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      Timothy Castagne ‘3cm from career-ending injury’ after broken eye socket at Euro 2020 as Belgium star has SIX-hour op

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      TIMOTHY CASTAGNE’S broken eye-socket injury which required a six-hour operation was just 3cm away from ending his career.The Belgium full-back sustained a horror blow in his nation’s Euro 2020 opener against Russia on Saturday.
      Timothy Castagne had a six-hour operation to fix his broken right eye socketCredit: AP
      He had a nasty clash of heads with Daley Kuzyaev midway through the first half in St Petersburg.
      And the heavy blow to his right eye socket caused ‘three or four’ breaks.
      According to HLN in Belgium, had the contact been just 3cm higher, the neurological damage could have had tragic ramifications for his career.
      Castagne, 25, underwent surgery from 3pm to 9pm under general anaesthetic on Tuesday to reconstruct the socket.
      Metal parts were inserted to help the recovery process.
      Castagne is expected to head home in the coming days and must rest for two weeks.
      The versatile Leicester City man is expected to be able to return to playing football within six to eight weeks, meaning he faces a race against time to be fit for the start of the Premier League season.
      Brendan Rodgers’ Foxes face Wolves on the opening weekend of the 2021-22 campaign on August 14.

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      Speaking on Sunday before the procedure, Castagne’s Belgium boss Roberto Martinez said: “This is really bad news.
      “He has already left the training camp. He will go for a consultation with the specialist on Tuesday.
      “On the images, we have been able to see that it is not two, but three or four fractures. He will recover perfectly, but that will take about six weeks.”
      Castagne required surgery in 2015 to correct his vision troubles from exophoria following another serious collision during a game.
      The FA Cup winner said: “From childhood, I suffered from exophoria, a condition in which the two eyes are turned slightly outwards.
      “My brain corrected that which allowed me to see optimally, but after the collision with Ibou I felt my vision deteriorate. I saw double, suffered a lot from migraine attacks.

      “When I also saw white spots in front of my eyes in a cup match against Charleroi, I felt that it couldn’t go on like this.
      “Even after four or five scans, no doctor found a medical cause for my vision problems. I was really worried. That way I couldn’t keep playing at a high level.
      “A small cut in both eye muscles has ensured that I have been freed from my double vision.
      “I was not allowed to do anything for the first month after the operation. No television, no computer, no cell phone.”
      In a bizarre twist of fate for the Red Devils, superstar Kevin De Bruyne also suffered a fractured eye socket just two weeks before Euro 2020 started.
      He underwent a successful operation and, despite sitting out of the opening win over Russia, is hopeful of playing his part in the tournament with a protective mask.
      He was involved in a nasty clash of heads with Daley Kuzyaev of RussiaCredit: Reuters
      He now faces a race against time to be fit for the start of the new Premier League season with LeicesterCredit: Reuters
      Belgium boss Roberto Martinez confirms Timothy Castagne is out of Euro 2020 after suffering sickening broken eye socket in head clash More

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      Which teams are taking the knee throughout Euro 2020?

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      EURO 2020 is here and one new feature of the tournament is the differing stance teams will take against racism.England have become embroiled in a big row with the players condemning fans who booed them taking the knee against Austria and Romania.
      England will continue taking the knee throughout Euro 2020Credit: PA
      And manager Gareth Southgate said the players are even more determined to take the knee following the booing.
      Here are the gestures each of the 24 teams will be making during the tournament.
      Which teams are taking the knee at Euro 2020?
      England
      England will continue to take the knee during Euro 2020, as they have been since the murder of George Floyd last year.
      The team have stated that they believe the gesture is not a political one and designed simply to show support for racial equality.
      Gareth Southgate said: “I think we have got a situation where some people seem to think it is a political stand that they don’t agree with.
      “That is not the reason the players are doing it. We are supporting each other.”
      Wales
      Wales and France take the knee in a pre-Euro 2020 friendlyCredit: Reuters
      Wales have taken the knee over the past year and will continue to do so.
      Interim manager Rob Page said: “We had a meeting and we all think it’s still important to take the knee.
      “That’s the message we’ve given out. We’re all in it together and there were no issues.”
      Belgium
      Belgium are the only non-British team to announce they will take the knee throughout Euro 2020.
      Romelu Lukaku said of any negative reactions: “I don’t care. I fight for diversity.
      “Not only for the black community, also for the women. Colour, sexuality, faith, it doesn’t matter. Everybody should be respected.”
      Which teams have not taken the knee at Euro 2020?
      Hungary
      Hungary point to the Uefa Respect badge as Ireland take the kneeCredit: Reuters
      The Hungarian FA were the first association to confirm they will not take the knee at Euro 2020.
      In a statement they said they view the knee as a political gesture in defiance of Uefa and Fifa rules.
      It read: “The basic values ​​of the sport are equal opportunities, respect for the teammate and the opponent.
      “Football may have become the most popular sport in the world because it belongs to everyone.
      “The Hungarian national team not only follows the international rules and norms in all cases, but also pays tribute to everyone – be it an opponent, a fan or anyone else.
      “MLSZ has been fighting all forms of hatred for years as part of the ‘Hate is not a track’ campaign.
      “The rules of UEFA and FIFA do not allow politicization on the pitch and in the stadium either, which the MLSZ not only accepts but also agrees with.
      “The national team will not express its condemnation of any form of hatred by kneeling before the matches.”
      During their warm-up game against Ireland, Hungary pointed to the Uefa Respect logo on the sleeves of their shirts while the Irish team took the knee and were booed by a sizeable portion of the 15,000 crowd.
      The Republic of Ireland’s players were booed and jeered by some Hungary fans as they took a knee before kick-off in their friendly in Budapest. pic.twitter.com/15npHfKZcE— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) June 8, 2021

      Croatia
      England’s first opponents at Euro 2020 did not take the knee but instead pointed to the Uefa Respect badge on their shirts.
      An official statement read: “CFF and the players are against any form of discrimination.
      “But the FA provides the players with the right to choose, as the act itself isn’t a part of Croatian culture and heritage.
      “The players chose not to kneel down before the Belgium game, but they’ve taken a respectful stance towards the gesture made by their Belgium colleagues.”
      Italy
      Italy have will not be taking the knee in any of their Euro 2020 games, according to reports from the country.
      In their opening two games against Switzerland and Turkey the two sides kicked off the match as normal.
      And when Wales take the knee in Rome, the Italians are set to stand against racism instead.
      Denmark
      Denmark did not take the knee in their Euro 2020 opener against Finland.
      It is not known whether they will do so when they play Belgium.
      Finland
      Finland did not take the knee in their Euro 2020 opener against Denmark.
      It is not known whether they will do so when they play Belgium.
      Russia
      Russia did not take the knee in their opening game against Belgium.
      The crowd in St Petersburg were also heard booing the Belgian team, who did choose to kneel.
      Holland
      The Netherlands will not take the knee in any of their games, captain Georginio Wijnaldum has said.
      Wijnaldum, who has been taking the knee with Liverpool in Premier League games, commented: “We have talked about that but we decided not to do this.
      “We’re trying to bring attention to the issue in a different way. Actually, only the players who play in England are used to this [kneeling].”
      Austria
      Despite taking the knee in a warm-up game against England, Austria did not do so in their first Euro 2020 game against North Macedonia.
      It is not known whether they will kneel if the opposition does.
      North Macedonia
      North Macedonia did not take the knee in their Euro 2020 opening game against Austria.
      Ukraine
      Ukraine did not take the knee before their opening Euro 2020 game against Holland.
      Czech Republic
      Czech Republic refused to take the knee in their game against Wales in March and are highly unlikely to do so at Euro 2020.
      The Czechs decided to point to the Uefa Respect logo in their sleeves on that occasion as a “neutral, apolitical gesture”.
      During their Euro 2020 opener against Scotland, neither side took the knee.
      The Czechs are thought to be less likely than ever to take the knee after being angered by the ten-game suspension Uefa handed down to defender Ondrej Kudela after he was found to have racially abused Rangers’ Glen Kamara.

      Spain
      While some La Liga players have shown solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement, the Spain team have never taken the knee and their clubs also tend not to.
      Real Madrid did not take the knee against Chelsea, Liverpool or Manchester City while Villarreal chose not to kneel against Man Utd in the Europa League final.
      When Granada played Man Utd, only Brazil winger Kenedy took the knee.
      Spain did not take the knee in their opening Euro 2020 game against Sweden.
      Sweden
      Sweden did not take the knee in their opening Euro 2020 game against Spain.
      Poland
      Poland point to their Uefa Respect badge as England take the kneeCredit: Getty
      Poland did not take the knee in their opening Euro 2020 game against Slovakia.
      The gesture has been criticised by both the Polish FA president and sections of their support.
      The Poles refused to kneel against England and instead pointed to the Uefa Respect logo on their sleeves.
      Polish FA President Zbigniew Boniek labelled the gesture “populism” that “achieved nothing” and said: “I am absolutely against such actions.
      “Footballers sometimes kneel, and if you asked some of them why they were kneeling, they wouldn’t even know.”
      Slovakia
      Slovakia did not take the knee in their Euro 2020 opener against Poland.
      The Slovaks took the knee against Ireland and Scotland last October but were criticised in the Slovakian parliament.
      After this, the country’s FA said the players had only taken the knee because they believed Uefa had instructed them to do so and would no longer perform the gesture.
      Portugal
      Portugal did not take the knee in their Euro 2020 opener against Hungary.
      It is not known whether they will kneel in any of their other games.

      France
      France took the knee in their first warm-up friendly against Wales but not in their second one against Bulgaria.
      However, they did not take the knee in their tournament opener against Germany.
      It is not known whether they will take the knee if the opposition does.
      Germany
      Bundesliga players took the knee after the murder of George Floyd last season.
      However, the national team have not been kneeling in 2021.
      The German team chose not to kneel before their game against France but it is not known whether they will kneel if they face an opposition who do.
      Which teams are taking the knee in some Euro 2020 games?

      Scotland have made their decision ahead of their opener against Czech Republic
      Scotland stars originally said that would NOT be taking a knee prior to their Euro 2020 matches.
      The Scottish FA have confirmed they will continue to promote an anti-racist message by standing before matches.
      But just a day later, they confirmed that they WILL in their match against England.
      Scotland skipper Andy Robertson said: “It is important we continue to tackle the issue of racism and raise awareness of the need to change people’s mindsets but also their behaviours.
      “Prior to our World Cup qualifiers in March we spoke as a group and felt that taking a stand was the best way for us to show solidarity and also to reinforce the need for meaningful change in society.”
      As per their announcement, Scotland did not kneel against the Czech Republic.

      Turkey
      Turkey did not take the knee in their opening match against Italy but did in their second game against Wales.
      Switzerland
      Switzerland did take the knee in their opening Euro 2020 game against Wales but did not in their second game against Italy. More

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      Britain set to grind to a halt as England take on Scotland in titanic Euro 2020 battle on Friday night

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      MORE than HALF of Brits will be tuning in to Friday night’s titanic Euro 2020 clash between England and Scotland.The Three Lions took a huge step towards the last-16 by beating Croatia 1-0, as Scotland slipped to a 2-0 loss at the hands of Czech Republic.
      More than half of residents in England and Scotland are set to tune into Friday’s clashCredit: PA
      And now, ahead of Friday’s 8pm kick-off at Wembley, the two nations are set to grind to a halt as 53 per cent of English and Scottish residents prepare to tune in to the big game, according to a study.
      Nearly one in five adults have even invested in their home entertainment setup to experience the hotly-anticipated clash in all its glory.
      And while 56 per cent enjoy ‘a friendly rivalry’ in football between the home nations of the UK, a third would actively root for the opposition of any home nation they don’t support.
      This could mean millions of English and Scottish fans will be hoping for an early Euros exit for Wales – with the Welsh no doubt feeling exactly the same way.
      The poll of 1,000 English and Scottish nationals found 42 per cent become even more patriotic when it comes to a match against a deadly rival.
      And as the old foes go toe-to-toe in the Euros on Friday, more Scots claim they will be watching the big match in support of their team – 56 per cent compared to just 51 per cent of English.
      But ahead of the home nations clash, 50 per cent of Scottish people are already concerned about losing against a big international rival due to pride at stake – compared to England’s 35 per cent.
      A third of Scots are also hoping to give their English friends a good ribbing should they come out on top, compared to less than one in five the other way around. 

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      How Group D looks after one game with Czech Republic and England getting off to winning starts

      A spokesman from LG, which commissioned the research following the launch of its latest line up of 2021 OLED TVs, said: “Ahead of the intriguing matchup in the football, this research has revealed some interesting insights between both nations.
      “There certainly seems to be a difference in approach to the game as well as support for other home nations.”
      The study also found people aged 35-44 take their national rivalries most seriously, and those aged 18-24 are least bothered about winning or losing against their neighbours.
      And women and men are almost exactly as passionate about their country as each other (63 per cent of women compared to 64 per cent of men).

      James Thomas, product manager home entertainment at LG, added: “One thing is clear – it seems as though there’ll be plenty at stake for fans on Friday night.
      “It’s been such a long time since England and Scotland met in a competitive international tournament, it’s bound to cause excitement.
      “Friday night will see fans from both England and Scotland live their passion for their national team from pubs and living rooms.
      “It’s these kinds of moments when our TVs become more than just technology products.
      “We know that lots of England fans are starting to believe that now’s the time for glory.
      “But whichever way the result goes, we hope for a good clean game – and hopefully some goals as memorable as Paul Gascoigne’s in 1996!”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      England vs Scotland FREE – Live stream, TV channel and kick-off time for Euro 2020 match More

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      Euro 2020 venues: How many fans are allowed in each stadium, and is the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen full?

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      EURO 2020 is in full swing after an excruciating wait.And fans watching on the box will have noticed varying attendances across the eleven host cities.
      Wembley will be one of the main venues for Euro 2020Credit: Reuters
      Which cities are hosting Euro 2020?
      This summer’s competition will be hosted in 11 different cities, down from the original 12.
      The stadiums hosting the competition are as follows:

      Wembley Stadium – London, England
      Allianz Arena – Munich, Germany
      Stadio Olimpico – Rome, Italy
      Olympic Stadium – Baku, Azerbaijan
      Krestovsky Stadium – Saint Petersburg, Russia
      Arena Nationala – Bucharest, Romania
      Johan Cruyff Arena – Amsterdam, Holland
      Estadio de la Cartuja – Sevilla, Spain
      Puskas Arena – Budapest, Hungary
      Hampden Park – Glasgow, Scotland
      Parken Stadium – Copenhagen, Denmark

      How many Euro 2020 games are in England?
      Eight. Wembley will host all three England group games, two round of 16 games, two semi-finals and the final.
      How many Euro 2020 games are in Scotland?
      Four. Hampden Park will have two of Scotland’s games and the Croatia vs Czech Republic group game.
      The Glasgow stadium will also host the final round-of-16 game.

      Which countries are still hosting Euro 2020 and how many fans will they allow?
      The following countries are hosting the competition.
      ENGLAND
      Wembley Stadium, London (90,000 capacity)
      Wembley is set to host the Euro 2020 final
      Wembley is set to host all England’s group matches, plus the Euro 2020 semi-final and final and two last 16 games originally scheduled for Dublin.
      All England’s group games are being held at a 25 per cent capacity.
      However, this will increase to 50 per cent for the knockout games at the national stadium.
      Fans must show a negative Covid test or proof of two doses of an approved vaccine to enter.
      SCOTLAND
      Hampden Park, Glasgow (51,866 capacity)
      Scotland has given Hampden Park the go-ahead for Euro 2020 matchesCredit: PA:Press Association
      After months of speculation, the Scottish FA confirmed that Scotland would be able to host Euro 2020.
      Hampden Park is the venue for two of Scotland’s Euro 2020 group games, plus Croatia’s match against the Czech Republic and one last 16 match.
      It will host games at a 25 per cent capacity.
      Fans in Scotland will not need a ‘vaccine passport’ to enter games at Hampden, but social distancing will be 1.5 metres compared to one metre in England.
      AZERBAIJAN
      Olympic Stadium, Baku (68,700 capacity)
      Baku will host matches at a 50 per cent capacityCredit: Reuters
      Azerbaijan is hosting all three Group A matches not involving Italy, as well as a quarter-final.
      All matches will be held at a 50 per cent capacity.
      DENMARK
      Parken Stadium, Copenhagen (38,065 capacity)
      Copenhagen was the first city to announce it would host Euro 2020 games with fansCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Copenhagen is hosting all three of Denmark’s group matches, plus one last 16 match.
      The Danish capital was the first city to announce in 2021 that it would host Euro 2020 with fans.
      Just days before their opening match, the Danish FA announced an increase to a 65 per cent capacity for Copenhagen’s games.
      RUSSIA
      Krestovsky Stadium, St Petersburg (68,134 capacity)
      Russia has been holding matches with fans throughout this seasonCredit: AP:Associated Press
      St Petersburg is hosting two of Russia’s three home group games, plus Finland vs Belgium and one quarter-final.
      In addition, it has been handed the three group games that were set to be hosted by Dublin.
      All matches will be played at a minimum 50 per cent capacity.
      Russia has been holding matches at half full stadiums throughout this season, while most of Europe has been playing behind closed doors due to coronavirus.
      ROMANIA
      Arena Nationala, Bucharest (55,600 capacity)
      Romania did not qualify for Euro 2020 but the Arena Nationala will still host gamesCredit: Getty
      Romania failed to qualify for Euro 2020 but their national stadium will still host three matches from Group C and one last 16 match.
      Games at the Arena Nationala was set to host at a capacity of 25-33 per cent.
      However, the Romanian Sports Minister on Thursday, June 10 announced an increase to 50 per cent.
      HOLLAND
      Johan Cruyff Arena (56,000 capacity)
      Amsterdam will be hosting all Holland’s Euro 2020 group gamesCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Netherlands was the second country to announce it would host Euro 2020 games, following Denmark.
      All Holland’s group games, as well as a last 16 game, are being hosted at the Johan Cruyff Arena, Amsterdam with a 25-33 per cent capacity able to attend.
      The country began piloting matches with fans back in March, with the Netherlands’ World Cup qualifier against Latvia.
      HUNGARY
      Puskas Arena, Budapest (67,215 capacity)
      Budapest is expecting to host games at full capacityCredit: Getty
      Budapest will host two of Hungary’s three group matches, plus a repeat of the Euro 2016 final between Portugal and France.
      It will also host one last 16 match.
      The Hungarian capital is the only city to announce that games will be hosted at full capacity, subject to strict entry requirements.
      67,000 fans are packing in for the game between Portugal and Hungary.
      Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has been keen to showcase his country on the world stage and reports suggest he has pushed to make sure there is a full crowd in the Puskas Arena.
      He said last Friday: “Everyone who is registered [to come the match] will definitely have been vaccinated, and with their vaccination card will have the opportunity to take part in this event.”
      You may remember that the same stadium was used to host Champions League matches in the latter stages of the tournament.
      The Hungarian FA have hailed the countries vaccine rollout and claimed they want to give “lifetime experience to as many Hungarian fans as possible”.
      ITALY
      Stadio Olimpico, Rome (72,698 capacity)
      Rome has given Uefa the assurances it needsCredit: EPA
      Italy was given extra time by Uefa to confirm that it could host fans at Euro 2020.
      And the Stadio Olimpico in Rome has announced that it will host games at a 25 per cent capacity.
      Rome will host all of Italy’s group matches and a quarter-final which could involve England.
      GERMANY
      Allianz Arena (70,000 capacity)
      Munich was the last of the original host cities to agree to host the tournamentCredit: Getty
      The last of the original host cities to be announced – Munich was only confirmed on April 23.
      The German city has committed to host matches in front of a minimum of 14,500 fans – a 20 per cent capacity – the lowest of all the host cities.
      It will show all Germany group games and a quarter-final.
      SPAIN
      Estadio de la Cartuja, Seville (60,000)
      Seville is a last minute addition as a Euro 2020 co-hostCredit: Reuters
      A last minute addition, Seville will host the games that would have been held in Bilbao after the Spanish FA deemed the Basque Government’s conditions for hosting matches there “impossible” to meet.
      The stadium is well prepared to host games, having been the Spanish FA’s de facto home during the pandemic.
      Estadio de la Cartuja has hosted all Spain games, two Copa del Rey finals and the Spanish Super Cup in the past 12 months.
      Euro 2020 games there will be played at a 30 per cent capacity.
      Which cities have been removed from hosting Euro 2020?
      The following countries failed to give Uefa the assurances they need to host Euro 2020.
      IRELAND
      Aviva Stadium, Dublin (51,700 capacity)
      Dublin is the most likely city to miss out on hosting Euro 2020Credit: PA
      Dublin will miss out on Euro 2020 after failing to give Uefa guarantees that any fans will be allowed to attend matches.
      The Irish capital was set to host three Group E matches and a last 16 game that may well have ended up involving England.
      The three group matches it would have hosted have gone to St Petersburg while the last 16 match will be held at Wembley.
      SPAIN
      San Mames, Bilbao (53,322 capacity)
      The Spanish FA have refused to back Bilbao’s submission to UefaCredit: Reuters
      Bilbao did commit to meet Uefa’s minimum requirement of a 25 per cent capacity, however the Spanish FA refused to back their submission due to the conditions attached.
      The Basque government had stated that it would be able to host games provided 60 per cent of the Basque country and the rest of Spain had been vaccinated and less than two per cent of those in hospital were coronavirus patients.
      But the Spanish FA labelled these conditions “impossible” to meet.
      As a result, Seville will host the matches that were set for Bilbao.

      Will any cities allow fans of other countries to travel?
      The following countries are set to allow away fans to travel.
      AZERBAIJAN
      Azerbaijan has announced that fans of all travelling teams (Wales, Turkey, Switzerland and the two Baku quarter-finalists) will be able to submit a negative PCR test to enter the country instead of quarantining.
      This offer only applies to citizens or residents of the participating countries.
      RUSSIA
      St Petersburg is considering offering exemptions to entry requirements for all foreign residents with match tickets and a negative Covid test.
      However, a final decision has not yet been confirmed.
      HUNGARY
      Foreign ticket holders looking to attend games in Budapest must provide evidence of two negative Covid tests taken in the five days before entering Hungary.
      The Hungarian government will also accept a certificate of previous Covid infection in the 6 months before entering the country.
      ROMANIA
      Romania is allowing foreign fans with two doses of the vaccine to attend matches.
      Fans who submit a negative PCR test and restrict their stay in Romania to three days are also allowed to attend.
      DENMARK
      3000 Finland fans were allowed into the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen for their Euro 2020 opener against Denmark.
      ENGLAND*
      England will allow Scotland fans to attend the game against the Three Lions at Wembley.
      However, this trip would not involve crossing a border and no exemption is set to apply to fans of Croatia and the Czech Republic from overseas.
      The FA are also reportedly considering allowing fans of the semi-finalists and finalists attend games under a bubble arrangement.
      The best TV deals for Euro 2020 including LG, Sony, Toshiba and more More

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      Denmark hero Simon Kjaer releases first touching statement since helping save Christian Eriksen’s life at Euro 2020

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      DENMARK captain Simon Kjaer has released a first touching statement since helping to save Christian Eriksen’s life.The defender was praised for the way he led his team-mates in such difficult circumstances on Saturday and throughout the week following Eriksen’s cardiac arrest.
      Simon Kjaer supported Christian Eriksen’s partner during the distressing scenes on SaturdayCredit: EPA

      He helped form a human shield to protect the playmaker’s privacy while he received CPR on the pitch and consoled Eriksen’s partner as she raced down to the pitch.
      Kjaer said: “It has been some very special days, where football has not been the most important thing.
      “A shock that will be part of me – part of all of us – forever. The only thing that is important and really matters is that Christian is okay!
      “I am proud of the how we acted as a team and how we stood together in these difficult times. I am touched and very grateful for all the support.
      “Today, we will enter the pitch against Belgium with Christian in our hearts and thoughts.
      “It gives us peace in our minds, which allows us to focus on the game of football.
      “We will play for Christian, and as always for all of Denmark. That is the greatest motivation for us all.
      “As always, we will do our best.”
      The world held its breath after Christian Eriksen collapsed on the pitch
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      Kjaer will lead his team back out again this evening when Denmark take on No1-ranked nation Belgium in Copenhagen.
      The two teams have agreed to kick the ball out in the tenth minute to stop play and applaud Eriksen.
      He will be watching the match from his hospital bed – and will even get changed into a Denmark shirt while his team-mates take to the field.
      One of the doctors who treated the Inter Milan midfielder on the pitch revealed the first words Eriksen spoke after regaining consciousness.
      Jens Kleinefeld asked Eriksen: “Well, are you back with us?”
      Eriksen replied: “Yes, I am back with you. For f***s sake, I’m only 29 years old.”
      It was also confirmed on Thursday morning he will have a heart-starter device fitted to help prevent any repeat cardiac arrests.
      The captain, No4, helped form a human shield to obscure the view of his friend receiving CPRCredit: Getty
      Eriksen is recovering in hospital following the shocking events of SaturdayCredit: Instagram @chriseriksen8
      Danish keeper Kasper Schmeichel says it was ‘damn nice’ to see Christian Eriksen ‘laugh and be himself’ in hospital after cardiac arrest More

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      Team news, injury updates, latest odds for Holland vs Austria as Dutch look to put one foot in Euros last 16

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      HOLLAND will be eager to build momentum following their 3-2 win over Ukraine when they lock horns with Austria. Both sides won their opening Euro 2020 group C fixtures, with Austria coming out 3-1 winners against North Macedonia.
      The Dutch side celebrate Denzel Dumfries’ late winner against UkraineCredit: Getty
      Arnautovic scored against North Macedonia but is banned for this game over his celebrationCredit: EPA
      Austria’s last victory against Holland came in 1990, but you see if they can re-set the history books at 8pm on BBC ONE tonight.
      What’s the form?
      Holland were gung-ho in their approach in front of home fans last time out and it will be interesting to see if they adopt a different tactic on home soil this time.
      Ukraine’s near-comeback wasn’t an isolated incident – being the seventh game in ten that Frank de Boer’s side had conceded – so they are vulnerable at the back.
      But, in that time, the Dutch have also scored in every game, showcasing their attacking ability in all areas.
      For Austria, as late as they left it against North Macedonia, they did show they can create chances – and a win would have done them the world of good.
      Their form of late hasn’t been poor, but it’s also not been the best, having won five from their last ten fixtures.
      There remains plenty of room for improvement, with Franco Foda’s side keeping just four clean sheets in their last 15 internationals.

      “I saw a Dutch team that played very balanced and dominant, we can be proud. We analyse such games almost to the death. We want to do everything we can to ensure that something like this [comeback] doesn’t happen again.”Frank De Boer Uefa.com
      Who’s in and who’s out?
      Holland have been handed a huge injury boost with the return of Juventus ace Matthijs de Ligt – who will most likely provide much steadiness and security at the back.
      Wout Weghorst and Memphis Depay are both expected to lead the line but it will be interesting to see if Frank De Boer keeps a back five.
      Austria are also without any injury or suspension concerns and will be looking up to key man David Alaba to make the difference.
      Super Sub Marko Arnautović is banned for this game after his celebration against North Macedonia.

      Who’s to watch…
      Georginio Wijnaldum is a game changer and has proven so many times to be the difference in the biggest games.
      He is the centre of all link-up play and his defensive abilities are often overlooked.
      Such performances have also earned him a summer transfer to Paris St. Germain.

      If the game’s rubbish…
      Then you can count on the camera turning to Frenkie De Jong’s stunning girlfriend Mikky Kiemeney.
      The pair have been together since day one as Kiemeney, a former hockey player for Dutch side HC Den Bosch, first met Frenkie in high school.

      As supportive as anyone can be, she watched him progress through the youth ranks before joining Ajax for just €1 in 2015.
      Fast forward five years, and De Jong full-fills his dream, signing for Barcelona in a record £65million deal.
      Match odds
      Get all your Euro 2020 ante-post tips with our tournament betting guide HERE.
      Match Odds

      Holland to win 8/15
      The draw 3/1
      Austria to win 5/1

      To win outright

      Holland 12/1
      Austria 75/1

      *All odds correct at time of publication.
      Holland vs Ukraine live stream, TV channel and kick-off time and team news for Euro 2020 match More

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      Team news, injury updates, latest odds for Denmark vs Belgium as Martinez’s side look to put one foot in Euros last 16

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      DENMARK will be fighting for their stricken team-mate Christian Eriksen when they face Belgium in their second Euros clash.With the world No1’s coming to town, Denmark will be fully aware they will be up against it.
      Romelu Lukaku and Belgium were in ominous form against Russia in the first matchCredit: EPA
      Eriksen will be cheering on his team-mates from his bedCredit: EPA
      Roberto Martinez’s Belgium side are full of excitement and are tipped by many to go all the way in Euro 2020.
      Sit back, relax and enjoy the show from 5pm on ITV1.
      What’s the form?
      With ten wins from ten games, 40 goals scored and only 3 conceded, there’s plenty of reasons why Belgium are one of the tournament favourites.
      And even without PFA player of the year Kevin De Bruyne, Belgium were a class above Russia as they comfortably dismantled their group B rivals 3-0.
      Fans around the world hailed the Danish players and staff for their heroic actions after Eriksen’s collapse on Saturday.
      However, in the brutal world of football, sympathy doesn’t get you points and Kasper Hjulmand’s side will need to give the Red Devils everything they’ve got after controversially losing 1-0 to Finland on Saturday.
      Denmark did enter the tournament on fine form, with just one defeat in their last 12 matches – also including an unbeaten qualifying campaign.

      They will be a very difficult opponent and it is also an away game. Their crowd will be 100 per cent behind them. We will have to be at our top form to score points there.Toby Alderweireld, Belgium
      Who’s in and who’s out?
      Apart from missing their midfield master Eriksen, Denmark have no other injury concerns.
      Martin Braithwaite, Kasper Dolberg, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Leicester shot-stopper Kasper Schmeichel will all be expected to play big roles come Thursday.
      Belgium however will have been handed a HUGE injury boost with the return of De Bruyne after the 29-year-old successfully recovered from facial fractures incurred in the Champions League final last month.
      It was a tough night, we are all reminded what the most important thing in life is and that is to have valuable relations. We have a group of players I can’t praise enough.Kasper Hjulmand, Denmark

      Watch out for…
      Belgium – just in general – but don’t turn your eyes away from Romelu Lukaku.
      The Inter-Milan striker has already bagged one and is tipped by many to be top goalscorer overall.
      The 28-year-old has absolutely teared it up over in Italy this season, scoring 24 goals in Serie A.
      De Bruyne is ready to link up with red-hot Lukaku after missing the first gameCredit: AFP

      If the game’s rubbish…
      You may be able to spot Andreas Christensen’s Wag Katrine Friis.
      The Chelsea star will be hoping Lukaku and Co will make sure he has an easy night – but one thing that’s sure to cheer the Dane up if it all goes wrong is his gorgeous girlfriend.
      Katrine is a regular at Stamford Bridge and if you’re lucky, you may be able to spot her at the Parken Stadium.

      Match odds
      Get all your Euro 2020 ante-post tips with our tournament betting guide HERE.
      Match odds

      Denmark to win 3/1
      The draw 21/10
      Belgium to win EVS

      Outright winners

      Belgium 6/1
      Denmark 55/1

      *All odds correct at time of publication.
      Christian Eriksen gives thumbs up and smiles from hospital bed since horror cardiac arrest for Denmark More

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      Team news, injury updates, latest odds for Ukraine vs North Macedonia as both sides look for first Euros win

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      UKRAINE and North Macedonia go head to head in their second Euro 2020 games with both sides desperate to get some points on the board. Ukraine were involved in the most thrilling match of the tournament so far, losing narrowly in a 3-2 defeat to Holland.
      Ukraine were involved in a thriller against Holland but were on the losing sideCredit: AFP
      North Macedonia lost their Euros opener to Austria 3-1Credit: Getty – Pool
      And after a superb effort in the Nations League, Igor Angelovski will believe his North Macedonia side will have what it takes to reach the last-16 despite losing to Austria . You can catch all the action at 2pm on ITV1.
      What’s the form?
      North Macedonia are the lowest-ranked team at Euro 2020 and despite losing 3-1 in their opening fixture, Angelovski’s side impressed.
      They also got the better of 2014 World Cup champions Germany in March (2-1) and have quite the habit of not losing, with just three defeats in their last 15 fixtures.
      Ukraine on the other hand would have left the field very dejected after their opening defeat, although after giving Holland a scare in Amsterdam, Andriy Shevchenko’s side can go into this one feeling optimistic.
      Before this Ukraine came in with absolutely nothing to lose and on a six-game unbeaten streak, winning two and drawing four including a 1-1 affair with France.

      Many of the lads were empty vessels after the match with the Netherlands, we will see how many of them will be able to recuperate sufficiently for the game against North Macedonia.Andriy ShevchenkoReuters

      Who’s in and who’s out?
      Ukraine’s Andriy Yarmolenko, who scored a stunner against Holland, will be assessed after suffering a knock but is expected to be fit.
      Oleksandr Zubkov also suffered from a reported calf injury and had to be taken off meaning it is unlikely he will feature.
      North Macedonia would have been slightly worried when goalkeeper Stole Dimitievski kneeled and waved to the physios, but after being assessed he was able to play on.
      Napoli’s Elif Elmas and Leeds’ Ezgjan Alioski are both expected to feature meaning North Macedonia are likely to line up in a similar fashion against Ukraine as they did against Austria.

      “Playing our first-ever European Championship game was a massive experience. We face a difficult next match against Ukraine and we have to go all out for a win because we have nothing to lose.”Igor AngeloskiTalkSPORT

      Watch out for…
      Granted he’s fit, Andriy Yarmolenko.
      The West-Ham man bagged a wonder goal which will undoubtedly go down as one of the goals of the tournament.
      The 31-year-old cut on to his trusted left peg and unleashed an unstoppable shot past the hapless Maarten Stekelenburg in goal.
      Expect him to have North Macedonia’s defence dancing on ice.

      If the game’s rubbish
      Check out Andriy Yarmolenko’s beautiful wife Inna Yarmolenko.
      The pair married in 2011, and have two sons called Ivan and Danylo.
      Inna works in social action projects and is a specialist in Ukrainian foreign relations, organising charity events in the US, promoting Eastern European culture overseas.

      Match odds
      Get all your Euro 2020 ante-post tips with our tournament betting guide HERE.
      Match odds

      Ukraine to win 4/7
      To draw 13/5
      North Macedonia to win 5/1

      Euro 2020 outright odds

      Ukraine 75/1
      North Macedonia 500/1

      *All odds correct at time of publication. More