Dimi's France fall at the final hurdle
WHUFC.com
Dimitri Payet and France suffered Euro 2016 final heartbreak as Portugal ruined their Stade de France party in extra-time on Sunday.
Having won major tournaments on home turf in 1984 and 1998, France were bidding for a hat-trick of successes but were undone by a long-range strike from Portugal sub Eder in the second period of extra-time.
Payet, undoubtedly one of the star performers of the tournament, played 58 minutes before France boss Didier Deschamps opted to bring Kingsley Coman on in his place.
Neither Coman, nor his teammates, were able to force a breakthrough, although Pierre-Andre Gignac could not have come any closer than in added time at the end of the 90 when he struck the post.
Eder landed the decisive blow, allowing Cristiano Ronaldo, who departed the action in the first half injured, to lift the trophy.
Payet ends the tournament with three goals from his seven games, having left an indelible mark on the competition with his enterprising play for the hosts.
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From the Boardroom - David Gold
WHUFc.com
I am delighted that we were able to secure the long-term contracts of Michail Antonio and Aaron Cresswell and getting our best young players to pledge their long-term futures to the Club.
They are both proven at the highest level and could be England players in the near future.
I remember the Antonio deal very well and what a signing he has proved to be for us.
He worked so hard when he first arrived and had to be patient for his breakthrough into the team.
But when his chance came against Manchester United he took it and has never looked back.
I thought to myself we have got a player on our hands and he will be with us for many years to come.
I remember saying to him that his time would come and to score the winning goal against Tottenham will endear him to the fans forever!
We all remember his goal celebrations and that shows the character he has. We hope to see many more celebrations whether it be as a winger or an attacking right back.
He is always a threat and is capable of scoring the winning goal. Slaven has said to me that he is one of the best right backs in the country as he gives you that extra scoring option.
There are not many full-backs in the Premier League who can score the goals that Michail is capable of and that makes him an exceptional player.
I am sure a lot of clubs would love to have that option of seeing a full-back score the goals that Michail produced last season and it adds a new dimension to any team.
Aaron has also shown why he is rated one of the best young left backs in the top flight.
He has the qualities to play for England and it is easy to see why people are talking about him breaking into the squad.
He can score a great goal and is a great provider for our forward players. He showed that last season with some outstanding crosses which led to Andy Carroll getting on the scoresheet.
Andy must thrive when he sees Aaron deliver the ball into the box like that.
We are delighted that he has also secured his long-term future with the Club and we hope both players can enjoy a lot of success over that time.
I want to say a big thank-you to James Tomkins who left the Club to join Crystal Palace last week.
James spent nearly 20-years at West Ham United and is a classic story of a player joining the Club at a young age and going through the Academy to become a first-team player at the highest level.
He has been a great servant to West Ham and I am sure he will become a big favourite at Crystal Palace. He wants to be a first-team player and play every week.
Unfortunately he has not had for that a while and wanted a new challenge. I pay tribute to him and want to wish him the best of luck for the future.
I know the fans are keen to know which new players will be arriving at the Club this summer.
There is definitely a new signing who will be announced in the near future and I know there is one more who we will hopefully get over the line.
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Adrian - We have an exciting new season
WHUFc.com
Adrian can barely contain his excitement ahead of West Ham United's first season in the 60,000-capacity London Stadium.
The Spanish goalkeeper missed the final few fixtures of the Farewell Boleyn campaign through injury, but has returned for his fourth pre-season with the Club fit and ready to play his part in 2016/17.
The popular stopper has been working hard with goalkeeper coach Chris Woods and Swiss youngster Raphael Spiegel – Darren Randolph is on holiday after his Euro 2016 heroics with Ireland – and is set to play his second match of the pre-season when West Ham tackle the Carolina RailHawks on Tuesday evening.
"I feel so proud to be one of the more experienced players in the dressing room," he told West Ham TV. "This is now my fourth pre-season with West Ham United and I feel like an experienced player and I've been trying to help the new signings and to start working for the new exciting season.
"Of course we have a lot to look forward to. It was so hard to finish last season with a small injury because I like to play all the games, but it was a magnificent end to our history at Upton Park. Now we have an exciting new season in the London Stadium and everybody is waiting for the first game there."
Adrian has thoroughly enjoyed his time in the United States, including a week-long stay at the Seattle Seahawks' VMAC training complex, and a sightseeing visit that included the iconic Space Needle and Pike Place Market.
"It is a little bit different this pre-season because we have been to two cities," he continued. "I think we did well in Seattle, training in great facilities with the Seahawks with maximum power.
"We had a difficult result with the Sounders, but the most important thing is that the training was good for us and nobody got an injury and we are still getting fit."
The next few days will see the Hammers work in the hot and humid surroundings of North Carolina in conditions akin to Adrian's home city of Seville in southern Spain.
"It is difficult for me to say I am not adapted to this nice, hot climate because my last four seasons have been with West Ham, not in Seville, but it's similar to Spain!" he smiled. "We have to adapt to this climate to train and play our match on Tuesday."
In between training sessions, West Ham will take time out to watch Dimitri Payet play in the Euro 2016 final for France against Portugal on Sunday – and for Adrian, there can only be one winner.
"Of course we hope France get the Euro because everybody knows Dimi and we are happy for him also," he confirmed. "I think everybody who watched the last Premier League season knows Dimitri Payet and now the rest of the people know Dimi from the Euro.
"He is showing what a top player he is. He is a magnificent player and scored great goals and every time he has the ball at his feet, he is a problem for the other team."
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Hammers add Austria pre-season dates
WHUFC.com
Ahead of the upcoming 2016/17 season, the West Ham United first-team will travel to Austria for a pre-season training camp.
Currently enjoying a tour of the United States, the Hammers will play three friendlies against opposition from across Europe to help them prepare for what promises to be one of the most uniquely special seasons in the Club's history.
Up first, the Hammers face Czech First League side FC Slovacko on Tuesday 19 July, kick off 6pm in Rohrbach.
Hailing from the Uherské Hradiště region of the Czech Republic, FC Slovacko finished eighth last term and the Czech outfit will be doing all they can to prepare for a tough opening day fixture away at giants Sparta Prague.
The next day, Wednesday 20 July, the Hammers will then face Russian side Rubin Kazan, kick off 6pm in Krottendorf.
Having tasted success in 2012 by winning the Russian Cup, they finished 10th in the Russian Premier League.
Before attentions turn to the Europa League third qualifying round first leg on Thursday 28 July, the Hammers' final pre-season fixture of the tour is against Slaven Bilic's former side Karlsruher SC.
Prior to joining the Hammers in 1996, Bilic spent three years with the German outfit, captaining the side to the UEFA Cup semi-finals in his first season with the Club.
Based in southwest Germany, KSC, who are aiming for promotion, will be renewing their tensions with local rivals VfB Stuttgart following their relegation from the Bundesliga last term.
Kick off in Kapfenberg on Saturday 23 July is 5pm.
Ticket information will be available on whufc.com shortly.
As ever, extensive coverage of the Hammers' time in Austria will be available across whufc.com and Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Austria pre-season fixtures:
19 July v FC Slovacko, 18.00, Rohrbach
20 July v Rubin Kazan, 18.00, Krottendorf
23 July v Karlsruher SC, 17.00, Kapfenberg
*All times Central European Time (CET)
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Besiktas star walks out, Hammers alerted
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 10th July 2016
By: Staff Writer
West Ham transfer target Jose Sosa is set to be fined by his club for failing to attend training. According to local reports, the 31-year-old Argentine striker is in dispute with Besiktas after he refused to attend the last two training sessions. And that, it is believed, is due to the experienced goalscorer trying to force a move away from Turkey where the player is said to be concerned by the terrorist threat which has led to a string of bombings in the country in recent months.
West Ham were linked with a €9million move for Sosa at the end of May but have gone cold on the deal since. Although the Hammers appear to have lost interest in the player their only competition for his signature at present appears to be Sosa's former club Estudientes, who he began his pro career with before moving to Bayern Munich in 2007. However with the asking price likely to be beyond the Primera Division's budget, that could leave the path open for West Ham were they to consider making an offer for the experienced striker.
* In other transfer news, Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has refuted claims that Arsenal have made a concrete bid for Hammers transfer target Alexandre Lacazette - whilst insisting that he expects the playuer to remain at Lyon. "I saw Arsene during the France match and he has not told me," Aulas told L'Equipe. "It seems that Alex wants to stay with Lyon this season in the new stadium. He wants an adventure in the Champions League so I think he will stay with us. We are very happy."
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Cristiano Ronaldo's mum criticises Dimitri Payet for 'hurting' her son after Portugal captain is injured during Euro 2016 final
STANDARD SPORT 4 hours ago0 comments
Evening Standard
Cristiano Ronaldo's mother has appeared to criticise West Ham and France star Dimitri Payet following a strong challenge that resulted in the Portugal captain's Euro 2016 final being cut short by injury. Ronaldo was substituted after 25 minutes following a heavy challenge from West Ham and France star Dimitri Payet. The Real Madrid star received lengthy treatment on the pitch before departing for more medical attention, though found it impossible to carry on after struggling to get up to full speed on a counter-attack in the 23rd minute He tried to play on for two minutes, but had to leave the pitch in tears.
Tweeting after the incident his mother, Dolores, appeared to criticise the France and West Ham star.
"I cannot see my son in this way. The game is about kicking the ball, not hurting the opponent."
Payet was subsequently booed by the Portugal fans with almost every touch of the ball, before he was substituted by head coach Didier Deschamps in the second half.
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Monday, July 11
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