Hodgson backs England to improve

Coach Roy Hodgson felt England's 1-1 draw against group favourites France was a "good platform" on which to build at Euro 2012.

Both sides enjoyed periods of dominance in energy-sapping heat in Donetsk, with England taking the lead through Joleon Lescott before Samir Nasri equalised.

"This gives us a good platform," Hodgson said after the Group D opener.

"Hopefully we'll get fitter. The more we train and get matches under our belts the fitter we'll become."

He continued: "I have to be proud of their display. No player let us down. I was confident the players would not let us down."

Euro 2012: England players happy with France draw

Hodgson, who took charge of just his third England match and first competitive fixture, said he was pleased at how his side coped against a side unbeaten in two years.

"France are one of the favourites in the group," added the 64-year-old former West Brom manager.

"They'd gone 21 games unbeaten before today and people were tipping them to be potential winners of the tournament.

"We can't deny on paper they might be the hardest game, but I've got a lot of respect for Sweden and Ukraine.

"I've got to be very proud of that performance. Maybe that final ball needs to improve and we were maybe a bit anxious in the final third.

"But there were good signs of a team wanting to do well."

Hodgson also paid tribute to 18-year-old Arsenal winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who was the surprise selection in the starting XI.

"He did quite well, he was dangerous," added the England coach.

"He has to be happy with his performance, but it was a great team performance. Everyone did their best to keep us in the game.

"Two or three times he skipped past players.

"I said to him before the game that it's a big occasion, but there will be several more big occasions so don't get too hung up about this. Do what you do. There will be lots more games for him in an England shirt."

England face Sweden on Friday, before concluding their group campaign against co-hosts Ukraine next Tuesday.

Highlights: France 1-1 England

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Peliculas Online

Hodgson backs England to improve

Coach Roy Hodgson felt England's 1-1 draw against group favourites France was a "good platform" on which to build at Euro 2012.

Both sides enjoyed periods of dominance in energy-sapping heat in Donetsk, with England taking the lead through Joleon Lescott before Samir Nasri equalised.

"This gives us a good platform," Hodgson said after the Group D opener.

"Hopefully we'll get fitter. The more we train and get matches under our belts the fitter we'll become."

He continued: "I have to be proud of their display. No player let us down. I was confident the players would not let us down."

Euro 2012: England players happy with France draw

Hodgson, who took charge of just his third England match and first competitive fixture, said he was pleased at how his side coped against a side unbeaten in two years.

"France are one of the favourites in the group," added the 64-year-old former West Brom manager.

"They'd gone 21 games unbeaten before today and people were tipping them to be potential winners of the tournament.

"We can't deny on paper they might be the hardest game, but I've got a lot of respect for Sweden and Ukraine.

"I've got to be very proud of that performance. Maybe that final ball needs to improve and we were maybe a bit anxious in the final third.

"But there were good signs of a team wanting to do well."

Hodgson also paid tribute to 18-year-old Arsenal winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who was the surprise selection in the starting XI.

"He did quite well, he was dangerous," added the England coach.

"He has to be happy with his performance, but it was a great team performance. Everyone did their best to keep us in the game.

"Two or three times he skipped past players.

"I said to him before the game that it's a big occasion, but there will be several more big occasions so don't get too hung up about this. Do what you do. There will be lots more games for him in an England shirt."

England face Sweden on Friday, before concluding their group campaign against co-hosts Ukraine next Tuesday.

Highlights: France 1-1 England

View the original article here

Hodgson backs England to improve

Coach Roy Hodgson felt England's 1-1 draw against group favourites France was a "good platform" on which to build at Euro 2012.

Both sides enjoyed periods of dominance in energy-sapping heat in Donetsk, with England taking the lead through Joleon Lescott before Samir Nasri equalised.

"This gives us a good platform," Hodgson said after the Group D opener.

"Hopefully we'll get fitter. The more we train and get matches under our belts the fitter we'll become."

He continued: "I have to be proud of their display. No player let us down. I was confident the players would not let us down."

Euro 2012: England players happy with France draw

Hodgson, who took charge of just his third England match and first competitive fixture, said he was pleased at how his side coped against a side unbeaten in two years.

"France are one of the favourites in the group," added the 64-year-old former West Brom manager.

"They'd gone 21 games unbeaten before today and people were tipping them to be potential winners of the tournament.

"We can't deny on paper they might be the hardest game, but I've got a lot of respect for Sweden and Ukraine.

"I've got to be very proud of that performance. Maybe that final ball needs to improve and we were maybe a bit anxious in the final third.

"But there were good signs of a team wanting to do well."

Hodgson also paid tribute to 18-year-old Arsenal winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who was the surprise selection in the starting XI.

"He did quite well, he was dangerous," added the England coach.

"He has to be happy with his performance, but it was a great team performance. Everyone did their best to keep us in the game.

"Two or three times he skipped past players.

"I said to him before the game that it's a big occasion, but there will be several more big occasions so don't get too hung up about this. Do what you do. There will be lots more games for him in an England shirt."

England face Sweden on Friday, before concluding their group campaign against co-hosts Ukraine next Tuesday.

Highlights: France 1-1 England

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Peliculas Online

Gullit backs racism 'walk-offs'

Ruud Gullit played in the Netherlands, Italy and England

Ruud Gullit says Uefa should not punish players who leave the pitch in response to racist abuse at Euro 2012.

The former Netherlands captain accepts that the match officials should deal with any racist incidents that occur during the tournament.

But he says those affected should be allowed to make a personal stand on the issue if the officials fail to act.

"Players shouldn't just keep quiet and play on like in my day," he told the Daily Mail. 

Continue reading the main story

“When I played, I received racial abuse but I was just one of a few black players and we weren't backed up by the authorities”

Ruud Gullit Euro 1988-winning Dutch captain

Before the tournament, Uefa president Michel Platini said any players who unilaterally walk off the pitch at Euro 2012 due to racial abuse would be booked.

Italy forward Mario Balotelli said he would leave the field if he heard racist abuse coming from the stands, but Platini insisted that the match officials alone should be given the power to deal with the situation.

"It's a yellow card. It's not a player - Mr Balotelli - who's in charge of refereeing," he said.

A recent BBC Panorama programme highlighted the problems of racism and anti-semitism in host nations Poland and Ukraine and the Dutch team were subjected to monkey noises at an open training session in Krakow on Wednesday.

"If a player is racially insulted, he should have the right to leave the field," Gullit said.

"I would like to think we can trust referees to take everyone off but, if the officials are not supporting the players correctly, then the individual should act. The message this would send out: 'we will not tolerate this abuse'."

The Euro 1988-winning captain said that he felt unable to openly protest against racism during his 19-year playing career. Gullit's club career included spells in Netherlands, Italy and England before his retirement in 1998.

"When I played, I received racial abuse but I was just one of a few black players and we weren't backed up by the authorities," he said.

"I used to ignore the abuse and felt powerless to change attitudes. My only weapon was my performances on the pitch.

"We are beyond that now though. We just have to hope that racism doesn't haunt this tournament but that, if it does, the response is strong. The players need the support of Uefa and the football authorities need the support of the police."

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