Nous sommes les champions... (Euro 2016)
A Football Manager Career by Taz.Win a copy of FM24 in our Prediction League. Prizes are given out to the best predictor each month, so you have multiple chances to win.
sortitoutsi
Football Manager Graphics
- FM24 Graphics
- FM24 Player Faces
- FM24 Logos
- FM24 Kits
- FM24 Backgrounds
- FM24 Installation Instructions
Football Manager Guides Database
Football Manager Data Update
Football Manager Shortlists
- FM24 Guides
- FM24 Shortlists
- Best FM24 Wonderkids
- Cheap FM24 Wonderkids
- FM24 Young Players aged 21-25
- FM24 Best Free Players
- FM24 Expiring Contracts
- FM24 Bargain Players
- FM24 Injury Prone Players
- FM24 Richest Clubs
- Best FM24 Facilities
- FM23 Guides
- FM23 Shortlists
- Best FM23 Wonderkids
- Cheap FM23 Wonderkids
- FM23 Young Players aged 21-25
- FM23 Best Free Players
- FM23 Expiring Contracts
- FM23 Bargain Players
- FM23 Injury Prone Players
- FM23 Richest Clubs
- Best FM23 Facilities
This site is not endorsed by Sports Interactive or SEGA and is intended for entertainment purposes only. The views expressed on this site are the views of the individual contributors and not those of Sports Interactive or SEGA.
Taz.
Löw expects Croatia test
World Cup winners shape up for opening game in Group F
10:54, 14 June 2016 - By Jacob Murtagh
Joachim Löw believes that Croatia will be Germany's biggest challenge of the group stages.
Germany begin their Euro 2016 campaign against Croatia in Bordeaux this afternoon and Löw admitted that he saw Niko Kovac's side as their closest rivals in the group stages. The World Cup winners have possibly the most straightforward draw of the pre-tournament favourites in Group F, alongside the Croatians, Wales and Slovakia, but Löw was keen for his side not to underestimate their opponents. Croatia have won their last three friendlies and boast a strong midfield featuring the likes of Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic.
"We have focussed on this game for a while," the German boss told a packed press room at his side's camp in Évian. "Croatia are a strong team and I would expect them to compete to win the group. They have a lot of very skilful individuals and they will try to play good football. The structure of the tournament makes it a little simpler for us but it is still important to begin the group well. There were moments in qualifying where we maybe struggled mentally and we must make sure those errors are out of our system."
Germany recorded four consecutive victories in their warm-up games but Löw believes that his side are yet to hit top gear. The fifty six year old admitted that he was not completely settled on a starting striker and that he was likely to rotate his side throughout the group stages. Mario Gómez, Max Kruse and Kevin Volland are all vying to start against Croatia and Löw has previously deployed Mario Götze as a false nine. Holger Badstuber has successfully recovered from injury to start as centre-back, leaving Mats Hummels on the bench.
"It has been a long season for a lot of our team," Löw added. "Fatigue is a real risk for us and we will work hard to keep the team as fresh as possible. Different opponents will require different approaches and we have to be flexible. We will play opponents that will focus on shutting us down and limiting our game. It's important to respect the competition but we would expect to make it through the group stages fairly easily, so perhaps each striker will get a chance. We have to show our desire to win games and build momentum."
Taz.
14:00 STARTING LINE-UPS
Germany: Neuer - Jung, Boateng, Badstuber, Durm - Müller, Khedira, Schweinsteiger, Reus - Götze - Volland.
Croatia: L. Kalinic - Srna, Vida, Lovren, Strinic - Kovacic, Radosevic, Modric - Rakitic, Perisic - Mandzukic.
14:11 DOUBLE SAVE FROM KALINIC
Marco Reus hammers a free-kick into the wall from the edge of the area but he connects well with the rebound and Lovre Kalinic swoops low to push the ball wide. The Borussia Dortmund winger takes the corner and sends an out-swinging delivery into the box. Jérôme Boateng grapples with Josip Radosevic in the air and meets the corner with a firm header, but Kalinic clutches onto the ball under pressure.
14:14 INJURY FOR GERMANY
Thomas Müller hits the deck after Luka Modric's challenge and it doesn't look good for the German winger, who fell awkwardly on his side. He immediately signals to the bench and is replaced by Borussia Mönchengladbach man André Hahn.
14:19 NEUER DENIES CROATIA
Rakitic whips a corner into the box and Hahn is nowhere near tight enough on Radosevic, who sweeps a well-timed half-volley towards goal. Manuel Neuer spreads himself impressively to parry Radosevic's effort but the ball falls at the feet of centre-back Domagoj Vida. The defender attempts to steer it into the bottom corner but Hahn redeems himself with a vital block on the goal-line.
14:26 GÖTZE GOES CLOSE
An excellent passing move and Germany are unfortunate not to be ahead. Joachim Löw's side shuttle the ball across the midfield and Sami Khedira finds Hahn on the left flank. The winger squares up to Ivan Strinic and plays a clever overlapping ball for Boateng, who races down the wing and supplies a pinpoint low cross for Mario Götze. The Bayern man is twelve yards out and has to score but he drives the ball straight at Kalinic.
14:44
Germany are caught out from a set-piece once again and Croatia lead the world champions in Bordeaux! Bastian Schweinsteiger and Boateng are both left to stand and watch as the unmarked Vida makes a powerful connection with Rakitic's corner. The defender's effort takes a huge deflection off Holger Badstuber, wrongfoots Neuer and hits the back of the net.
14:46 HALF TIME
Croatia have capitalised on Germany's poor organisation at the back and find themselves with an unexpected lead at the break. Niko Kovac's side have been a constant danger from set pieces and Germany have a job to do here.
Taz.
15:00 SUB FOR GERMANY
Sebastian Jung has struggled against the pace and trickery of Ivan Perisic and the right-back is replaced at half time by Shkodran Mustafi.
15:02
Boateng has switched to the right side of defence and the Bayern man makes the difference here with a fantastic cross. Khedira sprays the ball out wide for Boateng, who whips the ball into the box. Kevin Volland times his run to precision, beating Dejan Lovren to meet the ball at the near post and hook it past Kalinic. The striker has struggled to get into the game but he claims the equaliser for Germany.
15:18 SUB FOR GERMANY
Mario Götze had a fine chance for Germany in the first half but he has been dealt with well by Radosevic, who has denied him any space in between the lines. Götze will be replaced by Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos.
15:19 REUS GOES CLOSE
Boateng launches a long throw to Mustafi, who brings it down and drills the ball forward to Reus, who has taken up an advanced position playing just off the back of Volland. Reus takes a look and drives the ball towards the bottom right-hand corner. Kalinic is unsighted but the ball skids along the turf and misses the post by inches. The Germans are beginning to find their groove here.
15:23 OFF THE POST
Germany are firmly in charge here and Volland hits the upright as they chase a winning goal. The striker has looked dangerous after the break and he times his run perfectly in a training-ground move. Kroos rolls a corner to the near post and Volland races in front of Radosevic to meet the ball. He swivels and flicks the ball towards goal but his effort clips the post and bounces clear.
15:30 ANGER FOR CROATIA
The Croatian players are not happy as Germany play on and go close with substitute Nikola Kalinic lying down injured in the opposing half. Antonio Mateu Lahoz plays an advantage but Mateo Kovacic quickly loses the ball and Germany are away with Reus down the left flank. Croatia protest to the referee as Reus moves the ball inside for Hahn. Kovac is going mad at the fourth official as Lovren manages to clear Hahn's cross.
15:49 FULL TIME
Germany improved after the break but they couldn't find a lethal touch to win the game. It could potentially be a massive point for Croatia, who rode out waves of late pressure from Joachim Löw's side and are now well-placed for their next game against Slovakia.
Number 1
Taz.
Taz.
Wales step into Euro spotlight
• Coleman prepares Dragons for landmark game against Slovakia
Published: 16:05, 14 June 2016 - By ADAM SMITH for MAILONLINE
Wales will take the latest step in their extraordinary Euro 2016 journey this evening.
Chris Coleman will lead his side out in Wales' first game at a major tournament in fifty eight years against Slovakia. Few would have anticipated that a coach that lost his first five games would be the man to finally guide Wales to qualification but Coleman has specialised in the unlikely. The Dragons sneaked into the play-offs after a late equaliser against Cyprus and overcame Norway to seal a place in France. The Welsh boss believes that the character of his side will serve them well against the Slovakians in Saint-Étienne.
"These players are capable of anything," the former Fulham and Coventry manager claimed. "It's an incredible feeling to be here and we want to make it last. We're in a difficult group with three good teams but we don't fear anyone. You have to look at Slovakia as the most winnable game for us but we will give everything in these three games. We're all honoured to wear the shirt and we want to do this for all of the supporters that have stood by us over the past few years. We want to make sure that we do our country proud."
Wales have no major injury concerns but Coleman will wait on the results of a late fitness test for striker Sam Vokes, who sustained a knock in a training session on Tuesday. Simon Church is expected to replace the Burnley man if he is unable to play against Slovakia. Wales' opponents can count on Premier League stars Martin Skrtel and Marek Hamsik among their starting line-up, while first-choice goalkeeper Jan Mucha spent three seasons on the books of Everton. Coleman admitted that Hamsik could cause problems for his side.
"Hamsik is a world-class player," Coleman said. "We've watched reams and reams of games, trying to pin down how Slovakia play and preparing ourselves for this match. We've spent the last six months analysing games, it's been hard work for us. He's right at the centre of their attack and we need the lads in our midfield to do their jobs to the letter and keep their shape. People really do underrate our defence, we've got four quality Premier League players and a really promising goalkeeper in Karl Darlow. I know we can win this game."
Taz.
17:00 STARTING LINE-UPS
Slovakia: Mucha - Pekarik, Gyömbér, Skrtel, Cech - Guédé - Kucka, Hamsik - Mak, Vittek, Breznanik.
Wales: Darlow - Gunter, Chester, A. Williams, Davies - Huws - G. Williams, Allen, Ramsey, Bale - Church.
17:17 SLOVAKIA IN CONTROL
Wales have started the game nervously here in Saint-Étienne and Slovakia are unlucky not to be in front. Jan Kozak's side play the ball out neatly from the back as Karim Guédé strokes it to Marek Hamsik. The Chelsea man has a terrific eye for a pass and he plays a one-two with left winger Michal Breznanik. Hamsik lays the ball off for midfield partner Juraj Kucka, who fires a speculative shot narrowly wide of the top corner.
17:30
The opening goal has been on its way and Slovakia have crashed Wales' party. It's surely the most direct goal you will see at the finals as Róbert Vittek hammers Gareth Bale's corner clear down the pitch. It's a straight foot-race between Ben Davies and Róbert Mak and the Slovakian winger is the winner, speeding past the Tottenham left-back and blasting the ball past Karl Darlow.
17:31 BALE GOES CLOSE
The worried faces in the Welsh end are desperate for a moment of brilliance from their superstar and Bale almost draws Chris Coleman's side level. James Chester slips the ball out to the left wing and Bale drives inside the box, skinning Marek Cech and audaciously attempting to lift the ball over Jan Mucha from an acute angle. The Slovakian goalkeeper manages to swat it away.
17:38 SAVE FROM MUCHA
Bale is capable of creating something out of nothing and the Real Madrid man almost grabs an equaliser with superb individual strike. Emyr Huws steals the ball from Kucka and flicks it on for Bale, forty yards out. He weaves past Breznanik and drives into the Slovakian box but Mucha dives to his left to parry his powerful shot. Wales are slowly beginning to get into the game here.
17:46 HALF TIME
Slovakia are ahead thanks to a ruthless piece of counter-attacking but they struggled to contain Bale in the final ten minutes of the first half. Coleman will need to lift his players at half time but Wales are not out of this by a long way.
Taz.
18:06
Wales have come racing out of the blocks here. Chester brings down Ramsey's pass and picks out Bale. He holds off Cech and sprays it out right to Williams... and Wales are level! What a moment for George Williams. The twenty year old scores Wales' first goal at a major tournament in nearly sixty years and it's a brilliant finish. Williams cuts inside and drills a perfectly-placed low shot past Mucha from eighteen yards out.
18:12 MUCHA DENIES RAMSEY
Norbert Gyömbér clears Bale's corner but it's picked up by the young goalscorer Williams. He looks up and finds Joe Allen on the edge of the box. The Liverpool midfielder is charged down by three Slovakian defenders but he manages to clip the ball to his left, finding Ramsey. He tries the spectacular and Mucha has to adjust in mid-air to tip his curling shot over the bar.
18:26
Wales complete a brilliant turnaround thanks to a moment of absolute inspiration from Bale. Kucka drags down Ramsey twenty five yards from goal and Damir Skomina calls for a free-kick. Bale immediately grabs the ball and sets it down. He takes a deep breath, runs up and curls a stunning free-kick past the statuesque Mucha.
18:34 WHAT A MISS!
Substitute Hal Robson-Kanu has his head in his hands after missing an absolute sitter. Sam Vokes does well to hold up the ball and release it for Allen under pressure from Martin Skrtel. Allen plays an excellent through ball for Bale, who spots Robson-Kanu in acres of space at the back post. The Reading winger has to score but he heads the ball straight at Mucha.
18:38
Vokes has caused plenty of trouble after replacing Simon Church and he again fights off Skrtel to find Ramsey. The Arsenal man drills the ball out to the left flank for Robson-Kanu. The winger speeds past Peter Pekarik and delivers a great cross to the far post. The ball eludes Gyömbér as he slides to clear it and Bale makes no mistake, outpacing Cech to slam his second goal into the back of the net.
18:44
Are we in for a nerve-racking finish for Wales? Marek Hamsik has been disappointingly quiet for Slovakia but he claims the assist here for the substitute Filip Holosko. Kucka heads a poor goal-kick from Darlow upfield for the Chelsea man, who cleverly nods it on for Holosko. The striker breezes through the gap between Chester and Ashley Williams and produces a confident finish to steer it into the top corner.
18:49 FULL TIME
After a superb game at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Wales claim a pulsating win on their long-awaited return to tournament football. Bale was immense for Coleman's men, while George Williams will have won himself some fans after that excellent goal.
Taz.
Standings
Taz.
Group Stage - Matchday Two
14 June 2016 - 18 June 2016
Tuesday 14 June
20:00 - Group A -
Wednesday 15 June
17:00 - Group A -
20:00 - Group B -
Thursday 16 June
14:00 - Group B -
17:00 - Group C -
20:00 - Group C -
Friday 17 June
14:00 - Group E -
17:00 - Group D -
20:00 - Group D -
Saturday 18 June
14:00 - Group E -
17:00 - Group F -
20:00 - Group F -
Taz.
France 4-0 Romania
Brilliant hosts breeze into second round after another rout
Last Updated: 14 June 2016, 21:59 BST
France confirmed their place in the second round of Euro 2016 with an emphatic win over Romania.
The hosts continued their scintillating start to the tournament with their second consecutive 4-0 win in Paris. After thrashing Bosnia in the opening game of the finals, Les Bleus sent a warning to their tournament rivals by comprehensively outplaying Romania. Antoine Griezmann opened the scoring for France before Paul Pogba's strike, a penalty from substitute Loïc Rémy and Karim Benzema's late goal sealed a place in the second round and seriously dented Victor Piturca's side's hopes of reaching the knockout stages.
Didier Deschamps will have been delighted with his side's silky passing play as France completely controlled the first half. Les Bleus could have taken the lead in the third minute as a slick combination between Griezmann and Pogba found Geoffrey Kondogbia, whose firm shot was tipped over by Ciprian Tatarusanu. The hosts made the breakthrough three minutes later. Benzema latched onto Kondogbia's brilliant through ball and when the Real Madrid striker's effort hit the post, Griezmann sprinted in to turn the rebound over the line.
France claimed a second goal in the seventeenth minute. Griezmann's free-kick bounced off the upright and in the ensuing scramble, Pogba blocked Dragos Grigore's clearance and blasted the ball home. Parc des Princes was in impressive voice and Adil Rami nearly added a third goal before half time as the centre-back headed against the side netting. Another beautiful passing move saw Rémy play a neat cross-field pass to Jérémy Ménez, who flicked the ball on for Benzema, only for Tatarusanu to make a fine reaction save.
Rémy dusted himself off after Mihai Pintilii's foul to convert a spot-kick on the hour mark. Romania were much-improved following Piturca's introduction of Ciprian Marica and they nearly claimed a consolation goal. Alexandru Bourceanu's excellent lobbed pass caught out the French defence and Hugo Lloris made a terrific one-on-one save from Marica. Benzema eventually capped off the win with his third goal of the tournament. Man of the match Bacary Sagna curled a fine cross to the near post where Benzema glanced the ball home.
Player Ratings
France Lloris 7 - Sagna 9, Rami 8, Koscielny 8, Clichy 7 - Matuidi 7, Pogba 8 (Cabaye 6), Kondogbia 7 - Ménez 7 (Lacazette 6), Benzema 8, Griezmann 7 (Rémy 6).
Romania Tatarusanu 6 - Manea 5, Papp 6 (Gardos 6), Grigore 5, Latovlevici 5 - Enache 6 (Marica 5), Bourceanu 7, Pintilii 6, Anton 5, Rotariu 6 (Maxim 6) - Stancu 5.
Taz.
17:00 STARTING LINE-UPS
Ireland: A. McCarthy - Coleman, Wilson, McShane, Cunningham - J. McCarthy, Gibson, Meyler - Long, A. Keogh, Brady.
Bosnia: Begovic - Mujdza, Bicakcic, Pandza, Lulic - Pjanic, Hadzic, Prcic - Susic - Dzeko, Ibisevic.
17:02
What a brilliant start for Ireland! Shane Long steals the ball from Sanjin Prcic and finds Darron Gibson. The Everton man sprays the ball out to the left flank for the marauding Robbie Brady. The winger outpaces Mensur Mujdza and delivers a magnificent cross to the far post. Asmir Begovic misjudges the flight of the ball and Andy Keogh climbs above Boris Pandza to nod the ball into an empty net.
17:20 WHAT A SAVE!
Tino Susic is enjoying plenty of space in the number ten role and the playmaker orchestrates this move. Senad Lulic sprints down the left wing on the overlap and Susic plays a perfectly-timed through ball for the left-back. The Irish defence is overwhelmed and Lulic whips the ball to the near post, where Prcic sweeps the ball towards goal. Alex McCarthy twists his body superbly and somehow manages to parry the shot clear.
17:22
Ireland have struggled to cope with Bosnia at times but their finishing has been clinical and Martin O'Neill's side double their lead in Marseille. Brady has been the best player on the pitch so far and the Nottingham Forest man carves out another goal. He curls a free-kick into the box and Shane Long glances the ball on for Keogh, who stabs it over the line from a yard out. One from the training ground for Ireland.
17:27
Bosnia are right back in this. Ibisevic does well to hold up the ball under pressure from Séamus Coleman and the striker finds Prcic. Brady is out of position and Mujdza is free on the right flank as Prcic sprays the ball out wide. The right-back weaves past Greg Cunningham and curls a cross into the box. Marc Wilson slides in to block off Susic but deflects the ball past McCarthy into his own net.
17:37 DZEKO GOES CLOSE
Safet Susic's side are taking the game to Ireland and Bosnia are unlucky not to equalise here. Ermin Bicakcic lofts the ball forward and the towering Edin Dzeko bounds after it, outmuscling Paul McShane. Wilson has looked shaky in the first half and he can't get it away quick enough. The Bosnian captain robs the ball but snatches at his shot and fires over the bar.
17:46 HALF TIME
Ireland have picked their moments well but Bosnia look threatening going forward and Susic has given David Meyler the runaround in midfield. Dzeko is yet to hit top gear but if Bosnia can create some chances, McCarthy cannot hold them off single-handedly.
Taz.
18:05
Martin O'Neill's side have sat back far too much since Keogh's second goal and Bosnia claim a thoroughly deserved equaliser. Coleman's poor clearance gifts the ball to Prcic, who finds Ibisevic. Dzeko collects the lay-off and Mudjza again breaks forward brilliantly. The striker fires the ball out wide and the defender supplies another great cross. Ibisevic outleaps McShane and powers a header past McCarthy.
18:08 GREAT SAVE FROM MCCARTHY
Another excellent stop from the Irish goalkeeper. Lulic finds Ibisevic from a throw-in on the left flank and the striker shrugs off Shane Long's challenge. Ireland are far too loose on Prcic, who is waiting on the edge of the box. Ibisevic squares it for the Rennes midfielder and he drills the ball hard and low towards the bottom corner. McCarthy gets a hand to the stinging shot and pushes it wide.
18:22 MCCARTHY RESCUES IRELAND
Ireland are under huge pressure as Bosnia sense a chance to claim a crucial three points. Safet Susic has introduced Sejad Salihovic and Sead Kolasinac to chase the win and the duo combine well. Salihovic guides the ball between Long and James McCarthy to find Kolasinac, who drills the ball across the box for Ibisevic. McCarthy again palms it away from point-blank range.
18:35 OFF THE POST!
David Meyler's long ball completely catches out the Bosnia defence, who are playing a very high line. The pace of Keogh carries him past Bicakcic but the impressive Mujdza manages to force the Perth Glory striker wide. Aiden McGeady scampers into the are and Keogh slips it through for the winger. McGeady wriggles past Miralem Pjanic and his shot hits the outside of the post and bounces out.
18:38
Bosnia have a free-kick on the edge of the area. Salihovic stands over it, takes a run up and smashes it into the wall but it falls luckily for the substitute Ermin Zec. Ireland are slow to react and Zec squares it for Pjanic, who shapes up to shoot but feints past McShane. The midfielder rolls it into the box for the centre-back Bicakcic, who holds off Cunningham... and guides the ball into the top corner!
18:50 FULL TIME
The referee blows the final whistle and Ireland look absolutely gutted. Martin O'Neill's men are surely staring elimination in the face but Bosnia recovered superbly from going two goals down and punished some poor Irish defending to claim a huge win.
Taz.
New chapter in same old story for Ireland
Euro 2016 must go down as a huge missed opportunity for Martin O'Neill's men
Wednesday 15 June 2016 - 19.40 BST
An all-too-familiar tale came to an end in Marseille as Ireland's tournament hopes took a fatal blow.
After Giovanni Trapattoni's team found themselves embarrassingly out of their depths four years ago, Ireland arrived in France with renewed hope. A kind group featuring beatable opposition allowed the fiercely loyal Irish fans to dream of a place in the knock-out stages of a major tournament for the first time in a generation. After two games, Ireland must beat the rampant hosts in their next game to progress and the planes back to Dublin are surely waiting on the tarmac. This time, it feels even more disappointing.
Two goals from the recalled Andy Keogh gave Martin O'Neill's side a commanding lead within twenty-two minutes at Stade Vélodrome but the mentality of the side must come under question after a humiliating collapse against a Bosnian side that were trounced 4-0 in the tournament's opening game. There was a depressing inevitability that Marc Wilson's own goal would bring about a comeback and Ermin Bicakcic's late winner for Bosnia would bring about the usual headlines about broken Irish hearts. We know the narrative all too well.
O'Neill fulfilled the expectations of the FAI by guiding the Boys in Green to the finals but the manager and his assistant Roy Keane must answer how Ireland have produced two gutless performances on their big return to the finals. Failure to see off Romania and this evening's capitulation are example of an Irish side that is pleased just to come along and join in the fun. Keane spoke of his belief in Ireland's chances of progress from Group A prior to the tournament but his words look hollow after two under-par performances against two average sides.
Departing a tournament at the first hurdle is often cause for introspection and calls to rebuild from the ground up. Aside from the established Premier League talents like Séamus Coleman and Shane Long, Ireland's squad has a soft centre and there is a real lack of young talent coming through the ranks. O'Neill is likely to keep his job but he must surely oversee a rethink of the Irish youth setup and change his side's approach to international tournaments. Until then, Ireland are unlikely to escape the tag of good losers.
Taz.
Greece 1-2 Portugal
Late heroics from Ronaldo book second round place for under-par Portugal
Last Updated: 15 June 2016, 21:57 BST
Two moments of magic from Cristiano Ronaldo were enough for Portugal to see off Greece.
Greece defended stoutly in Lille and Fernando Santos' side struggled to carve a way through a compact defence. Ronaldo opened the scoring with a stunning thirty-yard strike in the first half but the Greeks fought back after the break and Dimitris Salpingidis' goal looked to have preserved Claudio Ranieri's side's chances of finishing in the top two in Group B. Ronaldo's late finish sealed a place in the knockout stages, meaning Greece must pin their hopes of qualification on finishing as one of the four strongest third-placed teams.
Greece nearly went ahead in the eighth minute as José Holebas curled a free-kick into the box for Panagiotis Kone. The playmaker's looping header was cleared off the line by João Moutinho. After a porous display against the Netherlands in their opening game, Ranieri set his side up far more defensively and Portugal were restricted to ambitious long-range shots for much of the first half. Ronaldo accepted the challenge and smashed a marvellous thirty-yard effort past Orestis Karnezis in the twenty-fourth minute to give his side the lead.
Santos was left fuming on the touchline by his side's sloppy defending from set pieces and Kone should have equalised in the first half. Pepe left the midfielder unmarked at the near post from Dimitris Anakoglou's free-kick and Kone somehow nodded it wide. Portugal were improved in the second half and William Carvalho had a goal narrowly disallowed for offside just after the break. Greece continued to crowd the midfield and Ronaldo once again was forced to attempt the spectacular, sending an audacious effort inches over the bar.
Ranieri's counter-attacking gameplan bore fruit in the seventy-second minute. Sokratis Papastathopoulos hoofed the ball clear for Petros Mantalos, who cut the ball back for Holebas. His fine cross evaded Maicon and Salpingidis prodded home his third goal of the tournament. Kostas Mitroglou nodded just over before Portugal stole a priceless win. Moutinho slipped a brilliant pass through a gap in the defence and Ronaldo calmly slotted past Karnezis. Dimitris Kourbelis was sent off for diving in added time as Greece slipped to a painful late defeat.
Player Ratings
Greece Karnezis 6 - Pliatsikas 6, Papastathopoulos 6, Kolovetsios 5, Holebas 6 - Kourbelis 6 - Maniatis 6, Anakoglou 6 - Kone 5 (Mantalos, Fetfatzidis 6) - Nazlidis 6 (Mitroglou 5), Salpingidis 7.
Portugal Patrício 6 - Cédric 7, Pepe 7, Maicon 5 (Alves 6), Eliseu 7 - Moutinho 7, Carvalho 7, Veloso 5 (Mário 6) - Nani 6, Almeida 5 (Oliveira 5), Ronaldo 9.
Taz.
14:00 STARTING LINE-UPS
Slovenia: Handanovic - Maroh, Cesar, Balazic - Stojanovic, Krhin, Kampl, Vrhovec, Pucko - Beric, Bezjak.
Netherlands: Cillessen - Janmaat, De Vrij, Veltman, Emanuelson - De Jong, Blind, Clasie - Lens, Van Persie, Depay.
14:18 LENS GOES CLOSE
Robin van Persie breaks into the danger zone, shrugging off a challenge from Dominic Maroh, but the striker gets clattered by centre-back Bostjan Cesar. Paolo Tagliavento shows the defender a yellow card and Jeremain Lens steps up to take the free-kick, firing just over from twenty yards out.
14:19
Daley Blind makes a superb interception to cut out Petar Stojanevic's pass and drives the ball forward for van Persie. The captain picks out Lens, who plays a one-two with Clasie and goes around Matej Pucko, before laying the ball off for Urby Emanuelson on the overlap. It's a great cross from the left-back and van Persie runs into the space between Maroh and Cesar to crash the ball home.
14:28 BRILLIANT SAVE
Slovenia are blessed in the goalkeeping department and Samir Handanovic shows exactly why he's keeping Jan Oblak on the bench with a stunning save. The Netherlands side construct a nice move, pinning Slovenia into their own area as Blind pings it across for Nigel de Jong, who spots Memphis Depay free in the box. Depay sweeps a first-time shot towards goal but Handanovic makes a fabulous reaction save.
14:45 RED CARD FOR SLOVENIA!
Srecko Katanec's half time team talk was just made a little more tricky. Cesar has committed a number of wild challenges in the first half and the referee runs out of patience as he brings down van Persie, showing him a second yellow card.
14:47 HALF TIME
Guus Hiddink's side haven't showed the goalscoring prowess of Sunday's win over Greece but Slovenia have barely threatened the Dutch goal and would surely be further behind without the heroics of Handanovic.
Taz.
15:00 SUBS FOR BOTH TEAMS
It's a double substitution for ten-man Slovenia as Katanec replaces the injured Robert Beric with Tim Matavz and brings Miral Samardzic on for the left wing-back Stojanevic. Hiddink replaces Daryl Janmaat with Virgil van Dijk.
15:10 OFF THE LINE!
The Netherlands are inches away from making it 2-0. Jordy Clasie's corner is helped on by Depay at the near post and Joël Veltman rises to meet the ball with a firm header. Roman Bezjak makes a vital intervention on the line and smashes it clear.
15:12
The Dutch have been far from spectacular but they finally find a second goal on the counter. Nigel de Jong makes a great challenge on Blaz Vrhovec and knocks the ball on for Lens. The winger skips down the flanks and Blind makes up the ground, drifting into the area to meet Lens' low cross at the near post. The Manchester United man's first effort hits the woodwork but Blind stabs the rebound over the line.
15:16 HUNTELAAR FIRES WIDE
Hiddink has brought on Klaas-Jan Huntelaar to try and kill off the game and the veteran striker nearly makes an instant impact. A slick passing move sees van Persie cut inside and find Depay, who slips it centrally for Clasie. The Liverpool man finds Huntelaar with his back to goal in the box. He holds off Andraz Struna, swivels and fires just wide of Handanovic's right-hand post.
15:31 NETHERLANDS GO CLOSE
Emanuelson has gone forward well in this game and the left-back nearly hits a third for the Netherlands. Kevin Strootman heads the ball to van Persie, who holds up play and spots Emanuelson charging past Pucko. The West Ham man skins Maroh but drives the ball into the side netting as the Dutch fans prepare to celebrate.
15:43 WHAT A SAVE!
Handanovic has had a great game for Slovenia and the goalkeeper makes another unbelievable save. Emanuelson controls Blind's throw-in and clips the ball to Huntelaar out on the left flank. The striker chips a cross over the head of Maroh and Lens must surely score from six yards. Handanovic makes a stunning instinctive save and Samardzic blocks Emanuelson's follow-up.
15:48 FULL TIME
The second half comes to a conclusion and the Netherlands record a comfortable win to join Portugal in the second round. Hiddink will hope for a more clinical performance in the final game as the two giants fight for top spot in Group B.
Taz.
Our annual charity match was the first fixture of pre-season, welcoming back Nigel Clough to the Pirelli Stadium with his Derby side.
While the Rams line-up was a mixture of first team players and reserves, I picked a strong first eleven and decided to give Ryan Austin and Chris Palmer their first opportunities to impress in the full-back positions.
We slipped behind to an early goal from a corner, perhaps showing a lack of sharpness, but we were much-improved after the break. Palmer enjoyed a solid game at left-back, although Austin was forced off at half-time through injury.
The trip to Conference North side Solihull was a good chance to earn a confidence-boosting victory on the road.
There was little to note in a lethargic first half of play at Damson Park, which ended goalless as we struggled to convert our chances into goals and held the hosts to zero shots on target.
The introduction of Calvin Zola at half-time changed our fortunes and he linked up well with Billy Kee after the break. Both men got on the scoresheet and Kee's late strike after a fine passing move was an early sign of progress.
Zola's impressive display earned him a start against Eastwood, another Conference North outfit based in nearby Nottinghamshire.
I'm still uncertain about the towering striker's ability in front of goal but he was on fire against a very poor home side, who went down to ten men just before half-time. Four goals was a superb return and it gives me a selection dilemma heading into the season.
It's difficult to take away much from such a one-sided game, but converting six of our nine shots on target was undoubtedly a big plus.
Our meeting with League One title favourites Sheffield United was set to be a tough final test on the eve of the new season.
We switched to a five-man midfield in anticipation of being pinned back in our own half for most of the game, but the Blades rested many of their key players and fielded basically a youth team after the break.
Taylor's goal was the highlight of the match, finishing off a magical passing move spearheaded by Jacques Maghoma, before Kee and Justin Richards caused plenty of problems for a very raw visiting defence in the second half.