Tag: euro 2016

Éder’s fleeting moment in the sun

That Éder, a man with an unremarkable record, gifted Portugal Euro 2016 glory should offer hope that others can place their names amongst the greats

England and the fantasy history that simply doesn’t exist

As the referee blew the final whistle to confirm arguably England’s most ignominious result for a generation, the collective look on the players’ faces wasn’t one of anguish but of sheer stupefied,…

The unifying power of the Belgium national team

In the small Benelux country of Belgium, the national football team, Les Diables Rouges (the Red Devils), is doing what the countless politicians are failing to do. The team, who in December 2015…

Albania and the rise to Euro 2016

The word Balkan has a particular meaning. It’s an amalgam of the Turkish words bal, meaning honey, and kan, meaning blood. The Ottomans that named this region of the world knew exactly…

The striking similarities between Arsenal and England

If I were to argue that England were the Arsenal of international football, who would I be insulting? On face value it’s Arsenal right? Some may say England. The answer is neither,…