ENGLAND are counting down to their first major tournament final in 55 years as they look to win Euro 2020.
Gareth Southgate’s players have been enjoying some time on their unicorn inflatables before getting down to the serious business of plotting Italy’s downfall in the final.
The Three Lions beat Denmark 2-1 AET at Wembley to seal a spot in Sunday’s showpiece final against Italy.
Harry Kane’s 105th-minute winner was enough for Gareth Southgate and his side to see their tough clash with the Danes through.
The Azzurri reached the final with a win over Spain on penalties.
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YOU CAN CRUISE TO VICTORY
Tom Cruise boosted England’s bid to be Europe’s Top Guns with a good luck call.
Captain Harry Kane revealed the Three Lions squad took a FaceTime call from the Hollywood legend.
They were also treated to an exclusive pre-screening of his new film.
And Kane believes beating Italy in Sunday’s European Championship Final is very much a case of Mission: Possible.
The Three Lions skipper fired his country to the final with the winner against Denmark on Wednesday.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5Live, he said: “We actually had Tom Cruise get in touch yesterday evening, you get everyone who loves football.
“We were fortunate enough to watch one of his films so I think he was over here in the UK and he just dialled in and FaceTimed us just to wish us the best of a group so that was nice of him.
“The majority of people in the world love football, so it’s great to have all that support not just in England but across the world.
“It’s been a great time for all of us, we’ve enjoyed every moment of it so we’re just looking forward to hopefully finishing the job.”
COURT FINDS MARTIAL FLAW
Thibaut Courtois has brutally questioned whether Manchester United’s France frontman Anthony Martial is a true star.
Martial’s status was debated after ex-Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen mentioned the big names missing at Euro 2020.
Belgium team-mates Courtois and Vertonghen were asked to list the top players absent.
Courtois is clearly a hard man to please as the only player he mentioned was Sergio Ramos.
Speaking to Pickx Sports, Vertonghen suggested Martial which was questioned by the Real Madrid goalkeeper.
Courtois said: “Martial? Is he a star player?”
ROO’S THE DADDY?
ENGLAND and Italy fans have taken to social media to debate who was better out of Wayne Rooney and Francesco Totti.
Rooney is the Three Lions’ all-time top scorer with 53 goals and received the most England caps for an outfield player with 120.
At club level he won the Champions League trophy with Manchester United as well as five Premier League titles.
However, his failure to win anything with his country is not something that can be levelled at Totti.
Although the Roma legend only won one Serie A title with his boyhood club, he did lift the World Cup with Italy as a part of their superb 2006 squad.
And England and Italy fans – who will be on opposing sides on Sunday when their two nations meet in the Euro 2020 final – came out in force to argue the cases for both men after Uefa tweeted asking who was the superior player.
One backer of Rooney said: “Totti was a fabulous player, capable of the truly incredible… but Rooney at his best was a monster.
“Totti managed by Sir Alex Ferguson might have been something else, but I would go for Rooney.”
Another added: “It’s not even close! 5 league titles, four FA cups, and the UCL?!?! Vs someone with one one league title and got subbed off after 60’ in the WC final which his team barely beat 10 man France???”
WENGER SLAMMED OVER LIONS’ CONSPIRACY THEORY
UEFA chief Zvonimir Boban has slammed Arsene Wenger – and conspiracy theorists who claim England’s run to the final is a fix.
Former Arsenal boss Wenger, now Fifa’s head of global football development, criticised the decision to award – and then not overturn – the extra-time penalty from which Harry Kane scored to win the semi-final against Denmark.
Former Croatia and AC Milan legend Boban, Uefa’s head of football, said of Wenger: “As a Fifa director, he commented on a penalty in the Uefa European Championship: it was inelegant and inconceivable.
“It was a dubious decision, it cannot be denied, but not a scandal as the professional howlers say.
“It’s a shame that a shadow has fallen on such a moment and that some are questioning a European Championship in which the refereeing has been fantastic.”
Boban has even less time for those in Spain and Italy who claim Uefa have given England an easy ride as a thank you for the British Government’s crucial support against the plans for a breakaway European Super League.
Credit: beIN SPORTS FODEN OUT OF LAST TRAINING SESSION
England trained for the last time before their European Championship final – but Phil Foden sat out.
Gareth Southgate’s heroic Three Lions will take home advantage into tomorrow’s Euros showpiece against Italy at Wembley.
The squad completed their final training session, but according to Sky Sports, Foden was sidelined due to a ‘minor precaution’.
But, the Manchester City forward and the other 25 players passed their Uefa mandated PCR coronavirus tests.
Foden, 21, started England’s opening two games in the delayed Euros, when they beat Croatia 1-0 but drew to Scotland.
He was then rested in the 2-0 victory over Czech Republic and replaced by Bukayo Saka, but has not returned to the starting XI since.Sans SerifSend
THREE LIONS TAMERS
Uefa have allegedly BANNED Baddiel & Skinner and the Lightning Seeds from singing Three Lions (It’s Coming Home) at Wembley ahead of England’s Euro 2020 final against Italy.
The footie anthem could finally be coming true if Gareth Southgate mastermind’s England’s first major tournament triumph since 1966.
But according to Frank Skinner, the idea of the players coming out to the big hit were vetoed by Uefa party poopers as it was deemed ‘unfair’ on Italy.
Speaking on Friday night’s The Last Leg Euros Special, Skinner said: “There was a suggestion that we sang it on the pitch before the final on Sunday, and Uefa said it was too partisan and not fair on the Italians to have that.”
The comedian went on to joke about double standards, pointing out what happened in the opening ceremony.
He said: “In the opening game, which was Italy against Turkey, Andrea Bocelli sang Nessun dorma before the game!”
David Baddiel and Frank Skinner were apparently thwarted in singing Three Lions BEST OF ENEMIES
EXCLUSIVE – Man Utd skipper Harry Maguire has forged an unlikely friendship with Italian captain Giorgio Chiellini.
The pair were both approached by Fifa president Gianni Infantino.
Infantino asked the pair about reforms Fifa are looking to push through for players throughout the world.
As captains of two of the world’s biggest clubs, Infantino wants to know their views on fixture congestion, player overload and the international calendar, but they are also having an input in other areas.
They include pensions and general player welfare for professionals at all levels.
While the contact with Infantino has been via email, both Maguire and Chiellini, 36, have been speaking to each other while also communicating via text.
EU MUST BE JOKING
Uefa chief Zvonimir Boban has slammed Arsene Wenger over comments made following England’s Euro 2020 win against Denmark.
Former Arsenal boss Wenger, now Fifa’s head of global football development, criticised the decision to award – and then not overturn – the extra-time penalty from which Harry Kane scored to win the semi-final against Denmark.
Former Croatia and AC Milan legend Boban, Uefa’s head of football, said of Wenger: “As a Fifa director, he commented on a penalty in the Uefa European Championship: it was inelegant and inconceivable.
“It was a dubious decision, it cannot be denied, but not a scandal as the professional howlers say.
“It’s a shame that a shadow has fallen on such a moment and that some are questioning a European Championship in which the refereeing has been fantastic.”
LIONS ROAR
England have scored some memorable goals at the Euros over years.
But which one is your favourite?
Take a look at some of the best strikes below.
FINAL BUZZ
England’s Euro 2020 final against Italy could come under attack by FLYING ANTS.
Sunday’s huge showdown at Wembley could provide a sting in the tail with a swarm of insects heading for the final after a radar showed millions of flying ants over London.
The Euro 2020 final falls within the mating season for the insects and it could spark a huge wave of flying ants at the historic game.
Adam Hart, professor of Science Communication at the University of Gloucestershire, told Sky News: “If conditions are right on Sunday there may be more than three lions on shirts at Wembley and all around the country.”
Sky News meteorologist Kirsty McCabe said: “Usually, signals from creatures like insects are filtered out by the Met Office’s network of weather radars.
“But on flying ant days, the swarms are so large they can dominate the signal.”
SANCTIONED
The FA have been slapped with a £25,000 fine for the number of disturbances that took place in England’s Euro 2020 semi-final win over Denmark – including the shining of a laser in Kasper Schmeichel’s eye.
England booked their place in the final of the Euros with a 2-1 victory over the Danes at Wembley.
But UEFA promptly opened disciplinary action against the FA for a number of incidents that took place before and during the match – including a fan shining a laser pointer in Schmeichel’s eye moments before Harry Kane’s spot-kick.
And European football’s governing body have subsequently hit the FA with a £25k penalty.
Fans’ deployment of flares before the match also played a part in Uefa’s decision to sanction the FA.
Before the match, a number of Three Lions supporters booed the Danish national anthem.
That resulted in the FA being charged with a ‘disturbance caused by its supporters during the national anthem.’
Kasper Schmeichel had a laser shone in his eye before Harry Kane’s penalty TRAINING DAY
England trained for the last time before their European Championship final – but Phil Foden sat out.
Gareth Southgate’s heroic Three Lions will take home advantage into tomorrow’s Euros showpiece against Italy at Wembley.
The squad completed their final training session, but according to Sky Sports, Foden was sidelined due to a ‘minor precaution’.
But, the Manchester City forward and the other 25 players passed their Uefa mandated PCR coronavirus tests.
Foden, 21, started England’s opening two games in the delayed Euros, when they beat Croatia 1-0 but drew to Scotland.
He was then rested in the 2-0 victory over Czech Republic and replaced by Bukayo Saka, but has not returned to the starting XI since.
England are preparing for their first final at a major tournament since 1966 NO REGRETS
An England fan who was sacked for pulling a sickie to go to the Euro 2020 semi-final against Denmark has insisted that she would “do it again”.
Nina Farooqi found herself in hot water after cameras caught her and her friend jumping and screaming after the ball hit the back of the net.
But she was brought back down to earth with a bump when her boss called her the morning after to fire her for pulling a sickie and going to the historic game.
Speaking to The Telegraph, Nina said: “We were all over the news, my face was on every television screen across the world – I had friends from Australia and America telling me they’d seen me.
“I was even on Stacey Dooley’s Instagram story. My phone blew up. The whole world had seen me celebrating. The rational part of me thought, ‘oh no, is this going to come back to haunt me?’
“There is a bit of regret, no one wants to get fired, but then also I would have hated the regret of missing out. I’d do it all over again.”
The office worker (right) had the time of her life at the game at Wembley RAHEEM THE DREAM
John Stones believes Manchester City pal Raheem Sterling should be named Euro 2020 player of the tournament.
Sterling scored two match-winning goals in the group stages before breaking the deadlock in the last-16 clash with Germany and later setting-up Harry Kane for his opener against Ukraine.
The ex-Liverpool attacker also won the controversial penalty that led to Kane eventually firing the Three Lions to a 2-1 victory over Denmark to set-up a crunch showdown with Italy.
Ahead of the final against the Azzurri tomorrow, defender Stones said: “I’ve said it all along but I’m a big fan of Raheem’s.
“I believe and I’d love to see him get player of the tournament. What he’s done for us and the unselfish part of his game goes unspoken about.
“But as players we see it. He’s been a great threat going forward with how direct he’s been in the games and it has been great playing with him.
“I’m sure he will be giving everything on Sunday, being that direct, and hopefully get another goal and see where it takes us.”
BON APPETIT
Italian centre-back Leonardo Bonucci has lauded the England squad ahead of the Euro 2020 final on Sunday.
He said: “England have a super defence, I already said this during the qualifying phase.
“They have an excellent midfield, and behind them are [Harry] Maguire and [John] Stones, who had great seasons at Manchester United and [Manchester] City.
“We will need to give great attention as a defence and show a lot of cunning to score in attack.”
SIR GARETH
Gareth Southgate is set for knighthood if England beat Italy in the European Championship final, reports say.
The Three Lions boss has led his squad to a World Cup last four in 2018 and now a Euros final in his first two tournaments as manager.
England play Italy in the final tomorrow at Wembley having beaten Denmark 2-1 after extra-time on Wednesday.
Southgate was awarded an OBE in 2019 after guiding the nation to a first semi-finals since his infamous penalty miss in 1996 against Germany.
And according to the Daily Mail, he has been informed that it is likely to be upgraded to a CBE no matter what the result.
But a knighthood is seen as inevitable if England beat Italy to lift their first major trophy since the 1966 World Cup, now 55 years ago.
England’s manager at the time Alf Ramsey was knighted in 1967 following the triumph and Southgate would be in line to achieve the same status.
It is unclear if all England’s players would be similarly honoured, as the Cabinet Office have shied away from rewarding entire teams in recent years.
Gareth Southgate is set for knighthood if England beat Italy in the Euros final FAMILY STATEMENT
Paul Mariner’s family have releases a statement revealing the ex-England striker has passed away following a short battle with brain cancer.
Read the full statement below.
EUR JOKING
More than 44 million people are expected to tune in to watch the Euro 2020 final – making it the most watched event in UK TV history.
England will face Italy in their biggest game in more than half a century on Sunday, with record-breaking viewing figures predicted to smash those for the 1966 World Cup final.
Millions will watch the game on TV, which is being shown both by the BBC and ITV, while others tune in on iPlayer and ITV Hub via phones, iPads and computers.
An additional two million – excluded from ratings – will watch in 35,000 pubs where beer chucking frenzy is expected to greet English goals.
Wednesday’s 2-1 semi-final triumph over Denmark was the most-watched football match ever on a single channel with figures of 27.6 million viewers on ITV.
But tomorrow’s final is poised to beat the 1966 World Cup Final (32.3million), Princess Diana’s funeral in 1997 (32.1million) and the Apollo 13 splashdown in 1970 (28.6 million).
It also smash Boris Johnson’s March 2020 lockdown broadcast (27.7 million) and the 2012 Olympics’ opening ceremony (26.9million).
RIP PAUL
Former England star Paul Mariner has tragically passed away at the age of 68.
He played for the likes of Arsenal, Ipswich and Plymouth during a 20-year player career.
Mariner was part of the Tractor Boys’ side that memorably won the FA Cup and Uefa Cup.
“An England statement read: “We’re sad to have learned that Paul Mariner, who made 35 appearances for the #ThreeLions, has passed away at the age of 68.
“Mariner represented England between 1977 and 1985, scoring 13 goals. Our thoughts and sympathies are with his family, friends and former clubs.”
PIZZA CAKE
England’s warriors Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips can win the midfield battle with Italy’s Marco Verratti and Jorginho.
That is Emmanuel Petit’s belief ahead of Sunday’s huge Euro 2020 final.
Former France and Arsenal midfield ace Petit told Paddy Power: “Central midfield is one of the keys to this game.
“Italy will want to get control of the ball in midfield with Verratti and Jorginho, and it will be very interesting to see how Rice and Phillips cope with that.
“Phillips and Rice have made a huge impression at the tournament, and I’m a huge fan of both players. They are warriors, and it’s a dream for their team-mates to play with that kind of player.
“If they show their intensity and fighting spirit, it will be difficult for Jorginho and Verratti.
“The Italians will want to focus on technique and play their football, but Phillips and Rice are physically strong and cover so much ground, trying to get the second ball or cutting out passes, putting pressure on the transition.”
Petit reckons Rice and Philips can control the midfield for England in their Euro 2020 final tie against ItalyCredit: Mark Pain / Premium Sport AISLE BE WATCHING
Tesco and Co-op stores across the country will be shutting up shop early on Sunday so workers can get home in time to watch England’s epic showdown against Italy as football fever grips the nation.
It comes amid hopes Boris Johnson will rubber-stamp plans for an extra bank holiday – should the Three Lions claim Euro 2020 victory.
The PM has ruled out springing a surprise Bank Holiday on employers this Monday, but with calls mounting for an extra summer bank holiday if England win so the nation can celebrate, No10 could sign off a day in August.
For now, however, it’s good news for some Tesco and Co-op staff who will be able to enjoy the 8pm clash at Wembley without having to keep one eye on the till as bosses have signed off plans to shut early.
England’s 1,600 Tesco Express stores will close at 7.45pm on Sunday, instead of midnight, while Co-op will shut its 2,034 food stores at the same time, Sky reports.
Co-op’s 24 hour petrol stations will also be out of bounds between 7.45pm and 11pm.
Chris Whitfield, Co-op’s chief operating officer, said: “We appreciate just how much this means to many of our store colleagues and we want them to be able to celebrate at home with their family and friends.”
Co-op and Tesco will close early on Sunday so their employees can watch England’s Euro 2020 final against ItalyCredit: Alamy
COME ON LADS!
Boris Johnson has decked out No10 with England flags ahead of the Euro 2020 final.
The Three Lions face Italy on Sunday night – and Brits are pushing for celebratory Bank Holiday if we win.
Photos from the PM’s home show St George’s flags draped across windows, with bunting hanging from lampposts and gates.
Boris seems to have come down with football fever – even showing off his own flag outside his front door.
He gave the camera a big thumbs up in preparation for the big game.
As well as the flags, he also managed to show the team his support with a small England pin on his suit.
Boris Johnson decked out No10 with England flags ahead of the Euro 2020 finalCredit: Alamy SLAM DONK
England’s Euro 2020 heroes have been branded “scared and “miserable” by Premier League flop Pierre van Hooijdonk.
The Three Lions face Italy at Wembley on Sunday after securing their first place in a major final since 1966 by beating Denmark 2-1 on Wednesday.
But former Nottingham Forest striker Van Hooijdonk criticised their style of play and rated their displays in the tournament so far as only “average”.
The ex-Holland star hit out after covering England’s Wembley victory for Dutch TV.
The 51-year-old said: “England truly play incredibly scared football. If that is what they do with the squad they have, I think it’s really miserable.
“If they want to win the final they have to pay heed to what we are now saying.
“They were really average in the group stages as well. OK, they scored a lot of goals against Ukraine.
“But I have definite favourites for the final in Italy, and I hope they can do it.
“I am so disappointed in what England have shown so far. With their squad they should be able to serve up something more attractive.”
Pierre van Hooijdonk says England looked frightened in the semi-final against Denmark after ‘average’ form before thatCredit: Alan MacGregor Ewing – The Sun Glasgow NORMAL BUNCH
Harry Kane has revealed that he and his England team-mates are just a bunch of normal guys with a dream of winning a trophy ahead of their Euro 2020 tie against Italy.
After the Tottenham ace fired the Three Lions into the finals with his penalty rebound in the semi’s over Denmark, he and the rest of the squad have started to visualise lifting the European trophy.
But before getting to this milestone in their careers, Kane says the England squad made up of regular guys.
Which is why they can connect with the fans on such a deep level.
He said to Sky Sports: “We see ourselves as just doing a job, playing football, representing each other across the country.
“It’s been great to be here and see the connections we’ve made with the fans and the togetherness that we’ve created.
“I think we’ve shown that we’re just normal lads. We wear the badge with pride, but we represent the country in a way that makes everyone else proud as well.”
Kane says the England squad are just a bunch of normal guysCredit: The Mega Agency VAR BE IT FROM ME
The VAR official who allowed England’s penalty against Denmark to be awarded is back on duty for the Euro 2020 final with Italy.
The Three Lions advanced to their first major tournament final since 1966 after Harry Kane’s extra-time winner sealed a 2-1 win over the Danes.
The England captain slotted home the rebound from close range after Kasper Schmeichel had initially saved his penalty.
The spot-kick itself drew controversy over the amount of contact involved from Joakim Maehle that saw Raheem Sterling hit the deck.
Yet VAR official Pol Van Boekel saw no reason to overturn Danny Makkelie’s on-field decision that England used to claim a historic win.
And the Dutchman will also be involved on Sunday for the final against Italy to assist German ref Bastian Dankert with the technology.
VAR official Pol Van Boekel who allowed England’s penalty against Denmark will be back on duty in the Euro 2020 finalCredit: Kenny Ramsay – The Sun Glasgow
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
