The Panenka
631 FOLLOWERS
A blog dedicated to European Football, World Soccer, and the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
The Panenka
3y ago
Fernando Hierro will be Spain’s manager for the 2018 World Cup after it was announced the former Real Madrid and Bolton man would replace Julen Loptegui just two days before the tournament kicks off. Spanish Football Federation president Luis Rubiales (pictured right) removed Lopetegui from the post just two days before the national team’s Group B opener ..read more
The Panenka
3y ago
Sportswear giant Nike have confirmed it has stopped supplying Iran’s football team with boots ahead of the World Cup due to sanctions. A statement from Nike said the company was forbidden from supplying kit to the Iranian team as it prepares for its opening World Cup game. “US sanctions mean that, as a US company, Nike cannot supply ..read more
The Panenka
3y ago
Costa Rica’s Rodney Wallace on missing the 2014 World Cup, why he think this team can emulate that success and what he learned from life in Brazil ahead of their Group E clash. “We did it in 1990 with Brazil in the group so why not do it again?” That was the view of Costa ..read more
The Panenka
3y ago
Tunisia’s goalkeeper, Mouez Hasan, appeared to be feigning injuries in two friendlies so his teammates could break their fast mid-game. Tunisian footballers have devised a clever plan of breaking their Ramadan fasts during recent World Cup friendlies. In both of their games this week, Tunisian goalkeeper Mouez Hassen went down early in the second half complaining ..read more
The Panenka
3y ago
Group H is perhaps the most open in the tournament. While every team will fancy their chances of progressing, Poland and Colombia are the favorites for the top two spots. via Forbes Poland, who were unfortunate to lose to eventual winners Portugal on penalties in the Euro 2016 quarter-final, will again be looking to prolific ..read more
The Panenka
3y ago
Belgium are favorites, but both they and England will have been happy with the draw. via Forbes The Red Devils qualified convincingly, winning nine out of 10 fixtures and scoring 43 goals (though 15 were against minnows Gibraltar). With Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard – two of the Premier League’s best players – expect ..read more
The Panenka
3y ago
Peru captain Paolo Guerrero can play at this summer’s World Cup after a Swiss tribunal ruled on his drug ban. The court agreed on Thursday to temporarily lift a 14-month suspension, imposed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas), while it considered the 34-year-old striker’s appeal. The captains of Peru’s Group C rivals Australia ..read more
The Panenka
3y ago
Tempers flare at Germany World Cup camp as Antonio Rudiger and Joshua Kimmich clash during training. Germany may be the current World Cup champions but it seems things aren’t running as smoothly as manager Joachim Low would like in his training camp. Indeed, Tuesday’s training session took a turn for the worst after Antonio Rudiger ..read more
The Panenka
3y ago
Germany always seem to be among the World Cup favorites and 2018 is no different. via Forbes In qualifying, the World Cup holders were typically ruthless, cruising into the finals with a 100% record – 10 wins from 10. A handful of players who started the 2014 final will feature, joined by some hugely impressive ..read more
The Panenka
3y ago
Lionel Messi is so desperate to win the World Cup with Argentina that he would trade success with Barcelona to triumph in Russia this summer. Messi, 30, has been on the losing side in four finals with Argentina, including the World Cup final in 2014 against Germany in Brazil. Titles with Barca have not been ..read more