..::Football III::..

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La Liga chief: Madrid's version of De Gea deal more accurate than Man Utd's

La Liga president Javier Tebas has claimed that Real Madrid's explanation of the collapse of David De Gea's move to the Santiago Bernabeu is a "closer version" of the truth than Manchester United's.

Madrid and United agreed a player-plus-cash deal for De Gea on Monday that would have seen Los Blancos pay £29 million (€39.4m) for the Spain international and Keylor Navas move in the opposite direction.

However, the transfer sensationally collapsed, with both clubs blaming the other for failing to send the requisite documentation before the close of the summer window in Spain.

Tebas has now weighed into the argument, suggesting that United were the more culpable party.

"I am a lawyer and I know that in these situations there are two, three or four versions of events," he is quoted as saying by As.

"As far as La Liga is concerned it is a handicap that De Gea is not here. I would have liked to see him play in La Liga because he is a Spanish goalkeeper and an excellent one but due to the circumstances that unfolded it wasn't to be.

"What happened, as far as I know, is closest to the version given by Real Madrid."

However, Tebas explained that there was nothing La Liga could do to help resolve the situation and he denied that Madrid attempted to put any pressure on the organisation to do so.

"As far as the LFP is concerned there is no David de Gea case because the player has not been registered for the competition and the necessary documentation was not presented in the stipulated time," he added.

"I had a conversation with Real Madrid, they rang me on Monday night. They gave me their explanations but in the knowledge that the deadline had been missed. They know how it works.

"I didn't feel any pressure. Madrid explained their situation after midnight. I understood their position and that of the player but there was nothing I could do.

"They didn't call to ask for any kind of special treatment because Madrid understand the rules."

 

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Diego Costa: I need goals to kick-start my Spain career

Chelsea striker Diego Costa is hopeful of kick-starting his international career with Spain, having yet to make his mark for La Roja.

Vicente del Bosque's side face Slovakia and Macedonia in Euro 2016 qualifiers, with Costa expected to lead the line for the European champions.

With just one goal to his name from four outings with Chelsea this term, the Brazil-born forward hopes to add to his solitary international goal before returning to Stamford Bridge.

Costa told reporters: "I think what's missing is that I need to score goals. Every game, I'm getting better physically. I know I can give a lot more to the team and hopefully that will start right now. Strikers need to score goals; that's what I've been lacking here.

"When I score, my confidence will be higher and everything will come together. We have very skilful players and I don't have any excuses; I have to do things better.

"I'm getting to know my team-mates better and, although the style is different for me, there are great players here. I need confidence. Adapting to this style is easy.

"I feel that I owe the team, I haven't done anything yet. I have to repay the faith that has been placed in me. Maybe I have been a bit nervous but that's why it's important to play well now."

Costa enjoyed a prolific debut season with Chelsea in 2014-15 and opened his international account in October during a 4-0 win over Luxembourg.

Having opted to represent Spain last year, he is wary that he runs the risk of being dropped if he fails to find form.

"That can happen at any time," Costa accepted. "I know that, if I'm not playing well and someone else is, the gaffer won't call me up. I'm only thinking about being fit, coming here and playing. I hope that, in these games, everything will be better."

 

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Diego Costa ge club performance level 1ka patta but International nam anthimai​

 

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De Gea 'calm and relaxed' despite collapsed Real Madrid move - Mata


Juan Mata says that David de Gea is calm and relaxed despite seeing his move from Manchester United to Real Madrid fall through on Monday.

De Gea was expected to join Madrid before the Spanish transfer deadline but the deal collapsed at the last minute, with both clubs suggesting that the opposite side had failed to file the necessary paperwork in time to complete the move.

The goalkeeper has now joined the Spain squad for Euro 2016 qualifiers against Slovakia and Macedonia but Mata, his United and international team-mate, says that the youngster is behaving professionally despite a "difficult" few days.

"[De Gea] seems the same as ever to me," Mata told reporters. "He's calm, relaxed. He has a naturally calm personality. These have been difficult days but he is OK.

"It is good for him to be here with the national team too. I think his personality will help. He is always calm. Even in moments of maximum pressure or stress, he still plays well. His personality will help him on and off the pitch.

"David is professional and he always will be. His desire and professionalism will remain intact. Any team in the world would be better off with him in it. The fans always support the team, all of us, and they will support him.

"He is a friend and he is very professional. I wish him the best and I am sure he will be fine. He will manage the situation."

Earlier on Wednesday, Spain coach Vicente del Bosque indicated that De Gea, who is yet to feature for United this season, must play regular first-team football in order to be considered for the Euro 2016 squad.

 

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Man Utd are a dream club, admits Lyon star Fekir

Lyon midfielder Nabil Fekir insists Manchester United have signed “a very good player” in Anthony Martial and admits he would welcome a move to Old Trafford one day.

Martial became the world’s most-expensive teenager on deadline day after joining from Monaco in a deal that could be worth up to €80 million (£59m).

"Anthony is a very good player, I played with him at Lyon,” Fekir told Europe 1.

“Of course, it's a lot of money. We know that clubs are capable of spending these amounts on good players.”

Fekir has started the season in sublime form for Lyon with four goals in as many matches, including a hat-trick in the 4-0 win over Caen last Saturday, and the 22-year-old, who has been linked with Arsenal, would relish the chance to follow Martial to the Premier League.

"Playing for Manchester United one day? Why not. it's a club that makes you dream, but we're not there yet,” said Fekir.

“The need to have a good season at Lyon comes first, and then, we'll see.”

 

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Hazard: I'll never be a true scorer like Messi or Ronaldo

Chelsea forward Eden Hazard admits that he "will never be a true scorer" as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are.

Having been crowned Player of the Year after driving the Blues to the Premier League title last term, the Belgian has been talked up as having the potential to rival the Barcelona and Real Madrid stars.

With 19 goals to his name in all competitions last season, manager Jose Mourinho and team-mate Cesc Fabreas were among those to hail Hazard's potential.

However, the 24-year-old says that he is not convinced of rivalling Ronaldo or Messi – who have been crowned the world's best player five times between them – in terms of goals.

"I often ask myself what I can do to become like Messi and Ronaldo and score 50 or 60 goals in a season," Hazard told Sport/Foot Magazine.

"I try of course but I realise that I will never be a true scorer. It's not in me. It is mainly mental - at 2-0, not thinking that is enough, for example. Sometimes I still think, after a goal, 'that's enough'.

"I'm not in search of records like some other players... if I can score between 15 and 20 goals each season, I will be very happy.

"I'm at a peak of my career but I want to become even better every day. I'm not there yet."

Hazard has endured a sluggish start to the season and is yet to score from four Premier League outings, with Chelsea surprisingly languishing in 13th.

 

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Zenit threaten Juventus & Milan over illegal approaches for Witsel

Zenit have accused Juventus and AC Milan of speaking to Axel Witsel without their permission and threatened to report the pair to Uefa.

Witsel was widely expected to move to Italy during the summer transfer window, with both Juve and Milan having identified the Belgium international as an ideal candidate to bolster their respective midfields.

The Bianconeri ultimately opted to sign Sami Khedira and Mario Lemina, while Milan only made their move for Witsel just before the close of the transfer window and were unable to agree a fee with Zenit.

The Russian champions' general director, Maxim Mitrofanov, has now accused both Serie A sides of disprecting the club by making illegal approaches for the 26-year-old.

"Milan only started negotiating with us for Witsel two days before the close of the transfer market but a concrete proposal never arrived," he told Championat.com. "Our response was: 'Look at the time!'

"We could also write a letter to Uefa saying that Juventus and Milan have negotiated with the player without having our consent.

"The moment in which someone wants to sign our player without our approval, they have to pay the compensation stipulated in the contract. Otherwise, they must first speak with us and meet our conditions."

Mitrofanov also dismissed reports that Witsel had been left unhappy with Zenit's refusal to let him leave, explaining that the former Benfica man had been aware all along that he would not be sold at a knock-down price.

"On the final day of the market, I spoke with the boy and I told him that he would leave only when he asked to and if a satisfactory offer arrived," he added.

"He still has two years on his contract and he promised me that he will remain committed in the Zenit shirt.

"He also understood that some things cannot be done right at the end [of the window], especially when teams present offers that are too vague or there are no concrete offers."

 

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Hernanes: Juventus still the team to beat in Italy & Europe

New Juventus signing Hernanes says that he has joined "the team to beat" - both in Italy and Europe.

The Brazilian midfielder sealed an €11 million switch to the Scudetto holders from Serie A rivals Inter on deadline day, with the Bianconeri having turned to Hernanes following their failure to sign Julian Draxler, who instead left Schalke for Wolfsburg.

The Italian champions were in need of strengthening, with Andrea Pirlo, Carlos Tevez and Arturo Vidal all having departed during the summer transfer window and Juve having made a shocking start to the new season, losing their first two league games for the first time ever.

However, Hernanes is in no doubt that the Bianconeri will once again be a force to be reckoned with this season, both in Serie A and the Champions League.

"You can't judge anything in football after one or two games," he told reporters on Wednesday. "Juventus have done well for four years, everyone inside and outside Italy knows their strength.

"Some important players have left and one of the strengths was that the team hadn't changed much in four years. Now we have to learn to fill the space left by those players.

"But, both in the Italian league and also in Europe, Juve, for me, remain the team to beat."

Juve coach Massimiliano Allegri hopes that Hernanes will prove to be the world-class trequartista that he has been demanding all summer and the 30-year-old believes that he has the talent and temperament to cope with the pressure.

However, the former Lazio man freely admits that he will have to improve his conversion rate in front of goal.

"I feel at the very top of my game both physically and mentally," he added. "This is a wonderful opportunity to show my qualities.

"I've been a mature person both on and off the pitch, as a father to four children. Now I'm ready to take responsibility in this new challenge with Juventus.

"I'm very happy to be playing in the Champions League this year. I’m determined to help this team achieve great results.

"It's true that I began my career in Sao Paulo playing further back but I soon moved forward to a more offensive role due to my attacking qualities.

"I've averaged around a goal every four matches since arriving in Serie A and I will look to better those figures with Juventus. I'm here to improve on my current record and continue to develop as a player."

 

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Martial: It’s normal that Rooney does not know me

New Manchester United signing Anthony Martial insists it’s “normal” to hear that Wayne Rooney does not know who he is.

Morgan Schneiderlin revealed that the United captain asked about the 19-year-old, who became the world’s most-expensive teenager on deadline day after joining from Monaco in a deal that could eventually be worth up to €80 million (£59m).

“It's normal that he [Rooney] does not know me,” Martial told reporters.

“I have not played in Ligue 1 a lot and this is the first time I'm in the France team. But I'm happy to go there. He is a great player and I will progress a lot with him.

“I don’t know if I'm worth €80 million. I do not think about the amounts. The amount is between the two clubs. I do not put myself under particular pressure.

 

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Juventus: €100m might not be enough for Pogba next year

Juventus director general Beppe Marotta has warned Paul Pogba's suitors that €100 million might not be enough to sign the midfielder next year.

The France international is one of the most coveted players in world football and was this summer courted by European champions Barcelona, who failed with an €80m bid for the 22-year-old.

Marotta has now claimed that Pogba's value is only going to rise in the next 12 months, citing the €1.17bn Premier League clubs spent during the summer transfer window as evidence of the remarkable rate of inflation within football.

"The market is only going to grow," the Juve director told reporters on Wednesday. "The Premier League is the example: prices that are normal today would have been crazy yesterday.

"If Pogba should maintain the levels of last year, €100m might not be enough next year.

"Maintaining a winning team is about making great signings, but when you're faced with offers of over €100m, you wobble.

"But Juve wants to win and that's why we kept him."

Juve, though, lost a number of key players during the summer, with playmaker Andrea Pirlo leaving for New York FC, top scorer Carlos Tevez returning to Boca Juniors and midfield dynamo Arturo Vidal joining Bayern Munich.

The Bianconeri have made several signings to replace those who have departed, including Paulo Dybala, Sami Khedira and Mario Mandzukic, but Massimiliano Allegri's men have made a dismal start to their Serie A title defence, losing their opening two fixtures for the first time ever.

Marotta, though, is calling for calm, arguing that fatigue is a factor and that patience was always going to be needed to allow the revamped squad to gel.

"We worked during the summer window with the idea of creating a mix of experience and youth," he added. "For us, the market represented a metamorphosis.

"We lost at Roma [last weekend] because we're still in the initial phase of the season. It's a question of preparation and significant journeys like the one to Shanghai [for the Supercoppa Italiana].

"Facing last year's runners-up in the second round of the season is not an excuse but that was not the real Juve.

"Credit to Roma, but they are only three points. We're now starting for six points down and we must make them up.

"But our season starts now and I'm not worried about the quality of the players. We have a very good group.

"A period of adjustment was always necessary but we are Juventus and we must win."

 

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Pochettino: Kane is NOT Tottenham's only striker

Mauricio Pochettino has defended Tottenham’s summer recruitment strategy and insists that Harry Kane is not the club’s only available striker.

Spurs strengthened their forward line with the acquisitions of Heung-Min Son and Clinton N’Jie, but failed in a protracted pursuit of West Brom striker Saido Berahino.

The club have been criticised for failing to recruit an out-and-out striker to support Kane, despite selling Roberto Soldado to Villarreal and reportedly attempting to offload Emmanuel Adebayor.

Pochettino, though, says that he is happy with the squad currently at his disposal, and maintains that he did not wish to panic buy should the club fail to land their top targets.

“I look at our squad and I know we have worked well to shape it. Strengthening our defence was a priority given the number of goals we conceded last season. Toby (Alderweireld), Kevin (Wimmer) and Kieran (Trippier) add depth and quality,” he told Spurs’ official website.

“In Dele (Alli), Sonny and Clinton we have three young, fast and exciting players who can play in several different attacking positions, giving us good options.

“All of them had impressive seasons in their respective leagues last season and we are excited about their potential alongside that of our current players.

“I have been very clear that we would only add players that we felt would improve us and if any one player was not possible then I prefer we do not add for the sake of it.

“Much has been said about us only having one recognised striker in Harry - I don’t accept this at all - the positional play of today’s forwards means it’s too simplistic to look for goals from any one position - playing a fluid style means players switch.”

Pochettino has also hinted that Spurs were aware they may not be able to buy Berahino, having already seen two bids rejected before a last-ditch attempt to persuade West Brom to sell on deadline day.

“We secured Sonny and Clinton in the knowledge that we may not be adding any other forward,” he added.

 

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Kaka tells Balotelli: It's time to use your talents to help Milan

Mario Balotelli has been warned by former AC Milan star Kaka to finally make use of his skills and be decisive for the club.

The 25-year-old returned to the Rossoneri after a failed stint at Liverpool, in which he scored just one Premier League goal following a €20 million move last summer.

The move is said to be Balotelli's final chance to show that he can be a top striker and Kaka, who won the Champions League and the Ballon d'Or during his time at San Siro, feels the striker must start to fulfil his promise at last.

"Mario is a very talented player, there is no doubt about it," he told Goal.

"But he must understand that this isn't an easy time for him and he really needs to find some motivation in order to use his talent to help the team.

"He's the type of player who can easily change a match at any time - and I hope he can lend a hand to Milan's season."

Milan finished 10th in Serie A last term but have invested heavily in their squad over the summer as they look to return to European football next term.

 

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Van Gaal accused of 'holding back young English talent'

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has been accused of "holding back young English talent" by the agent of goalkeeper Sam Johnstone.

Van Gaal had promoted Johnstone to second choice in his pecking order this summer after ruling Victor Valdes out of contention and refusing to play David De Gea amid links to Real Madrid.

Argentina international Sergio Romero has been the club's No.1 for the first six games of the season but De Gea is expected to be back in contention after his transfer to the Spanish club collapsed.

Johnstone, 22, had been wanted by a number of clubs on a loan deal but was not allowed to leave Old Trafford, and Jordan Segal has hit out at Van Gaal for his handling of the goalkeeping situation.

"Sam just wants to play football but Manchester United are holding him back and not even playing him," he told the Daily Mail.

"He is a young goalkeeper and it is time for him to play regularly. If that is not at Manchester United, then it has to be elsewhere. This is an example of young English talent being held back by Van Gaal.

"The start of the season was the perfect opportunity to give Sam his chance to prove he can play for United. He is ready.

"If they do not want him to play then he needs to move for the sake of his career. He cannot sit on the bench or in the reserves.

"England should have as many goalkeepers as possible to pick from. Given the early progress in his career that is the level he is aiming for. He is not going to get there by not playing."

 

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Liverpool have their worst team in years - Harry Redknapp

Harry Redknapp believes Liverpool have their worst team in years, and says that they are fortunate to have more than a single point on the board this season.

The Reds have endured a difficult start to the 2015-16 campaign, narrowly beating Stoke City and Bournemouth before drawing with Arsenal and losing 3-0 to West Ham at Anfield.

And Redknapp has now lambasted the Reds, insisting that Brendan Rodgers’ side are “bang average”.

“I don’t fancy Liverpool at all,” he said at the Telegraph Total Football Live event on Wednesday.

“I think it’s the worst Liverpool team I have seen in years. They look bang average. They are lucky to have any points.

“Bournemouth should have beaten them, they got a wonder goal at Stoke. OK, they played all right first-half at Arsenal.

"I think they will do well to finish in the top five. I am not with Liverpool at all this year. Having said that they will probably win the league!”

Redknapp has also slammed the team’s balance, and criticised Rodgers’s tactical decisions, while insisting that there is no character in the Anfield squad.

“They lost Steven Gerrard, their leader. What a player. They lost Jamie Carragher the year before. They’ve lost their characters,” he added.

“Look at the two centre-halves on Saturday (Dejan Lovren and Martin Skrtel). The left-back (Joe Gomez) is a good young player who can’t kick with his left foot but he is playing at left-back.

"He’s a fantastic talent, strong, quick. But what will he give you on the left? He is on the wrong side. They look a badly balanced team to me. Sorry, I can’t have Liverpool.”

However, despite his scathing indictment of the club, former Tottenham, West Ham and QPR manager Redknapp insists he would have jumped at the chance to take charge at Anfield.

“I love Liverpool Football Club, and if you said to me which team would I have loved to manage in this country it would be Liverpool - but I can’t see it this year.”

 

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De Gea named in Man Utd's Champions League squad

David De Gea has been named in Manchester United's squad for the Champions League group stages following the collapse of his move to Real Madrid.

The goalkeeper was set to move to the Primera Division club on transfer deadline day in Spain, with United agreeing to a £29 million fee plus the signing of Keylor Navas, only for the deal to fall through at the last minute.

Both United and Real have issued statements blaming each other for the farcical manner in which the transfer failed, but Louis van Gaal appears ready to move on, naming De Gea in his squad for the European competition.

Victor Valdes, however, is left out of the selection, with summer signing Sergio Romero and 22-year-old Sam Johnstone chosen to provide competition for De Gea.

Elsewhere, deadline day buy Anthony Martial will compete with Wayne Rooney and James Wilson as the club's out-and-out strikers, with Memphis Depay and Juan Mata also selected.

Van Gaal has also handed opportunities to a number of young players, with Guillermo Varela, Paddy McNair, Jesse Lingard and Andreas Pereira all named in the squad.

Squad in full:-

GOALKEEPERS - David de Gea, Sergio Romero, Sam Johnstone

DEFENDERS - Phil Jones, Marcos Rojo, Chris Smalling, Luke Shaw, Guillermo Varela, Paddy McNair, Matteo Darmian

MIDFIELDERS - Michael Carrick, Daley Blind, Ashley Young, Ander Herrera, Nick Powell, Antonio Valencia, Marouane Fellaini, Morgan Schneiderlin, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Jesse Lingard, Andreas Pereira

FORWARDS - Memphis Depay, Juan Mata, Anthony Martial, Wayne Rooney, James Wilson

 

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Athi yantham De Gea squad 1ke innawaDan ithin bench karanne nathiwa play karanna denna thiyenne​

 

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Carragher surprised by 'big' Martial price

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher admits that he was surprised by the "big price" Manchester United paid for teenage forward Anthony Martial on transfer deadline day.

The 19-year-old completed his move to Old Trafford on Tuesday, with reports suggesting that United could pay as much as €80 million (£58.6m) for his signature - the highest transfer fee ever paid for a teenager.

Martial scored just 11 goals in 52 Ligue 1 matches for Lyon and Monaco and Carragher believes the fee is a huge price to pay for an unproven prospect.

"I think so," Carragher said, when asked if he was surprised by the price.

"He's the most expensive teenager in world football, so it's a big price. He comes with a lot of potential, which is expected at that age, just getting to the French squad as well.

"With Monaco going out of the Champions League [in the play-offs] as well, it made it easier for Manchester United to get him.

"But it's certainly a position they needed to strengthen, striker-wise, with the players that have moved on.

"He's a young player and when you talk about potential you're still not quite sure but for that price, he must be some player."

Several Premier League managers have suggested that the transfer window should shut earlier as not to affect on-field matters, and Carragher is looking forward to the focus turning back to the football.

"There's a lot of excitement, last-minute deals getting done," Carragher added.

"You always wonder why it takes so long to get the deals done. You look at the Manchester United-Real Madrid one [with David de Gea] as a case in point really, why you have all summer and it goes to the wire and it doesn't quite get done.

"It's exciting for the fans. I don't think managers like it. I think they want to call it to a halt once the football starts, but I think for the man on the street it's quite exciting.

"It's done now; get on with the real stuff - the football."

 

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Martial will never be the same again - Mangala

Eliaquim Mangala insists that France team-mate Anthony Martial will never be the same again following his big-money deadline day move to Manchester United .

The 19-year-old became the most expensive teenager in history when he completed his transfer to Old Trafford on Tuesday, with reports suggesting that the club could pay as much as €80 million (£58.6m) for his signature.

And Manchester City defender Mangala, who cost £32m when he moved to the Etihad from Porto in 2014, has warned his compatriot that he will have to adjust to being looked upon in a different light in the Premier League.

"I do not think that the amount of the transfer would be a problem. Obviously no-one will look at him the same way anymore. Manchester United paid a lot of money for him," Mangala told reporters.

"Let's see how he and people around him like the club or his family, deals with it, that's important. He must focus only on his football. It is what will be asked anyway. Everything else is inherent to the football world.

"Currently we can see some big amount within the transfer market. If we make a comparison with what we used to spend in the past, we realise it could go too far.

"In my opinion no-one is worth £50m, £80m or £100m. It is a part of the business of football.

"It is up to him to do well on the pitch. The first season can be tough; Premier League is a tough one. Totally different and very difficult. I hope he will be well received."

Martial could make his international debut in the coming days, with France set to face Portugal in a friendly on Friday before taking on Albania three days later.

 

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Martial...Martial.....Martialmeka iwarayak nahanematanm meh name 1ka ahalama athi wela thiyenne​

 

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European Championship Qualifying Fixtures 2015.09.03

European Championship Qualifying Fixtures 2015.09.03

Group H​

Azerbaijan Vs Croatia​

Group A​

Czech Republic Vs Kazakhstan​

Netherlands Vs Iceland​

Turkey Vs Latvia​

Group B​

Belgium Vs Bosnia​

Cyprus Vs Wales​

Israel Vs Andorra​

Group H​

Bulgaria Vs Norway​

Italy Vs Malta​