Archives

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – JULY 13: A close up of the World Cup trophy after the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Final match between Germany and Argentina at Maracana on July 13, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

A too early preview of UEFA World Cup 2018 qualifying

While the expansion of the European Championships from 16 to 24 teams may have given us a bit of a letdown at Euro 2016 it did give us one very big positive. While some may have said that the new format diluted the competition, the expanded format showed us that Europe is more than just 14-15 really […]

Lincoln Red Imps look to complete Champions League shocker against Celtic

When the draw for the second round of Champions League qualifying was done, Celtic fans were probably confident heading into a two-legged tie against the champions of Gibraltar, Lincoln Red Imps. After all, despite a 14-year run of domestic titles in Gibraltar’s 10-team first division, the gap in talent between the two teams is a […]

PARIS, FRANCE – JULY 10: Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal (c) lifts the Henri Delaunay trophy after his side win 1-0 against France during the UEFA EURO 2016 Final match between Portugal and France at Stade de France on July 10, 2016 in Paris, France. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)

Who would win: Copa America Best XI or Euros Best XI?

This question comes up very often. Who would win if you gathered the best players from Europe and the best from the Americas. With the Euros and Copa America Centenario now complete, we can look at the Best XI’s from both tournaments and compare. The Best XI’s below are courtesy of WhoScored.com, who build their teams […]

PARIS, FRANCE – JULY 10: Portugal players and staffs celebrate after their 1-0 win against France in the UEFA EURO 2016 Final match between Portugal and France at Stade de France on July 10, 2016 in Paris, France. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

The 32 Flags staff gives our best and worst of Euro 2016

Euro 2016 has come and gone with Portugal somehow leaving France as champions. There was a lot of good and a lot of bad that went down over the past month in France. Here is our staff’s recaps of all the highs and lows this tournament had to offer.   Phillip Bupp (Managing Editor)  MVP: Antoine […]

LISBON, PORTUGAL – JULY 11: Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo (R) and Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa (L) showing the European cup to the supporters during the meeting with the Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa for the Portugal Euro 2016 Victory ceremonies at Lisbon on July 11, 2016 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images)

European title victory alters perception of Cristiano Ronaldo

Before Euro 2016 got underway, there were already many adjectives that suited Cristiano Ronaldo. Some positive, like talented, transcendent or best in the world. Others, less so — diva, diver or selfish. Following Portugal’s stunning 1-0 win over France in the final, it might be time to update those lists. Before that historic day, however, […]

PARIS, FRANCE – JULY 10: Andre-Pierre Gignac (L) of France is consoled by Anthony Martial (R) after their team’s 0-1 defeat in the UEFA EURO 2016 Final match between Portugal and France at Stade de France on July 10, 2016 in Paris, France. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

How does France’s future look after Euro 2016

When the dust finally settled at the Parc des Princes in Paris Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal were holding the European Championship trophy while the hosts were left holding their heads. At the end of the day France, a team with much talent and flair, was just the latest victim to Portugal’s sweltering defense and very […]

during the UEFA EURO 2016 Final match between Portugal and France at Stade de France on July 10, 2016 in Paris, France.

How does winning Euro 2016 shape Portugal’s future

Portugal has finally broken through in the international stage and have won their first-ever hardware in Portuguese football history. The Portuguese can finally put the heartbreak of losing to Greece in the 2004 Euro finals away and rejoice that they can call themselves European Champions. The future of Portugal going forward from here looks bright, […]

PARIS, FRANCE – JULY 10: Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal (c) lifts the Henri Delaunay trophy after his side win 1-0 against France during the UEFA EURO 2016 Final match between Portugal and France at Stade de France on July 10, 2016 in Paris, France. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)

Without Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal upset host France to win Euro 2016

Well this wasn’t the ending we were expecting. Portugal, the team that placed 3rd in their group and drew every game but one in their journey to the final, defeated host France in a stunning upset. And they did it without Cristiano Ronaldo, who was injured in the 8th minute and had to be subbed […]

PARIS, FRANCE – JULY 10: Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal shows his emotion before being substituted due to injury during the UEFA EURO 2016 Final match between Portugal and France at Stade de France on July 10, 2016 in Paris, France. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

Cristiano Ronaldo forced to leave Euro 2016 Final with knee injury

Love him or hate him the one thing you don’t want to see is a star player forced to leave a major final with an injury. Especially when that injury comes early in the game and can have a major effect on the rest of the game. That’s exactly what happened to Cristiano Ronaldo. The […]

KIEV, UKRAINE – JULY 01: Captain Iker Casillas of Spain lifts the trophy after victory during the UEFA EURO 2012 final match between Spain and Italy at the Olympic Stadium on July 1, 2012 in Kiev, Ukraine. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Looking back on the five best European Championship finals in history

On Sunday, France and Portugal will fight in the 15th final of the European Championships. Ever since 1960, there have been great finals contested by some of the biggest teams in the world, and there have been some snoozers as well. But in this list, we look back on only those matches that live on […]

FILE PHOTO – (EDITORS NOTE: COMPOSITE OF TWO IMAGES – Image numbers (L) 540171428 and 544406362) In this composite image a comparision has been made between Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal (L) and Antoine Griezmann of France. France and Portugal meet in the EURO 2016 Final on July 10, 2016 at the Stade de France in Paris,France. ***LEFT IMAGE*** SAINT-ETIENNE, FRANCE – JUNE 14: Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal in action during the UEFA EURO 2016 Group F match between Portugal and Iceland at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard on June 14, 2016 in Saint-Etienne, France. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) ***RIGHT IMAGE*** PARIS, FRANCE – JULY 03: Antoine Griezmann of France in action during the UEFA EURO 2016 quarter final match between France and Iceland at Stade de France on July 3, 2016 in Paris, France. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)

Portugal and France to meet in Euro 2016 final

“The summer of soccer” hits another high note Sunday when Portugal and France meet in the Euro 2016 final at the Stade de France (3 p.m. ET, ESPN). Man in the middle: English referee Mark Clattenburg will draw the referee assignment on Sunday, just a few weeks after working the Champions League final between Atletico […]

MARSEILLE, FRANCE – JULY 07: France players celebrate their team’s 2-0 win in the UEFA EURO semi final match between Germany and France at Stade Velodrome on July 7, 2016 in Marseille, France. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)

France head to EURO 2016 final after knocking off Germany in the semifinal

The French must love hosting international tournaments. A 2-0 victory over Germany in today’s semifinal gives Les Bleus a chance to win their third major championship on home soil. They head to Paris to take on Portugal on Sunday. Didier Deschamps elected to keep the same lineup that successfully dispatched Iceland in the quarterfinal, and […]

MARSEILLE, FRANCE – JULY 07: Antoine Griezmann of France converts the penalty to score the opening goal during the UEFA EURO semi final match between Germany and France at Stade Velodrome on July 7, 2016 in Marseille, France. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)

Watch: Antoine Griezmann gives France a 1-0 lead with a perfect penalty

Germany spent most of the first half in Marseille pinning the French in and keeping them from creating many chances, but a late handball called against Bastian Schweinsteiger gave Antoine Griezmann the chance to give France a 1-0 lead heading into the interval. France won the penalty from a corner kick when Schweinsteiger contested a header but appeared […]

LYON, FRANCE – JULY 06: Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal celebrates at the final whistle during the UEFA EURO 2016 semi final match between Portugal and Wales at Stade des Lumieres on July 6, 2016 in Lyon, France. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)

Portugal defeat Wales to advance to Euro 2016 final

You’ll never believe this but Portugal actually won a game in 90 minutes! Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani scored three minutes apart early in the second half to give Portugal a 2-0 win over Wales in the Euro 2016 semifinals in Lille. Just like every other game Portugal has played in this tournament the quality of […]

LYON, FRANCE – JULY 06: Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal celebrates scoring the opening goal during the UEFA EURO 2016 semi final match between Portugal and Wales at Stade des Lumieres on July 6, 2016 in Lyon, France. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Watch: Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani strike twice in three minutes for Portugal

It was billed as Cristiano Ronaldo vs. Gareth Bale. The two Real Madrid teammates could speak all they wanted that the match was about more than the two of them but no matter how much they said it this was always going to be about them. It was clear right from the get go as […]

Quantcast