Europe

Chronicling The Strangest Strategies Goalkeepers Employ To Save Penalties

Soccer is unique in so many ways, and perhaps no play in all of sports is more meaningful than the penalty kick. 

Points are more scarce in soccer than they are in any other sport, and no other sport includes one play with such a high percentage chance of scoring.

A game that features 22 players on the pitch is condensed into a one-on-one battle for a few crucial seconds, and in the end, there are only two possible outcomes: either a goal is scored or the ball fails to cross the goal line — with the former being the most likely.

Olympic Soccer Preview: USWNT Out Avenge 2016 Failure; Brazil Wants To Defend Men’s Title

The U.S. women's soccer team is determined to make up for its quarterfinal exit in Rio and reassert their dominance at the Tokyo Olympics, while Brazil will aim to repeat as champion in the men's event after ending its long wait for gold in 2016.

The United States has won four of the six gold medals since a women's tournament was introduced to the Olympic programme at the Atlanta Games in 1996 and as current world champion it starts as clear favorite again.

I Said Italy Were Favorites 3 Weeks Ago And Was Laughed At; Now It’s My Turn To Laugh Back

After watching Italy’s performance against Switzerland on June 16 I was sold. The Azzuri were going to win Euro 2020. This team was firing on all cylinders and looked one step ahead of all the other 23 teams in the tournament. Three weeks later this team is in the final.

Nerve-Shredding Shootout Between Italy And Spain Won By The Impossibly Cool Jorginho

Álvaro Morata’s Euro 2020 campaign then: Spain draws 0-0 with Sweden. Villain. Morata scores early against Poland. Hero. Morata misses a sitter against Poland and Spain draws again. Villain. Morata scores the extra-time winner against Croatia. Hero. Morata only lasts 54 minutes against Switzerland and is benched against Italy. Villain. Morata comes off the bench and scores the equalizer against Italy. Hero. Morata misses the decisive penalty kick in the shootout. Villain. 

Woman Suspected Of Spraying Acid In Yoane Wissa’s Eyes Arrested For Abducting A Baby

PARIS - A French woman arrested at the weekend for abducting a baby is also suspected to be the person who threw corrosive liquid in the eyes of FC Lorient's Congolese forward Yoane Wissa, media reported.

Investigators think the 32-year-old woman from the town of Vannes, near Lorient in western France, approached the footballer at his home on Thursday under pretense of seeking an autograph, the news site Le Telegramme reported late on Monday.

UEFA Invites Christian Eriksen, His Partner And Six Medics Who Saved Him To Final

COPENHAGEN - European football governing body UEFA has invited Denmark international Christian Eriksen and the paramedics who helped save his life during an on-field cardiac arrest to attend the Euro 2020 final at Wembley on Sunday.

The brilliant Danish midfielder was resuscitated in front of shocked fans and a massive global TV audience during his nation's first match of the tournament.

Griezmann And Dembélé Issue Apologies For Leaked Video Mocking Japanese Workers

France and Barcelona stars Antoine Griezmann and Ousmane Dembélé are facing hefty criticism after videos were leaked of the two players mocking Japanese workers and making a racist remark. The first Griezmann Dembele video shows the duo laughing at electricians who were trying to fix the soccer players’ Pro Evolution Soccer video game.

Euro 2020 Shows There’s No Clear Tactical Model For Success

MANCHESTER, England - Four teams head to London for the final week of Euro 2020 and as well as promising close battles, the two semifinals present a fascinating clash of football styles and tactical approaches.

While football has its ideologues, who insist that a particular approach is the right way to play the game, the “final four” are proof that there really is no single formula to success.

England Dreams Of First Major Final In 55 Years, But Denmark Stands Determined

MANCHESTER - England have the chance to reach a first major final since their 1966 World Cup triumph when they take on Denmark at Wembley in Wednesday's Euro 2020 semifinal, but they will need to banish a history of stumbling at this stage.

Gareth Southgate's side were impressive in their 4-0 dismantling of Ukraine in Rome on Saturday, heralding a wave of euphoria in the country as media showered the team in praise.

After The Death Of His 9-Year-Old Daughter, Luis Enrique Is Unfazed By Spain’s Critics

LONDON - Spain coach Luis Enrique has coped with personal tragedy and the impact of negative public opinion to rally his young squad and lead them to the Euro 2020 semifinals.

Tuesday's game against Italy at Wembley is Spain's biggest match since they won the Euro 2012 final and victory would complete an eventful few weeks for the coach, who has been in the eye of the storm since before the tournament began.

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