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      Sweden Euro 2020 star Alexander Isak’s family fled Eritrea for a new life, he’s now a £60m transfer target for Arsenal

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      IN 2018, Alexander Isak went on a discovery mission.The 21-year-old Sweden star, who has shone at Euro 2020, travelled to Eritrea in East Africa.
      Sweden star Alexander Isak has starred for his country at Euro 2020Credit: Getty
      Isak visited Eritrea, where his parents fled because of a long civil warCredit: Instagram @alex_isak
      Against Slovakia at the Euros Isak was awarded man-of-the-matchCredit: Getty
      Alexander Isak in action with Poland’s Jan BednarekCredit: Reuters
      There, he took in his surroundings, visited a football school and tried to get a better understanding of his roots.
      Years earlier, his mum and dad left war-torn Eritrea in search of a better life.
      They emigrated to Solna, a suburb outside of Stockholm, where Isak was born.
      It was there where the forward, who has been compared to Zlatan Ibrahimovic, was moulded into the promising youngster he is today – with Arsenal reportedly readying a £60million bid for the talent.
      BACK TO ERITREA
      Three years ago, Isak was invited to Eritrea by Ambassador Zemede Tekle, the Commissioner of Culture and Sports of the country.
      He had been back briefly as a young kid, but not since his epic rise in the game.
      Although he grew up as a Swede, the 6ft 4in striker has always been loyal to his Eritrean culture.
      During his stay, he took in a grass-root projects in Asmara before watching a game between aspiring footballers at a local stadium.
      Isak was impressed with what he saw, and it reminded him of his own upbringing.
      Isak was born and bred a Swede, but is steeped in Eritrean cultureCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Ambassador Zemede Tekle, the Commissioner of Culture and Sports of Eritrea, poses with Izak during his visit to the countryCredit: Instagram @alex_isak
      “I like that the kids are training and building their future,” he revealed.
      “I did the same when I was young; we were many kids on the same pitch. This is an interesting project and it’s nice to see where the kids develop and be guided.”
      MOULDED IN SWEDEN
      In the 1980s, his father Teame, a teacher, wanted a brighter future for his prospective family.
      Eritrea was embroiled in a long civil war that was fought between competing organisations for the country’s liberation.
      Teame and his wife decided it was time to leave their country behind, and they were welcomed to Sweden with open arms.
      Alexander was born in 1999 in Solna, where he ended up training with local team AIK aged six.
      There he encountered coach Nahom Ghidey, who also came from an Eritrean background.
      Eritrea endured a long civil war that was fought between competing organisations for the country’s liberationCredit: EPA
      Nahom Ghidey was Isak’s favourite coach and they shared a special bond over their Eritrean origin
      “We had a special bond, because we are both of Eritrean origin,” Ghidey said.
      “Eritreans are proud, strong and patriotic people, and that background was influential. His father, Teame, is a teacher and Alexander has always received a lot of love and support from his family.”
      BREAKTHROUGH AT AIK
      At the tender age of 16-year-old Isak made his breakthrough with AIK – making his debut in 2016 in a Swedish Cup tie.
      He would score in his 15-minute cameo, and later would become the youngest scorer for AIK in league history at the age of 16 years and 199 days by netting against Östersunds FK in a 2-0 win.
      On his 17th birthday, a double against AIK’s arch-rivals Djurgårdens IF saw former team-mate Chinedu Obasi pay him the ultimate compliment, albeit with some pressure put on his young shoulders.
      “(He’s) Sweden’s new Zlatan Ibrahimović”, Obasi declared in an appraisal that alerted Europe’s top clubs.
      It was only expected that Isak would move on for a bigger challenge.
      Isak celebrates scoring for AIK aged 16 years and 199 daysCredit: Getty
      Isak has been compared to Sweden legend Zlatan IbrahimovicCredit: EPA
      WELCOME TO DORTMUND
      In 2017, Isak was signed by Borussia Dortmund – a club renowned for rearing the stars of tomorrow.
      The transfer was said to have cost around £8million – a record fee received by an Allsvenskan club.
      Before he joined the Bundesliga giants, it was reported that he turned down Real Madrid.
      “I had some offers on the table but thought Dortmund was the right place for me to develop as a young player,” he explained.
      “I want to make the next step, get some playing time and hopefully help the team.”
      But Isak found it difficult to settle in North Rhine-Westphalia in his two years at the club, who went through four managers during his time there.
      In 2017 Isak moved to Borussia Dortmund and it was supposed to be the making of himCredit: Getty – Contributor
      However, he failed to impress coaches including Thomas TuchelCredit: Getty
      Thomas Tuchel, Peter Bosz, Peter Stoger and Lucien Favre all favoured other strikers and Isak found himself further down the pecking order, before he was demoted to the reserves playing against fourth tier opposition.
      He needed a change.
      REVITALISED IN NETHERLANDS
      In early 2019, desperate for first team football, Isak was loaned out to Dutch side Willem II.
      It was in the Netherlands where he found his swagger again.
      He helped the club reach the Dutch cup final for the first time since 2005 by scoring the equaliser and then the winning penalty against AZ Alkmaar in the semi-finals of the KNVB Cup.
      And he broke some records along the way. He became the first player ever to score three penalties in an Eredivisie match, in a 3–2 win against Fortuna Sittard.
      Then, he became the first foreign-born player in the Eredivisie to score 12 goals in his first 12 league games.
      In a loan spell with Dutch side Willem II Isak rediscovered his formCredit: Getty
      Isak became the first foreign-born player in the Eredivisie to score 12 goals in his first 12 league gamesCredit: Getty
      LALIGA STAR
      Real Sociedad took a punt on Isak after Dortmund made him surplus to requirements ahead of the 2019-20 season.
      A transfer fee of £9million was enough to twist the Germans’ arm, and he signed a five-year deal worth a reported £19,000-a-week at the Estadio de Anoeta.
      It’s in LaLiga where he has continued to impress. In his first season, he earned the plaudits for scoring twice and creating another in a 3-1 win over Real Madrid in a Copa del Rey quarter-final.
      Three days after that coming-of-age performance, he scored a winner in the in the Basque derby against Athletic Bilbao – earning the adulation of the fans.
      More joy would follow – collecting his first piece of silverware in his debut campaign, again at the expense of Athletic Bilbao, who Sociedad beat in the Copa del Rey final 1-0.

      Isak celebrates winning the Copa del ReyCredit: Instagram @alex_isak
      Isak, currently playing his football with Real Sociedad, has been linked with a move to ArsenalCredit: Getty

      Last season, Isak was more prolific with 17 LaLiga goals to his name, as the finishing aspect to his game has developed.
      There was another record broken too. In a 4-0 win over Deportivo Alaves, Isak became the first Swedish player to score a La Liga hat-trick since Henry “Garvis” Carlsson did the same for Atletico Madrid in 1949.
      Should Isak make the move to the Premier League, expect this brilliant youngster to break even more records. More

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      How England could line up against Germany with Southgate ‘considering recalling Foden and Mount’ for Euro 2020 clash

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      GARETH SOUTHGATE is set to bring Phil Foden back into the starting XI to face the Germans. The Manchester City superstar was left out of the squad against the Czech Republic because he was a yellow card away from suspension.

      The England boss is also considering starting Mason Mount despite having to self-isolate for the past 10 days.
      Mount and Chelsea team-mate Ben Chilwell have been training alone and socially distanced after coming into contact with Scotland’s Billy Gilmour.
      Their period of isolation ends on the morning of tomorrow’s Round of 16 clash with the old foe.
      Sky Sports write how Southgate is not ruling out throwing Mount back into the side despite being away from the group in the build-up to the contest.
      The gaffer remains wary over the ‘psychological’ effect of their long stints alone in their hotel rooms.
      He said: “That’s what we’ve got to take into account, there’s not only the training part of that but the psychological part of that as well.
      “They’ve had to spend a lot of time in a room on their own so it’s a very difficult situation, firstly for the two boys.”
      The boss is likely to make a last minute decision on Mount but he will join a midfield of Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips.

      Mason Mount and Phil Foden could both start against the GermansCredit: Getty

      The tough-tackling duo have started every match so far with Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling and Foden leading the attack.
      Bukayo Saka could feel aggrieved if he is left out after his Man of the Match performance against the Czech Republic.
      Southgate could keep the same defence who have yet to concede a tournament goal so far.

      Although reports speculate that Kieran Trippier may take Luke Shaw’s spot at left-back to take advantage of his set-pieces.
      Nine of England’s 12 goals at the World Cup 2018 came from set-pieces but they have yet to take advantage during the Euros.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Kalvin Phillips says England can sink rivals Germany on Tuesday by taking ‘more risks’ as Three Lions train for showdown More

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      Can England fans travel to Rome for Euro 2020 quarter-final if Three Lions beat Germany?

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      ENGLAND are taking on Germany at Wembley in a mouthwatering Euro 2020 last 16 tie.And if Gareth Southgate does manage to lay his Euro 96 demons to rest, the Three Lions will have a change of scenery for the first time in the tournament.
      The Stadio Olimpico is set to welcome England for the Euro 2020 last 16 if they get thereCredit: Reuters
      England have played every game at Wembley so far, but they will be heading off to Rome for the quarter-final, should they get there.
      And fans will be wondering whether they’ll be able to join the team.
      Can England fans travel to Rome for the quarter-final?
      England fans are allowed to enter Italy, but they won’t be able to watch the game.
      That’s because anybody who arrives from the UK to the country, or has been in the UK for the past 14 days, will be ordered to self-isolate for five days.
      To get into Italy, you need to take a rapid test in the 48 hours before travelling and a further rapid test after five days to end your self-isolation.

      Can any England fans go to Rome for the game?
      England fans in Italy will be able to attend the match, as well as those travelling from the EU or Shengen area.
      Fans travelling from Canada, Japan or the United States are not bound by the same rules in the UK and will be allowed to enter Italy.

      Do England fans have to quarantine on return?
      Yes. Italy is on the UK amber list, so if you do manage to get to Rome and see the game you will still be required to quarantine at home on arrival back in the UK.
      This quarantine lasts ten days (your arrival date is Day Zero) and you must also travel back to the UK with a negative rapid test and book PCR tests on Day 2 and Day 8 in advance of travel.
      Your quarantine can be reduced to seven days by taking an additional test on Day 5 using the Test to Release scheme.
      That would allow you to attend the Euro 2020 final if England get there and you test negative.
      Will England play any other games abroad?
      The quarter-final in Rome is the only game England will play abroad.
      Should England reach the semi-final and final, both games will be played at Wembley. More

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      Gutted Matthijs de Ligt takes entire blame for Holland’s Euro 2020 exit after red card against Czech Republic

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      MATTHIJS DE LIGT has taken the blame after the Netherlands crashed out of Euro 2020 against the Czech Republic in the Round of 16.The defender was sent off 55 minutes into the match, after losing track of a high ball.
      Matthijs de Ligt deliberately handled after losing his balanceCredit: EPA
      The 21-year-old was given his marching ordersCredit: Getty

      After being caught out, the burly 6ft 2in ace handled, denying Patrik Schick a clear goalscoring opportunity.
      After a VAR check he was given his marching orders.
      Tomas Holes gave the Czechs the lead 13 minutes later, before Schick sealed the win ten minutes from time.
      After the game, a dismayed De Ligt took responsibility for the ‘very annoying’ incident.
      He said: “We actually lost because of my action, that feels very annoying.
      “In the end this moment changes the game and I can’t let that happen to me.
      “I watched the last few minutes as the team struggled.
      “I really blame myself.”
      Boss Frank de Boer took responsibility for the result, but admitted that De Ligt’s sending off ‘turned their world upside down’.
      BETTING SPECIAL: GET ENGLAND TO BEAT GERMANY AT 14/1
      Patrik Schik sealed victory for the CzechsCredit: Getty

      He said: “We created few opportunities but this sport is played at a top level.
      “One moment can turn the world upside down. These are hard lessons to take.
      “I’m responsible for this defeat at the end of the day and I will take a look at the mirror.
      “It wasn’t our best game but it’s not like we did not dominate the game.”
      The Czech Republic now advance to the quarter-finals, in which they will face Denmark in Baku on Saturday.
      They could then return to Wembley for a potential rematch with England, if Gareth Southgate’s side can beat Germany and then Sweden or Ukraine.

      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Nigel De Jong emotional wreck on ITV watching Holland loss to Czechs at Euro 2020 and shouts ‘what am I watching’ More

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      Georgina Rodriguez spotted with microphone strapped to bra while cheering on Cristiano Ronaldo at Euro 2020

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      GEORGINA RODRIGUEZ was spotted mic’d up as she watched partner Cristiano Ronaldo crash out of Euro 2020.The high-profile model was in the stands in Seville with his son Cristiano Jr as Portugal fell to a 1-0 defeat against Belgium.
      Georgina Rodriguez was pictured wearing a mic during Portugal’s defeat to BelgiumCredit: Alamy
      Rodriguez was joined with Cristiano Ronaldo’s eldest son
      Rodriguez, 27, is not one to avoid attention wherever she goes had shared multiple videos of her and friends singing and dancing on Instagram ahead of kick-off.
      So it is no surprise that eagle-eyed fans spotted a small mic strapped to the back of her bra as she cheered on Ronaldo.
      It is likely to be because Rodriguez is set to star in a new Netflix docu-series about her life.
      Titled ‘Georgina’, the streaming giants hope to lift the lid on what life is like dating the Portuguese superstar.
      She has already been snapped filming the series in the Spanish town of Jaca.
      Rodriguez lived in the northeast city with her family aged three until she left for Madrid at 17.
      That’s where she reportedly met Ronaldo while working for high-end fashion store Gucci.
      The A-list couple share three-year-old daughter Alana Martina while Ronaldo is also dad to Cristiano Jr and twins Eva and Mateo.
      BETTING SPECIAL: GET ENGLAND TO BEAT GERMANY AT 14/1
      The documentary will give fans an opportunity to get a closer look at their relationship
      Georgina and Ronaldo have one child together while the superstar has three other children

      Rodriguez has previously opened up about her humble beginnings and strict budgeting before she got with mega rich Ronaldo.
      She told InStyle: “Now that I can, allowing myself to help others is what satisfies me the most.
      “I also know what it is to start small and reach the end of the month. 
      “I empathise with people a lot due to my humble origins.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
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      Watch Pepe continue ‘s***house’ tactics as Portugal veteran wildly smiles after brutal tackle in Belgium Euro 2020 loss

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      EURO 2020 has bid farewell to Portugal hero Pepe – with Belgium just one team more than happy to see the back of the veteran centre-back.Sunday’s last-16 tie somewhat inevitably ended with the 38-year-old on a booking after he clattered into Thorgan Hazard in trademark style.
      Pepe flashed a smile moments after getting booked versus Belgium

      In the 77th minute, the former Real Madrid star wiped out Hazard and earned a yellow card for his troubles.
      Fans revelled in his ‘s***house’ tactics after TV cameras picked up his beaming smile moments later.
      Twitter user Ed commented: “Pepe is the single greatest s***house in all of football. You simply have to admire his supreme levels of snide.”
      Jamie remarked: “Pepe 38 unreal and a classic s***house which I love.”
      Zak tweeted: “Pepe absolute s***house haha got to love him nailing Hazard after the whistle has went hahaha.”
      Don wrote: “He breeds violence, lol.”
      BETTING SPECIAL: GET ENGLAND TO BEAT GERMANY AT 14/1

      Somewhat amazingly, it was the only foul Pepe conceded and he won possession eight times – a tally only behind defensive partner Ruben Dias.
      Thorgan Hazard’s first-half strike sunk the defending champions on an end-to-end night in Spain.
      Porto star Pepe renewed his contract with the club until 2023 amid claims he could play until the age of 42.
      Pepe fumes at Rui Patricio after he ignored veteran and Cristiano Ronaldo telling him Karim Benzema would go left More

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      Three Lions show off their all-round sports skills at training camp

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      THREE Lions heroes showed off their all-round sports skills at their training camp over the weekend.Raheem Sterling, 26, was seen effortlessly spinning a basketball on one finger while Jude Bellingham, 17, leapt for one in mid-air.
      Dominic Calvert-Lewin plays darts at the England training campCredit: PA
      Meanwhile, smiling striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, 24, kept his eye in with a game of darts at St George’s Park in Burton upon Trent. Keiran Trippier and Jordan Pickford played table tennis.
      Most of Gareth Southgate’s squad have been training on the Sir Bobby Charlton pitch ahead of tomorrow’s showdown with Germany.
      Ben Chilwell, 24, and Mason Mount, 22, have been away from the main group after coming into contact with Chelsea team-mate Billy Gilmour who tested positive.
      Their isolation period ends today.
      Three Lions stars Keiran Trippier and Jordan Pickford play table tennisCredit: Getty
      Raheem Sterling spins a basketball on his fingerCredit: Getty
      Jude Bellingham of England plays basketball at St George’s ParkCredit: Getty

      Southgate says England are well prepared for a penalty with a process that works for them More

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      England footballers hit with more than 2,000 abusive posts including racist messages using monkey emojis in sick posts

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      ENGLAND’S footballers have been subjected to more than 2,000 abusive posts during their matches at Euro 2020, a shocking new report has revealed.  The online abuse included racist messages, monkey emojis and hatred fuelled comments towards members of the England squad and manager Gareth Southgate.
      ⚽ Follow ALL of the latest news and updates from Euro 2020 with our live blog
      England players have been subjected to more than 2,000 abusive posts during their matches at Euro 2020Credit: Reuters
      The messages identified on Twitter included racist messages, monkey emojis and hatred fuelled commentsCredit: Alamy
      According to the analysis conducted by The Guardian, 2,114 abusive tweets were identified across England’s three group games against Croatia, Scotland and the Czech Republic.  
      This included 44 explicitly racist tweets, with messages using the N-word and monkey emojis directed at black players.
      A further 58 comments attacked players for their anti-racist actions, including taking the knee.
      The study, which recorded messages sent five hours around the match, found that Captain Harry Kane and forward Raheem Sterling, who both started all three matches, were two of the main targets for abuse.
      Sterling’s selection for the first match was considered by some as contentious, following an indifferent season at Manchester City
      However, the forward has scored both England’s goals in the Euros so far.
      Equally, Harry Kane is regarded as having struggled to find his best form having failed to hit the net so far.
      According the study, both players received similar volumes of abuse against Croatia where 10% of the messages directed at Sterling were explicitly racist. 
      In the second game against Scotland, where there were no goals and Kane was substituted in the second half, Sterling received more abuse than Kane.
      However, in the third match, where Sterling again scored the only goal, Kane received more abuse than Sterling.
      Overall Kane received 506 abusive tweets and Sterling 430. Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Jordan Pickford and Tyrone Mings also received high volumes of abuse.
      The most targeted individual of all, however, was Gareth Southgate who was the focus of more than 700 messages.
      A huge portion of the abuse was aimed at Harry Kane (L) and Raheem Sterling (R)Credit: EPA
      Gareth Southgate was the subject of 700 abusive messagesCredit: EPA
      A further 58 comments attacked players for their anti-racist actions, including taking the kneeCredit: Sportimage
      Reacting to the findings, Sanjay Bhandari, the chair of Kick It Out and of the Football Online Hate Working Group, said: “The findings from this research are saddening because they are so grimly predictable.
      “Abuse and discrimination aimed at minorities and their allies have become sadly normalised on social media to the point where a piece of hate is taken down every second of every minute of every hour of every day, 365 days a year.
      Reacting to the findings, Sanjay Bhandari, the chair of Kick It Out and of the Football Online Hate Working Group, said: “The findings from this research are saddening because they are so grimly predictable.
      “Abuse and discrimination aimed at minorities and their allies have become sadly normalised on social media to the point where a piece of hate is taken down every second of every minute of every hour of every day, 365 days a year.
      Her comments echo those issued towards social media platform Twitter who continues to come under pressure to tighten its response to abuse.
      In April, the English football community and media organisations, including The Sun, boycotted social media to draw attention to the problem.
      The findings comes as Twitter continues to come under pressure to tighten its response to abuse onlineCredit: Reuters
      The FA, alongside the Premier League, the campaign group Kick It Out and other footballing bodies have repeatedly demanded action, including faster removal of offensive content and the ability to more easily identify offenders.
      Patrik Hermansson, a researcher at Hope Not Hate – the organisation who helped collect the data, said: “Online abuse and specifically racist abuse is a serious issue.
      “Even if it’s a relative minority of the content it can have a large impact on the direct victim but also others who observe it online.
      “This means a single post causes harm wider than just the single person it’s targeting.

      “Social media like Twitter attract this sort of abuse because of its encouragement of quick and emotive reactions and feeling of anonymity.
      “Since this exact issue has been given attention before, Twitter is well aware of the issue and should do more to combat it.
      “Those solutions need to include both faster moderation and more fundamental design changes of their service that discourages or limits the ability to post by for example newly created accounts on contentious issues.”
      Euro 2020 fans drown out boos with cheers as players take the knee for England V Scotland match More