Tuesday, June 19, 2018

The Week that was (in Football (Soccer)): Review of the top Leagues in Europe-part 10 (Week of June 12-June 18, 2018)


Note:
The purpose of this section is to summarize the week in question, it is not meant to give a full statistical analysis of the matches.
We live in a viral age and all that information can be accessed.
I welcome all contributions from anyone, even for the Leagues that I did not cover.

I.  England

Diary:

Tuesday, June 12, 2018:

-Stoke City have signed Nigerian midfielder Oghenekaro Peter Etebo from Feirense. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Arsenal have extended the contract of 17-year-old midfielder Aisnley Maitland-Niles. (Source BBC Football Online)

- The England National Team has arrived in Russia by landing at St. Petersburg. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Bournemouth are on the verge of signing Jefferson Lerma fom Levante. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Arsenal’s French striker Yassin Fortune has signed with Sion. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Former Arsenal player, the Swedish Frederik Ljungberg has returned to the club to manage the U-23 side. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Arsenal are on the verge of signing midfielder Lucas Torreira from Sampdoria. (Source vi.nl online)

Wednesday, June 13, 2018:

-The Argentine Mario Husillos has been named as West Ham United’s Director of Football. (Source BBC Football Online)

-Marcus Rashford missed England training due to a slight knee strain. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Former England Manager Sam Allardyce is ‘extremely jealous’ that Southgate is leading England at the World Cup and wishes he was still in charge. (Source Reuters UK Online)

-Argentinean Manager Marcelo Bielsa is set to become the new manager of Leeds United. (Source Marca.com Online)

-Chelsea have signed 16-year-old defender Ian Maatsen from PSV Eindhoven. (Source vi.nl Online)

Thursday, June 14, 2018:

-Birmingham City are to rename their stadium from ‘St Andrew’s’ to ‘St Andrew’s Trillion Trophy Stadium’ due to their sponsorship agreement with the club’s China-based owners. (Source BBC Football Online)

-Marcus Rashford once again missed England training due to a slight knee strain. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Swansea have turned down Fulham’s bid for Jordan Ayew. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Burnley have approached WBA to sign Craig Dawson and Jay Rodriguez. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Huddersfield have signed Egyptian striker Ramadan Sobhi from Stoke City.  (Source Maisfutebol.com Online)

-Charlton Athletic players Reeco Hackett-Fairchild and Karlan Ahearne-Grant appeared in court over alleged sexual assault of a woman in Ibiza. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Goalkeeper Dean Henderson extended his contract with Manchetser United. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Former England International Terry Butcher was appointed as the National Team Manager of Phillipines. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Nottingham Forest have signed Benfica pair of Joao Carvalho and Diogo Goncalves. (Source Sky Sports Online)

Friday, June 15, 2018:

-England’s Marcus Rashford has returned to training with the rest of the squad. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Argentinean Manager Marcelo Bielsa was confirmed as the new manager of Leeds United. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Former Watford Chairman Raffaele Riva was suspended indefinitely by the English League for breach of regulations. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-WBA have signed Yuning Zhang from Werder Bremen. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Grant Xhaka has extended his contract with Arsenal. (Source Sky Sports Online)
-Watford have signed defender Marc Navarro from Espanyol. (Source Sky Sports Online)

Sunday, June 17, 2018:

-Fabian Delph will temporarily leave the England base to see the birth of his third child. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Liverpool have offered a five year contract to 18-year-old Rhian Brewster. (Source Daily telegraph Online)

Monday, June 18, 2018:

-Leicester City have signed midfielder James Maddison from Norwich City. He chose Leicester over Southampton. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-French defender Issa Diop will undergo his medical at West Ham prior to signing for the club from Toulouse. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Sunderland have accepted Middlesbrough’s bid for midfielder Paddy McNair. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Stoke City have extended the contract of Welsh midfielder Joe Allen by four years. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Arsenal are to present former Leverkusen goalkeeper Bernd Leno tomorrow (Source Sport Bild Online)

-Wolverhampton Wanderers have signed goalkeeper Rui Patricio from Sporting CP . (Source vi.nl Online)

II.  Italy

Diary:

Tuesday, June 5, 2018:

-Dutchman Justin Kluivert (formerly of Ajax, son of Patrick) has arrived in Rome to sign for AS Roma. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Bologna have extended the contract of Senegalese defender Ibrahima Mbaye until 2023. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Napoli have officially signed Simone Verdi from Bologna. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Fillipo Inzaghi has left his coaching post at Venezia to take over at Bologna. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Juventus are on the verge of signing Joao Cancelo from Inter. (Source Calciomercato Online)

-AS Roma’s Belgian midfielder Radja Nainggolan is on the verge of signing for Inter. (Source Walfoot.be Online)

Wednesday, June 13, 2018:

- Roberto De Zerbi has been confirmed as Sassuolo’s new Manager. (Source Calciomercato online)

- Ascoli Striker Andrea Favilli will have his medical at Juventus tomorrow. (Source Calciomercato online)

-AS Roma are to loan Bruno Peres to Torino (with option to buy). (Source Calciomercato online)

-Chievo Verona have signed Serbian striker Filip Djordjevic from Lazio. (Source France Football Online)

-Juventus Manager Massimiliano Allegri revealed that he had been contacted by Real Madrid to take over as coach but he refused as he had given his word to Juventus to stay. (Source La Gazzetta dello Sport Online)

Thursday, June 14, 2018:

-Valon Berisha will have his medical with Sampdoria tomorrow. (Source Calciomercato Online)

-Fiorentina have signed Slovakian defender David Hancko from Zilina. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Napoli have agreed on personal terms to sign Celta Vigo’s Slovakian Stanislav Lobotka. (Source Calciomercato Online)

-Inter have signed Lillo Guarneri (U-16 Italian goalkeeper) form Standard Liege. (Source Footnews. be Online)

- Sky Sports have outbid Mediaset and won the Televison rights to broadcast Italian Serie A matches until 2021. (Source Reuters UK online)

-AS Roma President James Pallotta said he was joking wheh he stated that goalkeeper Alisson could possibly join Real Madrid. (Source AS.com online)

Friday, June 15, 2018:

-Napoli are on the vege of signing Austrian defender Stefan Lainer from Salzburg. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Antonio Canderva is likely to sign a contract extension with Inter. (Source Calciomercato.com online)

-Udinese have signed Hidde Ter Avest from Twente Enschede. (Source vi.nl online)

Saturday, June 16, 2018:

-Fronsione were promoted to the Serie A after a play-off win over Palermo. (Source RTBF.be Online)

-Fiorentina have signed 17-year-old Christian Koffi from Monaco. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Inter have apparently offered Eder as part exchange to Sassuolo to acquire Matteo Politano. (Source Calciomercato Online)

Monday, June 18, 2018:

-Walter Sabatini has been appointed as the new Technical Director of Sampdoria. (Source Calciomercato Online)

-Inter are now using Eder in yet another swap deal They proposed to exchange him with Villareal’s Sanson. However the Spanish team wanted money and not the player. (Source Calciomercato Online)

-AS Roma have extended the contract of Manager Eusebio Di Francesco until 2020 . (Source France Football Online)

-Simone Zaza has turned down an offer from a Chinese club, prefering to return to Italy. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Lazio are on the verge of signing Danish defender Riza Durmisi from Real Betis. (Source L’Equipe online)

III.  Spain

Diary:

Tuesday, June 5, 2018:

-The Spanish National Team Manager Julen Lopetegui has been appointed as the new Real Madrid Manager for the next season. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Getafe have signed Mauro Arambarri on permanent basis from Boston River of Montevideo. They have also signed Vitorino Gabriel Antunes (on loan from Dinamo Kiev) on permanent basis as well. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-France and Atletico Madrid star Antoine Griezmann held a press conference to discuss his future.  He did not reveal his future destination only to say that he is concentrating on the World Cup as ‘now is not the time’. (Source L’Equipe com)

-Spanish defender Dani Carvajal (injured in the CL Final between Real Madrid and Liverpool) participated in Spain’s training session in Krasnodar. (Source L’Equipe com)

-Villareal have officially signed Gerard Moreno from Espanyol Barcleona. (Source Maisfutebol Online)

-Barcelona’s 18-year-old midfielder Ricard ‘Riqui’ Puig has extended his contract by three years.  (Source vi.nl Online)

Wednesday, June 13, 2018:

-Spain has sacked National Team Manager Julen Lopetegui just two days before their World Cup opening match vs. Portugal. Lopetegui was set to replace Zinedine Zidane at Real Madrid at the end of the World Cup. The Spanish Federation fired him because the negotiations had occurred without their knowledge. Fernando Hierro will take over as Manager. Hierro (the then Sporting Director) had urged the Federation not to sack Lopetegui. The firing saved Real Madrid from paying Lopetegui’s buy-out clause. (Source BBC Football Online)

-Spain Captain Sergio Ramos tweeted that “we are the national team, we represent a crest, our colors, our fans and our country. Our responsibility and commitment are with you and for you. Yesterday, today and tomorrow, together”. #VamosEspana.  (Source AS.com online)

-Atletico Madrid have reached an agreement with Monaco over the transfer of Thomas Lemar. (Source Sky Sports Online)

 Thursday, June 14, 2018:

-Atletico Madrid have extended the contract of Uruguayan defender Jose Gimenez until 2023. (Source France Football Online)

-Sacked Spain Manager Julen Lopetegui expressed sadness for his sudden dismissal upon leaving for Spain. Former Spain Manager Javier Clemente called Spanish Federation President Rubiales’ decision as ‘clueless’ and described him as ‘a rookie and his arguments are always a bit dictatorial’. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Real Madrid unveiled Julen Lopetegui as their new Manager at 7:00 PM at Santiago Bernabeu. Lopetegui said, “yesterday was, possibly since my mother died, the saddest day of my life, but today is the happiest day of my life.” (Source AS.com online)

-Real Madrid President Florentino Perez called the Federation’s decision to sack Julen Lopetegui as absurd and an over-reaction. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Former Spain star Xavi has sided with the Federation in Lopetegui’s dismissal. He also criticized the manner of the announcement of Lopetegui’s signing for Real Madrid. He also believed the change in Manager may actually strengthen the player’s resolve at the World Cup. (Source AS.com online)

-The recently injured Spain and Real Madrid defender Dani Carvajal has been cleared to participate in the World Cup. Rodri and Jesus Vallejo will now head back home. (Source AS.com online)

-Germany Manager Joachim Low described the Lopetegui dismissal as a shock. He believes it may lead to some unrest within the Spanish ranks, but nevertheless Spain will not lose any of their class or quality with or without Lopetegui. (Source AS.com online)

-The Spain national team left Krasnodar at 11:15 to reach Sochi in 11:45.  They are to train at 18: 30. (Source AS.com online)

-Marlon has returned to Barcelona from his loan at OGC Nice. (Source Maisfutebol online)

-Valencia have signed Serbian midfielder Uros Racic from Red Star Belgrade. (Source vi.nl online)

-Spain Captain Sergio Ramos stated that he wanted to conclude his press conference with a smile as given the reporting one would think it’s a funeral. He also maintained everyone is united in the dressing room. He also believed the recent events will make the group even stronger. (Source Footnews.com online)

- France’s Antoine Griezmann stated that he would be staying at Atletico Madrid and not go to Barcelona in a Television documentary called ‘The Decision’. (Source L’Equipe online)

Friday, June 15, 2018:

-Celta Vigo have signed Turkish midfielder Okay Yukuslu from Trabzonspor. (Source L’Equipe online)

- Celta Vigo have signed Nestor Araujo from Santos Laguna. (Source vi.nl Online)

-Diego Martinez has been named  as the new manager of Granada. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Santos will officially announce the sale of 17-year-old Rodrygo to Real Madrid. (Source L’Equipe online)

-The Barcelona Mangement are apparently upset at Gerard Pique since it was his Production company ‘Kosmos’ that was involved in Griezmann’s documentary ‘The Decision’ where he pledged his future to Atletico Madrid and not join Barcelona. (Source Marca.com online)

-Cristiano Ronaldo has reached an agreement with the Spanish tax Authorities. He will agree to a two-year Prison sentence (which will be suspended) and pay 18.8 Million Euros. (Source Reuters UK online)

-Julen Lopetegui has wished the Spanish Team and Fernando Hierro the best for the World Cup.  (Source France Football Online)

Saturday, June 16, 2018:

-After yesterday’s match, Spain’s Gerard Pique complained that Cristiano Ronaldo ‘looks’ for free kicks/fouls. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Real Valladolid were promoted into the top division after eliminating Numancia in a play-off. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Barcelona have extended the contract of Carles Perez. (Source Marca.com online)


Sunday, June 17,  2018:

-Jony Rodriguez has ben loaned from Malaga to Alaves. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-In a survey by ‘Marca’ of 160,000 votes, many Spanish fans have asked David De Gea to be replaced as Spain’s number one goalkeeper by Kepa (49% vs 41%). (Source Marca.com Online)

-Raul de Tomas has returned to Real Madrid from his loan at Rayo Vallecano and renewed his contract until 2023. (Source Marca.com Online)

-Apparently, Real Madrid had thought of Italian Manager Antonio Conte as a potential replacement for Zinedine Zidane but Sergio Ramos had vetoed this option. (Source vi.nl Online)

Monday, June 18, 2018:
-Spain Manager Fernando Hierro is backing under-fire goalkeeper David De Gea by saying that “we have our full confidence in him” . (Source Reuters UK Online)

-Chelsea’s Belgian star Eden Hazard has said that if Real Madrid want him, “they know what they have to do”. (Source Daily Mail Online)




Photo From: L’Equipe, June 15, 2018
(Julen Lopetegui and Florentino Perez)



Photo From: L’Equipe, June 14, 2018
(Fernando Hierro)



IV.  Germany

Diary:

 Tuesday, June 12, 2018:

-Hannover have extended the contract of defender Timo Hubers. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Hoffenheim have signed Italian winger Vincenzo Grifo from Moenchengladbach. (Source L’Equipe online)

- The Germany National Team has arrived in Russia by landing at Vnukovo. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Hannover have signed Japanese International Genki Haraguchi from Hertha Berlin. (Source L’Equipe online)

-RB Leipzig have signed Uruguay defender Marcelo Saracchi from River Plate. (Source Sport Bild online)

-Eintracht Frankfurt have signed Nicolai Muller from SV Hamburg. (Source Kicker.de online)

-Werder Bremen have signed Swedish winger Felix Bejimo from Djurgardens. (Source Kicker.de online)

Wednesday, June 13, 2018:

-Former German International Stefan Effenberg stated that the German Federation should expell Mesut Ozil and Ilkay Gundogan following the controversy surrounding their photographs with Turkish President Recep Erdogan. He linked it to his own misadventure in 1994, when he was sent home after giving the middle finger to German fans who were booing him. He mentioned that himself and Uli Stein (in 1986) had been treated more severely by the authorities. He nevertheless believed the fans should get behind the team and all the players.   (Source AS.com Online)

-Eintracht Frankfurt have been fined 86,000 Euros for the unsportsmanlike behavior of their fans in a Bundelsiga match on February 19th vs. RB Leipzig.  (Source Kicker.de online)

-Hertha Berlin have extended the contract of  goalkeeper Marius Gersbeck. (Source Kicker.de online)

-Kaiserslautern have signed defender Kevin Kraus from Heidenheim. (Source Kicker.de online)

Thursday, June 14, 2018:
- Moenchenglabach has extended the contract of 18-year-old French midfielder Michael Cuisance until 2022. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Despite Kar-Heinz Rummenigge’s declarations that Jerome Boateng could be sold for the right price, the clearly annoyed Germany and Bayern Munich defender stated that he is solely concentrating on the World Cup. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Hajo Seppelt, the German journalist, that had revealed the doping scandal in Russia will not go to Russia for the World Cup for safety concerns. (Source RTBF.be Online)

-Former Germany defender Juregn Kohler has expressed concerns about Germany’s defenders. He believes the players are no longer used to fighting. He also believed the central defense partners Boateng and Hummels lack consistency. (Source Sport Bild online)

-Nuremberg have been fined 25,000 Euros after incidents related to pyrotechnics and smoke bombs from their fans.  (Source Kicker.de online)
-SV Hamburg have been fined 115,000 Euros for the smoke bombs and crowd trouble that delayed the match that sealed their relegation on the final day of the Bundesliga season vs. M’Gladbach. (Source Kicker.de online)

-Germany’s Sami Khedira is training again as he has overcome his slight back problems. (Source Sport Bild online)

-SV Hamburg defender Bjarne Thoelke has joined Admira Wacker Modling. (Source Sport Bild online)

-Thomas Schaaf, former Manager of Mesut Ozil at Werder Bremen, has said that Ozil will not be able to shake off the recent criticism easily, it will occupy him. He also felt that Ozil and Gundogan should have made their positions clear from the start to do away with the controversy. (Source Sport Bild online)

-Germany Manager Joachim Low aims to get Ozil and Gundogan back into shape following all the recent controversy. (Source Sport Bild online)

-Union Berlin have signed Florian Hubner from Hannover. (Source Kicker.de online)

-Hertha Berlin have offered a professional contract to Maximilian Pronichev. (Source Kicker.de online)

Friday, June 15, 2018:
-Stuttgart have sold French defender Jerome Onguene to RB Salzburg. (Source Kicker.de online)

-Bayern Munich have signed Kilian Senkbeil from RB Leipzig. (Source Kicker.de online)

Sunday, June 17, 2018:
-Jonas Hector is sick with the flu and will miss Germany’s World Cup match vs. Mexico. He is to be replaced in the lineup with Marvin Plattenhardt. (Source Sport Bild online)

-Greuther Furth have signed Julian Green on loan from Stuttgart. (Source Kicker.de online)


Monday, June 11, 2018:
-Atinc Nukan has returned to RB Leipzig from his loan at Besiktas. (Source Kicker.de Online)

-Aleksandar Dragovic has returned to Bayer Leverkusen from his loan at Leicester City. (Source Kicker.de Online)

-Germany's Julian Brandt was criticized by 'Sport Bild' for smiling and taking a selfie with fans after the match vs. Mexioc yesterday. They called the act 'shameful'. Julian Brandt said that as he was going in the tunnel a young boy called his name and he did not hesitate to take a photo. (Source Footnews.be online)

-Former Germany Captain Phillip Lahm called the loss to Mexico a minor setback that could potentially help unite the team.  (Source Reuters UK online)

V.  France

Diary:

Tuesday, June 12, 2018:

-Goalkeeper Romain Cagnon has extended his contract with OM until 2019.  (Source L’Equipe online)

-Monaco have signed 16-year-old midfielder Eliot Matazo from Anderlecht.  (Source L’Equipe online)

-France’s Kylian Mbappe left the field after a training collision with Adil Rami. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Nantes have signed Rene Krhin on permament basis from Granada. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Laval have signed Moroccan midfielder Mounir Obbadi from Raja Casablanca. (Source L’Equipe online)

-French Manager Patrice Carteron has been appointed at Al Ahly at Egypt. (Source L’Equipe online)

-France’s Djibril Sidibe and Samuel Umtiti have been training apart from the rest of the group as they are recuperating from minor injuries. (Source France Football online)

Wednesday, June 13, 2018:

-Nantes’ Cameroonian defender Macky Bagnnack has joined Slovenian side Olimpija Ljubljana. (Source L’Equipe online)

-France defender Djibril Sidibe will particpate in collective training . (Source L’Equipe online)

- Nancy have signed defender Sega Coulibaly from Rennes. (Source L’Equipe online)
- Dijon have signed defender Nayef Aguerd from Rabat. They have also signed defender Senou Coulibaly from FC Mantois. (Source L’Equipe online)

-UEFA will not sanction PSG but they will have to sell some players to be within limits of Financial Fair Play. (Source L’Equipe online)

-AS Monaco is on the verge of signing 16-year-old Willem Geubbels from Lyon . (Source L’Equipe online)

Thursday, June 14, 2018:

-Former OM Manager Jose Anigo will manage Greek side Panionios next season. (Source France Football Online)

-Lyon has agreed to sell Brazilian defender Rafael to Besiktas. (Source France Football Online)

-PSG needs to sell 60 Million Euros in player transfers to comply with Financial Fair Play. (Source BBC Football Online)

-Strasbourg have signed midfielder Adrien Thomassoon from Nantes. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Timothee Cognat has been offered a professional contract by Lyon who have also loaned him to Servette Geneva. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Neymar stated the record fee paid by PSG for him is somewhat uncomfortable.  He said he would have paid less for himself. (Source Sport Bild online)

- OGC Nice’s Mario Balotelli was suspended two matches by the disciplinary commission for simulation in their May 12th match vs. Caen where he had dived. (Source L’Equipe online)

- The slightly injured France defender Djibril Sidibe has been maintained in the World Cup squad. (Source L’Equipe online)

Friday, June 15, 2018:

-PSG’s 18-year-old defender Abdourahmane Barry has signed with Salzburg. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-All the French players trained together ahead of their last training ahead of their match vs. Australia. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Nantes are on the verge of signing Ruben Ribeiro (one of the players who has cancelled his contract with Sporting CP). (Source L’Equipe Online)

- France Manager Didider Deschamps that all players are fit including Djibril Sidibe. He also praised Antoine Griezmann’s decision to stay with Altletico Madrid. Deschamps praised first of all his loyalty to Atletico Madrid and then the fact that this will ease his mind and he can concentrate on the World Cup. (Source Reuters UK online)

Saturday, June 16, 2018:

-In France’s match vs. Australia, Kylian Mbappe became the youngest France player to play in the Finals of a Tournament. In fact this was France's youngest side in a World Cup since the first one in 1930. (Source L’Equipe Online)

Sunday, June 17, 2018:
-FIFA has decided to award Paul Pogba’s goal vs. Australia as an own goal to the Australian Aziz Behic. (Source L’Equipe online)

- Florian Thauvin was elected as OM’s player of the season by the club’s fans. (Source L’Equipe Online)

Monday, June 18, 2018:

-Angers are close to signing Vincent Pajot from Saint Etienne. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Dijon have signed Icelandic goalkeeper Runar Runarsson from Nordsjaelland. (Source France Football Online)

-France’s Antoine Griezmann, Samuel Umtiti and Thomas Lemar did not particpate in today’s training session with the rest of the group and trained apart.  (Source L’Equipe online)



Photo From: L’Equipe, June 17, 2018
(June 16, 2018, World Cup, France 2-Australia 1)



VI.  Holland
Diary:

Tuesday, June 12, 2018:
-PEC Zwolle’s Mustafa Saymak has left the club to join Rizespor. (Source vi.nl online)

-FC Emmen have signed Wouter Marinus from PEC Zwolle. (Source vi.nl online)

-Vitesse have offered a professional contracts to Nouri Cheung, Million Manhoef and Aness Serghini. (Source vi.nl online)

-NAC Breda have extended the contracts of Mounir El Allouchi and Arno Verschueren. (Source vi.nl online)

-Bilail Basacikoglu has left Feyenoord. (Source vi.nl online)

-Vitesse have signed Ozgur Aktas from NEC. (Source vi.nl online)

-Fortuna Sittard have signed Mark Diemers from De Graafschap. (Source vi.nl online)


Wednesday, June 13, 2018:

-Go Ahead Eagles have signed Istvan Bakx from FC Oss. (Source vi.nl online)

-NEC have signed goalkeeper Gino Coutinho from AZ. (Source vi.nl online)

-Dordrecht have signed midfielder Savvas Mourgos on loan from Norwich City. (Source vi.nl online)

Thursday, June 14, 2018:

-SC Heerenveen have signed Sherel Floranus from Sparta Rotterdam. (Source vi.nl online)

-VVV have extended the contract of Roel Janssen by two years. (Source vi.nl online)

ADO Den Haag have signed Shaquille Pinas. (Source vi.nl online)

-Vitesse have extended the contract of Jomairo Kogeldans by three years. (Source vi.nl online)

Friday, June 15, 2018:

- PSV Eindhoven have signed Jose Angel Esmoris Tasende, Angelino from Manchester City. (Source Kicker.de online)

-Anouar Hadouir has extended his contract with Excelsior Rotterdam. (Source vi.nl online)

-AZ have signed goalkeeper Rody de Boer from Telstar. (Source vi.nl online)

-Mitchell Paulissen has extended his contract with Roda JC Kerkrade. (Source vi.nl online)

-Michael Liendl has left Twente Enschede to join Wolfsberger AC. (Source vi.nl online)

-Groningen have signed goalkeeper Nick Plomper from Ajax Amsterdam. (Source vi.nl online)

-Janio Bikel has left NEC to join CSKA Sofia. (Source vi.nl online)

-PSV Eindhoven Manager Phillip Cocu has been linked to Fenerbahce. (Source vi.nl online)

-Guram Kashia has left Vitesse to join MLS’s San Jose earthquakes. (Source vi.nl online)

-FC Eindhoven have signed Cas Faber from Groningen. (Source vi.nl online)

Saturday, June 16, 2018:

-FC Eindhoven have signed Caner Cavlan (Boluspor) and Luciano Slagveer (Lokeren). (Source vi.nl online)

-Sparta Rotterdam have signed Lars Veldwijk from Groningen. (Source vi.nl online)

Monday, June 18, 2018:

-NAC Breda have signed defender Pele van Anholt from LA Galaxy. (Source vi.nl online)
-Heracles Almelo’s Tim van de Berg extended his contract by one more year. (Source vi.nl online)

-Denny Landzaat will be Giovanni van Bronckhurst’s new Assistant Manager at Feyenoord. (Source vi.nl online)

-SC Heerenven have signed Sam Lammers from PSV Eindhoevn on loan. (Source vi.nl online)

-Den Bosch have extended the contract of goalkeeper Konrad Sikking by two years. (Source vi.nl online)

-Helmond Sport have signed midfielder Tibeau Swinnen from FC Eindhoven. (Source vi.nl online)

-Excelsior Rotterdam have signed goalkeeper Sonny Stevens from Go Ahead Eagles. (Source vi.nl online)

-Cambuur have signed midfielder Robin Maulun from Bordaeux. (Source vi.nl online)



VII.  Scotland

Diary:

Tuesday, June 12, 2018:

-Rangers have signed Croatian defender Nikola Katic from Slaven Belupo. (Source BBC Football Online)

-Livingston have signed Callum Crane from Hibernian. (Source BBC Football Online)

Wednesday, June 13, 2018:

-Rangers have signed defender Connor Goldson from Brighton. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Hibernian have signed Swiss striker Florian Kamberi from Grasshoppers Zurich on permanent basis. (Source Sky Sports Online)

Friday, June 15, 2018:

- Celtic have signed French striker Odsonne Edouard on permanent basis from PSG.  (Source France Football online)


Monday, June 18, 2018:

- Michael O’Halloran has left Rangers to join Melbourne City.  (Source Sky Sports online)

VIII.  Portugal

Diary:

Tuesday, June 12, 2018:

-William Carvalho, Gelson Martins and Bruno Fernandes (on Portugal’s World Cup squad) have dissolved their contract with Sporting CP. (Source Sky Sports Online)

- Sporting CP’s Dutch striker Bas Dost has also cancelled his contract with the club. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Sporting CP President Bruno de Carvalho has offered to step down to prevent the players from rescinding their contracts. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Porto have extended the contract of striker Ruben Machado until 2020.   They have also extended the contract of striker Madi Queta until 2021. (Source Maisfutebol online)

-Claudio Braga has been appointed as Manager of Maritimo. He managed Fortuna Sittard last season.. (Source Maisfutebol online).  

-Benfica President Felipe Vieira has stated that he intends to offer contracts to many of the Sporting CP players who have cancelled their contracts with the club. This is as retaliation for the way in the summer of 1993, Sporting CP signed Benfica’s Paulo Sousa and Antonio Pacheco under similar circumstances. (Source Posticipo Online)

Wednesday, June 13, 2018:

-The Supervisory committee of Sporting CP suspended the club Chairman Bruno de Carvalho.  (Source Maisfutebol online)

Thursday, June 14, 2018:

-The Portuguese National team arrived in Sochi two hours after leaving Moscow. (Source Maisfutebol Online)

-Rui Barros has been appointed as the Manager of Porto’s B-Team.  (Source Maisfutebol online)

Friday, June 15, 2018:

- Benfica have signed Argentine defender Christian Lema from Belgrano.  (Source L’Equipe online)

- Cristiano Ronaldo became the first Portuguese player to appear in Four World Cups. He also became the first player to score in eight consecutive major Tournaments. He also joined Miroslav Klose, Pele and Uwe Seeler to score in four World Cups. He also became the oldest player to score a hat trick in the World Cup (since Rensenbrink in 1978) (Source Fox Sports, L’Equipe, BBC Football online)

Sunday, June 17, 2018:
-Porto have signed Swiss defender Saidy Janko from Saint Etienne.  (Source Maisfutebol online)

Monday, June 18, 2018:

-Serbian Manager Sinisa Mihajlovic has been appointed as the new Manager of  Sporting CP. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-The Bronze statue of Cristiano Ronaldo at Madeira Airport has been replaced with another one more resembling him. (Source BBC Football Online)

IX.  Belgium

Diary:

Tuesday, June 12, 2018:

-Anderlecht have signed goalkeeper Thomas Didillon from Metz. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Gent have signed Ukrainian defeder Igor Plastun from Ludogorets. (Source Walfoot.be Online)

Wednesday, June 13, 2018:

-The Belgium National Team has arrived in Russia by landing at Moscow. (Source RTBF.be Online)

Thursday, June 14, 2018:

-Moanco are to loan goalkeeper Paul Nardi to Cercle Brugge for a second season. (Source France Football Online)

-Mouscron have signed Serbian midfielder Luka Lukovic (FC Backa) and Bosnian winger Mico Kuzmanovic (FC Sarajevo). (Source RTBF.be online)

-Ostend have signed Francois Marquet fron Waasland-Beveren . (Source RTBF.be online)

-The still injured Vincent Kompany was missing from Belgium’s training session . (Source Sport Bild online)

-Standard Liege have signed Samuel Bastien from Chievo Verona . (Source Footnews.be  online)

Friday, June 15, 2018:

-The entire Belgium squad was able to train except Vincent Kompany and Thomas Vermaelen. (Source RTBF.be Online)

-Ostend have signed Indy Boonen from Manchester United. (Source Footnews.be online)

-Dries Mertens still has not signed with the Belgian Federation for the image rights (who has a contract with Napoli for that). The other members of the squad who also have not signed are Vincent Kompany, Thibault Courtois, Simon Mignolet and Tobey Alderweireld . (Source Footnews.be online)

- Club Brugge have signed goalkeeper Karlo Letica from Hajduk Split. (Source Walfoot.be Online)

- Mechelen have signed Lucas Bijker from Cadiz. (Source vi.nl Online)

Saturday, June 16, 2018:

-Belgium Manager Roberto Martinez has decided to hold onto the slightly injured duo Vincent Kompany and Thomas Vermaelen. As a result, Laurent Ciman has been sent home. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Belgium squad has arrived in Sochi. Belgium Manager Roberto Martinez chose to keep Vermaelen back in Moscow, while Kompany will not be ready before the England match. (Source RTBF.be Online)

-Moanco have loaned Pierre Nguinda, Yoann Etienne and Kevin Appin to Cercel Brugge. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Anderlecht have signed striker Elvis Mehanovic from Genk. (Source Footnews.be  online)


Sunday, June 17, 2018:

-Former Belgium defender Phillipe Albert has called Roberto Martinez’s decision to discard Laurent Ciman illogical given the risk with the fitness of Kompany and Vermaelen.  (Source RTBF.be Online)

Monday, June 18, 2018:

- Waasland-Beveren have signed midfielder Denzel Jubitana from Mechelen.  (Source RTBF.be online)

- Eupen are to release Odeni George, Damien Mouchamps and Matthieu Peybernes.  (Source Footnews.be online)
- Antwerp have signed striker David Henen from Everton.  (Source Footnews.be online)

-The contract of Anderlecht’s 37-year-old defender Olivier Deschacht will not be renewed.  (Source Walfoot.be online)

- Eupen have signed Danijel Milicevic from Gent.  (Source Walfoot.be online)

-Dedryck Boyata started in defense for Belgium in their World Cup match vs. Panama as both Vincent Kompany and Thomas Vermaelen are injured. (Source Reuters Uk online)

-Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku has stated that “some people in my own country want to see me fail”. (Source BBC Football Online)


Diary (extra):

Tuesday, June 12, 2018:

-AIK have signed Sebastian Larsson from Hull City.  (Source Sky Sports online)

-Egypt’s Mohamed Salah trained alone as he is still recuperating from injury. (Source L’Equipe  online)

-Poland’s Kamil Glik will after all travel to the World Cup. The team doctor Dr. Jacek Jaroszewski stated that after a complete evaluation, he has decided to take him along. Macin Kaminski will stay behind. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Denmark Manager Aage Hareide has rejected the idea that Denmark is totally dependent on Christian Eriksen. He said that this is not a ‘one-man show’. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Malmo have fired Kingsley Sarfo for having a relationship with a minor (Source L’Equipe online)

- The Egyptian FA have refused to comment on the recent photo of Mohamed Salah along with Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov near Grozny stadium.  When asked about this, Egyptian FA President Elheib Lehieita stated “ask FFA for a comment.” (Source Calciomercato online)

-Argentina’s Nestor Pitana along with Argentinean Linesmen Juan Pablo Bellati and Herman Maidana will referee the opening match of the World Cup between Russia and Saudi Arabia. Brazil’s Sandro Ricci will be the fourth official.  (Source Reuters UK online)

-The Nigerian National Team has arrived in Russia by landing at Mineralnye Vody. (Source Daily Telegraph Online)

-Mexican legend has once again attacked National Team Manager Juan Carlos Osorio. Sanchez said, “the coach is Colombian and we do not like his way of setting up the team”. Sanchez contined by saying that he would only like a Mexican to manage the National Team. (Source Spotrt Bild Online)

-The Peru, Costa Rica and Sweden National Teams have arrived in Russia. (Source Vivaro News Online)

Wednesday, June 13, 2018:

-USA/Canada/Mexico have been awarded the rights to host the 2026 World Cup. (Source BBC Football Online)

-Egypt’s Mohamed Salah was able to join collective training. (Source Sky Sports online)

-Mexican defender Diego Reyes has been injured and will miss the World Cup. His place has now been taken by Erick Gutierrez (Pachuca). (Source L’Equipe online)

-FIFA President Gianni Infantino has presented himself once more as a candidate for the FIFA Presidency during the 68th FIFA Congress at Moscow. (Source RTBF.be online)

-Alexander Shprygin, a Russian fan group leader, has been denied documentation to attend Football matches. He had been deported in France during the 2016 Euros. (Source Reuters UK online)

-Iran Manager, the Portuguese Carlos Queiroz, has called on Nike to apologize as the company refused to supply the Iran players with Football boots due to economic sanctions imposed by the USA Government. (Source Reuters UK online)

-Former Russian International, the Ukrainian Andrei Kanchelskis, has called the current Russian team as the worst that he has seen in his lifetime. (Source AS.com Online)

Thursday, June 14, 2018:

-According to Egypt Manager Hector Cuper, Mohamed Salah is ‘almost 100%’ certain to be ready to play in Egypt’s opener vs. Uruguay.  (Source BBC Football Online)

-Former Dinamo Zagreb boss Zdravko Mamic has been arrested in Bosnia for Finacial Fraud. He is to be extradited to Croatia.  (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Abedi Pele has been named as on an interim 5-man committee put in place after the dissolution of the Ghanaian Football Federation.  (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Morocco has declared itself candidate to host the 2030 World Cup.  (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Neymar stated that were he playing during the (1-7) loss vs. Germany in the 2014 World Cup, the score would have been different.  (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Zlatan Ibrahimovic said that the Swedish players should simply enjoy themselves at the World Cup because without him there are no expectations on the squad.  (Source Reuters UK Online)
                  
-Egypt’s Abdallah Said will become the first Finland based player in the history of the World Cup if he plays against Uruguay on Friday.  (Source Reuters UK Online)

-Six Female Saudi teenagers who were to serve as flag bearers for the opening match of the World Cup, have been replaced by Russians due to ‘logistical circumstances’.  (Source Reuters UK Online)

-Achilles, the cat from St. Petersburg, has predicted Russia to defeat Saudi Arabia (by choosing bowl of food labeled Russia).  (Source Reuters UK Online)

-Japan is the last team to arrive in Russia for the World Cup . (Source Sport Bild online)

-Diego Maradona has criticized the choice of Mexico/USA/Canada as World Cup 2026 hosts. According to Maradona, Mexico will be drawn against Brazil or Argentina and will lose, as far as Canada, they are good at Skiing and Americans want to change the game to four quarters of 25 minutes for more commercial time. (Source L’Equipe online)
-There was controversy at the opening ceremony of the World Cup, when English singer Robbie Williams gave the middle finger in front of the televison. He had been criticized in some circles for agreeing to perform in Russia.  (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Russia’s Denis Cheryshev was named as Man of the Match in Russia’s (5-0) win over Saudi Arabia. He had come on as a substitute in the 24th minute foe the injured Alan Dzagoev and scored two goals.  (Source Vivaro News Online)

-The World Cup appears to be already over for Russia’s Alan Dzagoev who left the field injured vs. Saudi Arabia midway through the fisrt half. (Source L’Equipe online)
-Russia’s Yuri Gazinskiy's scored the first goal of the 2018 World Cup. (Source BBC Football online)

-Denis Cheryshev became the first ever substitute to score a goal in the opening match of a World Cup tournament. (Source BBC Football online)

-Sergei Ignashevich became the oldest ever player to appear in a World Cup match for Russia/USSR (38 years and 335 days old). (Source BBC Football online)

-FIFA have opened disciplinary hearings against Palestinian Federation President Jibril Rajoub for asking fans to burn photos of Lionel Messi. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Saudi Arabia Manager Juan Antonio Pizzi expressed a ‘feeling of shame’ after the loss vs. Russia. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Saudi Federation Chief Adel Ezzat expressed disappintment for the heavy loss and hinted that at least three players will be ‘punished’. Saudi Prince Turki Al-Sheikh stated that the players have performed at ‘five percent of expectation’. (Source Daily Mail Online)

Friday, June 15, 2018:

-Egypt Manager Hector Cuper chose not to risk Mohamed Salah and he stayed on the bench in today’s match vs. Uruguay. Veteran goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary who could have become the oldest player in the history of the World Cup was also on the bench. (Source BBC Football Online)

-A billboard in Iran that showed support for the Nationa Team for the World Cup was replaced following criticism that it did not feature any women. The new one does feature several women. (Source BBC Football Online)

-Costa Rica defender Ronald Matarrita will miss the World Cup due to injury. He has been replaced with Kenner Guttierez (Alajuelense)  (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Egypt’s Tarek Hamed was forced off at halftime after an injury during the match with Uruguay. (Source France Football online)

-Iran players have been forced to buy or borrow Nike boots ahead of their match vs. Morocco.  (Source Daily Mail Online)

-Iran’s win over Morocco was their first World Cup win in 20 years since they defeated USA (2-1) in the 1998 World Cup. 

-Colombia’s James Rodriguez and Wilmar Barrios missed team training and instead trained in the weight room as they were suffering minor ailments.  (Source Sport Bild Online)

-Former English striker Gary Lineker mocked Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez’s performance on twitter by tweeting that Mo Salah (who was on the bench) had been better than Luis Suarez in this match.  (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Egypt Manager Hector Cuper stated afterwards that he has not used Salah to avoid any risk or danger but that he would be present in the next match .  (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Denmark Manager Aage Hareide stated that France is the favorite of their Group and Denmark’s aim along with Peru is the second place.  (Source L’Equipe Online)

- The Men of the Match for today:
Egypt goalkeeper Mohamed Elshenawy (Uruguay 1-Egypt 0)
Morocco’s Amine Harit (Iran 1-Morocco)
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo (Spain 3-Portugal 3)

-Russia’s Alan Dzagoev (injured vs. Saudi Arabia) will be rested for ten days.  (Source France Football Online)

-Uruguay Manager Oscar Washington Tabarez became the fifth manager to manage the same Nation in four World Cups (1990, 2010, 2014 and 2018). He joins the likes of Walter Winterbottom (England), Sepp Herberger (Germany), Hlemut Schoen (Germnay) and Lajos Baroti (Hungary). (Source BBC Football online)

-Iran did not have a single shot in the second half. They became the first team since 1966 to score a goal in a half of World Cup football without attempting a shot.
This was the first victory by an Asian team against an African team in the World Cup finals since Japan defeated Cameroon (1-0) in 2010. (Source BBC Football Online)


Saturday, June 16, 2018:

-The Egyptian Federation stated that Mohamed Salah will be ready for their match vs. Russia on Tuesday. (Source BBC Football online)

-Australia Manager Bert van Marwijk criticized the VAR decisions in their match vs. France. (Source Sky Sports online)

-Zlatan Ibrahimovic has criticized France Manager Didier Deschamps for not selecting Karim Benzema. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Marcelo will be Brazil’s captain in their match vs. Switzerland. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-In France’s match vs. Australia, VAR was used in influencing a goal as a penalty kick was awarded for France after video review of Josh Risdon’s foul on Griezmann. (Source BBC Football Online)

-Australia were awarded a penalty kick after Samuel Umtiti handled a cross. He later said he thought the ball had already passed over and was unaware. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Australia Manager Bert van Marwijk criticized the VAR decisions in their match vs. France. (Source Sky Sports online)

-The two penalties scored in the France and Australia match were only four minutes, seven seconds apart. This is the shortest period of time between two penalties being scored by different sides in a World Cup match. (Source BBC Football Online)

-Australia’s Daniel Arzani has become the youngest player to make a World Cup appearance for Australia (19 year old and 163 days). (Source BBC Football Online)

-Iceland played its first ever match in a World Cup, scored its first ever goal and earned its first ever point in its tie (1-1) with Argentina. (Source BBC Football Online)

-Argentina’s Javier Mascherano earned his 144th appearance for Argentina, thereby overtaking Javier Zanetti as Argentina’s most capped player. (Source BBC Football Online)

-In Denmark-Peru match, VAR was used a second time in the day as Peru were awarded a penalty kick after VAR review. The match referee Bakary Gassama had initially missed the Poulsen’s foul but after review awarded a spot kick (that was struck over the bar). (Source BBC Football Online)

-Peru Manager Ricardo Gareca felt his squad did not deserve to lose after playing to win. He chose not to start Paolo Guerrero as he was still somewhat unfit. (Source RTBF.be Online)

-A total of five penalty kicks were awarded in today’s match. Every match contained penalty kicks.

- The Men of the Match for today:
France’s Antoine Griezmann (France 2-Australia
Iceland goalkeeper Hannes Halldorsson (Argentina 1-Iceland 1)
Denmark’s Yussuf Yurary Poulsen (Peru 0-Denmark 1)
Croatia’s Luka Modric (Croatia 2-Nigeria 0)

-Antoine Griezmann stated that he would have given the man of the match award to N’Golo Kante or Lucas Hernandez. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Morocco’s Noureddine Amrabat will miss their next match vs. Portugal. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-The Egyptian goalkeeper, Mohamed El-Shenawy refused his Man of the match award from yesterday’s match since it is sponsored by an Alcohol Company (Budweiser).

-Brazil Manager Tite stated that Neymar is still not 100% fit. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Denmark Manager Aage Hareide felt his side were lucky in defeating Peru. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Iceland goalkeeper Hannes Halldorsson stated that ‘he had a feeling’ before Messi’s penalty. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Denmark’s William Kvist was injured in the match vs. Peru, he may miss the rest of the World Cup. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Iran’s Karim Ansarifard is hoping to urge the Federation to retain Carlos Queiroz as Manager after the World Cup. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Diego Maradona was present in the stadium in Argentina’s match vs. Iceland. (Source L’Equipe online)


Sunday, June 17, 2018:
-Serbia’s Branislav Ivanovic became the most capped player in the History of the Serbian National Team by earning his 104th cap in the World Cup match vs. Costa Rica. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Senegal’s Saliou Ciss has been injured and wil miss the World Cup. His place is taken by Adama Mbengue (Caen). (Source France Football Online)

-Australia captain Mile Jedniak called yesterday’s VAR decision that awarded France a penalty kick as the ‘strangest’ moment of his career. (Source Reuters UK Online)

-Diego Maradona has criticized Argentina Manger Jorge Sampaoli after the tie with Iceland. Maradona said that after playing like this Sampaoli can not return to Argentina, it’s a shame not to have prepared the match knowing Icelandic players are tall. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Mexico’s Rafael Marquez has now appeared in his fifth World Cup after coming on as a substitute in Mexico-Germany match. He is the third player (after Mexico's Antonio Carbajal and Germany’s Lothar Matthaus to do so). He has appeared in 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014 and now 2018 World Cups. (Source BBC Football online)


Monday, June 18, 2018:

- Russian club Amkar Perm has been dissolved due to financial reasons. (Source L’Equipe Online)

- Former France star Eric Cantona virally released a photo on instagram mocking Neymar’s new blond haircut. In the photo, Cantona is holding a photo of Neymar with his new blond hairdo with spaghetti over Cantona’s head resembling Neymar’s blond haircut. The text on it says “Neymar Style…Spaghetti al dente!” (Source Footnews.be Online)

-Former USA International Landon Donovan has been under some criticism from former USA players (Taylor Twellman, Cobi Jones among others) for openly supporting the Mexican National Team in the World Cup in a campaign ad for Well Fargo. He clarified his position by stating that his allegiance to his nation should not questioned, at the same time he is supportive of a CONCACAF rival at the World Cup. (Source ESPN Online)

-VAR was once again utilized to award Sweden a penalty kick in their match vs. South Korea. The spot kick was scored by Andreas Granqvist. (Source Sky Sports online)

-FIFA has opened a disciplinary measure against Mexico after homophobic slurs were heard from Mexican fans directed at the opposing goalkeeper in yesterday’s match vs. Germany.  (Source Reuters UK online)

-Sweden defender Victor Lindelof missed the match with South Korea due to illness.  (Source Daily Mail online)

-Croatia’s Nikola Kalinic has reportedly been sent home after refusing to come on as a substitute in the match vs. Nigeria. He had refused to go on in the 86th minute complaining of pain in his back (that apparently was not believed).
However, according to Croatian Manager Zlatko Dalic, he was sent home due to an injury.  (Source Daily Mail, Reuters UK online)

-Colombia’s James Rodriguez is still doubtful for Colombia’s opener vs. Japan.  (Source Sport Bild online)

-Denmark’s Andreas Christensen, who was injured in the match vs, Peru, should be fit for Denmark’s next match.  (Source Sport Bild online)

-A private plane was chartered by the Danes so that Jonas Knudsen could travel to Denmark to see his newborn daughter. He was excused for training on Sunday but is expected to return today.  (Source Maisfutebol online)

-Iranian defender Rouzbeh Cheshmi has been injured and will miss the rest of the World Cup.  (Source L’Equipe online)

-Russia Manager Stanislav Cherchesov stated that they have the means to stop Egypt’s Mohamed Salah. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Russia’s Denis Cheryshev said Salah is a great player but not yet a superstar. (Source Sport Bild online)

-South Korean defender Joo-ho Park was injured and had to be replaced in the match vs. Sweden. (Source L’Equipe online)

-South Korean Manager Shin Te-yong has admitted that he made his players wear ‘wrong’ jersey numbers in the friendly matches to mislead their future opponents. All players except Son Heung-min and Captain Ki Sung-yueng wore different jersey numbers . (Source RTBF.be online)

-Denmark’s William Kvist has been injured and will miss the rest of the World Cup.  (Source L’Equipe online)

-The plane carrying the Saudi Arabian National Team to Rostov had a near scare as one of their engines caught fire when they were approaching the airport. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Tunisian goalkeeper Mouez Hassen was injured early in the match vs, England and had to be replaced by Faruk Ben Mustapha. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Former German International Bastian Schweinsteiger was asked on TSN Sports, who were his favorites for the World Cup. He jokingly said Italy and Netherlands are his favorites (both not qualified). Marco Materazzi hit back at him in Instagram by saying “we are favorites like you in Dortmund in 2006! Do you remember when you ate pizza ?” (Source Calciomercato online)


Photo From: L’Equipe, June 15, 2018
(June 14, 2018, World Cup, Russia 5-Saudi Arabia 0)



International friendlies:

Tuesday, June 12, 2018:
Paraguay 2-Japan 4 (Oscar Romero 32, Richard Ortiz 90 / Takashi Inui 51, 63, Federico Santander (own goal) 77, Shinji Kagawa 90)
Poland 4-Lithuania 0 (Robert Lewandowski 19, 33, Dawid Kowanicki 70, Jakub Blaszczykowski 82 pen )

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