France reaffirms its role of favorite against Switzerland, Albania and Romania EURO 2016

The draw for Euro 2016 with Switzerland , Albania and Romania as rivals in Group A, reaffirmed the role of favourite in the France, the host of the tournament, in a quartet with light Forecast for team 'bleu' three secondary combined in this continental football against.

Or Switzerland, who has never passed the group stage of the tournament, and Romania, whose best result is the quarterfinals of 2000, or Albania, debutants and a historical record of European official matches only includes 18 wins 93 duels, are today up to the powerful Gallic set.

He accompanied the luck to France, twice European champion (1984 and 2000) and once the World (1998), which neither the internal conflict with the French Karim Benzema , section of the selection for his alleged involvement in the 'case Valbuena ', detract points as candidate number one to the first position towards the second round.

Directed by Didier Deschamps , without the burden contest the long qualifying for being a organizer and men as Antoine Griezmann , Paul Pogba , Raphael Varane , Blaise Matuidi , Olivier Giroud or Anthony Martial, including a block of very good players all that is not first group will be a disappointment for France, which will open the tournament on June 10.

It will do in Saint Denis in front of Romania, who returns to after his absence in 2012 tournament and a qualifying unbeaten, which has distributed wins and draws, five of each, to close the round in second place , behind Ireland North, and with only two goals conceded in ten games.

Sus, sensational in the previous round, defensive data caution against any overconfidence to France, which also will cross Switzerland, also second in the standings, behind this solid England. It has never passed the first stage of the tournament in their previous three appearances: 1996, 2004 and 2008.

Now he wants more, with the mainline and lateral speed Stephan Lichsteiner, of Juventus , or forward Xherdan Shaqiri , now at Stoke City , two of its currently outstanding names and their arguments to fight as a minimum by the second square and disturb the foreseeable leadership of France.

The options are much more limited for Albania, in its historic debut in the finals of the European Championship. She comes as second in qualifying group, such as Switzerland and Romania, and benefited from the enlargement to 24 places for the competition. And awaits your desired premiere on June 11 against Switzerland in Lens.

It will be the culmination of a challenge led by Italian coach Gianni De Biasi, extécnico the Levant, led by a group that bears the tournament with nothing to lose and with the memory of last June 13 he won in a friendly to France (1-0), a notice to the undoubted favorite in Group A.

Lewandowski and Yarmolenko threatening superiority of Germany

The superiority of Germany in Group C, where the selection of Joachim Löw is the clear favorite to reach the first position in the second round of the European Championship, will be threatened by the figures of Robert Lewandowski and Andriy Yarmolenko , figures from Poland and Ukraine, respectively, to fight alongside the weak Northern Ireland stand up to the Germans.

The current world champion in Brazil 2014 should not have any problem to pass the group stage. His rival, a priori, are minor, although their figures are worthy of review and can always embarrass the German roller rows.

Löw will lead a group of players who are known to spare. The group that won in Brazil remains almost the same, with a slight variation, like Ilkay Gündogan, now usually accompany the midfield Toni Kroos , without names like Mertesacker, Lahm and Klose , either the "Mannschaft".

Germany will have few variants above, practically Thomas Müller will be the great reference, but other lines scares with proven quality players like goalkeeper Manuel Neuer , defenders Mats Hummels and Jerome Boateng and midfielders Mesut Ozil, Marco Reus and Mario Götze .

The box Löw is a whole arsenal of resources that other teams have to deal with individuals such as Robert Lewandowski, Poland, took a ticket with Germany in Group D of the qualifiers.

He did brilliantly, to chain his third consecutive European Championship after 2012 in Poland and Ukraine and Austria Switzerland 2008. He even went on to win 2-0 to Germany in one of the two parties that faced the box Löw.

Lewandowski, one of the form players in Europe, will be the biggest threat to the other teams, which should also take into account Grzegorz Krychowiak and Jakub Blaszczykowski . The growth of both in midfield and wisdom of technical Adam Nawałka , who managed to squeeze the level Lewandowski Bayern , compose an interesting option in Group C.

Equally frightening is the duo that formed in Ukraine Yarmolenko and Yevhen Konoplyanka Sevilla. Both, one on each side, representing the greatest danger of a team that needed a play-off to reach the European Championship. However, the low level of the other players.

Still, the presence of Yarmolenko, who could not leave the Dynamo Kiev although it has been claimed by big clubs like Chelsea, and the steady growth of Konoplyanka, be sufficient grounds for Ukraine to apply as an alternative to Germany.

The fourth in discord, Northern Ireland, and held their place in the finals as a prize. With permission of the selections in 1982 and 1986, they played world of Spain and Mexico , the generation that directs Michael O'Neill has already made ​​history after first coming to the competition.

Northern Ireland will rely on the technical strength of a group and a player: Kyle Lafferty . Norwich player is the star of Northern Ireland and their seven goals in qualifying, represent hope for any country that wishes to give a surprise to the candidates powerful Germany and Poland and Ukraine.

1-2. Guangzhou beats in the last minute and date with Barca

Guangzhou Evergrande from China surprised the Mexican American with a victory over the hood (1-2) in the first match of the quarterfinals of the FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2015 and cited in the semifinals with Barcelona on 17 December in Yokohama.

In the first leg, with both teams committed to not cede the initiative and tidy on the field, it was difficult to create spaces and create clear chances.

In fact, the best of America came from set pieces, the first when Goltz launched a free kick from the right flank that saved between Li and the crossbar.

Benedetto first and then Paul Aguilar , who headed over in front of goal, were soon about to solve a scramble in the area at the exit of a corner.

For its part, the Guangzhou often combined was assigned as the smell of his three Brazilian attackers Elkesson, Ricardo Goulart and Robinho .

From the latter came the clearest chance for Cantonese team in the first half, when the former Santos , Milan and Real Madrid find an opening in the front and reached with his left foot to the right post Munoz, who responded with a good dive.

However, Scolari decided to relieve the rest in favor of Long Zheng, who eventually scoring.

The Mexicans took much more plugged in after the break and four minutes produced three clear scoring situations shortly before overflow Benedetto his marker down the right and put a center that Peralta headed a goal in the penalty area.

The Eagles kept the command and continued to seek the Chinese arch, until ten minutes from time Paulinho found a corridor on the right and his admitted culminated in a facility that Long Zheng sending over the network.

The goal revived Guangzhou, who unexpectedly found with the lead and with time served of Paulinho holed head a corner from the right released and sent to the canvas a confused America.

Barcelona now awaits in Yokohama.

-- Technical sheet:

1 - Club America: Muñoz; Paul Aguilar, Goltz, Paul Aguilar , Samudio; Sambueza, Andrade, Guerrero, Quintero (Arroyo, m.83); Benedetto (Martinez, m.80) and Peralta.

2 - Guangzhou Evergrande: Li Shuai; Zhang Linpeng, Feng Xiaoting , Kim Young-Gwon, Zou Zheng; Paulinho, Zheng Zhi , Huang Bowen (Gao Lin, m.65), Ricardo Goulart, Robinho (Zheng Long, m.45); and Elkeson (Yu Hanchao, m.79.)

Goals: 1-0, m.54: Peralta; 1-1, m.80: Zheng Long; 1-2, m.93: Paulinho.

Referee: Jonas Eriksson (SWE) .. He booked Feng Xiaoting.

Subs: Meeting quarterfinals of the Club World Championship in Osaka's Nagai Stadium before about 20,000 spectators. Temperature: 16 degrees Celsius. 93 percent relative humidity.

Kevin Constant; the last case of racism in Italian football

Italian Football Federation (FIGC) announced Wednesday the opening of an investigation because of racist insults from spectators suffered in Tuesday's Franco-Guinean Milan friendly match Kevin Constant.

In turn, the International Football Federation (FIFA) said Wednesday that "wait for the results of the investigation of the Italian federation" to rule.

"The federal prosecutor (FIGC) has opened an investigation to determine the extent of racist incident happened yesterday (Tuesday) evening at the stadium of Reggio Emilia, during the Milan-Sassuolo game in which the AC Milan player Kevin Constant came under some screaming fans at the stands, "the FIGC said in a statement.

The incident occurred during the friendly tournament TIM, a triangular who participated in the newly promoted Sassuolo, Juventus and Milan.

According to the newspaper Corriere della Sera, Constant suffered racist abuse by fans Sassuolo and then he threw the ball into the crowd and headed for the exit.

The referee recognized the situation and appealed to finalize insults, while Massimiliano Allegri Milan ténico replaced Kevin Constant.

"The racist abuse are outrageous, scandalous and must be fought. But the rule says that when this happens you should go to the assistant referee and this, that the police officer, sole authority to suspend the game will go," said Adriano Galliani , managing director of Milan.

The leader expressed his "solidarity" with Constant, but stressed that "it is impossible" to leave the pitch.

In January, Milan saw a similar event when, in another friendly, fans insulted the club Pro Patria German-Ghanaian Kevin-Prince Boateng, who also left the field, causing the definitive suspension of the game.

By this incident six Pro Patria fans were sentenced in early June to terms between 40 days and two months in prison and a fine of 10,000 euros.

FIFA merely Wednesday reiterated his position: "If a player leaves the field after a racist incident is an act of strength and courage, but can not be a long-term solution."

At the conference held in Mauritius in late May, the agency adopted a resolution to toughen sanctions for racism, including the reduction of points and even demotion.

"For a first offense or a minor offense, a warning, a fine and closed to play recidivism or serious offense;. Point deduction, exclusion of a competition or fall," said the text of the FIFA .

"In addition, any person (player, referee ...) who commits this offense will suffer a penalty of at least five games," he added.

The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) announced Wednesday the opening of an investigation because of racist insults from spectators suffered in Tuesday's Franco-Guinean Milan friendly match Kevin Constant.

Espanyol 1-0 Celta: The celestial machine works even without gasoline

Celta and Espanyol took part in a meeting with many interruptions and events. Iago Aspas put his signature to the only goal of precious category, before the break. Pablo Hernandez was expelled very start of the second half and Nolito almost retired injured after the game.Espanyol could do nothing against a team outnumbered.

The first half highlighted by the amount of mistakes made by both teams. Borbalán Fernandez, referee of the match, looked like the control it was getting out of hand, leading to happen a total of 19 illegal actions, four of them punished with a yellow card. We had to Ecuador exceed 45 minutes to start watching football Balaídos. More threatened Celta, although a shot by Alvaro Gonzalez after Victor Sanchez center went over the bar after 35 minutes'. However, Celta took the lead with a masterpiece of Iago Aspas. In a counter set of Vigo, the striker left with a cut of Alvaro and without thinking twice, drove a beautiful finish to a slightly forward Pau. Front opening goal this season from outside the area.

The controversy would come at the end of the first half. Bongonda scored in a duel with Espanyol goalkeeper, but the referee annulled for offside. Celta player was in legal position very clearly. Things seemed to be deteriorating for the team coached by Eduardo Berizzo. Pablo Hernandez was sent off for a second yellow after jumping elbow high and hit Diop. But the inferiority not be a problem. Blades had two clear chances to put the 2-0 on the scoreboard before an Espanyol that seemed to leave the locker room. The first hit the crossbar, while the second, after cutting to Pau in a dogfight, shot outside incomprehensible.

In the 61 'Bongonda he had the chance to put the advantage on the scoreboard and plunge the Espanyol, but his shot after a counterattack book hits wood and Blades lost the opportunity to make the clearance. The set parakeet was unable to take advantage at any time numerical superiority. Raillo had in his head the possibility of tie 83 'minutes, but Sergio flew to prevent the tie in the final stretch.Celtic three points awarded him a week fourth Champions League qualifying was.

Paris Saint Germain, Juventus and Arsenal, major threats

Paris Saint Germain, Juventus and Arsenal burst as major threats in the knockout stages of the Champions League, which will be defined Monday after the draw in Nyon (Switzerland) .

The potential of French and Italian champions and competitiveness and the campus of Londoners make the shortlist for the opponents to avoid those considered top seeds, who were champions of their respective quartets in the group stage.

This is the case of the three Spanish teams, Barcelona, ​​Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, which form part of the first drum of the drawing. Spanish is the same as the English most massive representation, with Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal said. But only the picture of Jose Mourinho and Manuel Pellegrini contemplate the stage as group winners.

The draw, which will determine the sign of the second round, will be led. They may not match teams from the same country or even two teams that have been part of the same group in the previous phase.

So, Real Madrid, for example, may not meet again with Paris Saint Germain, one of the strongest teams. Barcelona may not coincide with the Roma, Atletico Madrid and Benfica.

Also, on this occasion, and by a decision of the Executive Committee of UEFA, teams of Russia and Ukraine can not be measured among them. In this case both the Zenit St. Petersburg and Dynamo Kiev, facing the draw as runners.

In addition, winners in the group stage will play the first leg away knockout 16/17 and 23/24 February and the return in their stadium on 8/9 and 15/16 March.

Spain and England, with three teams each, have the most substantial representation. Germany, meanwhile, has two teams, Bayern Munich and Wolfsburg. Like Italy, with Juventus and Roma.

The poster with a French team, Paris Saint Germain, a Dutch PSV Eindhoven, a Portuguese Benfica, a Belgian Ghent, a Russian Zenit St. Petersburg and a Ukrainian, Dynamo Kiev is completed.

Pot 1 is made by Real Madrid (ESP), Wolfsburg (GER), Atletico Madrid (ESP), Manchester City (ENG), Barcelona (ESP), Bayern Munich (GER), Chelsea (ENG) and Zenit St. Petersburg ( RUS).

Pot 2 Paris Saint Germain (FRA), PSV Eindhoven (NED), Benfica (POR), Juventus (ITA), Rome (ITA), Arsenal (ENG), Dinamo Kiev (UKR) and Ghent (BEL.

The winners of the heats will qualify for the quarterfinals and will be part of a pure draw, without conditions, to be held on March 18. The semifinals will be on April 15.