June 16 – England vs Wales: The waiting is over. Ever since the draw was made in December, this is the mouth-watering fixture English and Welsh fans have been anticipating.
By Andrew Warshaw in Paris
January 15 – When UEFA decided to expand the 2016 European Championship finals to 24 teams, there were those who sneered scornfully and said another eight teams would diminish the tournament. Too many minnows, not enough quality, a purely money-exercise, were the three of many criticisms.
June 15 – Romania – Switzerland:Victory at the Parc des Princes will ensure Switzerland reach the knock-out stage of the European Championship finals for the first time – and become the first side at Euro 2016 to guarantee their place in the last 16.
By Andrew Warshaw in Paris
June 14 – Russia have been sensationally handed a suspended disqualification from Euro 2016 over the disgraceful scenes at Saturday’s fixture against England in Marseille, with UEFA effectively giving them one last chance to control their fans or face the humiliation of being thrown out of the competition.
By Andrew Warshaw in Paris
June 14 – As UEFA prepares to announce what action it has taken against the Russian FA following the mayhem caused by an apparently well-trained group of 150 hooligans at the already notorious game against England in Marseille last weekend, the English FA has expressed “serious concerns” about security in the northern city of Lille, which it is feared could be another flashpoint between rival supporters.
By Andrew Warshaw
June 14 – Hungary vs Austria Hungary’s Gabor Kiraly, one of the great goalkeeping eccentrics, is poised to become the oldest player ever to appear at a European Championship. Aged 40 and two months, he will overtake German Lothar Mattheus’s record, set at Euro 2000.
By Samindra Kunti in Lyon
June 13 – The opening weekend of Euro 2006 may have produced some underwhelming and sterile football with favorites France and Germany both winning their matches, but the fans have been enjoying the tournament so far, with 329,711 fans going to the first seven matches, resulting in a 95.8% average attendance rate.
By Andrew Warshaw in Paris
June 13 – England and Russia have both been threatened with being kicked out of Euro 2016 is there any repetition of the brutal alcohol-fuelled violence that sadly overshadowed the start a competition organisers so much hope will spread a message of togetherness and unity six months after the horror of terrorism.
By Samindra Kunti
June 13 – Belgium begin their campaign against Italy in what could be a defining tournament for the world’s second ranked team and its much vaunted players.
The Red Devils are no longer dark horses, but very much among the favorites. However, a nagging fear that the country’s golden generation of players might not deliver persists.
Anno 2000, Italywere European powerhouses. They reached the final of Euro 2000 before succumbing to France and David Trezeguet’s golden goal in added time.
June 13 – Ticket touts were reported to have done a roaring trade outside the Stade de France yesterday but spare a thought for a young German fan named Christian who was actually trying to sell his four tickets for BELOW the asking price.
By Andrew Warshaw
June 13 – Spain-Czech Republic: Spain are not quite the unstoppable force they were four years ago. Witness them being eliminated from the last World Cup at the first hurdle. But the defending champions still have a fearsome look about them as they try to clinch a third consecutive European title, having already made history by retaining it.
June 11 – Day 2 of the 2016 sees brotherly love between Albania and Switzerland, a Welsh galactico making a championship debut, and two nations who must win at all cost.
By Andrew Warshaw in Paris
June 10 – The waiting is over, the anticipation at fever pitch. France, looking to win their third European title following their 1984 and 2000 triumphs, finally kick off their Euro 2016 campaign tonight with both coach and captain seeking to downplay their role as favourites.
By Andrew Warshaw in Paris
June 10 – As if contending with the unprecedented security operation wasn’t a big enough headache for Euro 2016 organisers, striking train drivers are causing mayhem.
By Samindra Kunti in Paris
June 10 – Euro 2016 will be UEFA’s most profitable national team championship to date with the confederation set to bank a 41% increase in revenue to €1.9 billion on the 2012 tournament.