Football

Switzerland's Yann Sommer Retires from International Football After Illustrious CareerSwitzerland's veteran goalkeeper Yann Sommer has bid farewell to international football, bringing an end to a remarkable 12-year career with the national team. The 35-year-old shot-stopper, who currently plies his trade for Inter Milan, made 94 appearances for his country, leaving an indelible mark on Swiss football history.Sommer's international debut came in 2012, and he quickly established himself as the undisputed number one goalkeeper, taking over the mantle from Diego Benaglio. His exceptional performances between the posts played a pivotal role in Switzerland's success on the international stage.The highlight of Sommer's career came at Euro 2020, where he made a heroic penalty save against France's Kylian Mbappé in the last 16. This crucial stop propelled Switzerland into their first major quarter-final since 1954. Sommer's heroics continued throughout the tournament, as he helped his team reach the last eight.Sommer's consistency and reliability were instrumental in Switzerland's impressive run at the last six major tournaments, where they consistently reached the knockout stages. His leadership and experience were invaluable to the team, and he was widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in Europe.In a statement released by the Swiss Football Association, Sommer expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to represent his country: "My time with the national team has meant a lot to me. I look back with pride on the many unforgettable moments, the exciting matches, the victories celebrated together, and the challenges we have overcome together."Sommer's retirement marks the end of an era for Swiss football. His exceptional talent, dedication, and unwavering commitment have left a lasting legacy on the national team. He will be remembered as one of the greatest goalkeepers in Swiss history, and his contributions will continue to inspire future generations of players.

Jude Bellingham, the prodigious English midfielder, has escaped an immediate suspension after making an offensive gesture during England's thrilling victory over Slovakia in the UEFA Euro 2020.UEFA imposed a one-game ban on Bellingham, but it is "not immediately enforced and is subject to a probationary period" of one year. The 18-year-old will be available for England's crucial clash against Switzerland on Saturday, which will determine their fate in the tournament.Bellingham's gesture, which appeared to be directed towards his crotch, occurred after he scored a stunning overhead kick to level the score in the dying minutes of the match. England went on to win 2-1 in extra time, with Bellingham's goal proving to be a pivotal moment.The incident sparked controversy, with some accusing Bellingham of making an inappropriate gesture. However, the midfielder has denied any wrongdoing, claiming it was an "inside joke" with friends who were present at the game.UEFA has also fined England a total of €11,000 ($11,900) for crowd disturbances and the "lighting of fireworks" during the Slovakia match.Bellingham's gesture has raised questions about the standards of conduct expected of professional footballers. UEFA's decision to impose a suspended ban suggests that they believe Bellingham's actions were inappropriate but not severe enough to warrant an immediate suspension.The incident has also highlighted the challenges faced by young players in the spotlight. Bellingham is one of the most promising talents in world football, but he is still learning the ropes of professional conduct.Despite the controversy, Bellingham remains a key player for England. His performance against Slovakia was a testament to his talent and determination. If he can maintain his focus and avoid further incidents, he has the potential to become one of the best midfielders in the world.

Ukraine, amidst the ongoing conflict with Russia, embarks on its European Championship campaign against Romania in Munich on Monday. The other teams in Group E are Belgium and Slovakia. Kickoff is at 3 p.m. local time (1300 GMT).Ukraine aims to build upon its most successful campaign to date, having reached the quarterfinals at Euro 2020, where it was eliminated by eventual runner-up England. The team earned a reputation as comeback kings in the playoffs, scoring late goals to overcome Bosnia-Herzegovina 2-1 in the semifinal and Iceland by the same score.Romania impressed in qualifying, sailing through unbeaten to top a group that also contained Switzerland and Israel. Edward Iordănescu will become the first coach to lead a Romania team at a European Championship since his father Anghel in 2016.Ukraine left back Vitaliy Mykolenko injured his ankle in the last warmup match before the tournament, but coach Serhiy Rebrov is hopeful the injury is not serious. Should Mykolenko not recover in time, he will likely be replaced by Oleksandr Zinchenko, who plays as left back for Arsenal but more often in midfield for the national side.Romania coach Iordănescu has all 26 of his players available. Romania has not reached the knockout stages in 24 years, since losing 2-0 to eventual runner-up Italy in the quarterfinals at Euro 2000.Romania surprised England at that tournament, beating it 3-2 in the group stage. That is Romania’s only win at a European Championship, having drawn five matches and lost its other 10.The teams have met six times before but never at a major tournament. Romania has the slight edge with three wins to Ukraine’s two – but the last of those was more than 20 years ago. There has been at least four goals in the past three matches between the sides.“It’s a great honor to represent Ukraine. You know what times we are going through now so I feel incredible responsibility for my actions but I’m not worried about my game,” said Ukraine defender Illya Zabarnyi.“These are unique times, wonderful times, times that every coach prepares, works and dreams for. It is a dream come true: a great story to have qualified after such a long time, and we want to make this moment last as long as possible,” said Romania coach Edward Iordănescu.“I mean at the moment, it’s probably one of the best teams we’ve had. It’s a good mix of young players and experienced players. We combine well on the pitch in terms of that. So, God knows what is going to happen but this team has huge potential,” said Ukraine midfielder Oleksandr Zinchenko.

Italy, the reigning European champions, embark on their title defense at the UEFA Euro 2020 on June 15th, facing Albania in their opening match. The tournament marks a new era for the Azzurri, as they seek to rebuild their reputation as one of the world's top footballing nations.Under the guidance of manager Luciano Spalletti, Italy has undergone a significant transformation since their triumph in 2020. The team has shed the aging stars of the past and embraced a new generation of players, led by Federico Chiesa, Nicolo Barella, and Davide Frattesi.Despite their status as reigning champions, Italy faces a daunting task in Group B, which also includes Spain and Croatia. A victory over Albania in their opening match is crucial for their chances of advancing to the knockout stages.Albania, making their second appearance at the Euros, will be buoyed by the support of their passionate fans. The Eagles boast a squad with a strong Italian connection, with 10 players currently plying their trade in Serie A.Italy's preparations for the tournament have been hampered by injuries to key players, including Barella and Frattesi. However, the team remains confident in their ability to overcome these challenges and make a strong run in the competition."We are an underrated team," said delegation chief Gianluigi Buffon. "We have players in the squad who will become future greats. We want to show what we're made of at the Euros."

Scotland's Bagpipes and Germany's Expectations: Euro 2020 Curtain RaiserAs the sound of bagpipes fills the streets of Munich and men in kilts proudly display their Scottish heritage, the excitement for the European Championship is reaching fever pitch. The tournament kicks off on June 14 with host nation Germany facing Scotland in the opening match at the Allianz Arena.Germany, eager to make amends for three consecutive tournament disappointments, is under pressure to deliver a strong performance. Defender Antonio Rüdiger acknowledges the team's need to remain humble despite past failures. "We don't have to talk about past tournaments, we all know what happened there," he said. "It's been up and down for us all the way here and that's why we have to be humble."While Germany's fans may be subdued compared to the boisterous Scottish supporters, coach Julian Nagelsmann is optimistic about the team's chances. "It's probably not just Europe, but the whole world that will be watching how the Euros will go ... we're really looking forward to it," he said.Scotland, having qualified for back-to-back tournaments after a long absence, is determined to make history by reaching the knockout stage for the first time. Forward Ryan Christie expressed the team's ambition: "That's the dream ... If we come out of the group stages, that's the furthest Scotland will have ever been in a major tournament."The Scots have shown their potential in recent years, beating Spain and Norway during the qualifying campaign. However, they have won only one of their last 13 matches against Germany, a 1-0 friendly victory in 1999.Adding to Germany's motivation is an unusual incentive: Deniz Undav has promised to shave the head of fellow forward Thomas Müller if the team wins the trophy. "Thomas Müller bald? Then we have to do everything we can to make this happen," said Rüdiger with a laugh.The opening match promises to be a spectacle, with both teams eager to make a statement. Scotland's passionate support will create a vibrant atmosphere, while Germany will be determined to prove that they are still a force to be reckoned with.