
Barca teen Yamal, Villarreal's Baena called into Spain squad
Spain men's coach Luis de la Fuente selected Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal on Friday in his squad for Euro 2024...
2023-09-01 20:29

Rob Page: Wales not entertaining Euro 2024 play-off talk before Turkey qualifier
Rob Page says Wales are not entertaining any play-off talk with their full focus on beating Turkey and qualifying automatically for Euro 2024. Wales must overcome Turkey in their final qualifier on Tuesday and hope Croatia do not beat Armenia in order to secure a top-two spot in Group D. The Dragons are guaranteed a play-off place in March but it is not a route Wales want to tread, with Page and Ian Mitchell, head of performance psychology, addressing the topic with the players ahead of the sell-out Cardiff City Stadium clash. Page said: “We’re having no talk of play-offs. If we’re talking play-offs, we may as well call the game off on Tuesday. That’s our mentality and attitude. “We’re fully focused on the job we’ve got and we don’t want any regrets when that final whistle goes. “We were aware that (play-offs) would be the talking point because of the disappointment of the Armenia game. “I addressed that at a meeting with the players and I got Mitch to speak about it as well. “We’re not admitting defeat and thinking ‘why not?’ because potentially we can qualify if the other result goes our way. “What I don’t want to do is walk off at the end of the game, the result’s gone for us, and we could have taken charge of it.” Wales had automatic qualification in their own hands before Saturday’s 1-1 draw in Armenia when Page’s side were perhaps fortunate to return home with a point. Croatia took advantage by winning 2-0 in Latvia to move into second spot behind already-qualified Turkey. Page suggested that he would be kept informed of events in the Croatia game in Zagreb on Tuesday as Wales seek to bounce back from their disappointing weekend performance. Luton defender Tom Lockyer is expected to replace the suspended Chris Mepham and make his first competitive appearance since September 2021. Brennan Johnson and Daniel James could also return to sharpen up the attack against opponents who beat Wales 2-0 in June and warmed up for their trip to Cardiff by beating Germany 3-2 in a Berlin friendly on Saturday. Page said: “What we do need, from minute one, is energy. “Off the back of (Turkey’s) result against Germany and the threat they pose, we have to have energy in that team. “This is the first time in a while that we’ve had two competitive games in quick succession. “We’re not blessed with a pool of players coming in that are not playing too much domestically. “There potentially could be changes, or at least coming off the bench and having an impact.” Wales are attempting to make a fourth major tournament in five and qualified for the last two – Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup – on emotion-charged nights at the Cardiff City Stadium. Skipper Ben Davies said: “We’ve put in some amazing performances in Cardiff over the years, and we’ve had some special nights there. “We’re not panicking as a group, we still have a chance. Our job is pretty simple, we have to win our game. “Playing in major tournaments for your country is the pinnacle and that dream is still there.” Read More Mayor of Liverpool writes to Premier League over ‘excessive’ Everton penalty 5 talking points ahead of Republic of Ireland’s friendly against New Zealand Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds push on with Wrexham’s Racecourse Ground plans Talking points as Wales look to pip Croatia to Euro 2024 spot in final round Australia handle pressure as India come up short – Cricket World Cup uncovered On this day in 2015: Eddie Jones appointed England’s first overseas head coach
2023-11-21 01:18

Big 12 Football: 5 incredibly early bold predictions for the 2023 season
Big 12 football fans are only going to have to wait a few months to see this puppy play out.The league may be going through a state of major transition, but what if I told you the Big 12 is actually operating from a vantage point of strength?Outside of the Big Ten and the SEC, the Big 12 loo...
2023-05-17 04:17

Chiefs Rumors: Potential trade target, Frank Clark competition, Watson injury
Could a Hollywood Brown trade to the Chiefs make sense? Frank Clark is no guarantee to KC. Justin Watson injury news and more.
2023-10-16 22:45

Northwestern visits Nebraska for a meeting of teams looking to continue their improvement
Northwestern visits Nebraska on Saturday for a meeting of teams looking to continue their improvement
2023-10-20 01:48

Pac-12 championship game race winds down to 4 remaining contenders
The Pac-12 is winding down to the finish of what may be its final football season before most of its members leave for other conferences next season
2023-11-15 07:21

European captain Luke Donald is going with statistics over history at the Ryder Cup
Luke Donald is ignoring history when it comes to starting off the Ryder Cup
2023-09-26 00:54

Football transfer rumours: PSG offer Mbappe €1bn contract; Kane decides future
Friday's football transfer rumours include PSG fighting to keep Kylian Mbappe away from Real Madrid, Harry Kane's Tottenham future, Victor Osimhen, Federico Chiesa, Moises Caicedo & more.
2023-07-21 16:25

Champions League final referee under UEFA scrutiny for links to far-right leader in Poland
An anti-racism group has called on soccer’s top referee to distance himself from a far-right politician in Poland
2023-06-02 01:51

Lionel Messi: What next for arguably the greatest player in history?
After helping Paris Saint-Germain win its 11th Ligue 1 title at the weekend, Lionel Messi has some thinking to do.
2023-05-30 19:22

Leon Marchand and Summer McIntosh are sure to star in the pool at Paris Olympics
Leon Marchand and Summer McIntosh picked up big victories at World Aquatics Championships and showed why they are likely to be stars at next year’s Paris Olympics
2023-07-27 23:18

West Ham beats Luton for third straight win to go top of EPL
West Ham has claimed its third straight win and ensured at least one night atop the English Premier League by beating Luton 2-1 thanks to headers by Jarrod Bowen and Kurt Zouma
2023-09-02 05:25
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