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Thursday Kickoff: French tensions rise at Euro, Green signs with QPR & more

France (Reuters)

By THOMAS FLOYD

France at Euro 2012 has already done what the 2010 World Cup team could not — advance out of the group stage — but the inner turmoil that plagued the squad in South Africa has creeped up once more.

Assistant coach Alain Boghossian, a member of the 2010 World Cup staff for France, said during a Thursday press conference that tensions did rise in the French locker room after a 2-0 loss to Sweden on Tuesday. But he said the outburst was a necessary development for the team ahead of its quarterfinal Saturday against Spain.

"There were quarrels, well, let's say exchanges, but it's normal in a dressing room," he said, according to The Guardian. "It would have been worse if nothing had happened. It's like in a couple, if you sweep the problems under the rug, at some point, it will explode."

Boghossian also denied reports that midfielder Samir Nasri has become an outcast from the squad, adding, "He is strong enough mentally to cope with the critics."

Here are some more items to kick off your Thursday:

GREEN SIGNS WITH QUEENS PARK RANGERS

England goalkeeper Robert Green, who is currently backing up Joe Hart at Euro 2012, has signed with Queens Park Rangers on a two-year deal. Green, who has 12 caps, has spent the past six seasons with West Ham but decided not to stay on for the club's return to the Premier League.

"Rob's got all the characteristics of a top keeper and he'll be a huge addition for us who will stimulate the goalkeeping group, which can only be good for the squad as a whole," QPR manager Mark Hughes said.

CORINTHIANS REACHES COPA LIBERTADORES FINAL

Corinthians advanced to the Copa Libertadores final for the first time Wednesday, claiming a 2-1 aggregate win over defending champion Santos after a 1-1 draw in the second leg.

Neymar scored the aggregate equalizer in the 36th minute for Santos, but Corinthians bagged the winner when Danilo finished in the 48th minute. Corinthians will either face Boca Juniors or Universidad de Chile in the final. The two sides play in Chile on Thursday after Boca Juniors won the first leg 2-0 last week.

MEXICO ANNOUNCES OLYMPIC SQUAD

Tottenham midfielder Giovani Dos Santos will be leading the way at London this summer for Mexico's Olympic squad, which was announced Thursday. As expected, Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez, 24, was not one of Mexico's overage players after an agreement was reached between the club and federation.

Here is Mexico's 18-man roster:

José de Jesús Corona (Cruz Azul), Israel Jiménez Nañez (UANL), Carlos Arnoldo Salcido Flores (UANL), Hiram Ricardo Mier Alanis (Monterrey), Darvin Francisco Chávez Ramírez (Monterrey), Héctor Miguel Herrera López (Pachuca), Javier Cortés Granados (UNAM), Marco Jhonfai Fabián de la Mora (Chivas), Oribe Peralta Morones (Santos Laguna), Giovani Dos Santos Ramírez (Tottenham), Javier Ignacio Aquino Carmona (Cruz Azul), José Antonio Rodríguez Romero (Chivas), Diego Antonio Reyes Rosales (América), Jorge Enríquez García (Chivas), Néstor Vicente Vidrio Serrano (Pachuca), Miguel Ángel Ponce Briseño (Chivas), Néstor Alejandro Araujo Razo (Cruz Azul), Raúl Alonso Jiménez Rodríguez (América)

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Are you surprised to hear tensions have again risen in the French locker room? Is Green a good acquisition for QPR? Will Corininthians end up claiming the Copa Libertadores title?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. What’s the deal with Mexico and Chicharito? They “reached an agreement” with Man U. What does that mean? He doesn’t even start regularly for the club. Why not let the guy play for his country?

    Reply
  2. Now that Anelka has some coaching experience in China he is clearly the man for the French head coaching job. If Maradona can lead his national team why can’t Nicolas get a shot? That would be some serious drama…

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  3. It will also be hard for keepers at QPR to follow in the footsteps of the legendary Matt Pickens but at least Robert Green was free 🙂 Paddy Kenny wants to leave so they needed someone. Another underwhelming move by a supposedly ambitious club.

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  4. Gee, a team gets tense and snappy after a loss. Who’d of thought? Complete non-story. 99.9% of the time this sort of thing doesn’t carry over.

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  5. An assistant coach making statements like these to the press: probably not the best approach when it comes to team unity. This can come across as undermining the head coach and creating mistrust inside the locker room.

    Alain “stir the pot” Boghossian… when will you learn?

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  6. Congrats to Corinthians! Major accomplishment for them to vanquish Santos. Corinthians vs. Boca Juniors should be a great final. Classic Brazil vs. Argentina rivalry once again (assuming Boca doesn’t blow their lead against U de Chile).

    Reply

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