friday’s training. Jon Walters has a sore Achilles Monday. France coach Didier Deschamps has been squads still contain players who were involved that tendon, but ran out with the team. Robbie Brady given food for thought in midfield. A purposeful night. France’s goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, defenders wrote himself into Irish football folklore with the display in the goalless draw with Switzerland Bacary Sagna and Patrice Evra and striker Andre-Pierre headed winner in the victory over Italy, the 24- means Newcastle United midfielder Sissoko is Gignac all started, while Moussa Sissoko and goalkeep- year-old’s late effort sparking wild scenes of cele- pushing to keep his place at Blaise Matuidi’s er Steve Mandanda were unused substitutes. bration in the stadium and at home. expense. Despite a low-key start to Euro 2016, For the Irish, Shay Given, John O’Shea, Glenn “It makes me feel proud of where we come from Juventus’ Paul Pogba was one of the few French Whelan and Robbie Keane started the match, while and (for me) just to be a little part of the history of stars to shine against the Swiss as he hit the wood- Aiden McGeady came on in extra-time. Both teams that is unbelievable,” said the Norwich City mid- work twice. The profile of West Ham forward Dimitri have claimed that the incident six years ago will fielder. But Ireland’s assistant coach Roy Keane says Payet has gone through the roof in his host coun- have little bearing today’s tie in Lyon. “A lot of his team will have to match their performance try, thanks to his goals in the wins over Romania water has gone under the bridge since then,” said against Italy if they are to knock out the host and Albania. In the wake of those performances, France’s assistant coach Guy Stephan. “Of course nation at the Stade de Lyon. “If they perform the French magazine ‘Society’ has ran a cover with his we have discussed it, but I honestly don’t think it way they did the other night, we’ll give ourselves a head photoshopped on the body of France’s presi- will impact on the game.” Irish boss Martin O’Neill chance,” said the ex-Manchester United midfielder dent Francois Hollande under the headline “Payet took a similar line, but admitted his side’s ‘Green Keane. “We were in there fighting, but we need for president”.— AFP Neuer: Knockout ties will bring out best in Germany LILLE: Germany goalkeeper Manuel and so we have stuck to our route forward positions. It’s important that in Vichy, central France, prior to return- Neuer believes the world champions map. But now we are into straight our midfielders disturb the rhythm of ing to the scene of their Hamsik- can put a slow start to Euro 2016 knockout football and anything can his game early on. But we shouldn’t inspired win against Russia in the behind them and thrive under the happen. focus on just one player, we need to group phase that paved their way to pressure of knockout football when “But we are very good at focusing look at our opponents as a whole.” the last 16. Jaz Kozak’s side held they face Slovakia on today. Joachim when it really matters, as we have seen England in Saint-Etienne in their last Loew’s side progressed to the last 16 as in past competitions. We will be 100 ‘Cool and calm’ match to advance from Group B as one winners of Group C, beating Ukraine percent on it and we know people are All eyes will be on Loew’s selection of the best third-placed sides. They and Northern Ireland, drawing with expecting us to perform.” Despite top- decisions in defense, with centre-back famously beat Spain in qualifying and Poland and all without conceding a ping their group, Germany have found Jerome Boateng struggling with a calf their recent exploits in beating the single goal. But Neuer knows better is themselves on the toughest side of the knock and youngster Joshua Kimmich Germans means they come into this expected from the Germans at the draw and will play either reigning hoping to keep his place at right-back rematch with confidence. Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille as they champions Spain or bogey team Italy if after impressing there against “They have great quality and this face a Slovak side appearing at this they make it through to the quarter- Northern Ireland. “He’s very cool and will be a very demanding match, but stage of a Euro for the first time since finals. But they must first be wary of calm. We knew in advance that we we played them a few weeks back and independence. Slovakia, who unsettled Loew’s side in could rely on him,” said Neuer about won on their home ground,” winger “We have played three teams who the build-up to the tournament by his 21-year-old Bayern colleague Vladimir Weiss told UEFA.com. “Of pack everyone behind the ball. We did- winning a friendly 3-1 in Augsburg. Kimmich. After much criticism of the course it will be a different match, but I n’t have much space and in games like Those were the last goals Neuer con- pitch in Lille, a new surface was laid on think that at the level the competition these it’s not easy to win by a large ceded and he knows Germany need to Thursday but neither team was has now reached, the standard is quite margin,” said Neuer after Germany be especially wary of Slovakia star allowed to train on it on the eve of the even and I think every team is capable mustered just three goals in the group Marek Hamsik, who was among the game. of beating every other team.” Robert phase. “Beating the likes of Ukraine scorers in that game. “Everyone knows Germany will therefore stage their Mak should be fine despite a ham- and Northern Ireland does not merit us about Hamsik’s ability to shoot from final practice session at their base in string problem and Peter Pekarik will shouting out with joy. It is not easy to range. He scores some great goals at Evian near the Swiss border before fly- not wear a protective mask on his bro- beat these teams but we got the job Napoli with those,” Neuer said. “In the ing to northern France yesterday. ken nose, but fellow defender Dusan done. “We finished top of our group group phase he didn’t often get into Slovakia will do likewise at their camp Svento is out.— AFP Iceland take on England, the team they cheered from afar NICE: Brought up on a regular supply of the Premier sure the players know as much as we can tell them League, Iceland’s players are used to cheering on about Iceland and the type of game they’re likely to England at major soccer tournaments. Now, they’re face.” That won’t be a problem for Iceland, which has Matches on TV trying to eliminate them. In what appears to be the a population of about 330,000 people. (Local Timings) biggest mismatch of the European Championship’s “They (England) won’t know much about the round of 16, Iceland - the smallest nation ever to Iceland players,” Hallgrimsson said, “but we know UEFA EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP appear at the tournament - will attempt to deliver everything about the England players.” In the last 10 yet another shock by beating England in Nice years, England has won just one game in the knock- France v Ireland 16:00 tomorrow. out stage of a major competition - against Ecuador beIN MAX 2 HD Elimination would be an embarrassment, and in the last 16 of the 2006 World Cup. It’s a sorry beIN MAX 3 HD EN surely cost Roy Hodgson his job. “Iceland has to record for a country of England’s standing, and beIN MAX 1 HD have the perfect game,” said its joint-coach Heimir Hodgson is highly unlikely to get a new contract if beIN MAX 4 HD FR Hallgrimsson, who also runs a dentist surgery in his his team gets knocked out tomorrow.