ENGLAND stars have been serenaded by Ed Sheeran after their dramatic 2-1 victory over Slovakia.
The Three Lions were on the brink of crashing out the Euros before a stunning overhead kick by Jude Bellingham and winner by Harry Kane booked their place in the quarter-finals.
Gareth Southgate’s side face Switzerland next and ahead of the game on Saturday evening, the England squad enjoyed a break from training.
And they were sung to by pop star Sheeran as he gave them a private performance of his hit ‘The A-Team’.
The Ipswich fan ironically played his guitar behind a ‘Lego House’ built by Lewis Dunk.
England masseur Ben Mortlock and the centre-back have been keeping busy at the team’s luxury Blackenheim base by building a huge Lego Hogwarts.
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Dunk explained: “Ben, he has done more than me so far. He’s loving it. I’ve done a little bit.
” I’m just glad my kids ain’t here to smash it up.
“100 per cent (it’s going to last). I was thinking about gluing it so I can take it home.
“My kids are Harry Potter fans, they love it.”
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England’s five-point penalty shootout plan
EXPERT football psychologist Professor Geir Jordet has told Gareth Southgate and his players what they can do to give themselves the best chance of victory in any shootouts.
And he has even thrown in a rogue, bold suggestion for the Three Lions manager…
1. START PLANNING LAST YEAR
“It’s about planning for the opposition’s penalty takers but also ‘how do we win the psychological game against each opponent?’
2. SMART SOUTHGATE LEADERSHIP
“Southgate will have two minutes to influence his players as effectively as possible, show he has a plan and get confidence across.”
3. DICTATE AS A TEAM
“A shootout is really a team performance. Have the goalkeeper walk with the penalty taker into the penalty area to basically create a two-versus-one against the other goalkeeper. Dominate the centre circle, support the players who missed.”
4. ‘BULLETPROOF’ INDIVIDUAL ROUTINES
“Have really good, individualised and rehearsed pre-shot routines that are bulletproof and polished so they’re more likely to be able to resist the stress and more likely to score.”
5. SHOOT YOUR SHOT
“Practise the shot itself, trying to simulate penalty shootouts in training. Even recreating 20 per cent of a Euros final penalty shootout is going to have a benefit for your performance.”
AND A JOR DROPPING IDEA…
Jordan Pickford is the No1 but Dean Henderson actually has a far better penalty record – saving 8/22 (36 per cent) compared to Pickford’s 8/62 (13 per cent).
Jordet said: “One could consider making a late substitution for a penalty shootout. I doubt that they dare to do it in case it fails and the pressure is even higher but it would be a very ballsy move.”
Sheeran will be hoping for more Bellingham magic against the Swiss as he is in Germany cheering on England.
He was spotted in the stands against Denmark and Slovakia – but will be hoping that less ‘Bad Habits’ creep into the next performance.
Meanwhile, England players have been unwinding by playing darts and golf in their spare time.
The best of England vs Slovakia
CHECK out all the best action from England’s rollercoaster Euro 2024 last-16 win over Slovakia.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
