Eriksen: Nothing else but football was on my mind

Christian Eriksen paid little mind to the traumatic events of three years ago, as he opened Denmark s account at Euro 2024.

June 12 marked the third anniversary of Eriksen collapsing on the pitch in Denmark s opening match of Euro 2020, with the midfielder having suffered a cardiac arrest.

Thanks to the heroic work of the medical staff in Copenhagen that day, Eriksen survived, and ultimately returned to professional football within seven months, as he signed for Brentford.

And rather fittingly, the 32-year-old scored Denmark s opener against Slovenia in Stuttgart on Sunday, netting his first goal at the Euros in the process.

32y123d Christian Eriksen (32 years and 123 days) is the third-oldest player to ever score for Denmark at a major tournament, and th…

Harry Toffolo charged with misconduct over alleged breaches of betting rules

Nottingham Forest defender Harry Toffolo has been charged with misconduct over 375 alleged breaches of Football Association betting rules.

The charge relates to a period stretching from January 2014 to March 2017 while the now 27-year-old was a Norwich player, but also had loan spells at Swindon, Rotherham, Peterborough and Scunthorpe.

Toffolo has until Wednesday, July 19 to respond.

An FA spokesperson said: “Nottingham Forest’s Harry Toffolo has been charged with misconduct in relation to our betting rules.

“It’s alleged that the defender breached FA Rule E1(b) 375 times between 22 January 2014 and 18 March 2017. Harry Toffolo has until Wednesday 19 July 2023 to provide his response.”

Toffolo joined Premier League Forest from Huddersfie…

Talking Points as Republic of Ireland seek win against minnows Gibraltar

The Republic of Ireland embark upon a face-saving mission in Faro on Monday evening when they attempt to secure just a second Euro 2024 qualifier victory at the seventh time of asking.

Anything but a comfortable win over Group B minnows Gibraltar, the only team Stephen Kenny’s men have beaten to date during a desperately disappointing campaign, would invite derision with automatic qualification gone and a play-off place an unlikely source of salvation.

Here, the PA news agency takes a look at some of the talking points surrounding the game at the Estadio Algarve.

The end is nigh

Stephen Kenny launched his reign as Ireland manager on twin promises to overhaul an ageing squad and play a more exciting brand of football. He has delivered the former and achieved on…

New York Red Bulls v Columbus Crew: Nancy hoping to extend club-record win tally

Wilfried Nancy said Columbus Crew s club-record win tally achieved in their last game is something he is looking to extend before they start their playoff campaign.

The Crews’ 4-0 win over New England Revolution before the international break was their 18th of the season, while also setting a new best of 69 goals scored in regular-season play.

Nancy’s side are guaranteed second in the Eastern Conference and will play this weekend’s opponents, New York Red Bulls, in the first round of the playoffs.

The Crew head coach lauded his players for their contribution to the season, saying: “Listen, this is not easy, but this is the challenge. The challenge is, yes, we have few players who played a lot, it s normal, but everybody knows their role, I would say.

Euro 2012 qualifying: Hungary 0 Netherlands 4

The Netherlands moved six points clear at the top of Group E following a 4-0 thumping at Hungary in Friday s Euro 2012 qualifier.

Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk opted to start the likes of Robin van Persie, Ibrahim Afellay and Rafael van der Vaart at the Puskas Ferenc Stadion in Budapest, and the difference in class was evident from the outset.Van der Vaart put the Oranje ahead in the eighth minute, and goals to Afellay, Liverpool striker Dirk Kuyt and Van Persie ensured the visitors would secure the fifth straight win of the qualifying campaign.But the win was soured by what appeared to be a serious ankle injury to Afellay, the Barcelona midfielder limping gingerly from the pitch in the 56th minute after coming down hard in a tackle.Wesley Sneijder was on hand to ensure Va…

Miedema to leave Arsenal at end of season

Arsenal have announced that Women’s Super League all-time record goalscorer Vivianne Miedema will leave the club at the end of the season.

The 27-year-old signed for Arsenal in 2017 from Bayern Munich, scoring 125 goals and providing 50 assists in 172 appearances in all competitions.

She won the WSL title in 2018-19 and lifted three Conti Cups during her time with the Gunners.

Her tally of 79 goals is a league-high record, with the Netherlands international earning the Golden Boot in two consecutive seasons, also setting a league record for the most goals scored in a single season with 22.

Once a Gooner, always a Gooner.

Thanks for everything,

— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC)

In a video posted on Instagram, Miedema said: After s…

Prediction: Genoa vs Roma

Verdict: Away win

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Roma is searching for the first win in the Serie A when they embark on a trip towards Genoa. The game will be played at Stadio Luigi Ferraris, where they suffered one of the heaviest defeats. Backed by over 36000 fans, the hosts aim to bounce back from last-round defeat at Luigi Ferraris stadium against Verona.

Genoa

Genoa had one of their best seasons in Serie A after finishing last term mid-table without any relegation worries. Ending their previous campaign with a 2-0 home win against Bologna was the best way to make their loyal fans happy.

After spending a year in Serie B, Alberto Gilardino promoted Genoa to the biggest stage of Italian football by finishing as Serie B runners last summer. Staring t…

Leicester announce Cooper as new manager

Leicester City have announced Steve Cooper as their new manager following Enzo Maresca s move to Chelsea.

Cooper, who left Nottingham Forest in December 2023, has signed a three-year contract with the Foxes ahead of their return to the Premier League.

Maresca left the club earlier this month after just one season in charge, having led Leicester back to the top-flight at the first attempt, finishing top of the Championship.

I am really excited and proud to be appointed Leicester City s First Team Manager, Cooper said. This is a fantastic club with a rich history and passionate supporters.

I am excited to work with such a talented squad and I m looking forward to the challenge of achieving our shared ambitions in the Premier League.

In an open le…

Portugal 3-0 Republic of Ireland: Ronaldo returns with double in final Euro 2024 warm-up

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice on his international return as Portugal completed their Euro 2024 preparations with a 3-0 victory over Republic of Ireland in Aveiro.

Roberto Martinez s side were 2-1 losers against fellow European Championship hopefuls Croatia on Saturday but responded three days later with a convincing victory at Aveiro Municipal Stadium.

Joao Felix opened the scoring after just 18 minutes, while Ronaldo was denied by the woodwork in a one-sided first half against John O Shea s visitors on Tuesday.

Ronaldo would not be stopped after the interval, though, curling in a fine 50th-minute strike before adding a second soon after in a dominant win, just a week before Portugal s Euro 2024 opener against Czechia.

Que venha o Europeu! | 3-0 |

Little things will decide Euro 2012, says Loew

Germany coach Joachim Loew has urged his players to concentrate on the finer details in order to triumph at Euro 2012.

Loew s team were one of only two nations, along with Spain, to boast a 100 percent record in qualification for the tournament, and have been labelled as one of the favourites to win in Poland and Ukraine.

Four years ago they lost 1-0 to Spain in the final of Euro 2008, and Loew believes it will be the little things which decide the champion this year.

We have established ourselves in the world s top class and at the highest level it is often only small details which decide whether you win or lose, Loew said.

If you are at the top and winning a lot of matches it becomes more and more difficult to improve, but it is necessary. That will …