Euro 2020

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      Euro 2020 Group A LIVE TABLE AND STANDINGS: Wales face Italy for top spot but must beware of Switzerland

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      WALES are on the verge of qualification and can go to Italy in relaxed mood following a 2-0 win over Turkey.Goals from Aaron Ramsey and Connor Roberts secured the victory for the Welsh in Baku, meaning a win against the Italians will see them top the group.
      Gareth Bale has helped Wales to the verge of the last 16Credit: Getty
      But they must be careful as there is still a small chance they could fall out of the qualification spots if they lose to Italy.
      That would require Switzerland to beat Turkey with a five-goal swing and results in other groups to go drastically against the Dragons.
      Group A live table

      How many teams qualify from Euro 2020 Group A?
      A minimum of two teams will qualify from Euro 2020 Group A.
      The best four third placed teams will also progress to the knockout stages.

      Group A fixtures and results
      Friday, June 11
      Turkey 0 Italy 3
      Saturday, June 12
      Wales 1 Switzerland 1
      Wednesday, June 16
      Turkey 0 Wales 2
      Italy 3 Switzerland 0
      Sunday, June 20
      Italy vs Wales (5pm) – Rome
      Switzerland vs Turkey (5pm) – Baku More

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      What is the Auld enemy and why is the nickname used for England vs Scotland?

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      IT’S THE oldest international fixture in the world, giving the rivalry between the two nations the nickname of the ‘Auld Enemy’. England vs Scotland was first played almost 150 YEARS ago in at Hamilton Crescent in Glasgow in 1872, and was played every year after until 1989 except during World War One and Two.
      England and Scotland in action at Wembley in 2016Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd
      Scotland were the home side that day, although the action on the pitch was not exactly memorable.
      The game finished 0-0 but it began what has become the oldest international fixture in world football, and perhaps the fiercest.
      The close proximity of the two nations has fuelled the rivalry over the years, as well as Scottish national pride and the want to beat England above all else.
      And the term ‘auld enemy’ has become synonymous with the fixture.
      The word ‘auld’ literally means ‘old’ in Scottish dialect and is used regularly in Scotland.
      Auld Lang Syne is a famous Scottish song – meaning ‘old long since’ – and Edinburgh has the nickname ‘Auld Reekie’ which means ‘old smoky’.
      The Auld Kirk is another name for the Church of Scotland… but also the country’s world famous export: whisky.
      The rivalry also extends to rugby, with England vs Scotland being the oldest international rugby fixture in the world
      The importance of the fixture has been highlighted in the past few days as up to 20,000 Scotland fans have descended on London for tonight’s Euro 2020 fixture between the two sides at Wembley.
      The Tartan Army have been allocated less than 3,000 tickets for inside Wembley, but thousands more have made the journey south to watch the game in pubs and bars across the capital.
      Tonight’s game has shades of the Euro 96 clash between the sides, remembered mostly for Paul Gascgoine’s iconic goal in the 3-1 England win at Wembley that day.
      Scotland fans will never forget beating England at Wembley in 1967, the first defeat for the then world champions in a 3-2 victory with goals from Denis Law, Bobby Lennox and Jim McCalliog.
      Denis Law scored for Scotland in a 3-2 win against world champions England in 1967Credit: PA:Empics Sport
      Scotland fans arriving at King’s Cross
      Who has won more games?
      Over the years it’s England that have had the better of the results, adding to Scottish desperation to get one over the Auld Enemy.
      In 114 meetings between the two countries England have won 48 of them, with 41 draws and 25 Scotland wins.
      Harry Kane celebrates scoring late on against Scotland at Hampden Park

      Who won the last time they played?
      The two sides last faced off four years ago at Hampden Park in a 2018 World Cup qualifier, with the game ending in dramatic fashion.
      England took the lead after 70 minutes through Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, but were pegged back by a quickfire Leigh Griffiths brace in the 87th and 90th minute.
      The Tartan Army had thought they had won it until Harry Kane’s 93rd minute equaliser broke Scottish hearts, and extended England’s now 22-year unbeaten run against the Auld Enemy.
      The two sides couldn’t be separated the last time they played
      Leigh Griffiths reacts to England’s late equaliser in 2017 More

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      Euro 2020 Group F LIVE TABLE AND STANDINGS: Portugal top ahead of Germany clash as France visit Hungary

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      THE group of death is hotting up after the completion of the first round of games.France left Germany in a spot of bother after picking up a 1-0 win in Munich that, if anything, flattered the Germans.
      Cristiano Ronaldo netted a double as Portugal beat HungaryCredit: EPA
      Portugal meanwhile got the scoreline they wanted as they came out of the cauldron of a 100 per cent full Puskas Arena with a 3-0 win against Hungary, despite being far from their best.
      Next up the Portuguese head to Munich while the French face the Hungarians and their passionate supporters in Budapest.
      Group F live table

      How many teams qualify from Euro 2020 Group F?
      A minimum of two teams will qualify from Euro 2020 Group F.
      The best four third placed teams will also progress to the knockout stages.

      Group F fixtures
      Tuesday, June 15
      Hungary 0 Portugal 3
      France 1 Germany 0
      Saturday, June 19
      Hungary vs France (2pm) – Budapest
      Portugal vs Germany (5pm) – Munich
      Wednesday, June 23
      Portugal vs France (8pm) – Budapest
      Germany vs Hungary (8pm) – Munich More

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      Jose Mourinho urges Scotland to play Man Utd’s Scott McTominay in defence and field Chelsea ace Billy Gilmour vs England

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      JOSE MOURINHO has offered Steve Clarke some tactical advice to help Scotland down England at Wembley.The two Auld Enemies clash in their second Group D clash tonight.
      Jose Mourinho has offered Steve Clarke some advice going into tonight’s crunch clashCredit: Getty
      The Special One wants to see Scott McTominay moved into defence for ScotlandCredit: Getty
      That would then allow Billy Gilmour to be unleashed in midfieldCredit: The Sun
      The Tartan Army returned to the international big stage on Monday after a 23-year wait when they faced Czech Republic at Hampden Park.
      But the feel-good factor was soon ended as Scotland slipped to a 2-0 defeat on home turf – leaving the trip south of the border an almost must-win.
      England, on the other hand, began in positive fashion as Raheem Sterling fired them to a 1-0 win over Croatia.
      Looking ahead to the game, Mourinho revealed he wants to see his former Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay line-up in defence so that the Scots can unleash Chelsea ace Billy Gilmour in the centre instead.
      The Special One, who is SunSport’s exclusive columnist for the tournament, told talkSPORT Breakfast: “Steve [Clarke] deserves all the respect and the last thing I want to do here is be the smart one, it’s just my opinion like anybody else who listens to this show.
      “The fact McTominay can play in defence, he’s faster than Grant Hanley and I think Scotland need speed against Sterling and Rashford – they’re going to attack the space in the behind.
      “Do you lose a very strong midfield player? Yes.
      “But [Stuart] Armstrong and [John] McGinn are good players who are intense and recover balls and the kid, Gilmour, he will give them a focal point because he wants the ball all the time.

      ⚽ ENGLAND vs SCOTLAND BETTING SPECIAL ⚽

      “You can look at his body and think, ‘they’re going to smash him’, but they’re only going to smash him if they arrive on time, and he is very good and very quick on the ball.
      “And often, if a player wants to come in and smash him, they will arrive too late, he’s already gone.”
      He added: “So if Scotland play five at the back with Scott in the back-five, they can bring in the kid to play in midfield, and that would help against England’s pace.”
      ⚽ Follow ALL of the latest news and updates from Euro 2020 with our live blog

       England fans descend on London before Euros clash with Scotland More

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      Kevin De Bruyne reveals nerve damage has left him with no feeling in side of face and fears injury will last six months

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      KEVIN DE BRUYNE has revealed that nerve damage has left him with no feeling in the left side of his face.The star, 29, suffered his facial injuries during Manchester City’s Champions League final defeat to Chelsea last month.
      Belgian star Kevin De Bruyne scored the winner for his country against DenmarkCredit: AP
      De Bruyne has revealed the true extent of the facial damage he sufferedCredit: AFP
      The Belgium international fractured his eye socket during a clash with Antonio Rudiger and went straight in for surgery in order to be fit for Euro 2020.
      De Bruyne bravely played through the pain barrier for his country yesterday and bagged the winner following his arrival as sub in the 2-1 victory over Denmark.
      And afterwards he fired his country in the last-16 with a game to spare, he revealed that it will take him at least six months to fully recover.
      De Bruyne said: “I don’t feel anything on the left side, like after a visit to the dentist.
      “My nerve is very badly affected, which could take six months. It’s not a comfortable feeling, but the most important thing is that I can play.
      “The last two months have been up and down for me with minor injuries. After that fracture in the nose and eye socket, it was a bit of a wait.
      “But luckily I came back in the fastest way. There was very good intensity for half an hour, [against Denmark] then I felt it. But I’m glad I was able to play.”
      De Bruyne is obviously delighted to have returned to action so quickly, but he admitted he is still not back to full confidence back on the pitch.

      ⚽ ENGLAND vs SCOTLAND BETTING SPECIAL ⚽

      How the top pundits of the two channels stack up against each other

      He added: “In the duels I am sometimes afraid to put my head in it, but that’s normal.
      “I’m glad I could help the team, but am I ready to play 90 minutes? No idea.
      “We have to wait and see how my body reacts and then we’ll see after Finland. We are already qualified, so we can see how my body reacts.”
      ⚽ Follow ALL of the latest news and updates from Euro 2020 with our live blog

      Kevin De Bruyne reveals he toned down Belgium goal celebration out of respect to Christian Eriksen More

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      Why is Zlatan Ibrahimovic not playing for Sweden in Euro 2020?

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      ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC has been one of the most talented and recognisable footballers of the past two decades.But at Euro 2020, for the second tournament running, he’ll play no part for his native Sweden.
      Zlatan Ibrahimovic will play no part for Sweden at Euro 2020Credit: Getty
      Why isn’t Zlatan Ibrahimovic playing for Sweden at Euro 2020?
      Zlatan Ibrahimovic, missed out on World Cup 2018 after retiring from international football five years ago.
      However, his retirement is NOT the reason he is unable to appear for Sweden at Euro 2020.
      Ibrahimovic came out of international retirement in March and appeared in Sweden’s last two World Cup qualifiers.
      However, his hopes of an international swansong at the age of 39 were curtailed by a cruciate ligament injury in May.
      Though the ligament is not broken, Ibrahimovic will still be unable to return in time for the big tournament in which Sweden face Spain, Poland and Slovakia.
      Sweden coach Janne Andersson said: “I spoke to Zlatan Ibrahimovic today, who unfortunately told me his injury will prevent his participation in the European Championship this summer.
      “Of course it is sad, especially for Zlatan, but for us too. I hope that he is back on the pitch again as soon as possible.”

      Has Zlatan Ibrahimovic played his last game for Sweden?
      Zlatan Ibrahimovic has not made any announcement on his international future following his injury.
      However, he may be encouraged to continue with the World Cup in Qatar just 18 months away.
      That would give him the incredible opportunity to play his part on the world’s biggest stage at the age of 41.
      But he would still not be the oldest player ever to appear at a World Cup, with that accolade going to Egypt goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary.
      He started against Saudi Arabia at World Cup 2018 at the age of 45. More

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      Wijnaldum jokes Depay is speaking to him in Spanish amid Barcelona transfer links after Holland pal crashes interview

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      GEORGINIO WIJNALDUM joked that Memphis Depay speaks to him in Spanish, ahead of the forward’s impending move to Barcelona.Depay, 27, crashed Wijnaldum’s post-match interview, with the pair both on Netherlands duty.
      Memphis crashed Wijnaldum’s interviewCredit: NPO 1
      Wijnaldum and Depay are representing their country at Euro 2020Credit: Rex
      The former Manchester United star whispered something to Wijnaldum, prompting a Dutch reporter to ask the new PSG star what Depay had said.
      With a smile, Wijnaldum joked: “I do not know, I have not understood.
      “He must have spoken in Spanish.”
      Wijnaldum, who himself was in advanced negotiations with Barca before choosing PSG, was referring to Depay’s likely transfer to Catalonia.
      The 27-year-old, whose contract with Lyon expires at the end of this month, has not been subtle with his situation.
      He said on Wednesday: “Everyone knows that I have been linked to Barca for a while and I want to play for Ronald Koeman.
      “Wait and then the news will come.
      “Everyone knows that there are conversations and I think we will have news in this regard soon.

      ⚽ ENGLAND vs SCOTLAND BETTING SPECIAL ⚽

      Depay wants to play under Ronald Koeman againCredit: Getty

      “We have to wait, but I would say that shortly we will be able to know something definitive.”
      A contract is believed to have been largely agreed, with Barcelona reportedly awaiting a final yes from Depay himself.
      Koeman, 58, said: “Memphis has said something about its future and I can confirm it.
      “As far as I know it is well on its way. Not yet signed, but almost.
      “I wanted to get him in January and if he comes now it’s great for us.”
      The pair worked together during Koeman’s stint with the Dutch national team, before he opted to leave last summer to manage Barcelona.
      Wijnaldum and Memphis have gotten their Euro 2020 campaigns off to a perfect start, beating Ukraine 3-2 on Sunday, before comfortably seeing off Austria 2-0 last night.

      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Lyon star Memphis Depay works out in football training More

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      Euro 2020 Group D LIVE TABLE AND STANDINGS: Czech Republic lead group after one game as England face Scotland

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      ENGLAND take on Scotland as they look to book their place in the Euro 2020 last 16.The Three Lions were 1-0 winners over Croatia in their opening game as they got off to the perfect start.
      England were 1-0 winners over Croatia in their opening gameCredit: AP
      But they still sit just second in the group at present, after the Czech Republic beat Scotland 2-0 at Hampden Park.
      The Czechs remain in Glasgow today as they take on Croatia knowing they can book a last 16 spot.
      Group D live table

      How many teams qualify from Euro 2020 Group D?
      A minimum of two teams will qualify from Euro 2020 Group D.
      The best four third placed teams will also progress to the knockout stages.

      Group D fixtures and results
      Sunday, June 13
      England 1 Croatia 0
      Monday, June 14
      Scotland 0 Czech Republic 2
      Friday, June 18
      Croatia vs Czech Republic (5pm) – Hampden Park
      England vs Scotland (8pm) – Wembley
      Tuesday, June 22
      Croatia vs Scotland (8pm) – Hampden Park
      Czech Republic vs England (8pm) – Wembley More