Italy was underrated in this tournament before with their aged lineup and less stars. In recent years, Serie A has been dwindling also with scarcely great Apennine players. For example, the underwhelming Mario Balotelli who made himself famous in the last edition failed to squeeze into the 23-man roster. However, against the odds, manager Antonio Conte led the weakest Azzurri in recent years to ...Full Story »

Current champions Spain saw their Euro 2016 hopes wobble when they threw away a lead to lose to Croatia in their final group game which pitched them against Italy in Lille. But Del Bosque, who has already guided his country to World Cup and Euro Championship victories in the past, is in no mood to panic. "We lost our World Cup opener against Switzerland in 2010 but we hardly changed anything...Full Story »

The two giants of European football, who met in the final of Euro 2012, go head to head again in the last 16 in France. The Azzurri lost 4-0 in that final four years ago in Kiev and Conte believes Spain, who are going for a record third European Championship in a row, are just as good as they ever were – even though many of their star names have retired. The incoming Chelsea boss said: "...Full Story »

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque will not change his side's approach when they take on Italy in their eagerly anticipated last-16 clash at Euro 2016. The winners of the past two European Championships looked to be hitting top gear as they thrashed Turkey 3-0 in their second group game, but optimism was then tempered by an unexpected loss to Croatia. That defeat saw the 2010 world champions slip ...Full Story »

Belgium coach Marc Wilmots has expressed his preferred draw would have been England or Spain, rather than facing Hungary in the round of 16. Belgium finished second to Italy in their group courtesy of the 2-0 defeat in their first match of the tournament. "I would have preferred to have played England or Spain because they are games in which you have nothing to lose," the coach explained. T...Full Story »

LILLE, France (AP) — Italy coach Antonio Conte has urged his team to be upbeat about facing two-time defending champion Spain in the last 16 of the European Championship. Though a second-string Italy side lost 1-0 to Ireland in their final Group E match in Lille on Wednesday, Conte's focus was more on preparing for Monday's game at Saint-Denis. "With regards to the draw, it's definitely ...Full Story »

THREAT: Croatia supporters have allegedly singled out the referee Supporters are believed to have planned an attack on referee Bjorn Kuipers in the 30th minute of the game, according to Croatia’s police chief. It comes just days after fans were filmed throwing flares onto the pitch during their group game against Czech Republic. And only today, Daily Star Online exclusively revealed ho...Full Story »

Spain captain Sergio Ramos was left to reflect on a "strange game" after seeing a penalty saved as Croatia beat Spain 2-1 in Euro 2016 Group D. The result means defending champions Spain finished second in the group and must now face Italy in the knockout stage, and Ramos said they needed to learn from their errors. Spain seemed set for a third straight group win when Alvaro Morata put them ah...Full Story »

Ivan Perisic's late goal saw Croatia come from behind to beat defending champions Spain and advance to the knockout stages of Euro 2106 as Group D winners. Alvaro Morata's early strike had given Spain the lead but Nikola Kalinic equalised just before half-time before La Roja defender Sergio Ramos saw a penalty saved midway through the second half. Croatia then snatched the points three minut...Full Story »

Luka Modric (left) is struggling to recover from injury Injured Luka Modric is not being ruled out by coach Ante Cacic for Croatia's final Group D Euro 2016 game against holders Spain. Modric limped off in the second half of Croatia's 2-2 draw with the Czech Republic and it was feared he would not recover in time for Tuesday's match but Cacic is not ruling him out. "He underwent an MRI and t...Full Story »

Spain head coach Vicente del Bosque sees no reason to reprimand winger Pedro following his complaints at having to sit on the bench at Euro 2016. The Chelsea forward has played less than 10 minutes so far in the tournament, his only appearance being as a late substitute in La Roja's opening 1-0 win over the Czech Republic. In an interview with Movistar, former Barcelona player Pedro had claime...Full Story »

Joachim Low has been singing Spain's praises, not only for the way they destroyed Turkey on Friday night but for their performance over the past seven or eight years, although it's not something the German coach will try to replicate. He noted that the players' great versatility allows them to play in this extraordinary manner. "Spain have a top-class team and that's always been the case," h...Full Story »

Reigning champions Spain marched into the second round of Euro 2016 with a 3-0 stroll over Turkey. Two goals in three first-half minutes from Alvaro Morata and Nolito put Vicente del Bosque's team in control to move them top of Group D and into the last 16. Juventus forward Morata added a third in the second half before Spain eased off ahead of their final group game against Croatia on Tues...Full Story »

Spain defender Jordi Alba admits even their multi-talented side are lucky to have Andres Iniesta. The Barcelona midfielder was man of the match in their opening Group D win over Czech Republic, capping his display by laying on the cross for Gerard Pique's late winner. Iniesta, a World Cup and two-time European Championship winner, is the man who makes Spain tick - much as he does for his club ...Full Story »

Gerard Pique struck a late winner as defending champions Spain opened their Euro 2016 campaign with a narrow victory over the Czech Republic. The Barcelona defender headed in with three minutes left to end the frustration for the holders and seal a 1-0 win. Spain, 2008 and 2012 European champions, were utterly dominant but looked like drawing a blank until Pique struck in Toulouse in Group D...Full Story »

La Furia Roja went into the 2014 World Cup on the back of winning three major tournaments in a row, the 2008 and 2012 Euros sandwiching their 2010 World Cup triumph, but were a huge disappointment in Brazil after failing to advance past the group stage of the competition. Vicente del Bosque's side have looked inconsistent and unpredictable in the lead-up to the Euros, with impressive 3-1 and ...Full Story »

The Real Madrid defender is eyeing another European crown with his country but he feels developing a new style if they are to achieve further success.Sergio Ramos says Spain's success over the last eight years has forced them to look at reinventing themselves as they look to claim a third consecutive European title.Luis Aragones guided Spain to the trophy at Euro 2008, with Vicente del Bosque ...Full Story »

Andres Iniesta has no concerns over Spain's form as they prepare to begin their Euro 2016 campaign against the Czech Republic. Spain suffered a shock 1-0 home defeat to Georgia, ranked 137th in the world, in their final warm-up match before heading to France. Given the questions raised by their dismal performance at the 2014 World Cup, when they exited the tournament at the group stage, the re...Full Story »

Spain and Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea has denied a claim reported in a Spanish newspaper that he organised a sex party with prostitutes for teammates in which a woman was made to take part against her will. "It's all false," de Gea said. The claims are contained in court papers in a trial against a pornography baron seen by El Diario newspaper. A witness claims the defendant for...Full Story »

Spain saw their 11-game unbeaten streak end in a 1-0 loss to Georgia in a friendly in Getafe on Tuesday night. In their final warm-up before Euro 2016, La Roja were undone by a Tornike Okriashvili goal in the 40th minute. Jaba Jigauri's pass across the face of goal got past David De Gea and Okriashvili had the simplest of finishes. There was a scary moment shortly after half-time when Georgia ...Full Story »