IP addresses are NOT logged in this forum so there's no point asking. Please note that this forum is full of homophobes, racists, lunatics, schizophrenics & absolute nut jobs with a smattering of geniuses, Chinese chauvinists, Moderate Muslims and last but not least a couple of "know-it-alls" constantly sprouting their dubious wisdom. If you believe that content generated by unsavory characters might cause you offense PLEASE LEAVE NOW! Sammyboy Admin and Staff are not responsible for your hurt feelings should you choose to read any of the content here. The OTHER forum is HERE so please stop asking.
Belgium v Republic of Ireland: Wilmots remains optimistic
16 June 2016
Belgium head coach Marc Wilmots insists he remains optimistic ahead of his country's Euro 2016 clash against Republic of Ireland on Saturday despite making an underwhelming start to the tournament.
Regarded as pre-tournament candidates to win the European title due to the presence of high-profile names such as Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard, Belgium failed to impress in their Group E opener as they were beaten 2-0 by Italy.
Wilmots' men were heavily criticised for their poor start, but the 47-year-old is adamant it was not all bad in Lyon.
"We have moved on from the disappointing defeat versus Italy and we are now fully focused on the game against Ireland," Wilmots said at a news conference.
"I saw room for improvement against Italy, but that does not mean everything was bad about that game. I saw plenty of reasons for optimism as well. Let's not forget about that."
Wilmots gave Romelu Lukaku the nod in attack against Italy, but he could drop the Everton star for the encounter with Ireland.
"I don't know yet whether Romelu will start again. I will have to think about the line-up," the Belgium boss added.
"It's not like all his confidence is gone all of a sudden after the match versus Italy. I have a number of options, though, and we will see which one is the best.
"The other strikers have been doing well in training too and they might get their chance. It is not about Lukaku or anyone else - it is about the team."
De Bruyne and captain Hazard trained individually in the build-up to the game due to minor injury problems, but are both expected to be fit to face Ireland.
Ireland, meanwhile, put in a strong performance against Sweden on matchday one, even if they had to settle for a 1-1 draw.
Norwich City winger Robbie Brady is hopeful they can replicate that form against Belgium and is adamant the Irish do not fear their star-studded opponents.
"There is nothing to fear - we can't have any fear going into these games," Brady said at a news conference.
"I'm not sure what they are feeling. We know they're a top-class team and they'll be coming in prepared. I'm sure they'll be wanting to pick up some sort of result but we'll be concentrating on ourselves.
"We've got players who can hurt teams, like we showed the other night. Hopefully we can show what we're about as well and try and shut out what they've got.
"They're obviously going to be coming to win, as we are. We'll just be doing our part to get ready for them."
Ireland face a tough task to get the full three points against Belgium, though, having been unable to beat them in their past six meetings.
The two nations have not faced each other since November 1997, when Belgium recorded a 2-1 victory in a World Cup qualifier.
Key Opta stats:
- Belgium have lost six of their last eight games at the European championship, losing their last three by the same 0-2 scoreline.
- Republic of Ireland have never scored more than one goal in a game at the Euros.
- Eden Hazard has yet to score in 458 minutes at major tournaments (World Cup + Euro).
- Republic of Ireland won their first game at the Euros (1-0 versus England in 1988), but have failed to win any of their subsequent six games (drawing two, losing four).
- Robbie Keane has scored 11 goals in his last 13 starts with the Republic of Ireland.
Iceland v Hungary: Lagerback ´not climbing any volcanoes yet´
16 June 2016
Iceland's joint coach Lars Lagerback says his players have not "started climbing any volcanoes yet" and must be wary of a vastly improved Hungary.
Lagerback watched his side hold Portugal to what is sure to become a famous 1-1 draw in the Nordic country's major tournament debut in Saint-Etienne on Tuesday.
Up next is a clash with Hungary, who defeated the fancied Austria of David Alaba and Marko Arnautovic 2-0 in Bordeaux on the same day.
While some considered Hungary's victory over their highly-rated neighbours to be something of a surprise, Lagerback has been keeping a careful eye on the resurgence of the former powerhouse.
"The Hungary team, they developed through the qualification [campaign] and the play-off [against Norway], how they played some friendlies - I think they have developed their way of playing," he said.
"Even though Austria is a good team, I don't think it was a big surprise. There are such small margins when you come to these championships.
"You can [progress] from a group of death as we did with Sweden once but you can go out also. We're far from that yet.
"We haven't started climbing any volcanoes yet. We have to keep our feet on the ground and do a good job against Hungary, otherwise we will lose that match."
Hungary coach Bernd Storck meanwhile has spent his first year in charge reviving the fortunes of a team that had not qualified for a major tournament since the 1986 World Cup, but carries with it the burden of forever being compared to one of football's greatest teams, the 'Magical Magyars' of the 1950s.
"The great successes of the past are still deeply rooted in the [collective] consciousness, which can be bad for players who already have a lot expected of them," he told DPA, referring to the team that thrashed England 6-3 at Wembley and 7-1 in Budapest, only to lose the 1954 World Cup final unexpectedly to underdogs West Germany.
While the national team is enjoying a minor renaissance, domestically Hungarian football continues to struggle, with the likes of Ferencvaros and Honved no longer regulars on the continental stage.
"The clubs play almost no role internationally," Storck said.
"They usually do not even manage to reach the group stage of the Europa League, let alone the Champions League.
"After the European Championship is qualifying for the World Cup in Russia. Since we want to play a good role again [internationally], the participation here should not be a one-off ... [it is] a huge challenge to permanently bring Hungarian football out of the woodwork."
Iceland, having kept Cristiano Ronaldo quiet at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, must now be wary of drought-breaker Adam Szalai, who scored for the first time for club or country since December 2014 in the win over Austria.
The Nordic newcomers and their Eastern European opponents meet at Stade Velodrome in Marseille on Saturday, with Group F wide open and one of the two outsiders seeking to take a major step toward the round of 16.
Croatia fined €100,000 & threatened with ticket-selling restrictions
By Chris Myson
Crowd trouble marred the country's draw with the Czech Republic in Saint-Etienne on Friday and the governing body have now hit the country with a significant punishment
Croatia have been fined €100,000 and told they will be banned from selling tickets to fans identified as hooligans if there is any further trouble during Euro 2016.
The country's match against Czech Republic in Saint-Etienne on Friday – which finished in a 2-2 draw – was marred by trouble involving a section of their support.
Croatian players had to call for calm when a volley of flares rained down on the pitch and halted play in the second half as part of a co-ordinated protest against the Croatian Football Federation (HNS).
The demonstration caused some other Croatia fans to confront those who were protesting, with the HNS later thanking supporters who had tried to stop the trouble as well as calling for authorities to do more to help them.
Following a meeting in Paris on Monday, the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body imposed sanctions on Croatia for the charges of crowd disturbances, use of fireworks, throwing of missiles and racist behaviour.
As well as the fine, Croatia have received a ban from selling tickets to "certain fans identified by the HNS and Croatian authorities as hooligans" that is deferred under a probationary period until the end of the Euros.
Croatia have the opportunity to appeal the verdict.
Italy v Republic of Ireland: O´Neill still believes in last-16 chance
20 June 2016
Republic of Ireland boss Martin O'Neill remains confident his side can snatch a place in the second round of Euro 2016 by beating Italy on Wednesday.
Having drawn 1-1 with Sweden on matchday one, Ireland were dispatched 3-0 by Belgium in Bordeaux to leave them bottom of Group E on goal difference, meaning they require a win and the Swedes to drop points if they are to have a realistic shot at the last 16.
The omens do not favour O'Neill: Ireland are now seven games without a win in European Championship finals, a run stretching back to 1988, and they have never managed to score more than once in a single match at the tournament.
But the 64-year-old insists his players must believe in their chances of causing an upset against Italy in Lille and of giving themselves a chance of qualifying as one of the best third-placed teams.
"I always said from the outset that we would have to win a game in the competition to give ourselves a proper chance of going through to the next round of the tournament, and that is still the case," he told the Football Association of Ireland's official website.
"Obviously there is disappointment immediately after the game because we were upbeat going into the match following the performance against Sweden.
"But now we have a really great game against Italy to look forward to, to put our immediate disappointment to the side, and if we can win this game we give ourselves an incredible chance of qualification."
Italy have responded to pre-tournament doubters in resolute fashion so far, with coach Antonio Conte having masterminded a 2-0 win over Belgium in their opening match before Eder's late goal ensured a 1-0 victory against Sweden that guaranteed top spot in Group E.
Despite resounding success so far, Conte was unhappy to see a lack of blue shirts in the stands in their last outing and has urged Azzurri fans to show their colours and voracious support in the meeting with Ireland.
Wing-back Matteo Darmian has echoed his coach's rallying cry, telling Euro 2016's official website: "We know that the Ireland fans are a very lively bunch. They make their voices heard a lot.
"But our fans will make themselves heard too. As the coach has already done, we also want to appeal to the fans to unite behind the Azzurri shirt."
Italy, unbeaten in 12 competitive games under Conte, are likely to take the opportunity to rest some of their senior stars.
Antonio Candreva is a doubt with a hamstring problem, while captain Gianluigi Buffon has been nursing a cold and could be left out.
For Ireland, Jonathan Walters (Achilles) is battling to be fit enough to feature in attack as his side look to inflict upon Italy only a third group-stage defeat in 24 games at the European Championship.
Key Opta Stats:
- This will be the 14th meeting between these sides; Italy have won eight of the previous 13 while Republic of Ireland have won two (D3).
- The only previous time Italy won their first two Euros games was in 2000, when they eventually reached the final.
- Italy have never scored more than two goals in their 35 games at the European Championship.
- They have kept a clean sheet in each of their last four games, their longest run since the 2006 World Cup, which they eventually won.
- In their last game, Republic of Ireland failed to have a shot on target in a major tournament game for the first time since the 1994 World Cup (versus Norway).
Ukraine v Poland: Boruc surprised by Ukraine failure
19 June 2016
Poland goalkeeper Artur Boruc is surprised Ukraine have not made more of an impact at Euro 2016.
Boruc, who lost out to Lukasz Fabianski in the fight to replace the injured Wojciech Szczesny in Poland's last game – a 0-0 draw with world champions Germany – thought Ukraine would be a threat in Group C but that has not materialised with Mikhail
Fomenko's side already eliminated having lost both their two games.
"Am I surprised that they have had such bad results? I am somewhat," he said at a media conference on Sunday.
"They have good players, especially on the wings, but for some reason they have not been able to show it."
Poland have, at least, lived up to expectations, their draw with Germany preceded by a 1-0 win over Northern Ireland.
A draw against Ukraine would be enough for them to advance to the knockout stages, or even a defeat if Northern Ireland lose to Germany.
Boruc added: "We are in good shape and we are more focused on us than on Ukraine. I think it's Ukraine who should be more worried about us than the opposite."
Szczesny's availability has yet to be announced but, even if he fails to make it, Fabianski would likely keep his place after his clean sheet on Thursday.
"It is not easy to be on the bench but I know how great my fellow goalkeepers, Lukasz Fabianski and Wojciech Szczesny, are. They are top class players, so it is slightly easier for me to accept sitting on the bench," he said.
Taras Stepanenko admits Ukraine have made mistakes during their time in France but is hoping for a positive sign-off with a win in Marseille.
He told www.uefa.com: "These matches - against Germany and Northern Ireland - have shown that every small detail matters at such a level and in such a competition.
"You have to pay attention to all the different things discussed during theoretical sessions and training, because almost everything we were talking about during the preparations happened in these games.
"There are a lot of young guys in the team and for many, including me, it was the first major tournament. That is why this is going to be a great experience and lesson for me. I never stop saying that there is no such thing as a negative experience.
"I didn't expect that we would end up like this but we can only blame ourselves.
"We need to defend the honour of our team, the country and ourselves. And we are playing against our neighbours, Poland – it's a derby and of course we'd like to go home with some positive emotions. We'd like to play good football and get a result."
Key Opta Stats:
- Ukraine are unbeaten in the last five meetings between the two sides (three wins), winning the last two. Poland’s last victory was in September 2000 when they won 3-1 in Kiev in a World Cup qualifier.
- This will be the first meeting between the two sides in a major tournament.
- Since winning their first European Championship game (2-1 v Sweden in 2012), Ukraine have lost their last four games in the tournament without scoring a single goal (seven goals conceded).
- Poland have never scored more than one goal at the European Championships (8 games). Their last shot on target at this year’s tournament was 98 minutes ago, in their opener against Northern Ireland.
- Robert Lewandowski scored in the 17th minute of his first European Championship game (v Greece in 2012). Since then, he’s failed to find the net or deliver an assist in the competition in 433 minutes.
Sweden v Belgium: De Bruyne does not fear Ibrahimovic
20 June 2016
Kevin De Bruyne has insisted Belgium do not fear Zlatan Ibrahimovic ahead of their decisive Group E encounter with Sweden on Wednesday.
The Belgians will book their ticket for the round of 16 if they manage to avoid defeat in their final Euro 2016 group game, having beaten Republic of Ireland 3-0 after their previous loss at the hands of Italy.
Sweden still have a chance of progressing as well, though, and will be relying on Ibrahimovic to lead them past Marc Wilmots' men at the Stade de Nice.
But De Bruyne is not overly worried about the presence of the veteran striker, especially given the talent in the Belgium squad.
"It is important for us not to focus too much on Ibrahimovic individually, but keep an eye on Sweden in general," De Bruyne told reporters.
"I have already played against him earlier this season. Ibrahimovic is a player like any other. Of course, he has a lot of quality, but we have several great players who can make the difference as well.
"Losing and winning is part of the game. We lost a match and then won the next one. We now have to focus on the next match. We have to replicate our performance from the game against Ireland versus Sweden."
Sweden, meanwhile, still have every chance of reaching the knockout stages, despite their unfortunate 1-0 loss at the hands of Italy on matchday two.
A win on Wednesday would see them leapfrog Belgium in the table and would likely see them finish ahead of Ireland, too, with the latter facing Italy in their final game.
Sebastian Larsson realises Sweden are in for a difficult game, however, and has warned his team-mates about Belgium's quality in midfield and attack.
"I have to be honest here, Belgium have a lot more individual quality than Sweden," Larsson said at a news conference.
"Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne are hugely talented and very strong in one-on-ones. It will be a tough task to stop them.
"And then they have Romelu Lukaku up front, who is a lethal attacker."
Key Opta facts:
- Both sides have met 14 times previously, Sweden winning five and Belgium winning seven.
- Romelu Lukaku has scored six goals in his last six games for Belgium.
- Zlatan Ibrahimovic has yet to hit a single shot on target or set up a single attempt for Sweden over the first two games of Euro 2016.
- Belgium have not drawn any of their last nine European Championship games, winning three and losing six since their last stalemate – a 0-0 draw against Italy in 1980.
- Sweden have lost five of their last seven games at the European championship.
Cech sets unwanted Euro record as Czech Republic crash out at group stage
The Arsenal goalkeeper conceded twice as Czech Republic fell to a loss against Turkey, and it has set a new tournament record
Czech Republic have crashed out at the group stage, and Petr Cech exits the tournament with a record he doesn’t want.
Tuesday’s defeat to Turkey has left them bottom of Group D, having secured just a point against Croatia in their three group games.
But for Cech, the 2-0 defeat means that the Arsenal goalkeeper has conceded 21 goals in the European Championship - the most of any goalkeeper in the tournament’s history.
The veteran first started letting them in at Euro 2004 – his debut in the tournament.
France expels Russian football activist for second time
AFP on June 22, 2016, 5:41 am
Paris (AFP) - France moved Tuesday to expel for a second time a Russian football activist accused of stirring street violence at Euro 2016, as police again fired water cannon and tear gas at fans.
Alexander Shprygin, who has been linked to far-right groups in Russia, will likely be flown to Moscow after he was moved to Paris from Toulouse where he was detained on Monday, according to police.
The head of the Russian supporters association was first expelled on Saturday after he was among fans rounded up following fighting between English and Russian fans that was largely blamed on the Russians.
French investigators believe he then returned to France after flying to Barcelona and crossing the border by car to reach Toulouse where Russia lost 3-0 to Wales on Monday night.
Shprygin put pictures of himself at the Toulouse stadium on Twitter and was detained as the game began.
The Russian activist, who has been pictured with President Vladimir Putin, told AFP before he was detained again that he crossed the Alps to get into France.
French authorities expelled a total of 20 Russian fans on Saturday with Shprygin claiming that four of them had managed to get back into France for their country's last match.
Russian diplomats complained to France over the treatment of their fans before the 20 were ordered out.
- 'Defenders of European Culture' -
Russian fans are at the centre of a French inquiry into disturbances on the sidelines of England's June 11 game against Russia in which 35 mainly English fans were injured.
England fans Andrew Bache, 51, and Stewart Gray, 47, remain in comas and are in a "stable condition" but still fighting for their lives, French officials said.
Marseille prosecutor Brice Robin said investigators are still hunting the attackers in the two cases "which are considered attempted murder."
Robin has said much of the violence was provoked by Russian fans.
French police used water cannon and tear gas on Poland and Ukraine fans Tuesday during the latest ugly scenes to flare up in Marseille ahead of their encounter which had been flagged by authorities as high risk.
Police said they were attacked after trying to separate rival groups of supporters at a roundabout near the Stade Velodrome with bottles thrown and a rubbish bin set alight.
One police officer was injured and four people were arrested near the stadium while eight people were arrested earlier in the day at the Vieux-Port area of the city where Russian and English supporters fought on June 11.
Thousands of Poland supporters gathered in the district before heading towards the Velodrome stadium, holding a giant banner that said: "Defenders of European Culture".
An extra 1,000 police were drafted in for the match.
Croatia v Portugal: Cacic determined to spring another shock
23 June 2016
Croatia boss Ante Cacic believes his side have shown they are more than capable of defeating Portugal to book a spot in the quarter-finals of Euro 2016.
A surprise come-from-behind 2-1 win over holders Spain saw Croatia finish top of Group E, following an earlier victory over Turkey and a 2-2 draw with Czech Republic.
Portugal have won all three of their previous games with Croatia without conceding a goal, including a 3-0 triumph in their only prior competitive encounter at Euro 96.
But with Croatia now unbeaten in 12 matches - the longest run of any side left in the finals - Cacic is confident they can survive another difficult draw.
"In this phase of the competition there are no easy opponents and we probably got the most difficult," he said. "But we were in the toughest group of Euro 2016 and we successfully went through, so there is no reason not to be confident in this match too.
"We respect Portugal but we believe in our quality, collective and the character we showed so far. We are looking forward to this new challenge."
Portugal progressed by virtue of three draws from three matches, the last of which was a six-goal thriller against Group F winners Hungary.
Captain Cristiano Ronaldo shook off some of the frustrations of his tournament so far with two goals in that game, becoming the first player to score in four separate European Championships and helping his side stretch their unbeaten competitive run to 10 matches in the process.
Experienced goalkeeper Eduardo plays his club football in Croatia with Dinamo Zagreb, and the 33-year-old has warned his team-mates to expect a stern test.
"They have enormous talent, they're young, they have a strong competitive mentality and they will create a lot of problems for us," he said.
"We have confidence in our potential and we believe we can beat them. At this stage, there are no easy games. Everyone knows that."
Domagoj Vida is back from suspension for Croatia, who hope to have Luka Modric fit again after a groin injury kept him out of the win over Spain.
Raphael Guerreiro returned to Portugal training on Thursday after a thigh problem and should be back for the meeting at Stade Bollaert-Delelis in Lens.
Key Opta Stats:
- This is the second time Croatia have finished top of their group in a major tournament after Euro 2008 – they were then knocked out on penalties by Turkey in the quarter-finals.
- Croatia have lost only one of their last 10 games at the Euros (0-1 v Spain in June 2012), winning six and drawing three.
- However, World Cup 1998 is the only time Croatia have actually won a game in the knockout stages of a major tournament – they won three games to finish third.
- Portugal have made it to the knockout stages in all seven of their European Championship participations.
- They have played the most games in the history of the European Championships without ever winning the tournament: 31 games, 0 trophy.
- Only Davor Suker has scored/assisted more goals (nine goals, one assist) than Ivan Perisic for Croatia at major tournaments (four goals, three assists).
- Portugal's last seven goals at the European Championships have been scored by Cristiano Ronaldo (five) or Nani (two).
Hodgson demands ruthlessness from England to open up Iceland
23 June 2016
Roy Hodgson is demanding England show an improved cutting edge in front of goal against what he expects to be a defensively sound Iceland team in Monday's Euro 2016 last-16 tie.
England scored just three goals in their Group B campaign and were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw against Slovakia last time out despite enjoying over 60 per cent of possession in Saint-Etienne.
The goalless draw meant they finished second behind Wales, and a clash with Portugal looked on the cards in the first round of the knockout stages until Iceland's late winner against Austria.
Hodgson knows there will be less space versus Iceland than there would have been against Portugal and expects England will need to be patient once again, while showing more creative spark in the final third.
"I fear it [the game with Iceland] won't differ enormously from our group games because Iceland are not an expansive team," he told FA TV.
"Their success has been built on a very solid defensive organisation and incredibly hard work ethic.
"I know the coach very well, he prepares his team in that way so I don't think we'll benefit from lots of space in the game so we'll have to make certain we are aware of that and hope we can keep the kind of domination we've had in the games, keep the control but maybe be a bit more ruthless and have a bit more of a killer instinct in front of goal because our ratio of creating chances and taking chances is not good.
"That needs to be improved and everyone is aware of that. It would be nice if we could start with that on Monday."
England's second-place finish in the groups means they sit on the same side of the draw as Germany, Spain, Italy and France, but according to Hodgson there is belief within his squad they can compete and reach the latter stages.
He added: "Results are of course what matters and if you don't get the results you've got to be very disappointed and very unhappy, especially at tournament level.
"We were the favourites to win the group, I think we were deservedly favourites and I honestly believe we did enough to win the group, but we didn't because the performances were matched by the results.
"As a result we have to accept second place and possibly go into, on paper, a harder part of the draw.
"But the mood in the camp is good because the players honestly believe they are a good team and they are capable of beating any team in the tournament on their day."
Wales v Northern Ireland Preview: Evans eager to prolong Irish dream
The two sides clash in the knockout stages of a major tournament for the first time in Paris on Saturday and Chris Coleman's men will be favourites to progress
Jonny Evans believes Northern Ireland's incredible fans have a huge role to play as the aim to extend their Euro 2016 adventure against Wales in Saturday's last-16 clash at Parc des Princes.
The massed ranks of green-clad supporters illuminated the same venue during a 1-0 loss to Germany on Tuesday, with the slender margin of defeat ultimately meaning Michael O'Neill's men progressed as one of the four best third-placed sides in the expanded 24-team tournament by virtue of superior goal difference.
They will be underdogs once more as they go toe-to-toe with Gareth Bale and company in a battle of Britain that will be refereed by Englishman Martin Atkinson.
Evans, who performed manfully in the face of Germany's vast attacking riches hopes vocal backing can roar the Irish into an improbable quarter-final berth.
"That can definitely push you on," he said. "You see the reception we got.
"We're in such a position here to create history. That can last a long time and we don't want to let go of that.
"We want to go as far as we can and not waste this opportunity."
Their extended stay in France owes much to Michael McGovern, who made a string of excellent saves to frustrate the likes of Thomas Muller and Mario Gotze last time out.
As former under-21 team-mates, Evans has enjoyed a long view of the Hamilton Academical goalkeeper's progress.
"I think he's improved a lot. First time I ever played with Michael was in the under-21s, against Scotland in a friendly in Northern Ireland and he did the same that night.
"I remember thinking this guy's unbelievable. He was a great shot-stopper.
"I think that's one of his great qualities and his ball control, he's very comfortable with the ball at his feet, he's added that.
"He's a very good goalkeeper and probably could be playing at a higher level."
O'Neill's main quandary comes at the other end of the pitch, where his top scorer from qualifying, Kyle Lafferty, could push for a recall.
Bale will carry Wales' threat as he aims to add to his three goals in as many matches and make McGovern a busy man once more.
Nevertheless, the Real Madrid star turned his focus towards a man whose midfield battle with Northern Ireland captain Steven Davis could be pivotal for the outcome.
"There's always a Joe Allen appreciation day for us," Bale said, confirming the unusual ritual captain Ashley Williams told Wales Online his squad uphold on a weekly basis.
"He's been amazing. I can't speak highly enough of him. He does the dirty work and it goes unnoticed, but we know how vitally important he is, we appreciate him very much.
"He might not get the headlines but he does in the squad. He’s an incredible player."
Key Opta stats
- Northern Ireland have won none of their last eight games against Wales (D4 L4). Their last victory dates back to May 1980 in Cardiff.
- This is the first encounter between two British teams in the knockout stages of a major tournament.
- Wales have lost only two of their eight games at major tournaments, both by a one-goal margin - 1-0 against eventual World Cup winner Brazil in 1958 and the 2-1 reverse against England in Lens.
- All three goals conceded by Wales at Euro 2016 have come from the 56th minute onwards. They've also all been scored by substitutes.
- This is the first time Northern Ireland have made it to the knockout stages of a major tournament since the 1958 World Cup where they were eliminated by France, bowing out at the same quarter-final stage as Wales.
- Northern Ireland have not conceded more than one goal in their last 16 internationals. The last time they conceded twice was in a 2-0 defeat to Romania in November 2014.
- Gareth Bale became the first player to score in all three group games at a European Championship since Milan Baros and Ruud van Nistelrooy did in 2004.
Goal readers have backed the Wales international over the likes of Andres Iniesta, Michal Pazdan and Dimitri Payet for his performances so far in France
Wales hero Gareth Bale has been voted the best player of the Euro 2016 group stage by Goal readers.
The Real Madrid winger was the only player to score in all three rounds of matches as his team reached the last 16. He bagged free-kicks in the win over Slovakia and defeat to England, and scored the final goal of Wales' 3-0 thumping of Russia.
Bale picked up 27 per cent of the vote, slightly higher than runner up Michal Pazdan (21%). The defender has been integral to a Poland side yet to concede in the competition.
France's opening day hero Dimitri Payet also picked up 21% of the final tally, having scored against Romania and Albania as the hosts topped Group A.
The only other player to pick up a significant chunk of votes was Spain's Andres Iniesta (12%), who put in man of the match performances against Czech Republic and Turkey.
Croatia captain Darijo Srna (6%) came fifth having not allowed his father's death early in the tournament to affect his outstanding form as they finished above Spain in Group D.
Italy defenderk Leonardo Bonucci, Napoli star Marek Hamsik and Switzerland pass master Granit Xhaka all picked up 4% of the vote, while Northern Ireland's Michael McGovern, Spain's Alvaro Morata and Germany's Jonas Hector (1%) fought for scraps.
Croatia favourites to win Euro 2016, according to Goal readers
Ante Cacic's team will win the tournament in France, according to voting results, though the Irish believe that the Republic of Ireland can upset the odds
Goal readers have had their say and believe that Croatia will be crowned Euro 2016 champions.
Our poll results show that Ante Cacic's men are thought to be the strongest side at the tournament, claiming the 33% of votes across our international editions. The whole of Scandinavia voted for Croatia in the poll, while they also came out top in the Serbian voting.
In the UK, however, 20% of the voting went to Germany, while Croatia came second with 16% and England in third with 12%.
The French also believe that Germany will win the tournament, though Les Bleus are a close second, with Croatia in third place.
Elsewhere, results from Spain show they believe La Roja will claim their third successive European Championship, while 40% of voters in Ireland have backed the Republic to spring an almighty shock and win the tournament.
Wins over the Republic of Ireland and Sweden meant the highly-rated Belgians earned a meeting with the Magyars, but the coach is wary of the side's talents
Belgium coach Marc Wilmots has insisted he would rather play England or Spain in the second round of Euro 2016.
Wilmots' men finished second in Group E behind Italy after wins over Republic of Ireland and Sweden, setting up a last-16 clash with Hungary, the surprise winners of Group F.
But Wilmots said the pressure from the media on Belgium as a result of being strong favourites means he would have rather faced the defending champions, or Roy Hodgson's England.
"I would rather play against England and Spain than versus Hungary," Wilmots said.
"We would have nothing to lose against those teams. The press acts like the game against Hungary will be a walkover.
"Did people not see them play against Portugal? There are no more small teams in international football."
Wilmots added he is expecting an even contest against Hungary, who drew 3-3 with Portugal in their final game of the group stage, taking the lead three times.
"Every game will be tight right until the final whistle," said the Belgium coach. "Don't let reputations fool you.
"The only way to judge a team is to look at their collective."
