Showing posts with label Eden Hazard. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Eden Hazard. Show all posts
Monday, 15 December 2025
Monday, 17 June 2024
BELGIUM LOSS TEDESCO BRISTLES AT 'GOLDEN GENERATION' TAG
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| ANTON NOVODEREZHKIN/TASS |
After more than 25 minutes of questions to Belgium captain Kevin De Bruyne and coach Domenico Tedesco on Sunday, the dreaded words "Golden Generation" had not yet been heard.
And then it happened -- with the very last question, to Tedesco, on the eve of his team's opening European Championship game against Slovakia.
"It's a typical German question about the Golden Generation," quipped Tedesco, who is Italian-born though a German citizen. "I was expecting that one."
One day, Belgium coaches and players will not be pulled back to the gilded crop of prospects who seemed sure to one day win an international title, and possibly should have at Euro 2016.
It's been a label, and a millstone, for Belgium since the 2008 Beijing Olympics where an emerging squad included Vincent Kompany, Marouane Fellaini and Jan Vertonghen.
De Bruyne and Eden Hazard were maturing in the team that reached the 2014 World Cup quarterfinals. The Red Devils were stunned at the same stage of Euro 2016 by Wales despite extra established stars Thibaut Courtois in goal and Romelu Lukaku in attack.
Marc Wilmots left as coach and was replaced by Roberto Martinez, who is now at Euro 2024 with Portugal.
There were eliminations as the world's top-ranked team by eventual champions: in the 2018 World Cup semifinals against France, and a Euro 2020 quarterfinal match to Italy.
Then another stunner, failing to advance from the 2022 World Cup group stage in Qatar, albeit because eventual semifinalists Croatia and Morocco did.
"Qatar is over now. It was a disappointment, yes, but it was 18 months ago," De Bruyne said Sunday ahead of the playmaker's third attempt to win a European title. "It is a new tournament, a new coach. The team has changed quite a lot."
Since the World Cup, veterans like Hazard, Dries Mertens and Toby Alderweireld have retired from the national team. Courtois fell out with Tedesco and is not in Germany.
De Bruyne is still here with Vertonghen (37), Lukaku (31) and Axel Witsel (35). Another Manchester City star, winger Jérémy Doku, is already at his third major tournament at 22 and much is expected from 21-year-old Johan Bakayoko on the right flank.
Belgium are still ranked No. 3 by FIFA.
"I wouldn't say our squad is third in the world right now but in a tournament it doesn't even matter," said De Bruyne, whose 33rd birthday falls between the round of 16 and the quarterfinals.
"There are a lot of young players in the team and they're really motivated," De Bruyne said, whose team is strongly favored in Group E that also includes Ukraine and Romania.
The 38-year-old Tedesco, leading Belgium at a tournament for the first time, acknowledged there was a squad overhaul.
"There is huge quality among the young prospects, who are already ready for this stage," Tedesco said.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this story.
- ESPN News Services
Sunday, 9 June 2024
Monday, 3 June 2024
Saturday, 18 November 2023
Thursday, 12 October 2023
Tuesday, 10 October 2023
EX-REAL MADRID, CHELSEA FORWARD HAZARD RETIRES FROM FOOTBALL
Eden Hazard announced his retirement from professional football on Tuesday at the age of 32, bringing an end to his 16-year career.
The forward enjoyed successful periods at Lille and Chelsea before ending his club career with a disappointing spell at Real Madrid.
"You must listen to yourself and say stop at the right time," Hazard wrote in an Instagram post.
"After 16 years and more than 700 matches played, I have decided to end my career as a professional footballer. I was able to realise my dream, I have played and had fun on many pitches around the world.
Thursday, 6 May 2021
Tuesday, 13 February 2018
EPL: EDEN HAZARD AND THE FANS HELP ANTONIO CONTE
Chelsea boss Antonio Conte was given a lifeline by Eden Hazard and the fans as Chelsea won 3-0 over West Bromwich Albion...
Thursday, 4 January 2018
EPL: ARSENAL VS. CHELSEA GAVE FANS THE BEST TOP-FLIGHT FOOTBALL OF THE SEASON | 2-2
Sunday, 23 April 2017
Tuesday, 14 March 2017
FA CUP: N'GOLO KANTE KNOCKS OUT MANCHESTER UNITED OUT OF THE FA CUP
Chelsea are going for a double as they knocked out Manchester United in a heated quarter-final clash at Stamford Bridge...
Monday, 14 November 2016
2018 WORLD CUP QUALIFIER: LUKAKU ON POINT AS BELGIUM ANNIHILATE ESTONIA
Belgium were on form as they put 8 past Estonia...The game ended 8-1 in Brussels...
Sunday, 6 November 2016
EPL: CHELSEA HUMILIATE EVERTON AT THE BRIDGE
Chelsea FC are on top of the premier league after thrashing Everton 5-0...Eden Hazard scored twice as Chelsea put a display of class to humiliate Everton at Stamford Bridge...
Monday, 31 October 2016
Monday, 24 October 2016
EPL: CHELSEA HUMILIATE MANCHESTER UNITED ON MOURINHOS RETURN TO STAMFORD BRIDGE
Sunday, 28 August 2016
CHELSEA: CHELSEA ARE ON FORM AS THEY PUT 3 PAST BURNLEY
Chelsea beat Burnley 3-0 thanks to Eden Hazard, Willian and Nigerian international Victor Moses...Eden had an early on the 9th minute followed by Willian 4`1 minutes into the game...Moses had a late one on the 89th minute...The best goal came from Eden Hazard whereby he drove the ball from the half all the way to the goal striking on the lower corner side...
Chelsea now lead the table with 9 points ahead of Manchester United by goals scored.
Tuesday, 16 August 2016
EPL: CHELSEA WAIFUNGA WEST HAM MWISHONI KABISA
Chelsea imefanikiwa kushinda mechi ya kwanza ya msimu kwa kuwachapa West Ham Unites 2-1...Antonio Conte amepata ushinda wake wa kwanza kwa kushangilia sana na mashabiki wake...Diego Costa ndio aliyeinua mashabiki kwenye viti mwishoni kabisa dakika ya 89 na kuipa ushindi Chelsea...
Bao la kwanza lilitoka kwa Hazard kwenye tuta dakika ya 47 na West Ham wakasawazisha kipindi hicho cha 2 dakika ya 77 kupitia Collins...Bofya hapa upate habari zaidi.
Tuesday, 28 June 2016
EURO 2016: EDEN HAZARD AFUNGA BAO KALI SANA HUKU BELGIUM WAKIIRARUA HUNGARY
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