CHELSEA kick-off their Premier League season against West Ham next Monday – but Cesc Fabregas is still on holiday. The Spaniard, 29, was spotted sunning himself in Spain just seven days before the big kick-off and looks to be completely over his Euro 2016 heartache. Fabregas and his partner Daniella Semaan have been holidaying in Spain The pair cooled off in the Med water off the island...Full Story »

Spain’s Euro 2016 was punctuated by tension and controversy. Before a ball had even been kicked in anger, the story broke that David De Gea had been named in a sex scandal dating from 2012, and the Man United keeper was almost sent home because of it. Then there was Pedro’s moaning that he didn’t want to be a sub, and that if he wasn’t going to start, he’d be be...Full Story »

Vicente del Bosque's reign as coach of Spain has come to an end The Spanish Football Federadion (RFEF) has confirmed that Vicente del Bosque is stepping down as coach of the national team. Del Bosque revealed last week that he had "no intention" of staying on once his current contract expires at the end of July. And following Spain's Euro 2016 second round defeat to Italy, Del Bosque's decis...Full Story »

Balotelli reacts to Italy win Liverpool cast-off Mario Balotelli was going through 'real emotions' after watching Italy knock Spain out of Euro 2016. The forward posted his feelings on Instagram after the Azzurri played their way to a tremendous 2-0 win. Using a picture of Graziano Pelle, the Southampton striker who scored Italy's second goal, Balotelli wrote: “Wow, I would have loved ...Full Story »

Graziano Pelle sealed Italy's place in the Euro 2016 quarter-finals with a stoppage-time strike to sink reigning champions Spain at the Stade de France. Leading and largely dominant after Giorgio Chiellini's first-half opener, the Italians had survived a scare moments earlier when Gianluigi Buffon saved superbly to deny Gerard Pique an equaliser. But Pelle's brilliant finish at the other end...Full Story »

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 »