Aritz Aduriz admits that his long-awaited recall to the Spain squad has been overwhelming but insists his age will not be a barrier to keeping his place.
The 35-year-old was called up by Vicente del Bosque for the friendly matches with Italy and Romania, five-and-a-half-years on from his first and only senior appearance in a Euro 2012 qualifier with Lithuania.
Having fired in 31 goals in all competitions for Athletic Bilbao this season, Aduriz is now hoping to replicate that form for the national team and give himself the best chance of going to Euro 2016.
I ve felt very welcome and wanted here, and I m very grateful to be here, he told the media on Monday. I ve always tried to play the best I can for my club and I knew it was going to be difficult for me to get…
Belarus coach Georgi Kondratiev has stepped down from his position after a disappointing start to Euro 2016 qualifying.
Having opened their campaign with a 1-1 draw in Luxembourg last month, Belarus then fell to a 2-0 defeat at home to Ukraine in Group C on Thursday.
However, it was Saturday s 3-1 reverse against Slovakia in Borisov that proved to be the final straw after it left Belarus off the bottom of the group on goal difference.
Kondratiev took over from German Bernd Stange in 2011 but, aside from a 1-0 friendly victory over Japan 12 months ago, Belarus have failed to punch above their weight under the 54-year-old.
The Belarusian Football Federation will now begin the search for a new coach to lead them through the remainder of the campaign.
Newcastle United have completed the signing of Chelsea outcast Kenedy on a season-long loan.
The North East club, who are preparing for their first season back in the Premier League have offered the Brazilian an escape route after discovering that he was available.
The twenty-one year old caused controversy this summer by posting ill-advised messages on social media while the Blues were on a tour of China.
He moved to Stamford Bridge from Fluminese in the summer of 2015 and made twenty appearances in all competitions during his first season in England.
However, he was loaned out to Watford last season but made just one brief appearance before being sent back to his parent club.
He made one league appearance for Antonio Conte’s side, playin…
Birmingham City are interested in signing LA Galaxy defender Ashley Cole and the MLS franchise s former striker Robbie Keane, manager Harry Redknapp has revealed.
Cole, 36, has played for Roma and the Galaxy since leaving Chelsea in 2014, while Keane, 37, has been a free agent since leaving the Californian side last year.
Stewart Downing is another target for Birmingham boss Redknapp, who recently missed out on the signing of ex-Chelsea captain John Terry to rivals Aston Villa.
Ashley Cole, for me, was the best left-back in the world a few years ago he was just a fantastic player, Redknapp said to Sky Sports.
He s out in America. I don t know what Ashley s plans are. His name was mentioned to me. When you have a chance to get someone like him, if he s …
Prediction: Denmark win
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We re starting to get down to the nitty gritty of UEFA Euro 2020 with there now being just eight nations left in the running to become European champions. One side of the bracket is looking pretty stacked with three of the favourites still in contention, whereas on the other, it s anyone s guess as to who will progress to the final. Today, we re going to take a look at what should prove to be a fascinating quarter-final tie between Czech Republic and Denmark.
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic hadn t been given much of a chance to succeed by the pundits as we came into this tournament but instead of fading away, they ve strung together some really impressive results including a win over Scotland, a draw …
There was no chance Bayern Munich would have allowed Kingsley Coman to join Manchester United during the transfer window, says Hasan Salihamidzic.
France international Coman was linked with a move to Old Trafford before the deadline last week.
United were reported to have set their sights on the former Juventus winger after failing to meet Borussia Dortmund s asking price for Jadon Sancho.
Coman scored the winning goal in the Bavarian giants Champions League final victory over Paris Saint-Germain in August after returning from a muscle injury.
Bayern sporting director Salihamidzic revealed allowing Coman to depart was never considered.
There was nothing, and we wouldn t have looked into it either, he told Sport Bild.
His goal in …
Shakhtar Donetsk star Jadson wants to go back to Brazil.
His first club Atletico Paranaense have emerged as a potential new home for the attacking midfielder.
The 28-year-old has been with Shakhtar since 2005, and has lifted 11 titles with the Ukrainians including the 2008-09 UEFA Cup, where he scored the winner in the 2-1 victory over Werder Bremen in the final.
Speaking on Monday, however, he admitted that it was time to move away from Europe and also asserted that despite Atletico PR s relegation to Serie B in 2011, he has been talking to the club with regards to a return.
I have spoken with people from Shakhtar and I made it clear that my wish is to leave. Nothing at the moment is concrete, however, he told Parana Online.
My conversation wi…
Two sides who have their sights set on securing a European finish this season, West Ham and Tottenham eventually settled for a 1-1 stalemate on Tuesday night.
Although Spurs might have got off to a flying start at the London Stadium as Wales international Brennan Johnson tapped home in the first five minutes, Ange Postecoglou’s men came almost immediately crashing back down to earth.
With Kurt Zouma’s attempt flicking off his back and finding a way past Guglielmo Vicario just 14 minutes after Johnson’s opener, both camps fancied their chances of claiming local bragging rights.
However, while Spurs might have dominated large spells of possession here, neither side could find much of a clinical edge in east London.
Although both sides might have even…
Barcelona have added the Club World Cup to their bulging trophy cabinet after brushing aside Santos 4-0 in Yokohama on Sunday.
In a match Barcelona had wrapped up by half-time, Brazilian side Santos could do little to stop the onslaught with the Catalan giants in irrepressible form.
Lionel Messi bagged a brace with two crafty finishes while Xavi and Cesc Fabregas added the other goals in the rout. Barcelona led 3-0 at half-time.
Brazil wunderkind Neymar, a reported target of Barcelona, was looking to unlock the defence with his mazy runs early on but often ran into a cul-de-sac.
Santos created little of note in the first half save for Neymar s free kick, which he rolled to Ganso who blasted wide.
After dominating the early exchanges, Messi regar…
Former Cameroon international Pierre Wome has signed for Coton Sport de Garoua in his homeland.
Wome has signed for the Cameroon champions in a bid to help the northern club realise its objective of winning this year’s CAF Champions League, according to management.
The 32-year-old former Roma, Espanyol and Inter Milan defender was seen at the club s home ground of Stade Roumde Adja in Garoua last week during a training session, ending weeks of speculation about his possible move to the Elite One league.
Coton Sport, formerly coached by the current Indomitable Lions trainer Denis Lavagne, have also announced the arrival of other former Cameroon internationals such as Joel Epalle and Nkong Alain.
Wome fell into disgrace with the national team and local f…