Wales will start their Euro 2016 campaign in the tiny Pyrenees principality of Andorra



Wales will start their Euro 2016 campaign in the tiny Pyrenees principality of Andorra.

The first-ever fixture between the two nations will take place on September 9, 2014, with Andorra playing their home matches at the 1,800-capacity Comunal d’Andorra la Vella in Aixovall.

However, Andorra – sandwiched between France and Spain – have occasionally played “home” matches outside their borders in nearby Barcelona.

Wales will then host top seeds Bosnia-Herzegovina and Cyprus in October before visiting Brussels, familiar foes from the recent World Cup qualifying campaign, in November.

The resumption of fixtures in 2015 sees Wales head to Israel in March before the visit of Belgium to Cardiff in June.

Two double-headers – Cyprus away and Israel at home in September and Bosnia away and Andorra in October – complete the group.

“I'm happy, positive. They’re all tough teams obviously, but it’s a positive draw for us,” said Wales manager Chris Coleman after the draw was made at Nice in the south of France.

“We’re looking at it and we’re certainly confident.

“We got the point against Belgium in the World Cup qualifiers with a depleted squad, and we were unlucky at home having a man sent off in the first 15 minutes, ultimately beaten but with a good performance.

“But this is about us, and how many times we can field our strongest team, that’s what will dictate how we do in this group.”

The eight group winners, eight runners-up, and the best third-placed team will qualify directly for the Euro 2016 finals and join hosts France.

The eight remaining third-placed teams contest two-legged play-offs to determine the last four qualifiers for the finals.

Full details on the draw

Read More >>>

The Chelsea boss refused to comment on his conflict with the Frenchman, the Manchester United star's new contract and a host of other issues in a bizarre press conference


Mourinho silent on Wenger row & new Rooney deal

The Chelsea boss refused to comment on his conflict with the Frenchman, the Manchester United star's new contract and a host of other issues in a bizarre press conference

Jose Mourinho refused to comment on his row with Arsene Wenger, Wayne Rooney's new contract at Manchester United and a host of other issues in a bizarre pre-match press conference.

Tensions between Mourinho and Wenger flared again a week ago when the Chelsea boss labelled his Arsenal rival a "specialist in failure" for not winning a trophy since 2005.


CHELSEA LATEST
Perhaps upset by the reaction to his words, the Portuguese limited himself to saying as little as possible when questioned by reporters ahead of his side's Premier League clash with Everton.

When asked whether he had a response to Wenger labelling his comments "embarrassing", Mourinho replied: "No."

When asked what he made of the problems experienced by Arsenal and Manchester City in the Champions League, he responded: "My Champions League starts on Wednesday [against Galatasaray]."

When asked whether he was disappointed that Rooney had elected to sign a new long-term contract with United, he replied: "I don’t react. We did show an interest in the past. It doesn’t bother me at all."

Mourinho could not even be prompted to speak at any real length about Romelu Lukaku, on loan from Chelsea at Everton this season.

"I don’t speak about Romelu Lukaku until the end of the season," he insisted. "Until then he is an Everton player. He is our player but I prefer to see him as an Everton player for now."

Yet despite his apparent unwillingness to comment on any issue, the Chelsea boss insisted he was not unhappy and had not taken a vow of silence.

Read More >>>

Phil Jones and Marouane Fellaini could be set for a recall as Manchester United look to return to winning ways at Crystal Palace on Saturday.





Phil Jones and Marouane Fellaini could be set for a recall as Manchester United look to return to winning ways at Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Midfielder Fellaini was on the bench for United's draw at Arsenal after spending two months out with wrist and groin injuries.

Jones may return from a calf problem but fellow defender Jonny Evans (also calf) is a doubt.

Jerome Thomas is Crystal Palace's only injury concern ahead of the visit of Manchester United.

The winger has suffered a back strain and his fitness will be assessed by manager Tony Pulis ahead of kick-off.

Striker Glenn Murray returned as a substitute against West Brom a fortnight ago after 10 months out with cruciate ligament damage and should be involved again.

Provisional squads

Crystal Palace: Speroni, Hennessey, Gabbidon, Moxey, Mariappa, Delaney, Dann, McCarthy, Ward, Parr, Murray, Thomas, Jedinak, Dikgacoi, Ledley, O'Keefe, Bannan, Williams, Bolasie, Ince, Puncheon, Gayle, Jerome, Chamakh, Wilbraham.

Man United: De Gea, Lindegaard, Rafael, Ferdinand, Vidic, Smalling, Jones, Evans, Evra, Buttner, Valencia, Mata, Carrick, Fletcher, Cleverley, Giggs, Young, Januzaj, Rooney, Van Persie, Hernandez, Welbeck.

Read More >>>
Powered by Blogger.
My Blogger TricksAll Blogger TricksTechtunes