Belgium’s massive loss for Euro 2016 is most definitely Ireland’s gain

Vincent Kompany is out of Euro 2016.

The Belgium captain won't be travelling to France with his country after visiting a Barcelona-based specialist. The Man City defender limped out of his club's Champions League semi-final second leg in Madrid with a groin injury and is set to miss the rest of the season as well as the tournament in June. Kompany, 30, broke the news on his Facebook page on Saturday evening. With Jon Walters having played another 35 minutes during Stoke's loss to Crystal Palace on Saturday - the second game since his return from injury - Shane Long banging in the goals and Ireland's general problems in the treatement room beginning to clear up in time for Euro 2016, the news that Kompany is out for the whole tournament is a hammer blow for Belgium manager Marc Wilmots. Ireland face off with the Belgians in Bordeaux on June 18 for their second group clash and will be licking their lips ever so slightly at the prospect of a Kompany-shaped hole in the opposition rearguard. But, hey, it's not like they don't have any options. https://twitter.com/AlderweireldTob/status/728926525714771969