Co – hosts Ukraine have been criticised by UEFA for the slow pace at which preparations for Euro 2012 are being made.

Ukraine had previously been warned in January by UEFA President Michel Platini for their almost lack of progress.

To date there remain unresolved problems over stadium construction or upgrades, accommodation as well as upgrades to airport, rail or road transport systems. According to reports UEFA are dissatisfied mostly with the state of airports in the cities earmarked to host UkraineÂ’s matches, namely Donetsk, Lviv, Dnepropetrovsk and Kiev.

Platini is expected to visit co – hosts Poland and Ukraine in July after Euro 2008.

…

Having lost at home to Turkey in midweek, Croatia received another shock at the hands of Wales in Cardiff on Sunday, courtesy of two goals from Harry Wilson. With 15 minutes to go, Mario Pasalic netted for the visitors, but it wasn t enough for his team to avoid a second defeat on the trot in the Euro 2024 qualifications.

Croatia pale

Actually, this was the first time in 10 years that Croatia linked a pair of losses in any qualifications, since the process that preceded the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. In the meantime, they played in the 2018 World Cup final and in the semifinals in 2022, rightly establishing themselves as one of the best national sides on the planet.

It all makes it even more unusual to see them perform like they did for the entirety of the match against…

Thomas Muller has overtaken Bayern Munich team-mate Manuel Neuer as the player with the most Bundesliga wins in history.

Muller won his 323rd game in Germany s top flight as he helped Bayern beat Mainz 3-1 on Saturday.

That sets him clear of Neuer as the outright leader for Bundesliga victories.

Muller s contribution at Mewa Arena was limited as he replaced Kingsley Coman as an 88th-minute substitute, but with fellow Bayern legend Neuer still sidelined by injury, that brief cameo saw Muller edge ahead of his team-mate to claim the record for himself.

Goals from Coman and Harry Kane put Bayern 2-0 up within 16 minutes before Anthony Caci pulled one back for the winless hosts, but Leon Goretzka s second-half strike ensured Bayern ran out 3-1 winners.

<…

Spain have a tricky trip to Lithuania, while the Netherlands are firm favourites against Hungary as a host of countries meet in Euro 2012 qualifying on Tuesday.

Lithuania have it all before them when they take on reigning European and world champions Spain, though they do have the benefit of home advantage.Sitting fourth in Group I on four points with a game in hand on their rivals, Raimondas Zutautas men can prove their worth against a team wielding the likes of Fernando Torres, David Villa, Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets.Spain have won all four of their qualifying encounters, scoring 12 and shipping four goals, including a come-from-behind 2-1 win over the Czech Republic on Friday courtesy of two Villa goals.Lithuania are also a country in form however, after they a…

Al-Ittihad are interested in signing Ederson Moraes from Manchester City this summer, according to the , and they re apparently prepared to pay a sum of £25 million for his services straight away, with add-ons devised to raise the total transfer fee under certain conditions.

The Brazilian goalkeeper joined City from Benfica in 2017 and has been Pep Guardiola s first choice between the posts ever since. With 155 clean sheets from 332 games in all competitions, he has certainly played a big role as the Catalan tactician led his team to what can only be described as total domination in the Premier League, with the 2023 Champions League trophy on top of everything else.

However, injury problems kept him out of action in the final rounds of the campaign as City charged towa…

First-half goals from Juan Mata and Xabi Alonso secured Spain a comfortable 2-0 victory over the Czech Republic in Euro 2012 qualifying.

Reigning world and European champions Spain took the lead in Prague early on through Mata, after Xavi dissected the Czech defence with a delightful through ball.

Alonso added a second midway through the first half after another wonderful assist, this time from David Silva.

Spain looked extremely comfortable as the game approached half-time and Xavi came close to making it three with a wicked free-kick that dipped just over the bar.

The closest Czech Republic came to scoring in the opening 45 minutes was a tame Tomas Rosicky effort that drifted past Iker Casillas s right-hand post.

Czech holding midfielder To…

Usain Bolt hopes he can begin his football career in 2018, revealing a lot of clubs had reached out to him.

The retired sprinter, an eight-time Olympic champion, has previously spoken about his desire to one day play professional football.

A Manchester United supporter, Bolt said he wanted to begin his career next year after tearing his hamstring in August.

Yes, I would love to play football now I ve retired from track and field, the 31-year-old Jamaican told FIFA.com.

I ve been talking about it in interviews and a lot of clubs have reached out.

Unfortunately, I got a bad hamstring injury in August and haven t been able to do any training since then. Hopefully I will be able to play some games in 2018.

Bolt finished his athletics caree…

Avoiding what could have been a potential EURO 24 banana skin on Tuesday evening, the Netherlands booked their quarter-final ticket as they secured a 3-0 victory against Romania in Munich.

Although Romania might have come flying out of the traps here, Liverpool star Cody Gakpo opened the scoring midway through the first-half as the 25-year-old produced a thunderous strike.

Dominating large spells after opening the scoring in Munich, Ronald Koeman’s men created a string of chances on either side of the half-time break as they made quite the statement.

While Gakpo might have notched a third EURO 24 strike here, it was second-half substitute Donyell Malen who came on and finished the job for Holland.

Tapping home from close range following Gakpo’s subli…

Christos Tzolis scored the only goal as Club Brugge edged out Sturm Graz 1-0 for their first win in this season s Champions League.

The Greece international delivered the decisive blow in the 23rd minute at 28 Black Arena on Wednesday.

Both sides were seeking their first point in the competition, having recorded defeats on matchday one against Borussia Dortmund and Brest respectively.

Brugge broke through midway through the first half, as Tzolis controlled before firing in off the post from the edge of the penalty area.

The visitors went close to doubling their lead after the break, but Sturm Graz goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen came to the hosts rescue with a series of fine saves.

Urged on by the home fans, Christian Ilzer s side went in search of an e…

Pep Guardiola is hopeful Manchester City will have Phil Foden available after the international break, casting doubt on his chances of representing England in the Nations League.

Foden has suffered from illness in the early stages of the season, missing victories over Ipswich Town and West Ham after playing 45 minutes at Chelsea on matchday one.

While City have not suffered for Foden s absence, maintaining a perfect record to start the campaign, Guardiola is keen to have the 2023-24 Premier League Player of the Season available as soon as possible.

Foden scored 19 league goals and added eight assists in 2023-24, netting vital hat-tricks against Brentford and Aston Villa as City were flawless throughout the run-in.

He has been included in Lee Carsley s Eng…