Varga to be released from hospital Wednesday after successful facial surgery
June 25 – Hungary’s Barnabas Varga has undergone successful surgery and will be released from hospital on Wednesday, according to the Hungarian Football Federation.
Europe
EFL nixes Birmingham City request to play Wrexham in US
June 25 – American-owned Birmingham City have had a request to play their home fixture against Hollywood-owned Wrexham in the US turned down by the English Football League (EFL).
Luis de la Fuente warns caution but says Spain will improve again
June 25 – Spain manager Luis de la Fuente has called for his side to “keep their feet on the ground” following their 1-0 victory against Albania and perfect record in Group B.
Improving Mbappé ready to return for Poland tie
June 24 – Didier Deschamps has said that Kylian Mbappé is “getting better every day” after he sustained a broken nose against Austria, but did not say whether the star would feature against Poland in France’s final group game.
Hero to zero. Wales fire Rob Page after series of poor results
June 24 – The Football Association of Wales has terminated head coach Rob Page’s contract following the country’s failure to qualify for Euro 2024.
Balkan brouhaha: UEFA bans Daku, Croatia and Albania face sanctions
June 23 – The verbal warfare between the respective Balkan countries at Euro 2024 has taken yet another twist with Albania’s Mirlind Daku banned for two games after leading fans in nationalist chants.
Rubin Kazan to sanction Daku on his return to Russia
June 24 – Russia’s Rubin Kazan FC said that Albanian national Mirlind Daku will be punished when he returns to the club after the Euros. Daku face a “disciplinary and financial” sanction.
Croatia and Italy primed for life-or-death battle
June 24 – Azzurri centre-back Alessandro Bastoni (pictured right) has vowed that Italy will set aside their fears as they strive to avoid the embarrassment of an early exit from Euro 2024 as his team set their sights on a clash with Croatia in Leipzig on Monday night.
Belgium back Lukaku to come good against Ukraine
June 23 – Belgium manager Domenico Tedesco is not worried by his side’s profligacy in front of goal at Euro 2024, and is keeping faith in Romelu Lukaku to come good.
Austria’s Rangnick focussed on Dutch decider
June 22 – Poland were put to the sword against Austria as the bottom-placed sides clashed in Group D, giving Ralf Rangnick’s side a lifeline headed into the final game versus Netherlands on Tuesday.
Chechia’s Ivan Hašek says they are ready for Georgia’s Kvaratskhelia
June 21 – Czechia are eyeing their first points of their Euro 2024 campaign against Georgia on Saturday afternoon after their last-second loss to Portugal left a bitter taste in an otherwise encouraging opening performance.
Belgium’s Tedesco relying on proven returnees for crucial Romania clash
June 21 – Counting on reinforcing their defence, Belgium will need a result in their second Group E encounter against Romania after a shock 1-0 defeat to Slovakia.
UEFA opens multiple investigations as Balkan nationalist fervour boils over
June 21 – The complex and fever-pitch intensity and rivalry among the various Balkan neighbours at Euro 2024 continues to take centre stage with UEFA now opening an investigation into Serbian claims that fans of Albania and Croatia chanted ‘kill, kill, kill the Serb’ during their Group B game on Wednesday.
UEFA mourns passing of guiding force Gerhard Aigner, 80
June 21 – There was a moment of silence ahead of the Spain-Italy Group B match on Thursday in honour of former UEFA general secretary and chief executive Gerhard Aigner, who has died aged 80.
Spalletti licks his wounds after Spanish schooling, De La Fuente says they will get even better
June 21 – Italy manager Luciano Spalletti admitted that his side were outplayed by Spain in a 1-0 defeat, but said that the humbling reality check must prompt his side to improve.