BBC

THE BBC have made a last-ditch signing to try and help them win the ratings war with ITV.Both UK broadcasters will show the Euro 2024 final between England and Spain live.BBC One have made a last-minute addition to their punditry panel for Euro 2024Credit: BBCBBC’s Euro coverage has featured Gary Lineker, Rio Ferdinand and Micah Richards and Alan Shearer so far at the tournament.That is in addition to the likes of Gabby Logan, Alex Scott, Mark Chapman, Wayne Rooney, Ellen White, Frank Lampard, David Moyes and Rachel Corsie.ITV have also had a star-studded line-up themselves to bring us all of the action from Germany.Hosts Mark Pougatch and Laura Woods have been joined by big-names such as Ian Wright, Roy Keane, Gary Neville.READ MORE ON EURO 2024And they have also enjoyed appearances from fan favourites such as Eni Aluko, Graeme Souness, Ange Postecoglou and Danny Rohl.However, BBC have moved to bring in a major new addition for their head-to-head with ITV tomorrow at the final in Berlin.And it just happens to be a man who lifted the 2010 World Cup and 2012 European Championship with Spain and who starred in the Premier League for both Chelsea and Manchester United.The Beeb’s new face is none other than the 36-year-old Spanish playmaker Juan Mata.Most read in Euro 2024BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThe ace scored ten times in 41 appearances for his country – with one of those coming in the final of Euro 2012 when Spain thrashed Italy 4-0.BBC announced the news by posting a clip of that strike on X alongside a message that read: “Welcome on board, @juanmata8. The former Spain international will join the @bbcsport squad for Sunday’s #Euro2024 final live on @BBCiPlayer’.”Watch Jordan Pickford absolutely lose it as he celebrates with fans after Ollie Watkins’ England winner vs NetherlandsMata played 278 times for Chelsea and Manchester United during his Premier League career.He produced 52 goals and provided 54 assists during that period.Mata, who joined Chelsea in 2011 from Valencia, won the Champions League, Europa League and FA Cup at Stamford Bridge before departing after three years.He signed for Man United and went on to spend eight years at Old Trafford.Juan Mata won the FA Cup with Manchester United after joining from ChelseaCredit: GettyThe star won both the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012 with SpainCredit: Getty Images – GettyMata played under David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick for the Red Devils.He lifted the FA Cup and League Cup at United as well as the Europa League and then he enjoyed Turkish title success at Galatasaray in his one-year spell there from 2022.READ MORE SUN STORIESMata then moved to Japan, signing for Vissel Kobe, but he only made one appearance for them as they won the J-League.He left them earlier this year and has been training in London as the attacker recently revealed that he has not yet decided on his next destination in football.BBC and ITV’s Euro 2024 line up in fullHere’s how each channel will line-up:BBC presenters:Gary Lineker, Alex Scott, Gabby Logan and Mark ChapmanITV presenters:Mark Pougatch and Laura Woods BBC pundits:Alan Shearer, Micah Richards, Rio Ferdinand, Ellen White, Frank Lampard, Ashley Williams, Wayne Rooney, Joe Hart, Cesc Fabregas, Thomas Frank, David Moyes, Rachel Corsie and James McFaddenITV pundits:Ian Wright, Roy Keane, Gary Neville, Karen Carney, Graeme Souness, Eni Aluko, Ange Postecoglou, Danny Rohl and Christina UnkelBBC commentators:Guy Mowbray, Robyn Cowen, Vicki Sparks, Steve Wilson, Steve Bower and Jonathan PearceITV commentators:Sam Matterface, Clive Tyldesley, Seb Hutchinson, Pien Meulensteen and Joe SpeightBBC co-commentators:Danny Murphy, Martin Keown, Jermaine Jenas and James McFaddenITV co-commentators:Lee Dixon, Ally McCoist and Andros TownsendYou can say it hasn’t been pretty, but England are in the final… and we’re peaking at just the right time, says Jack WilshereAFTER what has been a tough tournament of times, what an opportunity Gareth Southgate and his team will have to end in the best possible way, writes Jack Wilshere.We might like a team that played better football. But it’s a results business.Germany, Italy, France, Portugal and of course Holland would love to be where we are.People will say we’re lucky because we’re on this side of the draw.But we won the group. France didn’t and then ran into Spain.You can say it wasn’t that pretty, but we’re there.Gareth and his coaches won’t have been happy with some of the performances.But I did like the way Gareth and his team have dealt with it.There was no panic coming out of the camp.Everyone gave the same message: ‘We know we can better, but we’re here still.’And on Sunday they will be in Berlin to play Spain.They will probably have to produce two halves of football as good as the first against Holland to beat them.We have improved as the tournament has gone on and that is how you win things.You want to peak in the final.If Gareth can lead England to that major trophy we’ve all been waiting for, it will be the perfect answer to the critics and a brilliant day for us all.Read Jack Wilshere’s England vs Holland verdict in full.Or check out all of SunSport columnist Jack’s Euros 2024 opinions… More

ALL EYES will be on Sunday’s Euro 2024 final when England take on Spain – but on which channel will you watch?BBC and ITV have shared the rights throughout the tournament in Germany as Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions made it to successive Euros finals.ITV’s Karen Carney and Laura WoodsCredit: GettyIan Wright, Gary Neville, Roy Keane and presenter Mark PougatchCredit: ITVRio Ferdinand, Cesc Fabregas and Micah Richards in the BBC studioCredit: BBCBut for the first time this summer, the broadcasters will go head-to-head, with viewers having the choice of which channel they tune into for the final. So here, SunSport helps fans decide ahead of the big game…HostsGary Lineker has long been the face of BBC’s football coverage, having hosted the iconic Match of the Day since 1999, making him a sage pair of hands.Gabby Logan, Alex Scott and Mark Chapman have shared the hotseat in the absence of Lineker.READ MORE IN football Former England striker Lineker has had an eventful Euros, notably being censored by the BBC for dropping an F-bomb while celebrating England’s win over Switzerland. He was also accused of breaking rules when he wore his own Next clothing range on air – as BBC ban talent from wearing attire they’re either promoting or being paid to wear.Lineker and BBC pundit Alan Shearer were also caught in a spiky back and forth with England captain Harry Kane after criticism of England’s early performances.Those tuning into ITV have been guided through proceedings by fans’ favourite Laura Woods and veteran broadcaster Mark Pougatch.Most read in Euro 2024Woods has stunned in a variety of bold outfits throughput the tournament and even brought along boyfriend Adam Collard to Berlin.ITV’s Euro 2024 host Laura WoodsCredit: RexShe has won praise from fans for her matchday outfitsCredit: EURO 2024 News Pool (ENP)Woods has share the hosting role with PougatchCredit: RexPunditsThe BBC have had Micah Richards, Shearer, Frank Lampard, Rio Ferdinand, Jermaine Jenas, Wayne Rooney, Joe Hart, Ellen White, Ashley Williams, David Moyes, Rachel Corsie, Thomas Frank and Cesc Fabregas in the studio in Germany.Fabregas in particular received praise for his expert analysis and the Spaniard would be the perfect pundit for the final.He won the Euros in 2008 and 2012 while spending 13 years playing in England at Arsenal and Chelsea. Ferdinand meanwhile was on the end of some funny stick from Jenas after making it known he spoke with former team-mate Critstiano Ronaldo in private.BBC’s Lineker, Ferdinand, Lampard and Richards cheer on EnglandCredit: BBCBBC and ITV’s Euro 2024 line up in fullHere’s how each channel will line-up:BBC presenters:Gary Lineker, Alex Scott, Gabby Logan and Mark ChapmanITV presenters:Mark Pougatch and Laura Woods BBC pundits:Alan Shearer, Micah Richards, Rio Ferdinand, Ellen White, Frank Lampard, Ashley Williams, Wayne Rooney, Joe Hart, Cesc Fabregas, Thomas Frank, David Moyes, Rachel Corsie and James McFaddenITV pundits:Ian Wright, Roy Keane, Gary Neville, Karen Carney, Graeme Souness, Eni Aluko, Ange Postecoglou, Danny Rohl and Christina UnkelBBC commentators:Guy Mowbray, Robyn Cowen, Vicki Sparks, Steve Wilson, Steve Bower and Jonathan PearceITV commentators:Sam Matterface, Clive Tyldesley, Seb Hutchinson, Pien Meulensteen and Joe SpeightBBC co-commentators:Danny Murphy, Martin Keown, Jermaine Jenas and James McFaddenITV co-commentators:Lee Dixon, Ally McCoist and Andros TownsendCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSITV have had Ian Wright, Karen Carney, Roy Keane, Gary Neville, Eni Aluko, Graeme Souness, Ange Postecoglou and Danny Rohl in their studio.Behind-the-scenes footage has shown Irishman Keane’s hilarious reaction to England’s goals – and his brutal take on the action will be a draw for many fans.In contrast, Wright and Neville haven’t disguised their jubilation at England’s progress, with the pair’s celebrations at Ollie Watkins’ late winner against Switzerland going viral.Former referee Christina Unkel was been a very welcome addition to ITV’s coverage – and definitely an upgrade on Peter Walton – as she analyses the on-pitch decisions.Unkel claimed England should NOT have been awarded a penalty against the Dutch before ITV later had to censor manager Ronald Koeman’s furious post-match interview.England fans reaction to dramatic last minute Euros win over NetherlandsCommentatorsGuy Mowbray is BBC’s lead commentator and he could be partnered with Jenas, Shearer, Danny Murphy or Martin Keown.Shearer brilliantly came up with the “pressure is for tyres” line as England went 5/5 in their quarter-final shootout win over Switzerland.Fans will likely be hoping the Newcastle pundit is back on co-comms for the final.Sam Matterface is ITV’s head commentator and will likely be partnered with Lee Dixon or Ally McCoist.But fans are pushing for former England international Andros Townsend to pair with McCoist in a dream co-commentary duo. The Euros also brought an end to Clive Tyldesley’s near-three decades with ITV. ITV’s lead commentator Sam MatterfaceCredit: RexStill undecided?A stunning 21.6 million tuned in on ITV at its peak to watch England beat Holland 2-1 thanks Watkins’ winner. BBC had 16.8m for the dramatic quarter-final against the Swiss which went to the dreaded shootout.Those numbers will likely be blown out the water on Sunday as the nation comes to a halt for the final.Coverage is set to start at 7pm on BBC – an hour before kick off – while ITV are going live at 6.30pm to give themselves an extra 30 minutes.READ MORE SUN STORIESOf course, BBC have the advantage of offering their coverage ad-free and three years ago only 5.8m of the total 31.1m viewers of the Euro final at Wembley watched it on ITV.But, if fans really can’t decide then there is always the option of flicking between the two.Euro 2024 final stadium is home to English football’s most shameful episodeGARETH SOUTHGATE and his players will walk in the footsteps of sporting infamy on Sunday.And they also have the chance to wipe out the memories of English football’s most shameful episode by replacing it with glorious triumph.For many, the Olympiastadion will always be the place where Jesse Owens humiliated Adolf Hitler in his own backyard.But the 1936 Olympics WERE used by the Nazis as pure propaganda, as a statement about the supposed supremacy of the “Aryan race”.The ghosts of those Games still flit between the towers and the colosseum-style architecture.Fans walking in on Sunday will see the plinth where the Olympic cauldron was lit by Fritz Schilgen – handpicked by propagandist film-maker Leni Riefenstahl – still there, high in the stands above one goal.And two years later, when the FA disgracefully ordered England’s players to raise their arm in the Nazi salute before beating Germany in a friendly, it seemed that the British state was implicitly accepting Hitler’s authority and power.The Three Lions have the opportunity to right that ancient wrong yet nothing can detract from the stadium’s place in the pantheon of sport’s darkest hours.Read the full story HERE. 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FOOTBALL fans up and down the country are gearing up to see England in the Euro 2024 final this weekend – but must decide on which channel to watch it.Ahead of the Berlin clash against Spain, plans have been announced for the broadcasting coverage.England will play Spain in the Euro 2024 final on SundayCredit: AlamyITV have the upper hand for the broadcastCredit: RexBBC will be starting their coverage 30 minutes after ITVCredit: BBCBoth ITV and the BBC will show the game, unlike how they have each held individual rights for the fixtures during the rest of the tournament.But despite the two broadcasting giants sharing the coverage, ITV have already gained an advantage over their competitors.ITV will have begin their build-up to the big game 30 minutes before the BBC start theirs.The Beeb will begin their broadcast on BBC iPlayer and BBC One at 7pm, while fans can watch ITV’s pundits discuss the game from 6:30pm.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLFans had their eyes glued to their screens last night as Ollie Watkins scored a 90th minute winner to book England’s place in Sunday’s final.In fact, a peak of 21.6 MILLION people watched the Three Lions get the better of Holland on ITV1 and ITVX.That’s the highest peak audience on a single channel since December 2022, when the nation watched England’s exit form the Qatar World Cup at the hands of France.England will be hoping they can lift the first men’s trophy since 1966 on Sunday in Berlin, after suffering heartbreak at Wembley in 2021.Most read in Euro 2024BBC and ITV’s Euro 2024 line up in fullHere’s how each channel will line-up:BBC presenters:Gary Lineker, Alex Scott, Gabby Logan and Mark ChapmanITV presenters:Mark Pougatch and Laura Woods BBC pundits:Alan Shearer, Micah Richards, Rio Ferdinand, Ellen White, Frank Lampard, Ashley Williams, Wayne Rooney, Joe Hart, Cesc Fabregas, Thomas Frank, David Moyes, Rachel Corsie and James McFaddenITV pundits:Ian Wright, Roy Keane, Gary Neville, Karen Carney, Graeme Souness, Eni Aluko, Ange Postecoglou, Danny Rohl and Christina UnkelBBC commentators:Guy Mowbray, Robyn Cowen, Vicki Sparks, Steve Wilson, Steve Bower and Jonathan PearceITV commentators:Sam Matterface, Clive Tyldesley, Seb Hutchinson, Pien Meulensteen and Joe SpeightBBC co-commentators:Danny Murphy, Martin Keown, Jermaine Jenas and James McFaddenITV co-commentators:Lee Dixon, Ally McCoist and Andros TownsendEURO 2024 FREE BETS AND OFFERSBut they can be proud of the efforts so far as they have already made history.Gareth Southgate’s brave lions have become the first men’s team in England history to make a major final on foreign soil.Watch Roy Keane scream and swear at Gary Neville as he’s left on the floor during BBC vs ITV football match at Euro 2024While Southgate himself has become the first manager to reach two major finals while in charge of the nation.It won’t be easy on Sunday as they take on an in-form Spain side who have looked the best team at Euro 2024.Ollie Watkins booked England’s spot in the final with a dramatic late winnerCredit: GettyMillions of England fans had their eyes glued to the action last nightCredit: PAEngland ratings vs HollandENGLAND stormed into the final against Spain thanks to Ollie Watkins’ last-minute strike in the 2-1 win over Holland.It was a brilliant team performance, but how did each player rate?SunSport’s Tom Barclay ran the rule over Southgate’s boys, and here’s how he rated them.Jordan Pickford: 7Bigger goalkeepers may have got a stronger hand to Xavi Simons’ early stunner – though that was being hypercritical. Solid stop to deny Virgil van Dijk after the hour.Kyle Walker: 7Looked re-energised after some lumbering displays and bombed on at times in the first half, despite his role on the right of a back three. Last-ditch tackle on Cody Gakpo was spot on.John Stones: 7Strong in possession. He looks to have benefited from regular game-time after rarely featuring for Manchester City in the last few months.Marc Guehi: 6Came back into the side after suspension ruled him out of the Switzerland game. Had an unenviable task of making the big man Wout Weghorst after the break.Bukayo Saka: 7Razor-sharp in the first half, winning tackles, making runs and dribbling the ball proficiently. Less of an impact after the break, had a goal ruled out for offside and was booked.Declan Rice: 6Lost possession for Simons’ thunderous opener but grew into the game, mopping up where necessary. Poor pass when Kane was open midway through the second half.Kobbie Mainoo: 8Was England’s youngest-ever player to play in a major-tournament semi-final, aged 19years 82 days, and had a stormer in the first half. Great bursts forward, vital tackles, and his interplay with Foden was a joy.Kieran Trippier: 6We all know by now that he is playing out of position, so again he was limited going forward and reliable defensively. Subbed at half-time for the more natural Shaw.Phil Foden: 7The first 45 minutes was by far and away his best half of the tournament. Thought he’d scored when his shot was cleared off the line by Denzel Dumfries, and cracked the post with a cracker. But was then surprisingly subbed.Jude Bellingham: 5Back at the ground where he made his name but struggled to make much of an impact on his old stomping ground. Fortunate it was not he that was subbed.Harry Kane: 6Won and dispatched the penalty to go joint top-scorer in the tournament with three goals. Had looked more mobile initially but still tired badly after the break and was taken off.SUBSLuke Shaw (for Kieran Trippier, half-time): 6Looked assured for a man who has been out for so long.Ollie Watkins (for Harry Kane, 81): 9 and STAR MAN Surprisingly given the nod over Ivan Toney as striker sub as Southgate looked for more pace in behind. Brilliant finish into the corner to win the game – you could not ask more from him.Cole Palmer (for Phil Foden, 81): 7Had his big chance in the final minutes but shanked it horribly wide – but then fed Watkins for his wonderful winner.Gareth Southgate: 8His switch to a back three against Switzerland helped dig out the win there, and here it had his team finally playing some great football in the first half. The team went into their shells again as the game wore on and you feared the worst – but you have to say his decision to bring on Ollie Watkins was a masterstroke.  More

BBC pundits faced their ITV pals in a “friendly” five-a-side match at Euro 2024.The two star-studded sides went head-to-head in the heart of Berlin on a pitch just around the corner from their TV studios.BBC faced ITV in a star-studded friendlyCredit: @gaizkamendieta6Tough talking Roy Keane slammed Gary Neville for poor defendingCredit: @itvfootballRio Ferdinand barked orders from the sidelines before going in goalCredit: @BBCSportITV host Mark Pougatch netted a screamer that flew beyond FerdinandCredit: @ITVfootballMicah Richards saved a Jill Scott penalty – but couldn’t stop Keane’s reboundCredit: @BBCSPORTAn incredible ITV squad featured Gary Neville, Roy Keane, Gaizka Mendieta, Eni Aluko and Jill Scott.Presenter Mark Pougatch and several of the behind-the-scenes crew were also involved.With team ITV being cheered on by Ian Wright and Lee Dixon from the sidelines.The Beeb’s outfit included Micah Richards, Rio Ferdinand, Izzy Christiansen, French journalist Julien Laurens and several of their less well-known colleagues. READ MORE ON EURO 2024ITV won the closely fought contest 16-14. But despite many Premier League and Champions League winners on the pitch, it was Pougatch who stole the show. The host fired in an incredible goal, letting the ball roll across his body before powering it beyond the diving Ferdinand between the sticks.There was also penalty drama as team ITV were awarded a spot-kick after a BBC foul.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSScott stepped up – only for her effort to be brilliantly saved by Richards as he swapped the punditry microphone for goalkeeper gloves.However, Keane was on hand to tap home the rebound.Watch Roy Keane scream and swear at Gary Neville as he’s left on the floor during BBC vs ITV football match at Euro 2024And the former Manchester United skipper has not lost his competitive edge as he blasted Neville for poor defending after the BBC scored.Keane shouted while he was resting as a substitute: “Nev, Nev, f***ing get tighter, Jesus.”Show him the line and you will stop the shot.”Ferdinand also barked orders from the sidelines as he sung the praises of Richards after a good save, which led to a BBC counter-attack and clinical finish.The ex-England centre-back shouted: “Micah, well done. That’s why you’re there.”Richards later opened up on the game on the Rest is Football podcast.He was delighted with his own performance, hilariously saying: “Oh my God, I was in net and I was like a young Shaka Hislop.”I made a great penalty save against Jill Scott – but Keane was there to tap it in. A little rebound.”Eni Aluko starred for team ITVCredit: @enialukoMark Pougatch scored a screamerCredit: @markpougatchRichards was not so complimentary to Ferdinand as he was to him as he fumed: “Rio went in net for a spell – useless.”He conceded about five goals – he cost us the game today. I should’ve stayed in net.”Richards was also not impressed by Neville’s display, saying: “Useless as well, he can’t turn and he can’t move.”But Keane was good. He didn’t kick anyone but you could see he was competitive.”Richards also didn’t dodge a tackle and admitted to brutally clattering Pougatch.He explained: “I smashed Pougatch. I came out my box and it was a 60/40 to him. And I thought I’m tempted to leave one on him here.”I went right through him – but he took it well.”Richards admitted he was in pain after the game, with his “knees, legs and back” all feeling the full force of the game.READ MORE SUN STORIESHis podcast co-host Gary Lineker opened up on why he didn’t play, saying: “I have not played since the day I retired – except for one game after I retired which was a month after in Gordon Banks’ testimonial.”You retire for a reason, you retire because you can’t do it anymore, so why do you want to go and be c**p?”BBC and ITV’s Euro 2024 line up in fullHere’s how each channel will line-up:BBC presenters:Gary Lineker, Alex Scott, Gabby Logan and Mark ChapmanITV presenters:Mark Pougatch and Laura Woods BBC pundits:Alan Shearer, Micah Richards, Rio Ferdinand, Ellen White, Frank Lampard, Ashley Williams, Wayne Rooney, Joe Hart, Cesc Fabregas, Thomas Frank, David Moyes, Rachel Corsie and James McFaddenITV pundits:Ian Wright, Roy Keane, Gary Neville, Karen Carney, Graeme Souness, Eni Aluko, Ange Postecoglou, Danny Rohl and Christina UnkelBBC commentators:Guy Mowbray, Robyn Cowen, Vicki Sparks, Steve Wilson, Steve Bower and Jonathan PearceITV commentators:Sam Matterface, Clive Tyldesley, Seb Hutchinson, Pien Meulensteen and Joe SpeightBBC co-commentators:Danny Murphy, Martin Keown, Jermaine Jenas and James McFaddenITV co-commentators:Lee Dixon, Ally McCoist and Andros Townsend More