EURO 2020 is finally here!
Italy and Turkey got the party started in Rome, where the Azzurri were sublime as they cruised to a 3-0 win.
Wales are in action today against Switzerland, while England are preparing for a tough opening fixture against Croatia on Sunday.
Follow all of the latest news, build up and updates below…
DANNIT
Daniel James’ joy at the Wales equaliser past Switzerland was short lived after he was shocked to be substituted immediately afterwards.
Kieffer Moore headed the Dragons’ first goal of Euro 2020 to make it 1-1 in Baku on Saturday.
But manager Robert Page decided to go ahead with a change nonetheless, bringing on David Brooks for James.
The Manchester United winger had played a part in the build-up that won the corner and was heavily involved throughout his 74 minutes on the pitch.
And he certainly did not expect to come off, pointing at his shirt and appearing to ask ‘me?’ as he trudged off.
The evidently annoyed 23-year-old shook his head but also shook the hand of both his replacement and manager while departing.
MOORE REACTION
Wales striker Kieffer Moore has given his reaction to scoring the equaliser in his country’s 1-1 draw with Switzerland at Euro 2020.
The Cardiff City star told BBC Sport: “It’s great personally, we’d have liked to win but we’ll take a draw to put us in a good position.
“It’s never good going a goal down but to get one back and see the game out is a big positive for us.
“It’s tough out there, but it is what we expected, we’ve been here for a week now.
“Obviously this is a big occasion and I’ve loved every second of it.”
FULL-TIME
Wales’ Euro 2020 opener has ended in a 1-1 draw against Switzerland in Baku.
Breel Embolo opened the scoring early in the second half, before Kiefer Moore equalised with a clinical header for Wales.
And there was late drama after VAR cancelled out a volley from Mario Gavranovic for offside.
BALL BLOW
Euro 2020 fans were left bitterly disappointed after the remote control car used to bring the ball onto the pitch for the opening game of the tournament was ditched for Wales’ match against Switzerland.
Social media went into meltdown on Friday night before Italy’s game with Turkey after the match ball was brought onto the pitch in unique fashion.
The ball emerged onto the pitch and was driven to the referee in the centre circle by a remote control car made by tournament sponsors VW.
It was unclear whether this was set to be a recurring theme throughout the tournament.
But prior to Wales’ first match of the European Championships, supporters were left gutted as there was no sign of the mini VW remote car.
And Twitter predictably reacted with an outpouring of sadness as they realised the car would not be featuring ahead of the game in Baku.
One fan said: “I’m very disappointed the little car isn’t at all of the matches.”
Another added: “We didn’t get the car! Why didn’t we get the car? Everybody wanted the car. This tournament is now dead to me. Dead.”
And a third said: “What an outrage, no little car for the ball!”
GOLDEN GOALS
Pubs are cashing in on Covid by charging punters up to £400 to reserve a table to watch England’s opening Euro 2020 match against Croatia.
Boozers are demanding extortionate prices as footie fans struggle to find anywhere to watch the game.
The Three Lions will take on Croatia at Wembley in their opening game of the tournament at 2pm tomorrow, with over five million Brits expected to watch the game in a pub.
The Players Lounge in Billericay, Essex, was charging £120 a seat in its “VIP” area – meaning a group of six friends would need to stump up over £700 to watch the game.
And in Manchester, seats at the Barca bar were going for £60, according to The Times.
Meanwhile in London, the Oval fan park was charging £135 for a table of six – though fans will be hosted by ex-England striker Tony Cottee.
KICK-OFF
Wales’ Euro 2020 opener against Switzerland is underway.
Click HERE to follow the action with the SunSport LIVE blog.
BLUE BLOOD
Man Utd summer target Jadon Sancho has admitted that grew up a Chelsea fan.
The Borussia Dortmund and England ace also revealed that he idolised Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba growing up.
Speaking to talkSPORT, Camberwell-born Sancho said: “I was a Chelsea fan growing up, I can’t lie.
“Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard were my favourite players at the time.
“I just love Frank Lampard and how he played his game; he was so direct and so composed on the ball.
“I like things like that.”
DRESSED FOR SUCCESS
Gareth Southgate’s England troops were fully suited and booted for their final Euro 2020 photoshoot.
The Three Lions will kick off their campaign at Wembley on Sunday afternoon, locking horns with Croatia in front of 22,500 fans.
And the players will be decked out in Marks and Spencer’s finest suits before they make their way to the pitch.
Snaps of the team’s final pre-tournament photoshoot at St. George’s Park were released this weekend.
The players looked sharp in their navy suits, which were accompanied by white shirts and brown shoes.
A nice navy tie – which featured red and white stripes – completed the dashing get-up.
Gareth Southgate’s squad for Euro 2020 pose for a group photo CRO-CIAL KNOWLEDGE
An England fan flew a banner over their training base with tactical advice warning most Croatia goals ‘come down the left’.
Gareth Southgate’s side kick off their Euros campaign against Croatia at Wembley tomorrow afternoon.
And just a day before tournament opener, Southgate and the squad were given a helping hand from outside the camp.
A banner flying over St George’s Park read ‘most #Cro goals come down left’.
An England fan flew a banner over their training base with tactical advice
RIGHT ON GVARD
Croatia star Josko Gvardiol is desperate to down England at Wembley – to help secure himself a dream Premier League move.
Gvardiol, 19, made his debut in the friendly defeat to Belgium last week but already has experience of upsetting the English.
He joined RB Leipzig last summer from Dinamo Zagreb but remained on-loan with his hometown club and helped knock Harry Kane and Tottenham out of the Europa League in March.
Leeds United were keen on bringing the versatile ace, who can play either centre-half or left-back, to the Prem a year ago, but it is another English club he is desperate to play for.
Gvardiol told 24hr Sata: “From a young age, I watched Liverpool games with my dad and I grew up with just them.
“When I took football more seriously, I started following them, and I definitely want the Premier League and Liverpool move one day.”
RUN FOR KOVA
Chelsea and Croatia ace Mateo Kovacic believes the midfield battle will be key during their clash against England on Sunday.
He said: “I see the midfield as the main topic here. England are very good in terms of attacking, as are we, so it’s two pretty big teams and it’s gonna be a tough team in terms of the midfield.
“They have an excellent midfield. [Mason] Mount is in excellent form. [Declan] Rice as well in West Ham, and [Jordan] Henderson. They have a lot of quality there but so have we – we have excellence there.
“So it’s going to be a tough match, a lot of fights in the midfield, but we’re ready for that. We all know what kind of match we have ahead of us.
“We’re preparing and we are for every match and we’re going to do our best and give our all.”
BEHIND THE SCENES
Take a look at what happens behind closed doors at St George’s Park.
GROAN GOAL
Can England go all the way without going all the way?
The Three Lions’ WAGs and families are banned from the team hotel for the Euros due to Covid-19 squad bubbles.
Boss Gareth Southgate hopes players can have a ‘little bit of home time’ but it still exposes the question of whether abstaining from sex is good or bad for sportspeople before games.
In other words, would England be better off as the Sex–Free Lions?
Or would Southgate’s up-and-coming players have more chance of putting to bed 55 years without a major trophy if private cuddles were added to public huddles?
Scientific evidence suggests sex is no physical impairment for sporting performance soon afterwards – and in fact could be beneficial.
Read more HERE.
NOT FINE
England fans could be fined £1,000 for flying an England flag from their cars during Euro 2020.
While there is no offence for driving with a flag attached to your car, large ones could break road regulations, WalesOnline reports.
Regulation 30 of The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 states motorists must have a full view of the road and traffic ahead.
Driving with any kind of obstruction on your car windows or windscreens can limit your field of vision, potentially reducing reaction time and even contributing to an accident.
The practice can also impact your insurance if you’re involved in an accident.
Insurers aren’t likely to cover any damage or injuries sustained in a crash if your vision is impacted by decorations.
This means large flags which could hamper drivers’ views would break the rules – and drivers of cars or small vans slapped with a £1,000 fine.
STROKE OF LUK
Mason Mount went to England’s last major tournament as a starstruck fan.
Tomorrow the Champions League-winning Chelsea midfielder will line up against childhood idol Luka Modric as an equal — after the Croatia legend asked HIM to complete a shirt swap.
Mount and fellow young England prospects Phil Foden and Ryan Sessegnon were whisked off to Russia by sponsors to take in a Three Lions group game and experience everything that surrounds a World Cup.
Mount, now 22, said: “The Russia trip, I look back at the pictures now and we all look so young.
“I was very lucky enough to watch one of the group games. So even to be around it and witness that atmosphere of a major tournament, I remember that very vividly.
“I remember walking around the TV set and we did a little interview with Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker and we actually stumbled across Cesc Fabregas and had a little chat.”
Read more HERE.
LION IN BED
There’s just one thing Mason Mount doesn’t enjoy about being at a major tournament with best friend Declan Rice – the early morning wake-up call.
Mount and West Ham star Rice, mates since they were at the Chelsea Academy together, have rooms next to each other at England’s St George’s Park headquarters.
Mount said: “He is there next door and every time he wakes up, he wakes up earlier than me and he tries to knock on my door and wake me up to go to breakfast every morning.
“I might have to move a couple of doors down so I’m not right next to him.
“To have my best mate with me and to go through this experience with him and obviously all of the other boys as well, it means a lot.
“It’s something that is very special to us and that we’ll remember for a long time.”
Mason Mount and Declan Rice have rooms next to each other at Englandâs HQ THIS IS EUR MOMENT
SOL CAMPBELL EXCLUSIVE – I’ve never felt more cheated than after my last England game at a Euros.
That’s why I urge Gareth Southgate’s squad to be themselves and leave nothing behind — because they may never be in this position again.
Having my extra-time winner against Portugal in Lisbon in 2004 wrongly disallowed was the most frustrating moment of my career.
It was the second time it had happened to me, after the game against Argentina at the 1998 World Cup.
In Saint-Etienne the referee said there was a foul by Alan Shearer before I headed it in.
Having my extra-time winner against Portugal in Lisbon in 2004 wrongly disallowed was the most frustrating moment of my career.
Read more from the Arsenal legend by clicking HERE.
EURO 2020 ROUND-UP
Wales are first off for Britain today in the Euros – after Italy launched the tournament with an impressive 3-0 tonking of Turkey.
After Gareth Bale and Co’s 2pm clash with Switzerland, Denmark play rank outsiders Finland at 5pm and Belgium meet Russia at 8.
Meanwhile, England boss Gareth Southgate goes into Sunday’s crunch with Croatia knowing his job is 100 per cent safe — until after the 2022 World Cup.
Southgate faces a huge selection headache due to his ample attacking alternatives and more dubious defensive options.
But former Three Lions’ striker Emile Heskey believes Southgate should axe one of this season’s outstanding creative trio Jack Grealish, Phil Foden and Mason Mount.
Ex-Liverpool star Heskey reckons England would benefit from an extra runner or two like Raheem Sterling or Marcus Rashford – rather than picking what might be considered their most exciting XI.
Scotland will take a knee with the Three Lions – but will stand against racism in their home group matches.
Steve Clarke’s side host the Czech Republic on Monday and visit England next Friday, before Croatia come to Hampden for Scotland’s Group D finale on 22 June.
Finally, France are now 9/2 tournament favourites, with the Three Lions dropping to second tips on 11/2.
WEMBLEY WIN FOR WAGs
ENGLAND’S team of wives and girlfriends will roar on the Three Lions at Wembley after getting the Covid all-clear.
They were each screened for the virus 48 hours ahead of tomorrow’s 2pm kick-off against Croatia by medical staff from the players’ Premier League clubs.
They include Harry Kane’s missus Katie Goodland, Jordan Pickford’s wife Megan Davison and Harry Maguire’s fiancee Fern Hawkins, along with Kyle Walker’s fiancee Annie Kilner.
The women will meet at a secret location for lunch before the group opener and will also be joined by family members.
The party will then be driven to Wembley by coach to take their seats.
The Football Association will have player liaison officials on hand to guide the group.
Strict protocols are being employed to observe ongoing Covid restrictions.
AXE ONE OF GREALISH, FODEN OR MOUNT
EXCLUSIVE: Emile Heskey always put the team ahead of individual glory and believes Gareth Southgate must bench one of his big stars for the same reason.
Fans and pundits have been calling on the England manager to start Jack Grealish, Phil Foden and Mason Mount at the Euros this summer.
But ex-Three Lions hitman Heskey insists it is about picking the best XI rather than the best individuals.
That means dropping one of the trio for runners like Raheem Sterling or Marcus Rashford.
POGBA NOW SHINING
EXCLUSIVE: Christian Karambeu says Manchester United are now starting to see the ‘France Paul Pogba’.
The leader, superstar and midfield general.
1998 World Cup winner Karembeu understands there have been detractors that feel Pogba’s outings at club level are a far cry from those on the international scene.
He heroically helped lead France to glorious victory at Russia 2018. Videos showed Pogba’s rousing team talks and his displays on the field matched it.
Olympiakos sporting director Karembeu said: “With France he takes responsibility on the pitch, he is a leader and the manager has faith in him. As a result, he shines.
“Unfortunately at Manchester United he was injured a lot and often had relapses.
“It hasn’t been easy for Paul to accept criticism – but he is an intelligent person and bounced back very quickly.”
SOUTHGATE SAFE UNTIL 2022
Gareth Southgate goes into tomorrow’s Euro 2020 opener knowing his job is 100 per cent safe — until after the World Cup.
The England boss, fine-tuning his preparations for the Croatia crunch, has the full backing of the FA.
And even if the Three Lions have a disastrous tournament, he will remain in charge for Qatar 2022.
FA chiefs are fully committed to Southgate, who has impressed with his work on and off the pitch since taking over in 2016.
Southgate, whose contract runs until the end of the 2022 World Cup, has struggled with injuries and player availability in the build-up to the Wembley opener.
But the Three Lions chief last night issued a rallying cry to his players as he insisted they can handle the big-game pressure.
Southgate, 50, said: “We have to show that. Some of our youngest players have got experience of big games and tournaments are about hitting form at the right time.
“We have to bring everything over the next four weeks.”
F/T: TURKEY 0 ITALY 3
Merih Demiral’s 53rd-minute own goal, Ciro Immobile’s fierce finish and Lorenzo Insigne poached strike earned Italy’s highly-impressive victory in the Euro 2020 opener.
Click on our live blog HERE for reaction from Rome
THE MINI CAR’S THE EURO STAR
EURO 2020 finally got under way in bizarre fashion – with the matchball arriving by a remote control car.
After a 12 month delay, the European Championship kicked off tonight as Turkey took on Italy.
Fans were left in stitches after the matchball was delivered onto the pitch by a remote control car After a stunning opening ceremony, the whole of Europe was desperate to see the tournament kick off after a year’s delay they were then forced to wait as the mini motor made its way to the centre circle.
And Twitter soon went into meltdown just seconds before the match action got started.
The respective captains had taken part in the coin toss with the referee in the centre circle they were forced to wait for the matchball to be delivered.
And it was brought onto the field in quite the unique fashion – via remote control car made by tournament sponsors VW.
As expected, the moment was not missed by those watching from home, and viewers instantly took to Twitter to react in disbelief at what they had just seen – although not everybody hated it.
LATEST: TURKEY 0 ITALY 3
Ciro Immobile pounced on a loose ball after 66 minutes and Lorenzo Insigne thumped home 13 minutes later as Italy dominated with a triple burst.
Click on our live blog HERE for this Euro 2020 opener in Rome.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
