Belgium
Three Premier League stars nominated for UEFA Men’s POTY
The three-man shortlist for the UEFA Men’s Player of the Year award has been revealed. The award is given to the player who performed the best in UEFA competitions over the last year. This includes the Champions League, Europa League, European Championships and the Nations League. There wasn’t any room on the shortlist for Ballon d’Or frontrunners Lionel Messi or Robert Lewandowski, nor for Euro 2020 Player of the Tournament winner Gianluigi Donnarumma. Kylian Mbappe and Cristiano Ronaldo were also among the big names to miss out on the top three. Kevin De Bruyne – Manchester City & Belgium He’s already scooped one huge individual prize with the PFA Player of the Year award, and now he’s back for another. De Bruyne was one of the stars of the Champions League knockout stages. He netted...
Belgium Launches “Covid Safe Ticket” Program for Live Events
Just one month ago, Belgium’s iconic Tomorrowland festival was abruptly cancelled due to COVID-19 safety concerns. Now, the country has made major strides in its risk mitigation for similar events with the announcement of its COVID Safe Ticket (CTS) system. Designed specifically for live events with over 1,500 attendees, the CTS is meant to ensure crowds have followed testing and vaccination guidelines necessary for entry, IQ reports. Its use, though optional, will waive the need for venues to enforce the mask and social distancing requirements instated by the Belgian government. To access the CTS, event attendees must first download the mobile CovidSafeBE app, where they can then upload proof of vaccination and recent COVID-19 test results. Similarly to the EU Digital Covi...
Roberto Martinez to stay on as Belgium coach
Roberto Martinez will stay on as Belgium coach despite the country’s European Championship exit and attempt another tilt at a major title at next year’s World Cup, he said in an interview with Belgian newspapers on Friday. Martinez, whose contract runs until after next year’s tournament in Qatar, had not given any clarity on his plans since Belgium were beaten 2-1 by Italy in Munich in the Euro 2020 quarter-finals a week ago in a major disappointment for the team, who have spent the last three years top of the Fifa rankings. “I’m staying as coach. When I feel I no longer have anything to contribute is when I will leave,” he said. “But I don’t have that feeling now. I was a bitterly disappointed to be knocked out but now I’m looking ahead to the World Cup in Qatar. And also the Nations Leag...
Watford begin talks with Genk for Paul Onuachu
Premier League new boys Watford have opened talks with Genk for striker Paul Onuachu. Onuachu has been linked in recent times with several Premier League clubs, from Arsenal to Brighton, after he scored 35 goals in all competitions in Belgium last season. And now the Watford Observer has reported that Watford, who won promotion back to the English top league this past season, have opened talks to sign Onuachu. The report further said the talks have not yet reached an advanced stage. Onuachu’s transfer market value is put at 20 Million Euros, but Genk hope they can get far more for the giant striker, who cost them six Million Euros two years ago. Recommended Stories You Deserve to Make Money Even When you are looking for Dates Online. So we reimagined what a dating should be. It begins with...
Former Arsenal star fluffs his lines as £90 million man flops
The first two European Championship quarter-finals didn’t disappoint, with Spain and Italy progressing after two entertaining matches. Spain defeated Switzerland on penalties in the opening fixture, while Italy deservedly defeated over-hyped Belgium in the second game. Ahead of the remaining two quarter-finals, we take a look at a few Euro 2020 talking points from the last 24 hours. Keown fluffs his lines If you’ve been following this column during the tournament, you will know that we’ve not been overly enamoured with some of the co-commentators and pundits. Robbie Savage? Biased. Danny Murphy? Lousy. Jermaine Jenas? Terrible. After last night’s games, we have another addition to the list – Martin Keown. Keown” “its been the game of the tournament” LOL. and he gets paid for this? Best tea...
Tactical Analysis: How Italy outclassed Belgium in the Euros
The 16th edition of the European Championships continued to deliver football and entertainment of the highest order as we entered the quarterfinal stage, and the biggest clash of the last-eight featured Belgium and Italy, who squared off in the Allianz Arena in Munich. Both sides had exited in the quarterfinals in Euro 2016, but one of their fates was set to change here. Belgium had a couple of key players including Eden Hazard out due to injury, while Italy were fit and firing as Roberto Mancini had a winning formula working brilliantly even before the group stage started. After a hard-fought 90 minutes, Italy emerged 2-1 winners thanks to a couple of very good finishes in the first half. In this analysis, we will take a look at how Roberto Mancini’s side were able to beat the Belgians, a...
Inter Milan duo get on scoresheet, former Premier League defender disappoints – Belgium 1-2 Italy Player Ratings
Belgium have been knocked out of the European Championships after losing 2-1 to Italy on Friday. Italy thought they had taken an early lead when Leonardo Bonucci bundled home at the back post from a free-kick. However, replays showed that he was marginally offside, and VAR intervened to overturn the decision. Belgium responded with a couple of chances of their own. Gianluigi Donnarumma twice had to be at his best, denying Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku. And moments later, Italy got themselves in front. Jan Vertonghen made a mess of a clearance, and it fell to Nicolo Barella in the box. The Inter Milan midfielder wriggled away from Thomas Vermaelen and Thorgan Hazard and slammed into the far corner. They continued to push for a second, and they were rewarded with a fantastic goal just be...
Euro 2020: UEFA name German referee for England vs Ukraine
German referee Felix Brych will take charge of England vs Ukraine – just days after the Three Lions dumped his nation out of Euro 2020. Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane grabbed the goals as Gareth Southgate’s side defeated Germany 2-0 at Wembley on Tuesday. That was enough to fire England into the quarters where they are now preparing to take on Ukraine in Rome. And the man in the middle will be someone who would have wanted England to lose two days ago. Brych is Germany’s representative at Euro 2020 and one of the best-known referees in the world. He took charge of Portugal’s last 16 exit to Belgium, a match in which he dished out five yellow cards. He’s already refereed Ukraine at this tournament, overseeing their thrilling 3-2 defeat to Holland. That match saw Ukraine boss Andriy Shevchen...
Euro 2020 Predictions: England, Denmark, Spain and Italy to progress to the semifinals
After a thrilling set of last 16 ties, the Euro 2020 quarter-finals are upon us. We could be in for another exhilarating round of fixtures. With giants such as France, Germany, Portugal and Netherlands all eliminated, the tournament is wide open. All of the remaining eight will know that there is a huge opportunity to get some silverware in the cabinet. Here are our predictions for the quarter-finals. Switzerland vs Spain Morata got his first goal of the summer in extra time Having looked down and out against France, Switzerland pulled off the shock of the tournament by coming back and defeating the world champions on penalties. Spain’s game against Croatia was equally as thrilling. They were 3-1 up going into the closing stages but conceded twice late on to go to extra time before hitting...
2 England, 1 Belgium, 2 Switzerland – Best XI from the round of 16
As the group stages came to a close, the knockout rounds of Euro 2020 begun, and the round of 16 certainly didn’t disappoint. We’ve had everything you could possibly want. Penalty shootouts, giant killings, last gasp winners, eight-goal thrillers, screamers, VAR drama – it’s what we live for as football fans. Here are our picks for the best XI from the round of 16. Jordan Pickford (GK) – England’s goalkeeper position has been the subject of debate for a while now, with many of the fans preferring the likes of Nick Pope and Dean Henderson over the Everton stopper. However, Gareth Southgate stuck with Pickford and has been rewarded for his faith. Against Germany, the 27-year-old was on top of his game, making crucial saves to deny Timo Werner and Kai Havertz at 0-0. Cesar Azpilicueta (R...
Euro 2020: Cristiano Ronaldo ‘proud’ of Portugal’s efforts after elimination
Captain Cristiano Ronaldo said on Monday he was “proud” of holders Portugal’s efforts despite bowing out of Euro 2020 after the weekend’s 1-0 last 16 loss to Belgium. “We did not get the result we wanted and we leave the competition sooner than expected,” the 36-year-old Juventus star and five-time Ballon d’or winner admitted as his side failed to match their 2016 exploits. “But we are proud of our showing. We did everything we could to retain the title of European champions and this group proved it could still give the Portuguese people much joy,” the former Manchester United and Real Madrid attacker posted on social media after Sunday’s loss. “Congratulations to Belgium and good luck to all the teams left in. As for us, we shall return stronger,” vowed the veteran who at least could cons...
Belgium send defending champion Portugal out of Euro 2020
Belgium have sent out defending champions, Portugal out of Euro 2020, with a lone goal victory on Sunday. Portugal dominated the game with 24 goal attempts and five shots on goal, while Belgium scored with its only shot on goal and six goal attempts. Thorgan Hazard got the only goal of the match for Belgium on 42 minutes. He latched on to a superb pass and breaks through the defence before firing a shot from mid-range that goes past the goalkeeper inside the right post. On 58 minutes, Diogo Jota had a chance to draw Portugal level. He picked up an inch-perfect pass inside the box and fired the ball just over the crossbar. On 83 minutes, Raphael Guerreiro fired a brilliant shot from the edge of the box, but the effort rattled the right post It could have been a superb goal for Portugal if i...
