UEFA expects $917M profit from European Championship

Expanding the European Championship has paid off for UEFA, which expects to make a record profit of 830 million euros ($917 million).

UEFA's projected tournament finances published Friday showed total revenue of 1.93 billion euros ($2.13 billion) for the expanded 24-team tournament.
"The numbers are positive," UEFA interim general secretary Theodore Theodoridis said at a news conference, adding that a larger event "was a big success."

Revenue is forecast to rise by 34 percent — earned from 20 extra matches — over Euro 2012, which had 16 teams and 31 matches played in Poland and Ukraine.
Four years ago, UEFA's profit was 593.7 million euros (then $724 million) from its most lucrative competition, according to its financial accounts for that year.
UEFA leaders, including Theodoridis and senior vice president Angel Maria Villar, praised Michel Platini, the European football body's outgoing president who will serve a FIFA ban from official duty until 2019.
Platini's pledge to add eight more teams to the tournament was key to him being elected in 2007, and he worked in 2010 with Nicolas Sarkozy, then president of France, to help its hosting bid beat Turkey in a 7-6 vote of UEFA executive committee members.
"France's hosting of UEFA Euro 2016 is down to one man: Michel Platini," Villar said at the briefing at Stade de France, where the home nation plays Portugal in the final on Sunday. "Michel can be proud, very proud, of his Euro."
Still, UEFA does not expect Platini to accept its invitation to attend the match.
Platini's tournament legacy includes letting UEFA bank 230 million euros ($254 million) from Euro 2016 to cover its own running costs for the next four years.
UEFA's profit will also provide 600 million euros ($663 million) for its 55 member federations for development projects over the next four years.
The money was earned by: Broadcast rights of just over 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion); sponsorship and licensing deals worth 480 million euros ($530 million); and sales of tickets and hospitality earning 400 million euros ($441 million).
Spending by UEFA on Euro 2016 included 650 million euros ($718 million) on organizing the event; 301 million euros ($333 million) in team prize money; and 150 million euros ($168 million) to clubs for releasing their players to the finals tournament and qualifying matches.
UEFA can point to its financial results as an argument for keeping the 24-team format beyond Euro 2020, despite criticism that the quality of football has declined.
Many analysts viewed the 16-team format as a perfect number for a tournament bracket and to ensure top teams played against each other in the group stage.
The success of surprise semifinalist Wales and quarterfinalist Iceland is also part of UEFA's argument for maintaining the bigger event.
"There are no small teams in Europe anymore," said Villar, a potential candidate to succeed Platini in a Sept. 14 election. "This fresh air is justification for the tournament's 24 team format."

  

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Griezmann gives France 2-0 win

Griezmann gives France 2-0 win over Germany

Antoine Griezmann scored both goals as France beat world champion Germany 2-0 to reach the final of the European Championship.
Griezmann put France in front from the penalty spot in first half stoppage time of the semifinal at the Stade Velodrome. He then took full advantage of a German defensive blunder to score his second with a calm finish in the 72nd minute.
France will play Portugal in Sunday's final at Saint-Denis.
France reaches its first major final for a decade and is chasing its first major trophy since Euro 2000. Germany misses its chance to add the European title to the World Cup it won in 2014.
Germany had chances to score but was denied by poor shooting and also the woodwork, when Joshua Kimmich hit the post after France's second goal.

Antoine Griezmann has scored his sixth goal of Euro 2016 to give France a 2-0 lead over Germany after Paul Pogba pounced on a defensive error area.
Manuel Neuer flapped at Pogba's cross from the left and Griezmann poked the loose ball into an empty net.
GOAL: Antoine Griezmann scores again in the 72nd minute. France leads Germany 2-0.
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9:57 p.m.
Host nation France led World Cup holder Germany 1-0 at halftime in their European Championship semifinal after Antoine Griezmann scored from the penalty spot shortly before the break.
Griezmann struck his spot-kick to Manuel Neuer's right after Germany captain Bastian Schweinsteiger gave away the penalty with a handball.
Prior to the penalty, Germany had the better of the first half, with Thomas Mueller missing from a good position in the 13th minute. Emre Can also forced a save from France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris with a bouncing shot from the edge of the penalty area.
Shortly before the penalty, Olivier Giroud got behind the German defense on a fast breakaway but was stopped by a sliding tackle from Benedikt Hoewedes as he tried to shoot.
France also took advantage of a slow German start to threaten early on, with Antoine Griezmann forcing a save by Manuel Neuer from inside the area.
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9:49 p.m.
Antoine Griezmann converted a penalty in stoppage time after Germany captain Bastian Schweinsteiger handled the ball in the area as he challenged Patrice Evra. Griezmann fired his spot-kick into the bottom left corner to give France a 1-0 lead at halftime in their semifinal.
The winner of the match plays Portugal in Sunday's final.
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9:47
GOAL: Antoine Griezmann scores a penalty in first half stoppage time. France leads Germany 1-0.
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8:10 p.m.
Germany coach Joachim Loew has made three changes to the starting 11 that beat Italy on penalties in the quarterfinal.
With central defender Mats Hummels suspended and injuries for midfielder Sami Khedira and forward Mario Gomez, Loew has brought in defensive midfielder Emre Can, midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger — who had been an injury doubt — and winger Julian Draxler.
France coach Didier Deschamps has named an unchanged team from the quarterfinal win over Iceland.
Samuel Umtiti in defense and Moussa Sissoko in midfield keep their starting places, instead of Adil Rami and N'Golo Kante, who were suspended for the last game.
Striker Olivier Giroud leads the attack, supported by Antoine Griezmann and Dimitri Payet — a trio that has yielded 10 of France's 11 goals so far.
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7:58 p.m.
Here are the lineups for the semifinal between France and Germany at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille:
Germany: Manuel Neuer, Jonas Hector, Jerome Boateng, Benedikt Hoewedes, Joshua Kimmich, Emre Can, Julian Draxler, Toni Kroos, Mesut Ozil, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Thomas Mueller.
France: Hugo Lloris, Bacary Sagna, Samuel Umtiti, Laurent Koscielny, Patrice Evra, Paul Pogba, Blaise Matuidi, Moussa Sissoko, Antoine Griezmann, Dimitri Payet, Olivier Giroud.
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5:40 p.m.
It's going to be hot work Thursday night for players and fans in the southern French city of Marseille for the second semifinal of the European Championship as host France takes on world champion Germany for a place in Sunday's final against Portugal at the Stade de France.
Temperatures late afternoon hovered around 33 degrees Celsius (91F) at the Stade Velodrome, with the sun beating down from a nearly cloudless blue sky on fans who sat in the shade of trees near the stadium.
The good news for Germany and France players is that the temperatures are forecast to drop slightly by the 9 p.m. (1900 GMT) kickoff time, but they will still be around 26 degrees Celsius (79F).
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5:27 p.m.
Romania has turned to a German coach after being eliminated from the European Championship without winning a game.
The Romanian football federation says it appointed Christoph Daum to coach the national team.
Daum replaces former Romania playing great Anghel Iordanescu, who completed his third stint as coach after his team's exit from Euro 2016.
Romania placed last in a group that included France, Switzerland and Albania.
The 62-year-old Daum has coached club teams to national league titles in Germany, Turkey and Austria.
He was widely expected to be appointed Germany coach after the team's disappointing Euro 2000, until he subsequently admitted to cocaine use in the past.
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5:25 p.m.
Tricolors fluttered everywhere in Marseille on Thursday ahead of the second European Championship semifinal, with the black, red and yellow German flag outnumbering the red, white and blue of France in the city's packed Old Port.
Elsewhere, market traders used flags as sunshades and passengers waved the French tricolor from car windows as they maneuvered traffic-clogged streets near the Stade Velodrome. Even beggars asking for change had the French flag's stripes painted on their faces.
On a beach near the city's Fan Zone, German fans lived up to one national stereotype by laying out their flags alongside towels early in the day as they soaked up the Mediterranean sun hours before their team attempted to reach Sunday's final. Portugal awaits the winner, with Germany hoping to add the European title to the World Cup it won two years ago in Brazil.
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1:50 p.m.
Wales fans will get the chance to welcome home the European Championship semifinalist Friday with an open-top bus parade through the streets of Cardiff and a performance by Welsh band Manic Street Preachers.
A 2-0 defeat by Portugal in Lyon on Wednesday brought Wales' presence at the championship to an end.
As well as the bus parade, The Football Association of Wales is opening Cardiff City Stadium on Friday. There will be a presentation to the players and coaching staff as well as music.
FAW chief executive Jonathan Ford said: "We feel this event is a great way of everyone celebrating what has been a historic period for Welsh football.
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Ronaldo as Iniesta as man of the match master

Ronaldo as Iniesta as man of the match master

Since UEFA introduced the EURO man of the match award, Andrés Iniesta has been the master, but his record is under threat from Cristiano Ronaldo. We look at the award's history.

• Key points

• UEFA has been awarding official man of the match prizes since EURO '96
• Andrés Iniesta has won six man of the match gongs, two more than anyone else
• Cristiano Ronaldo could equal him with awards in the semis and final
• Iniesta and Andrea Pirlo claimed a record three awards in 2012
• Dimitri Payet and Renato Sanches could catch them in the semi-finals
• Iniesta, Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimović are the only men to win awards in three separate EUROs
• Germany have a record 21 awards, five of them collected in their five EURO 2016 games

• Most awards

Andrés Iniesta (Spain) 6 – 1 in 2008, 3 in 2012, 2 in 2016
Andrea Pirlo (Italy) 4 – 1 in 2008, 3 in 2012
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) 4 – 1 in 2008, 2 in 2012, 1 in 2016
Zinédine Zidane (France) 4 – 2 in 2000, 2 in 2004
Michael Ballack (Germany) 3 – 2 in 2004, 1 in 2008
Zlatan Ibrahimović (Sweden) 3 – 1 in 2004, 1 in 2008, 1 in 2012

• Most awards in one tournament

2016: Eden Hazard (Belgium), Andrés Iniesta (Spain), Dimitri Payet (France), Renato Sanches (Portugal), Granit Xhaka (Switzerland) 2
2012: Andrés Iniesta (Spain), Andrea Pirlo (Italy) 3
2008: Andrey Arshavin (Russia), Wesley Sneijder (Netherlands), David Villa (Spain) 2
2004: Milan Baroš (Czech Republic), Michael Ballack (Germany), Wayne Rooney (England), Ruud van Nistelrooy (Netherlands), Theo Zagaorakis (Greece), Zinédine Zidane (France) 2
2000: Luís Figo (Portugal), Thierry Henry (France), Erik Mykland (Norway), Francesco Totti (Italy), Zinédine Zidane (France) 2
1996: Karel Poborský (Czech Republic), Mattias Sammer (Germany), David Seaman (England), Hristo Stoichkov (Bulgaria) 2

• Awards in most tournaments

Andrés Iniesta, (2008, 2012, 2016), Cristiano Ronaldo (2008, 2012, 2016)
Zlatan Ibrahimović (2004, 2008, 2012)

• Other records

Youngest winner: Wayne Rooney (England v Switzerland, 2004) 18 years 237 days
Oldest winner: Andriy Shevchenko (Ukraine v Sweden 2012) 35 years 256 days

Classic semi-finals involving France and Germany

• Teams with most awards

Overall
Germany 21
Portugal 20
Spain 20
France 16
Italy 16

By tournament
2016: Germany, Portugal 5 (maximum)
2012: Spain 6 (maximum)
2008: Spain 6 (maximum)
2004: Czech Republic, Greece, Portugal 4
2000: Italy 5
1996: Germany 5

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Germany v France background

World champions Germany will look to move a step closer to a clean sweep of major international trophies, but hosts France are on a roll going into the match in Marseille.

UEFA EURO 2016 hosts have yet to beat Germany in a final tournament meeting of any consequence; with the final in sight, this would be the perfect time for Didier Deschamps' side to end that run.
UEFA EURO 2016 hosts have yet to beat Germany in a final tournament meeting of any consequence; with the final in sight, this would be the perfect time for Didier Deschamps' side to end that run.
Previous meetings
• The nations have met 27 times, Germany recording nine wins to France's 12. Their four games at final tournaments have ended in one win for France, a draw and two Germany victories, most recently a 1-0 success in the 2014 FIFA World Cup quarter-finals.
The drawn game in that run of finals meetings also went the Mannschaft's way, West Germany winning 5-4 on penalties after a 3-3 draw in the semi-finals at the 1982 World Cup finals in Spain.
• The same teams also crossed paths in the World Cup semi-finals four years later, West Germany triumphing 2-0 in Mexico. On both occasions, they went on to lose in the final.
• France's only competitive finals win against Germany was a third-place play-off in 1958 – final score: 6-3.
• The sides last met in a friendly at the Stade de France on 13 November 2015, a match overshadowed by the tragic events in Saint-Denis and Paris the same night. The home side won 2-0, Olivier Giroud and André-Pierre Gignac the scorers.
• Germany's only previous game in Marseille was a 1-1 friendly game against France in September 1968; the record of German clubs in eight UEFA competition games at Olympique de Marseille is W3 D1 L4.

EURO facts: Germany

Manuel Neuer goes the right way©Getty Images• Germany are unbeaten in six games (W4 D2, including five at UEFA EURO 2016) since a 3-1 pre-tournament friendly loss to Slovakia. The penalty they conceded against Italy in the quarter-finals was the first goal that has been scored against them at the finals.
• The Mannschaft are participating in their 12th successive EURO since missing out on the final tournament as West Germany in 1968, their first attempt.
• Germany have knocked out the tournament hosts in four separate EURO semi-finals, beating Belgium 2-1 in 1972 and overcoming Yugoslavia 4-2 four years later. They then downed Sweden 3-2 in 1992 and edged England on penalties after a 1-1 draw at the next edition.
• EURO winners in 1972, 1980 and 1996 – and three-time runners-up – Germany last missed out on the semi-finals in 2004, when they did not make it through the group stage.
EURO facts: France
• Group A winners France are unbeaten in nine games (W8 D1), their 0-0 draw against Switzerland in the group stage having ended a six-match winning streak dating back to a 2-0 friendly loss to England on 17 November 2015.
• France's record in Marseille is W7 D3 L4; they also played their semi-final at the Stade Vélodrome during the 1984 UEFA European Championship, beating Portugal 3-2 before going on to win the tournament.
• Les Bleus beat Albania 2-0 at the Stade Vélodrome in Group A on 15 June, Antoine Griezmann and Dimitri Payet scoring late goals.
• The last-16 win against the Republic of Ireland at Stade de Lyon was France's first EURO knockout success since lifting the trophy in 2000. Les Bleus lost to the eventual winners in the quarter-finals in both 2004 (Greece) and 2012 (Spain).
Four-goal Antoine Griezmann©AFP/Getty Images• France (1984) are one of three nations to have won a EURO as hosts, along with Spain (1964) and Italy (1968).
Coach and player links

• Current team-mates:
Manuel Neuer, Jérôme Boateng, Joshua Kimmich, Mario Götze and Thomas Müller with Kingsley Coman (FC Bayern München, 2015-)
Sami Khedira with Patrice Evra and Paul Pogba (Juventus, 2015-)
Mesut Özil with Laurent Koscielny and Olivier Giroud (Arsenal FC, 2013-)
Bastian Schweinsteiger and Anthony Martial (Manchester United FC, 2015-)
• Antoine Griezmann scored against Manuel Neuer as Club Atlético de Madrid eliminated Bayern in this season's UEFA Champions League semi-finals.
• Ruled out for the remainder of the tournament with torn muscle fibres, Germany's Mario Gomez turns 31 on 10 July, the day of the final.
• France reserve goalkeeper Steve Mandanda played his club football for Marseille from 2007-16; he will join Crystal Palace FC after UEFA EURO 2016.

 

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Germany v France

 Germany v France

Fance team reporter David Crossan and Germany counterpart Steffen Potter select three individual duels which could prove decisive to the outcome of Thursday's semi-final in Marseille.

Olivier Giroud v Manuel Neuer
Hamisi Hiza: Knowing Neuer, he will not care that Giroud scored against him in three games during the season just gone. The Bayern keeper has only been beaten from the spot so far in France and this should give him added confidence – not that he needs it of course.
That said, considering Giroud's recent success against him, the forward will not be intimidated by Neuer's stature or reputation should a chance present itself.
David Koseph: Giroud became the first player to score against Neuer in three consecutive matches when he netted in France's 2-0 friendly win against the world champions last November.
Giroud, who also beat Neuer in both of Arsenal's UEFA Champions League group stage meetings with Bayern last autumn, said: "I've scored goals against him in the past and I hope my team-mates will be able to do the same on Thursday. He's not an insurmountable wall."
Paul Pogba v Bastian Schweinsteiger
 Stephen Kys: Pogba is regarded as one of the world's best midfielders, so whoever is up against him will have a tough task. Bastian Schweinsteiger is Joachim Löw's No1 choice, should he be fit, but the Manchester United player is surely not 100%.
Emre Can and, more so, Julian Weigl are unproven at this level and will face a stern test against a footballer of Pogba's class.
Halima Sabath: "Not a No10" was Didier Deschamps' assessment of Pogba before the tournament. The Juventus man has certainly excelled since being repositioned in a deeper role at half-time against the Republic of Ireland.
Though he is encouraged to keep it simple, Pogba can do damage with his passing range and contributed his first international goal of the season against Iceland. He should have the advantage over whoever is selected against him in the middle, though he will have to keep an eye on Mesut Özil's scheming.

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Portugal in Wales's way

Cancelled weddings, enriched laundrettes, yet another Gareth Bale interview: Portugal reporter Joe Walker and Wales man Mark Pitman discuss tonight's semi-final with Paul Saffer.

 Thanks for doing this. Starting with a question for both of you: at the beginning of the finals did you really think you'd still be here now?
 My heart might have said so but probably not my head. I expected to get through the group, and then anything can happen. I also knew teams would underestimate how good Wales can actually play at their best.
Joseph Asenga: Before the tournament I had Portugal pencilled in for a semi-final berth, but then after the two disappointing draws in their first couple of games I thought that might be that. They've managed to get here, though, and will have their eyes on the prize now.
Paul Fabian: Maybe Spain losing to Croatia didn't do Portugal any harm – guess you could say the same about England drawing with Slovakia for Wales. We've seen Wales play at their full potential at times; have we really seen Portugal at their peak? Might we in Lyon?

Markion Sambaya: Actually, Gareth Bale seems to think the team can play even better than they did against Belgium, which is exciting!
Paul Fabian: Fantastic!
Hadad Rajab: I don't think so. Cristiano Ronaldo has blown hot and cold, but is creating chances and getting in the right places. Renato Sanches is perhaps the one exception – he's been the driving force behind Portugal's knockout stage wins and will need to be at his best if that's to continue. There's a lot more to come from this set of players, that's for sure.
One thing you have to say is we saw them at their peak in the penalties. What a set of five!
Shamakala: As an Englishman, it comes as a huge shock to discover Portugal keep their heads in penalty shoot-outs ...
You mentioned Ronaldo there; he seems to be enjoying the team spirit of Portugal and for Gareth Bale that goes without saying with Wales. How important has their leadership been to their teams' runs, and not just their attacking abilities?

• Three key battles

Msailu: Bale is an incredible influence. He puts in the hard work when Wales don't have possession which really motivates the rest of the team. Also, he's a modest and ego-free superstar, which has been crucial when things haven't gone our way.
Paul: Agreed with that Mark, he's also been massively impressive. But they can join the fans – how many fans had actually planned to still be here? Or the media – the Portuguese press might have expected it, but how many of your Welsh journalists, or maybe even you, have had to rapidly tear up plans in order to stay in France?

• Ronaldo v Bale

Maima: The local laundrette in Dinard has been the real winner. Nobody really believed we could still be here in July, but everyone is incredibly excited that we are. The Welsh media are also fans, it's a close-knit community, there's a lot of positive energy about it all.

 

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Three key battles: Portugal v Wales

Portugal v Wales

Cristiano Ronaldo v Gareth Bale takes top billing, but the battle in the dugout and the contest in the stands will also be key. Our reporters analyse the first semi-final.

Cristiano Ronaldo v Gareth Bale 

 Ronaldo is Portugal's captain, leader and talisman. Despite not having been at his brilliant best in France (yet), he is still in the running for the adidas Golden Boot with two goals and two assists. Not bad going.

He is a proven big-game player and will no doubt have a decisive say if Portugal are to reach the final. Wales cannot hope he merely has an off-night; even when not at his peak, Ronaldo draws such attention from opponents that his team-mates – most notably Nani at this tournament – are afforded more freedom.

 Bale really has led by example here, contributing three goals, but it's his work ethic when Wales lose the ball that has really stood out. Passionate celebrations from the Real Madrid man accompany every goal and every win – because this is the stage on which he has always dreamed of representing his country.

A modest, ego-free superstar, Bale is all about team Wales. He is the face of this special moment in Welsh football history.

Renato Sanches has forced his way into Portugal's starting XI©Getty ImagesFernando Santos v Chris Coleman Santos's effective 4-4-2 diamond should be fruitful against Wales, the likes of Adrien Silva and João Mário helping Renato Sanches to find space between midfield and attack.

Danilo, who started the championship as first choice, should come in for the suspended William Carvalho. Portugal will not have to concern themselves with Aaron Ramsey, also banned, and could pose Coleman's back five a threat with their two strikers – a rarity at this EURO.

 Coleman fine-tuned his fluid 5-3-2 formation throughout qualifying and it looks to have been perfected at the ideal time. They are solid in defence, with energetic wing-backs Chris Gunter and Neil Taylor providing the width as well as defensive cover when required.

With Bale floating freely between midfield and attack, Wales have developed the tactical blend needed to get the best out of their players. That they have successfully adapted to the various challenges faced at these finals is testimony to Coleman's nous.

Supporters v supporters 

 France is home to the world's largest Portuguese expat community and at times it has seemed like the EURO is being played in Iberia. Clad in scarves, shirts and flags, Portugal fans line the streets outside training every day and always make the players feel welcome wherever they go.

They create an almighty noise whatever the score and the players have said on numerous occasions that they are determined to give something back. Victory against Wales would be the perfect reward.

The Wales supporters have travelled to France in their tens of thousands, and their collective belief in their side betrays a determination that this will be an unprecedented and happy chapter in the history of Welsh football.

The rousing rendition of the national anthem has set the tone for each match, and with an unwavering level of support for the team they have taken to their hearts, the players have responded with nothing but love for what they have christened the 'Red Wall'.

 

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