Euro 2020

CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN hailed Denmark’s hero Kasper Dolberg after his goals helped book their place in the Euro 2020 quarter-finals. The playmaker, 29, continues to watch on as he recovers from his cardiac arrest.
Christian Eriksen shared a post congratulating Kasper Dolberg on his double to fire Denmark into the Euro 2020 quarter-finals
The Inter Milan star has been released from hospital as he continues his recovery from a cardiac arrest
And he clearly enjoyed watching his team-mates turn on the style to beat Wales 4-0 in Amsterdam.
Eriksen shared the Denmark national team’s Instagram post of Dolberg wheeling away in celebration.
The photo had ‘Wales 0-4 Denmark’ across the bottom with the post captioned: “We are in the quarter-finals.”
Dolberg opened the scoring with a fine finish from outside the box on 27 minutes.
And three minutes after half-time, he grabbed his second by pouncing on Neco Williams’ poor clearance.
A frantic end to the game saw Joakim Maehle and Martin Braithwaite find the net either side of Harry Wilson’s red card.
Denmark will face either the Netherlands or the Czech Republic in the last eight in Baku next Saturday.
Today marks two weeks since Eriksen collapsed on the pitch against Finland.
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The world held its breath after Christian Eriksen collapsed on the pitch

He received 13 minutes of emergency medical attention on the pitch including CPR and a shock with a defibrillator.
The Inter Milan star underwent an operation to fit a ‘heart-starting’ device called an ICD to help prevent future problems.
Later that week, the Inter Milan ace was discharged from hospital in a major boost.
And he visited his Denmark pals at training ahead of their last-16 showdown with Wales.
Dolberg scored either side of half-time to send Denmark into the quarter-finalsCredit: Reuters
Wales skipper Gareth Bale presented Simon Kjaer with an ‘Eriksen 10’ Dragons shirtCredit: Getty

Denmark boss Kasper Hjulmand wears special bracelet in tribute to Christian Eriksen More

FEDERICO CHIESA carried on a proud family tradition to fire anxious Italy into the Euro 2020 quarter-finals.Chiesa’s father, Enrico, scored more goals for the Azzurri coming off the subs’ bench than any other player.
Federico Chiesa put Italy ahead in extra-time with a fantastic finish as Italy reached the quarter-final with a 2-1 win over AustriaCredit: The Sun
Matteo Pessina fired in the second after a goalless 90 minutesCredit: AP
And Chiesa Jnr proved to be a chip off the old block with the extra-time winner to spare Roberto Mancini’s blushes on Saturday at Wembley.
The Juventus winger finally broke Austria’s brave resistance with a ferocious shot into the top corner just 11 minutes after replacing Domenico Berardi.
And he was joined on the scoresheet by fellow sub Matteo Pessina with a 105th-minute goal to finally put the tie to bed.
It was a sickening blow for the Austrians, who were convinced they had won the game in normal time when Marko Arnautovic beat Gianluigi Donnarumma with a close-range header.
But the former Stoke and West Ham striker’s 65th minute effort was ruled out for a marginal offside after an eternity of scrutiny from VAR Stuart Attwell.
Italy will now travel to Munich to face either Belgium or Portugal in Friday’s quarter-finals.
And they will need plenty of time to recover after being given the fright of their lives at Wembley.
Mancini’s team have now established a new national record of 31 games unbeaten including 12 straight wins without conceding a single goal.

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Marko Arnautovic thought he had put Austria in frontCredit: Getty
Roberto Mancini and Gianluca Vialli added to their Wembley heroicsCredit: Reuters
But they were pushed all the way by opponents who were supposed to arrive in London as sacrificial lambs to the slaughter.
They might have come into this match as unter-hunds but the Austrians were not holding back as they looked to knock their opponents out of their stride with their ferocious press.
The last time they played at Wembley they were beaten 7-0 by England, but that was 48 years ago so they certainly weren’t carrying any mental scars from that one.
Of far greater concern for Franco Foda’s team was Italy’s growing dominance as they set up camp in the Austrian half.
Leonardo Spinazzola shot wide from a tight angle before Lorenzo Insigne’s ambitious effort was comfortably held by Daniel Bachmann.
But the Watford keeper had to be alert to stick out a foot block Barella’s first-time effort from the edge of the area after 17 minutes.

Arnautovic tried his luck with a dipping half-volley which just cleared the bar but it was only a brief respite for an overworked Austrian team who were being pushed deeper and deeper by the Azzurri.
They were almost undone by a 25th-minute up and under from Barella which allowed Ciro Immobile to get a clear run on goal.
But the Lazio striker was unable to control the bouncing ball before Austrian skipper David Alaba scrambled back to make a saving tackle.
And when Immobile’s curling effort from the edge of the area came back off the far post, the Italian fans started to sense that this was not going to be quite the walkover they had anticipated.
Austria, appearing in a European Championship knockout match for the first time, were defending as though their lives depended on it.
They almost made the breakthrough early in the second-half when Arnautovic shanked a shot across the face of goal before David Alaba’s free-kick brushed the top of the bar.
And they were convinced their heroic rearguard action had paid off in the 65th minute when Alaba headed the ball forward for Arnautovic to power in off the underside of the bar.
But their wild celebrations were cut short by Attwell’s voice in the ear of ref Anthony Taylor and Italy were able to cling to take the match into extra-time. 
English referee Anthony Taylor and VAR had a busy evening at WembleyCredit: The Sun
Chiesa hit the opener after a smart piece of play on the bylineCredit: AFP

But the former Stoke and West Ham striker’s joy was short-lived when his header was ruled out for offside by VAR Stuart Attwell. 
No wonder Mancini looked so relieved. That would have been the first time his team had conceded since October last year.
Their goal was finally breached in the 23rd minute of extra-time by a near-post header from Sasa Kalajdzic – but it just wasn’t enough to secure the penalty shoot-out which Austria’s efforts had merited.
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I HAVEN’T said this too often in the past but nothing about Germany scares me and I’m delighted we’re playing them.None of us need telling how they’ve broken English hearts more than once over the years. But this time I honestly believe they are there for the taking.
Harry Redknapp insists England have nothing to fear against GermanyCredit: The Sun
Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions face their old rivals in the last-16 on Tuesday at WembleyCredit: Getty
It’s a great, great draw because I think both France and Portugal would have given us a far bigger test.
Didi Hamann is far better placed than me to comment on German football and he insists this is their worst national team he’s ever seen.
In fact before the Euros, he didn’t think they would even get out of the group.
Well, they might have managed that — eventually — but they are bang average. In the first game they were well beaten. There might have only been one goal in it but France had a couple disallowed and weren’t exactly struggling to hang on.
I know Germany beat Portugal in the second game but we saw how they struggled against a quick counter-attack.
Then they couldn’t beat Hungary in Munich, so there’s not been much to frighten Gareth Southgate.
When you’re a manager, there are certain games when you think “this is perfect for us” and this is one of them.
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Everyone will want England to win — probably even most of the neutrals, too — and for once we are right to have every confidence that we will.
And the best way is for us to have a go, to be positive and get at them.
We’ve had a couple of 1-0s but we have the players who can open them up, so let’s do it.
Mats Hummels has been a marvellous defender over the years but he’s had his day and Harry Kane should be licking his lips.
Harry might not have been at his best so far but you can bet your life he’ll score — and once he does, he’ll go on a run.
The thing is, we’re winning games and the best player has not been great, so that shows what a chance we have when he does come good.
And that, believe me, is only a matter of time.

I really hope Gareth plays Jack Grealish again, too — although I have my doubts as to whether he will — because he could have a field day.
Phil Foden has got to come back in and, of course, you can’t drop Raheem Sterling after scoring the winner in two games so far.
So, as tough as it is seeing how well he did against the Czechs, I would probably leave out Bukayo Saka.
You could have Foden coming in off one wing, Sterling off another, Jack buzzing around just behind Kane.
But the best thing is that with those three it would be so fluid and so  difficult for the Germans to get a grip on them.
I can’t see any way Gareth won’t go with two holding midfielders again. After three clean sheets he’s not about to change that.
It’s just a question of whether  Jordan Henderson comes in, although Kalvin Phillips was great in the first game and Declan Rice has been as steady as ever.

And while we’ve not exactly been free-scoring, we’ve been as tight as a drum in defence. The centre-backs haven’t put a foot wrong.
Another ‘0’ against us and we’re through with one goal. Either that or penalties at the very least . . . although none of us want that again!
But with those four  forwards, I really think we will do some damage.
So come on, Gareth, let’s go and win the game.
You don’t say it very often when Germany are the opponents but I will be very, very disappointed if we don’t knock them over.
There’s no reason why we can’t go all the way when you look at how the draw’s panned out. Oh my god, what a chance we’ve got!
France, Italy, Portugal, Belgium, Spain… all of them in the other half, so what an opportunity this is.
Mind you, we said that against Iceland a few years ago, so I suppose we shouldn’t get too carried away.
And before we played Croatia in 2018, I felt it was almost like getting a bye into the World Cup final…
But you can’t help getting excited at what could happen here.
We’re in a position where we can do anything. We’re the better team, we’ve got better players and I’m confident we can beat anyone.
So come on England, this is your chance. We’ll never have a better one.
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England train as Germany last-16 Euro 2020 tie edges closer More

GERMANY are seething at being banned from training at Wembley ahead of Tuesday’s big Euros showdown with England.Joachim Low’s squad have had to change their schedule after Uefa ruled no one can use the Wembley pitch outside of matchdays after heavy rain left it on the verge of being damaged.
Germany will not be able to test the Wembley surface ahead of the crunch fixture with England
It means the Germans cannot get a feel for how the surface is playing before the last-16 game against England, who have already played there three times in the tournament.
All Group D teams were able to train at Wembley the day before matches.
But Uefa have ditched the procedure and neither Austria nor Italy were able to get a taste of the grass either ahead of their match yesterday.
It has left some within the German camp feeling England have been given an unfair advantage.
Instead they will have to train in Germany tomorrow morning before flying into London in the afternoon.
And the players will only get a chance to get used to the stadium when they arrive 90 minutes before kick-off on Tuesday.
The measures have been put in place because Uefa are keen to ensure the playing surface is not damaged, with both semi-finals and the final also to be played at Wembley.
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But it has added to a feeling of disappointment in the German camp, on the back of learning that only a fraction of the 45,000 tickets will be made available to their fans.
Capacity has been increased from the 25,000 of the group stages but, because of strict protocols and quarantine measures, no visiting fans will be allowed.
And that means Germany expect to have less than 2,000 supporters in the stands, all of whom will be UK-based, leading to anger in the country.
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LAID-BACK centre-half John Stones was so cool about taking penalties he netted a Panenka-style spot-kick in his Everton debut.But he has vowed not to try it if Tuesday’s match goes to a shootout after seeing Manchester City team-mate Sergio Aguero fluff a similar effort against Chelsea last month.
John Stones is looking forward to a tough clash with GermanyCredit: Getty
The defender once chipped a penalty for Everton – but won’t do so on Tuesday
Stones was just 19 when he stepped up at the end of a pre-season friendly against Juventus in July 2013 and chipped his kick into the top corner.
The Three Lions star, 27, said: “I felt no emotion going up to that. Probably just so young.
“I had done it in training and the manager was laughing because I was with keeper Joel Robles at the time and he used to get so angry at me, just messing about.
“But then I remember walking up and he said ‘Yeah, go on!’, just gave me the nod.”
Asked if he would try the same technique if required during Wembley’s last-16 clash with the Germans, Stones admitted: “No… after seeing Sergio doing it this season.”
If Stones is called on to take a spot-kick, he will be much better prepared than fellow centre-half Gareth Southgate was when he infamously missed from 12 yards in the Euro 96 semi-final shootout defeat against Germany.

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On that occasion, the penalty takers and order were decided on the night — but Southgate is not leaving anything to chance.
He said: “With how we do it now, we’ve been practising so much.
“Everything will be done before so it’s not like a mad scramble and we look like we’re unprepared, almost. We want to be going into it knowing that we’ve ticked every box.
“Knowing that when a certain situation comes, no one is panicking, saying, ‘Oh, do you want to go third?’.
“We’ve been practising on keeping that clear focus of what to do if your turn comes up.”
Stones’ turn nearly came up in the last-16 shootout against Colombia at the 2018 World Cup, when Eric Dier netted England’s fifth penalty to secure a 4-3 victory after the game had finished 1-1.
Unless it’s Harry Kane or the boys who take penalties for their clubs, it’s a zone that we’ve not stepped into before.John Stones

And Stones added: “I remember being after Eric. That was a scary moment.
“But I was ready because of this process that we’ve always talked about.
“It’s about making you as comfortable as possible in that situation.
“Because, unless it’s Harry Kane or the boys who take penalties for their clubs regularly, it’s a zone that we’ve not stepped into before.”
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Rested Germany stars ride into training as they begin preparations for England Euro 2020 clash after two days off More

GARETH SOUTHGATE has printed out the National Anthem and urged his stars to ‘sing with pride’.The England boss believes a rousing rendition of God Save The Queen by the players on Tuesday will inspire the 45,000-strong Wembley crowd to roar his team to victory against Germany.
England players have got the lyrics ready to belt out God Save The Queen on Tuesday eveningCredit: Getty
Asked about the prospect of thousands of fans singing the National Anthem, striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin declared: “It’s an unbelievable.
“My first experience playing for England with fans was the friendly against Austria this month.
“That was the first time I heard the National Anthem as a player and got to sing it as a player with fans in the stadium — it gave me goose bumps.
“So playing in the Euros, with 40-odd thousand singing it in the stadium, it’s going to make a massive difference.
“It gives you that extra boost and it’s just a very proud moment.”
All coaching and backroom staff have also been encouraged to learn the words.
An England source revealed: “In previous tournaments, players have been seen half-heartedly mumbling the lyrics — some even remaining closed-mouthed.
“Gareth is hugely patriotic and feels it’s essential that players foster a sense of national pride by learning and singing the words.
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“He sat the players down before the tournament and explained cameras would be on them the whole time and that it was essential to show fans just what it means to pull on an England shirt.
“If the players sing, it inspires the crowd and those watching at home.”
Ahead of last week’s 1-0 win over the Czech Republic, TV cameras showed every member of England’s starting XI proudly belting out God Save The Queen.
The source added: “There has been some ribbing for the more tone-deaf players but it’s been great for team spirit.”
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Gareth Southgate will be joined by 45,000 fans to sing the National AnthemCredit: Getty
The Three Lions could take a leaf out of the Italians’ book for their passionate renditions of Il Canto degli ItalianiCredit: Reuters

Here’s how England have fared against Germany ahead of Euro 2020 clash More

SERGE GNABRY has sent out a chilling warning to England — that he is aiming to dish out another dose of capital punishment on Tuesday.The Germany winger has struck six goals on his last two appearances in London and is eager to continue his hot streak against the Three Lions at Wembley.
Germany’s Serge Gnabry has issued a worrying warning to EnglandCredit: Reuters
Bayern Munich ace Gnabry scored four in a 7-2 thrashing of Tottenham back in 2019 and followed that up with a double to help see off Chelsea five months later.
Now he is aiming to be the main man for Germany in the big last-16 clash and send England packing from the Euros.
Gnabry, 25, said: “Whenever I came back to London, to England — and hopefully it will go the same way for me on Tuesday — I score.
“Every time I’m in London, I loved playing and felt comfortable. Scoring goals there is amazing. There’s always a lot of history involved.”
The former Arsenal star added: “I still have lots of friends who hopefully will be at the stadium, which is why I also look forward to playing.”
Having struggled to establish himself at the Gunners because of injuries — and flopping badly on loan at West Brom — Gnabry has taken his game to a different level at Bayern.
And he is likely to be leading the line for Joachim Low’s side despite failing to hit the back of the net so far during the tournament.
He admits it is not a feeling he is used to and is aiming to break his duck against Gareth Southgate’s side.
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Gnabry added: “To be up front as one of Germany’s forwards, and not having scored, is absolutely nothing that I like.
“It is not my wish to sit here and not have scored a goal yet. I play a different role here. I have to be more patient — this is new to me.
“My only option is to go on waiting for my chance to come and hopefully I will score against England.”
Having not conceded so far during the Euros, England go into the match confident they are a tough nut to crack — but they also expect to come up against a familiar foe.
Thomas Muller was in the Germany side that beat England at the 2010 World Cup and has been a player who has been a thorn in the side of many an English club side throughout his career.
Muller, 31, has overcome a knee problem and is almost certain to start — and he admits he loves the idea of getting into England’s heads.
The Bayern forward said: “If the English really do feel a ‘threat’, then I would love that to be true.

“But it really depends on what I’m doing on the pitch and less on the common history that England and Germany share.
“It leads us nowhere if I tell my marker that I was good back in 2010 — it won’t do any good.
“It’s a beautiful thing for the media and public. You can always talk about the past and revel in memories but it really doesn’t have anything to do with the game on Tuesday.
“We’re looking forward to facing England, a big player in international football, always with ambitions to achieve something at a tournament.
“As far as the sporting situation is concerned, both teams have had convincing games at the group stage.
“But at the same time, they were matches that many people back home felt were a bit underwhelming.
“England, for example, had a mere goalless draw against Scotland, whereas Germany would have wanted to achieve more than a 2-2 draw against Hungary.
“But Tuesday night will be totally different. It’s a knockout game, two teams will face each other that both have excellent individual players with a lot of quality.

“And both teams have the right level of self-confidence to say, ‘We’re going to proceed to the next round’.”
Striker Harry Kane’s lack of form has caught the eye in Germany — and Muller is desperate for the conversation over the England’s captain’s form to go on long after Tuesday’s game.
He added: “In principle, really good forwards need to have patience. In their heart of hearts, of course, they are impatient. But any good forward has to lie in wait for his own chance to score to come around.
“Sometimes, goalscorers are the ones with the fewest contacts, but then they have the biggest pictures the next day in the papers.
“Harry Kane is somebody who knows deep down that he possibly has to change his own game a little bit.
“I’m not really sure what is at the root of his problem. I can’t really say why he just hasn’t got into a position to score because there haven’t been any changes, have there, in terms of his technique and in terms of his goalscoring ability.
“But as a German player I wouldn’t really mind if that debate was carried on until Wednesday and if we didn’t concede a goal scored by Harry Kane.”
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Rested Germany stars ride into training as they begin preparations for England Euro 2020 clash after two days off More

WALES football fans have been drowning their sorrows after their team crashed out of the Euro 2020 championship.They watched on in horror as goal after goal left their national team with a 4-0 defeat at the hands of Denmark in Amsterdam. 
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A Wales fan has a moment after his team was knocked outCredit: Getty
Previously exuberant fans were seen looking despondentCredit: Getty
Gareth Bale of Wales looks dejected following defeat in the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship RoundCredit: Reuters
Revellers didn’t let the ban from travelling to Amsterdam for the match dampen their spirits — packing out Cardiff pubs to cheer on their country’s Euro 2020 last-16 clash.
The fans had vowed to party hard from home, with supporters dressed in red taking to the streets of Cardiff to cheer on Gareth Bale’s men.
But they were left with their heads in their hands as they were soundly thumped out of the Euros.
Welsh fan’s nerves were first rattled when Denmark’s forward Kasper Dolberg put his country 1-0 up against Wales after just 26 minutes.
Events then took a turn for the worst when Denmark doubled their lead three minutes after half-time.
Welsh fan’s nerves were rattled when Denmark’s forward Kasper Dolberg put his country 1-0 up against Wales after just 26 minutes
A Wales fan in Cardiff city centre reacts after his team was knocked outCredit: PA
A Wales fan places his hands over his eyes as Denmark scores a second goal after halftimeCredit: PA
Wales fans watch on the edge of their seats as they take on DenmarkCredit: PA
Denmark’s Kasper Dolberg celebrates after scoring his side’s second goalCredit: AP
Wales wanted a free-kick after Simon Kjaer collided with Kieffer Moore but play was allowed to continue.
But Denmark’s domination was rewarded with a third goal two minutes from time.
A fourth goal saw the Danish going through to the quarter-finals while Wales are heading home.
The beer garden at The Griffin pub in Mold, north Wales which was bedecked in the Welsh flag and another bearing the names of Prince Llewelyn, last king of Wales — executed by the English in 1258.
Gaz Pemberton, from Mold, watching the match along with other Wales fans at the pub, said: “I’m not disappointed, I’m very, very proud of what our lads have done today. 
“We are very, very lucky we have several different nations on this island that can give us something to hope for. 
“Even me, I spoke Welsh before I spoke English, if we can bring something back I will be more than happy I will be just as proud.” 
Landlady Julie Slater, from Blackburn, England, did her best to console Wales fans in her pub. 
She said: “I’m disappointed for the Wales fans. I was cheering them on, and it’s better for business if they had won, but it’s just nice to see the pub full again and people watching the football, coming together as a community and enjoying themselves.”
Fans pose as they head into Cardiff city centre
Fans vowed to party hard from home, with supporters heading into CardiffCredit: PA
Fans are unable to attend the game at the Johan Cruyff Arena due to Covid rulesCredit: PA
Fans have vowed to cheer their team on for homeCredit: PA
Pubs in the capital city have been packed out with passionate fansCredit: PA

Meanwhile, at the stadium, hoards of Denmark fans cheer on their team.
Danish supporters were able to travel to the country if they entered and left Holland within 12 hours. 
That meant he avoided having to quarantine on their arrival.
Permission was granted because both Denmark and the Netherlands are in the EU Schengen travel area — but Wales is not. 
Both countries are not on the Netherlands’ safe country list. 

Erik Brogger, director of Denmark’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Citizen Service, said: “You can get to football, but you have to plan quite carefully if you do not want to risk being quarantined in a hotel room.
“It should be technically possible, but you have to plan it pretty carefully.
“For most people, it will probably be better to stay at home. We encourage you to watch the match at home.”
Danish authorities said that fans are allowed to attend if fans present a negative PCR test that is at most 72 hours old.
SunSport revealed that the last-16 tie – which kicks off at the Johan Cruyff Arena – favours the Danes due to coronavirus travel guidelines.
Eriksen underwent an operation to fit a ‘heart-starting’ device called an ICD to help prevent future problems.
Later that week, the Inter Milan ace was discharged from hospital in a major boost.
And Eriksen even visited his Denmark pals at training ahead of their last-16 showdown with Wales.
A supporter of Denmark gestures prior to the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Round of 16 match between Wales and DenmarkCredit: Getty
Fans showed their support with face paint and dying their beardsCredit: Getty
Denmark will face either the Netherlands or Czech Republic should they beat WalesCredit: Getty
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