Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo believes hosts France and world champions Germany are among the favourites to win Euro 2016, as well as holders Spain and Antonio Conte s Italy.
Didier Deschamps Les Bleus will be expected to mount a strong challenge on home soil, while Joachim Low s side are attempting to add the continental crown to the World Cup they won in 2014.
European Championship holders Spain have been tipped to make amends for their group-stage exit in Brazil two years ago with an improved showing, while Real Madrid star Ronaldo also considers Italy among the leading contenders.
As hosts, France has a strong team to go the distance, he told the Times of India.
Then we have the world champions Germany. They are always favoured and this time the…
Best odds: 6/5
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Brazil and Ivory Coast will face each other in what will be the second match of the men s tournament at the Tokyo Olympics on Sunday, at the International Stadium Yokohama, following wins from both teams in their respective openers.
Brazil
Out of the last nine editions of the football tournament at the Olympics, Brazil took part in seven, winning six medals in the process two silver ones, three times the bronze, and finally the gold in 2016. Their thirst for success in this sport has been extremely well documented throughout its history, and it remains strong to this day. The country is a truly fertile breeding ground for talented footballers, having produced a number of those counted among the greatest ever.
In the opening ma…
Borussia Monchengladbach have completed the signing of Algeria international Ramy Bensebaini on a four-year contract.
The left-back leaves Ligue 1 side Rennes after 98 appearances and three goals in all competitions.
Bensebaini, 24, won the Africa Cup of Nations in July, starting in defence as Algeria edged Senegal 1-0 in the final.
He trialled with Arsenal in 2015 and faced the Premier League club in the Europa League last term.
Welcome to ,
The 24-year-old defender joins Borussia on a four-year deal from Stade Rennes
— Gladbach (@borussia_en)
Gladbach agreed a reported fee of €10million with Rennes to make Bensebaini their fifth signing of the close season.
Marco Rose s men begin the new Bundesliga campaign …
Wales manager Ryan Giggs expects Aaron Ramsey to emulate Gareth Bale and reach a higher level by moving to Juventus at the end of the season.
Ramsey is set to end an 11-year stay at Arsenal and make the switch to the Serie A champions when his contract expires in June.
The 28-year-old has been an influential regular for club and country, yet Giggs hopes Ramsey can go on to discover his untapped potential by testing himself in Italy.
You ve seen what going abroad has done for Gareth. It will be a great experience for Aaron, Giggs said, referring to Bale s big-money move from Tottenham to Real Madrid in 2013.
Look at the facilities Juventus have got, they are a massive club.
He is going to a great club, the biggest in Italy.
He is play…