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.
Meanwhile Denmark and Romania are set to announce an increase in the number of fans that can attend their Euro 2020 games – to 65 and 50 per cent respectively.
And we’ve got the very latest on star defender Harry Maguire’s injury comeback for the Three Lions.
Follow all of the latest news, build up and updates below…
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.
LATEST: TURKEY 0 ITALY 1
Merih Demiral’s 53rd-minute own goal deservedly put the Azzurri in front.
Dangerman Domenico Berardi’s raking cross was deflected in by Demiral ahead of Italy striker Ciro Immobile.
EURO 2020 LATEST: HT – TURKEY 0 ITALY 0
The Azzurri passed the ball around neatly and certainly had plenty of the ball in a goalless first half – but lacked a sharp edge in the final third of the pitch.
Click on our live blog HERE for this Euro 2020 opener in Rome.
Dortmund burst Utd Ballon
Borussia Dortmund have reportedly rejected Manchester United’s proposed Ballon d’Or clause in any deal for Jadon Sancho.
SunSport revealed this week that the Red Devils have agreed personal terms with the England winger, worth £350,000-a-week over five years.
Borussia Dortmund are insisting United increase their offer of £61million to £78m, with a further £10m in add-ons, but this is expected to happen.
United expect the deal to go through smoothly after a summer of wrangling last year when they refused to meet the German club’s £110m price.
According to the Athletic, the last part of the transfer is largely down to bonuses with Dortmund keen on realistically achievable add-ons.
The Bundesliga giants are said to be seeking instalments that are based on club income via team success rather than individual awards.
That has caused Dortmund to reject United’s Ballon d’Or clause that would have been triggered if Sancho finished in the top three in the annual gong.
‘GUNNERS AND UTD IN FOR TRIPPIER’
Manchester United are trying to seal a cheap transfer for Kieran Trippier – but reportedly had a £10million opening bid rejected.
Trippier played 35 times last season for Atletico, including 28 in the league as Diego Simeone’s side won LaLiga
It is understood the ex-Spurs man, originally from Bury, is keen on the move to Old Trafford and is even looking at houses in the area.
But according to Mundo Deportivo, their first offer was a paltry £10m – half the price Atletico Madrid paid for him two years ago.
The Spanish giants immediately turned it down.
And the report adds Atleti have told United they must stump up his £35m release clause to have any chance of signing Trippier, who is also a target for Arsenal.
JOS GLOSS CAN EARN PREM MOVE
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 is hoping to earn his second international cap in his nation’s Euro 2020 opener on Sunday.
And he wants to catch the eye of Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool while taming the Three Lions.
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.”
BIG QUEUE FOR THE LEW?
Bayern Munich star Robert Lewandowski is open to leaving the German champions in the summer transfer window, reports suggest.
Lewandowski has spent seven glittering years at Bayern where he has won a whopping seven consecutive Bundesliga titles as well as the 2020 Champions League trophy.
According to AS, however, the star striker is open to a “changing of scene and facing new challenges” after Euro 2020, where he will be representing Poland.
The 32-year-old also believes this is the “perfect time to get to know another culture and another league “.
If Lewandowski does decide to leave Munich then he would attract plenty of offers as he is already targeted by Premier League teams.
Manchester United are looking for a centre-forward, even though Edinson Cavani signed a contract extension recently. Premier League champions City are also searching for someone to replace record goalscorer Sergio Aguero, who recently signed for Barcelona.
Chelsea are on the lookout for a striker as well after winning the Champions League with Timo Werner failing to convince in his maiden season at Stamford Bridge.
MOUNT PEAK WAS MODRIC REQUEST
Mason Mount has revealed he was left stunned after Luka Modric asked for his his shirt.
Mount came up against one of his heroes during Chelsea’s Champions League win over Real Madrid.
Mason Mount came up against hero Luka Modric in the Champions League Mount said: “I always looked up to him as a player in the Premier League at Tottenham.
“It was weird playing against him because I watched him so much, I knew his moves and what he was going to do.”
Chelsea and England star Mount has long been an admirer of Croatia playmaker Modric.
Speaking earlier in his career when asked about his footballing heroes, Mount said: “When I was younger and watching the Premier League, Modric at Tottenham, I always loved the way he played and he was always a massive player for Tottenham, so I watched him a lot.”
SANCHO SET FOR 2ND PLACE IN UTD PAY LIST
Manchester United are set to make Jadon Sancho their second highest earner after agreeing personal terms on a £91million contract.
SunSport revealed this week that the Red Devils have struck a deal with the England winger, worth £350,000-a-week over five years.
Borussia Dortmund are insisting United increase their offer of £61million to £78m, with a further £10m in add-ons, but this is expected to happen.
United expect the deal to go through smoothly after a summer of wrangling last year when they refused to meet the German club’s £110m price.
And Sancho, who will seal a return to Manchester after the Euros, will slot in behind David de Gea in the club’s wage list.
The Spaniard continues to top the list, raking in £375,000 per week – totalling £19.5million a year.
Sancho’s arrival means that 14 first-team players will earn £100,000 or more per week, with Paul Pogba (£290k), Anthony Martial (£250k), and Marcus Rashford (£200k) all earning £200,000 or more weekly.
That number will rise to 15 should Juan Mata agree another contract to extend his stay at Old Trafford.
VARANE’S YOURS FOR £52m
Real Madrid are ‘willing to sell Raphael Varane for around £52million’ to Manchester United this summer.
The defender, who is currently with the French squad preparing for Euro 2020, is about to enter the final 12 months of his contract.
Varane, 28, has enjoyed a glittering decade at the Bernabeu but he has so far failed to show a strong desire to sign an extension.
A host of clubs have been linked with the ace, including the Red Devils and Premier League rivals Chelsea.
And Spanish show El Partidazo de COPE report that Real would be willing to listen to offers for Varane now and have set their asking price rather than risk losing him for nothing in 2022.
United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who is closing in on the signing of England winger Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund, is also determined to land a centre-half over the close-season.
And Varane is believed to be his No1 target to partner captain Harry Maguire at the back next term.
RON NUMBERS ARE SO RIGHT
Jose Mourinho believes records and numbers remain Cristiano Ronaldo’s biggest motivation.
Despite Juventus’ underwhelming campaign, the Portuguese superstar and ex-Manchester United frontman still ended the season with 36 goals in all competitions.
Ronaldo, 36, also added to his remarkable trophy haul with the Coppa Italia – making it a career total of 34.
And that’s the reason why the ex-Real Madrid ace continues to perform at a staggering ability despite his age, according to ex-Chelsea and United boss Mourinho.
The SunSport columnist told talkSPORT: “Everybody says the same, and I say it too, he’s not 25 anymore he’s 35 (sic).
“He doesn’t score 50 goals but how many did he score? 35? The numbers speak for themselves. I think the records (drive him on).
“He’s a legend, he’s one of the names that will stay in footballing history.
“He motivates himself with numbers, he wants to win the Ballon d’Or X times, the Golden Boot X times. “He wants to play the next World Cup.”
FRANCE REPLACE ENGLAND AS TOURNAMENT FAVOURITES
England have dropped to second favourites with the bookmakers for Euros 2020.
Having been the most fancied side over the last few weeks in the build up, France have now been slashed to 9/2 with England drifting to 11/2.
England were priced at 5/1 to bring football home this summer with Betfair, and have since moved from 4/1 to 9/2 but are now out slightly at 11/2.
France, who were originally favourites are priced at 5/1 now, have been cut again to 9/2.
Belgium and Italy are next in the betting list at 13/2 and 15/2.
Spain are also 15/2 with Germany now 8/1 and Portugal 17/2.
SCOTS TO TAKE KNEE WITH ENGLAND
Scotland will take a knee with England in the all-British Euro 2020 clash 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.
Clarke: “Our position was – and remains – that the focus must be on meaningful change to fight discrimination in football and wider society.
“I am aware that some individuals and groups have sought to politicise or misrepresent the Scotland national team position on taking a stand against racism and all forms of discriminatory behaviour in our Uefa Euro 2020 matches and, in particular, for our visit to Wembley.
“For the avoidance of doubt: me, my coaching staff, my players and my backroom team take a stand against racism and all forms of unacceptable and discriminatory behaviour across society.
“We will continue to take a stand – together, as one – for our matches at Hampden Park. For our match at Wembley, we will stand against racism and kneel against ignorance.”
LAST-GASP LIONS
Gareth Southgate can change his final 26-man Euro 2020 squad right up until the first game against Croatia.
That could mean a reprieve for the stars who have missed out such as James Ward-Prowse and Jesse Lingard.
Bosses had to submit their full selections by June 1.
However, Uefa rules permit unlimited changes ‘in the event of serious injury or illness before the first match’.
That includes players who test positive for coronavirus.
And it means Southgate has the option to make adjustments right up until Sunday lunchtime when his side open their campaign.
Harry Maguire, Jordan Henderson and Bukayo Saka have all struggled for fitness in the build-up to the tournament.
All three look sure to be fit at some stage, albeit Maguire and Henderson are doubts to face Croatia at Wembley on Sunday.
As revealed by SunSport, the Manchester United skipper will miss the group game against Scotland as well.
But should Southgate feel their injuries are too disruptive and they will not be ready to play their part, he may turn to some of the players axed from the 33-man provisional Three Lions squad.
MAKE MY SON TRIPP THE SKIP
Kieran Trippier’s proud dad is confident England will win the Euros – and is calling for his son to become the next Three Lions captain.
The Atletico Madrid star, 30, will have all eyes on him during the tournament as Premier League clubs line up to bring the full-back home.
But no one will be watching Trippier as closely as his dad Chris, who is hoping his son can repeat his heroics after scoring in the World Cup semi-final in 2018.
Chris, from Bury, Greater Manchester, has already spoken to his son from the England training camp and wished him well.
And he believes football could finally come home this summer as Gareth Southgate’s men prepare for their first game on Sunday.
He told The Sun Online: “I am very confident England will do very well and hopefully win it.
“I see an England/France final with us winning.”
JOSE’S WAY THE RIGHT WAY?
Here’s how Roma’s ex-Man Utd, Chelsea and Spurs boss Jose Mourinho would line up the Lions if he was manager.
Speaking to talkSPORT ahead of Sunday’s clash with Croatia, Mourinho named an XI without his ex-Utd players Marcus Rashford and Luke Shaw.
LIONS MUST BE TOUGHER
Slaven Bilic has questioned England’s mentality ahead of their Euro 2020 opener against Croatia.
The Three Lions led Sunday’s opponents in the World Cup semi-final three years ago.
He told The Telegraph: “Mentality. Remember the World Cup semi-final?
“In the first-half England dominated, were 1-0 up and it should have been 2-0. But as soon as we scored an equaliser it was game over for you.
“There was nobody on the pitch who said, ‘Wait, wait, we have time’. It was gone.”
FOOTBALL’S COMING HOME
Paddy Power have done it again with yet another brilliantly witty ad…
Ireland may not be at the Euros but this guy’s support will never waiver.
GO ON MY SON
Kieran Trippier’s proud dad is confident England will win the Euros – and is calling on his son to become the next Three Lions captain.
The Atletico Madrid star, 30, will have all eyes on him during the tournament as Premier League clubs line up to bring the full-back home.
But no one will be watching Trippier as closely as his dad Chris, who is hoping his son can repeat his heroics after scoring in the World Cup semi-final in 2018.
He told The Sun Online: “I am very confident England do very well and hopefully win it.
“I see an England/France final with us winning.
I was confident as Gareth seems to like him.
“In fact I wouldn’t be surprised if he in next in line for the captain’s armband after Harry Kane.
“And I have no worries about there being so many full-backs as they can all play in different positions.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
