EURO 2024 fever has officially kicked in as the iconic competition gets underway THIS Friday – and there is a lot to look forward to.
Gareth Southgate will be pleased to see Jude Bellingham finally joining up with the England camp after his momentous Champions League triumph at Wembley.
And the Real Madrid superstar will be expected to start in the Three Lions opener against Serbia which has been deemed a ‘high risk’ fixture due to Serbian Ultras reportedly targeting the fans.
But before we see England in action, hosts Germany kick-start the tournament with a thrilling match against Steve Clarke’s Scotland.
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Kitman called up to Scotland training
Andy Robertson and Lawrence Shankland both withdrew from Scotland’s training session today, meaning a kitman had to step in.
Aidan McIlduff was spotted out on the park with the players, taking an active part in the session.
With a bib on and fully kitted out in training gear, McIlduff was spotted with a ball at his feet and also took part in sessions based around team shape and set pieces.
Scotland Kitman spotted training with team after Andy Robertson forced-off injured at training in GermanyEngland stars arrive at airport
The Three Lions have arrived at Birmingham Airport ahead of their flight to Germany.
Credit: PA Credit: Getty Credit: Getty Robertson injury blow
Andy Robertson is the latest injury doubt for Scotland ahead of the Euros.
Royal advice
Prince Louis’ advice to the England squad has been revealed by his dad William – as he gave the team a royal send-off before Euro 2024.
Prince William visited Gareth Southgate and his squad earlier today.
He told the players how his children had offered them a hilarious piece of advice.
He said: “I was on the school run this morning with the children and I asked them what I should say to you today. The best bit of advice I got to ask you was to eat twice as much as you normally eat.
“I don’t have visions of all of you running around with massive red tummies and getting stitches on the pitch.
“So I think maybe take my youngest’s kind of advice with a pinch of salt.”
England skipper Harry Kane jokingly said: “I don’t think our nutritionist will be happy with that advice.”
Credit: Getty Heaton on his England involvement
Man Utd goalkeeper Tom Heaton has been called up to train with the England goalkeepers in Germany.
Announcing his new role, Heaton took to X to write: “Incredibly honoured to be asked by Gareth to join the squad.
“To get the call to go to a major tournament, to help in anyway I can and pass on my experience is a proud moment.
“We have a great squad, I’m excited and can’t wait to join the group.”
Three Lions begin journey to Euros
England have just left St George’s Park for the airport ahead of their flight to Germany.
Credit: Getty Credit: Getty England given royal send-off
Prince William visited the England squad ahead of their flight to Germany today.
Heaton joins England squad as training goalkeeper
Man Utd goalkeeper Tom Heaton will join the England squad in Germany to assist Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson and Aaron Ramsdale in training.
Credit: Getty Smells like victory
England will travel to Euro 2024 with their own SCENT to make the players feel at home.
According to the Daily Mail, the FA will pack special fragrances in their bags to spray around the hotel in order to give the players a sense of familiarity.
The scents are the same ones used at England’s St George’s Park training base.
Get a room
England have made a number of special requests to their five-star base for Euro 2024.
With players set to touchdown in Germany shortly, the Weimarer Land Spa and Golf resort in the small rural town of Blankenhain have been preparing for their arrival.
And several special requests have been made before the players check-in.
Owner Matthias Grafe told Bild: “Most questions were about the air conditioning in the rooms – probably after the experience in Qatar. We had to retrofit one room.
“We also ensured that English television was broadcast via satellite in the rooms.
“And we blacked out the glass fronts and windows so that the notorious yellow press couldn’t take pictures of the boys.”
In the kitchen, 35 chefs are on hand as Grafe confirmed England have chosen a bespoke menu.
And a robot waiter named Robbie goes around collecting empty plates.
There has also been changes to the rooms to make the resort a home away from home.
Grafe said: “The rooms of the players, coaches and support staff are also decorated with personal items.
‘For example, we received family photos and other personal items in advance, which we then used to decorate the rooms.”
Credit: Darren Fletcher England squads ranked by value
England boast the most valuable squad at this summer’s Euros.
Jones fires Mainoo warning
Phil Jones wants Manchester United and England to manage teenage midfielder Kobbie Mainoo carefully.
He said: “I’m expecting Kobbie to play a key role at the Euros. Whether that’s from the start or the bench, I certainly expect him to play his part.
“I just hope he’s managed properly. Managing a player like him, at his age, is so important.
“I played a lot when I was younger, and whether or not that had an impact on the later stages of my career, I don’t know.
“Hopefully he’s managed well, in terms of his training load and game time.
“There’ll be moments where you’re just going to have to take him out of the team, not because of his performances, but because you need to look after him and wrap him in cotton wool.
“We need to be thinking about the need for Kobbie Mainoo in five or six years from now, not just the need for him here and now.
“If you can manage him well, then we’re talking about an amazing talent.”
Credit: Getty Meet SunSport’s Euro Dream Team
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Robertson concern
Scotland captain Andy Robertson was forced to leave a training session this morning due to a knock.
Striker Lawrence Shankland was also seen leaving the session prematurely.
Scotland captain Andy Robertson sparks Euro 2024 injury concern as captain is forced out of training in worrying scenesBest XI of snubbed stars
Jack Grealish was the most high-profile name initially selected by Gareth Southgate to be axed as the boss cut down the England squad from 33 to 26.
But the Manchester City star was not the only star left “devastated” as squads were released with less than a week to go until the tournament kicks-off.
SunSport have made an XI of stars not chosen by their managers – with players out injured not included.
And the team is surely good enough to compete with the strongest nations this summer.
Where to watch?
Thousands of fans will be travelling from across Europe to see their nation in action in Germany, including qualifying home nation sides; England and Scotland.
However, many fans will remain in the UK to watch Euro 2024.
Both ITV and BBC will be showing matches, with the decision on who is hosting what games already decided for the group stages.
You can see a list of the confirmed TV picks for each broadcaster below:
What stadiums are hosting the matches?
- Berlin: Olympiastadion Berlin (71,000)
- Cologne: Cologne Stadium (43,000)
- Dortmund: BVB Stadion Dortmund (62,000)
- Dusseldorf: Düsseldorf Arena (47,000)
- Frankfurt: Frankfurt Arena (47,000)
- Gelsenkirchen: Arena AufSchalke (50,000)
- Hamburg: Volksparkstadion Hamburg (49,000)
- Leipzig: Leipzig Stadium (40,000)
- Munich: Munich Football Arena (66,000)
- Stuttgart: Stuttgart Arena (51,000)
The teams
Click here for a quick run down of every team taking part in the tournament:
The group stages
Here are the groups!
Welcome to SunSport’s Euro 2024 blog
Hello and welcome to SunSport’s Euro 2024 news blog!
The tournament kicks off in just four days but fans across Europe have already been hit with football fever.
We will be there every step of the way, so make sure you keep up to date with this live blog so you don’t miss out on anything!
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
