Euro 2020

Subterms

    More stories

    • 250 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      Germany veterans Thomas Muller and Mats Hummels can ride to rescue at Euro 2020 after Joachim Low swallowed his pride

      by

      LOTHAR MATTHAUS reckons the return of warriors Mats Hummels and Thomas Muller will galvanise Germany.The pair and ex-Bayern Munich club-mate Jerome Boateng were booted out of the squad by Joachim Low and told they would never play for Germany again following the 2018 World Cup debacle.
      WIN £50,000! Play Dream Team Euros – our FREE fantasy football game
      Muller and Hummels are returning to the German side after a two year exclusionCredit: Getty
      Matthaus won the Euros with Germany in 1980 and then the World Cup ten years laterCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Muller has scored eight goals at the World Cup but never netted at the EurosCredit: AP:Associated Press
      But Low swallowed his pride to give the two 2014 World Cup winners a recall this summer after a series of disasters.
      That included their 6-0 drubbing by Spain and a home defeat at the hands of minnows North Macedonia.
      And Matthaus, a Euros winner back in 1980, says the decision has transformed the mood and mentality of Die Mannschaft.
      Ahead of their blockbuster opener on Tuesday night against world champs France, Matthaus said: “It wasn’t just me who was unhappy with Germany in the last three years.
      “All the fans have been very angry about the performances.
      “Earlier this season, when we were humiliated by Spain and lost to North Macedonia, the team looked dead.
      “There was no power, smiling or communication, from the coach either. He was sitting on the bench looking as if he was asleep, not reacting, not even showing anger.
      “He didn’t seem interested and neither did the team. There was no power, reaction or passion.
      BETTING SPECIAL – GET £50 in FREE BETS for Royal Ascot with Sky Bet

      ⚽Get ALL of the latest Germany news and updates from Euro 2020
      Muller arrived for training by bike earlier this weekCredit: Getty
      And Hummels followed suit as the pair enjoyed their return to the Germany set-upCredit: AFP
      “But he brought back Muller and Hummels and that was very good for the team, dressing room and young players as they are real leaders.”
      Matthaus says it was “weakness” rather than strength on Low’s part. But, he added, it has already made a critical difference.
      Bayern star Muller, 31, can play as a midfielder or forward, while Borussia Dortmund defender Hummels, 32, has huge experience, too.
      Matthaus said: “When Muller walks into a room, it shines. When he goes on the pitch, everybody is happy. We were missing this.
      “Low did it out of weakness, but now he seems motivated to make his last tournament a good one. He has nothing to lose.
      “He doesn’t have to think about the future, about after the Euros, because that’s not his job any more. He just has to concentrate on the moment — the next four weeks.
      “All these players have had their entire national team careers under him. He brought them into the team, so they have to give him a farewell present.
      “What I have seen already is positive energy. Everybody is getting behind the team. We have 11  players from Chelsea and Bayern Munich — the last two Champions League winners — plus Gundogan, Kroos, other quality players.”
      Legend Matthaus, 60, was speaking as new research commissioned by Booking.com found two-thirds of German football fans would rather let their rivals win Euro 2020 than miss out on their next holiday.
      But he thinks the fans can lift their players’ spirits after failure to even reach the knockout stages at the 2018 World Cup.
      Low is heading into his seventh tournament as Germany’s head coachCredit: Getty

      He added: “We are at home in the group stage, in Munich, and we can feel the country getting behind the team to motivate them.
      “Then we will see if that is enough. France are better than Germany, so we will lose against them, draw with Portugal and beat Hungary, for four points.
      “That will be enough to go through in third place.
      “We don’t want to play against England at Wembley in the last 16. We can wait for that until the final.
      “Even if we are third, I expect Germany to reach the semis, along with England, Belgium and France, who are rightly the favourites.
      “But I wouldn’t want to have to play against England immediately after France and Portugal.
      “Remember in 2016, Portugal won the title after coming third in their group. Now Germany can do the same thing…
      “In 1986, we were third in our group and went all the way to the World Cup final. All that matters is getting through to the knockout phase — that’s when it gets serious.”
      Booking.com, the official Accommodation and Attractions Booking Partner of  Euro 2020, proves we are more friends than rivals during the tournament #RivalsReUnited.
      ⚽ Follow ALL of the latest news and updates from Euro 2020 with our live blog
      Paul Gascoigne plays down Phil Foden comparisons saying he was better than England’s Euro 2020 starlet even when DRUNK More

    • 225 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Euro 2020: England star Kalvin Phillips says ‘Mum skipped meals for me…I ran to her when we scored’

      by

      NEW England hero Kalvin Phillips last night told how he dedicated his match-winning performance against Croatia to his mum.During a stunning all-round display, playmaker Phillips, 25, beat two Croatians before pinpointing a perfect pass for Raheem Sterling to grab the winner on Sunday.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Kalvin Phillips, 25, beat two Croatians before pinpointing a perfect pass for Raheem Sterling to grab the winner on SundayCredit: Getty
      He dedicated his man-of-the-match showing to mum Lindsay Crosby who guided him on his path to stardom during his tough childhood in Leeds — and was in the stands at Wembley celebrating her birthday.
      The man dubbed The Yorkshire Pirlo after the genius Italian midfielder said: “I’m buzzin’ — it’s hard to put it into words.
      “I can’t even remember doing it [setting up the winner] — it was just a blur, then the ball hit the back of the net.
      “It was my mum’s birthday the day before and she was right at the front in the stands right at that side so I felt I was celebrating with her.”
      Superstar Kalvin is now a millionaire Premier League ace with a stunning childhood sweetheart in Ashleigh Behan.
      But his tale of rags to riches is all down to proud mum Lindsay, who has been instrumental in her son’s success.
      It’s an inspirational tale of hard work and the selfless devotion of amazing women in his life, in the face of tragedy.
      Kalvin was born a triplet but his sister Lacreasha died when she was just a couple of months old.
      Growing up in Armley, West Leeds, Kalvin would often find mum Lindsay crying in the kitchen, playing music that reminded her of her daughter.
      It forced him to grow up and, in the absence of his father, Mark, become the man of the house.
      Growing up in Armley, West Leeds, Kalvin would often find mum Lindsay crying in the kitchen, playing music that reminded her of her daughterCredit: INSTAGRAM/KALVIN PHILLIPS
      He said: “Seeing her like that made me feel I’ve got to help her out, make tea, look after my brother and sisters when she was working.”
      Every year, he and his twin, Deren, say “happy birthday” to Lacreasha on their special day and place flowers on her grave.
      And every time he scores, he kisses his arm where he has a tattoo in her honour and points heavenward for the sister he never got to know.
      At the family’s three-bed home, a stone’s throw from Leeds’ Elland Road ground, Lindsay slept on the sofa so Kalvin, Deren and younger siblings Terrell and Tasiana, could have the bedrooms.

      Lindsay worked two jobs but money was scarce and she would skip meals to ensure her children were well fed.
      Kalvin said: “There have been times where my mum didn’t eat at night because she had to feed us.”
      Kalvin’s beloved grandma, Valerie Crosby, who died in February, aged 82, would “chip in for food”.
      Like his fellow England international, Marcus Rashford, Kalvin relied on free school meals at The Farnley Academy, Leeds.
      Lindsay worked two jobs but money was scarce and she would skip meals to ensure her children were well fedCredit: INSTAGRAM/KALVIN PHILLIPS
      He said: “I’d see kids coming in with packed lunches, having sandwiches and chocolate bars.
      “Some kids would laugh at me, saying, ‘You’re getting free school meals’. I’d come home and say, ‘Mum, why can’t I have a packed lunch?’ She’d say, ‘We can’t afford it’.”
      And like Marcus, who succeeded in funding food parcels for low-income families through the pandemic, Kalvin now donates to a food bank.
      Lindsay has only recently stopped working one of her two jobs, as a receptionist and cashier at Harpo’s Pizza, Leeds.
      On Sunday, the takeaway tweeted a picture of Kalvin grinning in his post-match interview, with the caption: “Our Kalvin! Well done, great assist!”
      Kalvin’s Jamaican father, Mark, has been in and out of prison since Kalvin was a boy.
      Kalvin with his little brotherCredit: INSTAGRAM/KALVIN PHILLIPS
      Kalvin told the Times last year: “He got into the wrong crowd, drugs, fighting, anything you can name.”
      He has visited him at HMP Wealstun, not far from Leeds’ Thorp Arch training ground, but prefers to speak to Mark on the phone every couple of weeks.
      He called him after Leeds were promoted to the Premier League and could hear inmates singing the club’s anthem, Marching On Together, in the background.
      Kalvin said of his dad: “He is proud of me. He’s lived in Leeds all his life.”
      As well as his mum, sister and grandma, there is one other woman who holds a special place in Kalvin’s heart — girlfriend Ashleigh Behan, a make-up artist he’s been with for 11 years, having met at school.
      Kalvin said: “I don’t want to meet anybody else because we’re that close. I keep my circle tight, keep newcomers at a distance.”
      Superstar Kalvin is now a millionaire Premier League ace with a stunning childhood sweetheart in Ashleigh BehanCredit: TWITTER/KALVIN PHILLIPS

      Kalvin made his international debut last September against Denmark and admitted joining the squad was nerve-racking.
      He said last year: “Every single day, I go home to my girlfriend, see my mum and grandma, and I always talk about football.
      “It’s what I live for, it’s what I do, and they have always supported me 100 per cent. I don’t think I’d be here right now if it wasn’t for my mum and grandma.”
      Kalvin made his international debut last September against Denmark and admitted joining the squad was nerve-rackingCredit: Rex
      Kalvin was born a triplet but his sister Lacreasha died when she was just a couple of months oldCredit: INSTAGRAM/KALVIN PHILLIPS
      England manager Gareth Southgate names Leeds star Kalvin Phillips named for first time More

    • 175 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      Christian Eriksen ‘joking with doctors’, Kasper Schmeichel suggests Finland match should NOT have continued

      by

      CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN is stable in hospital and reportedly joking with doctors after suffering cardiac arrest.Denmark’s game against Finland had to be stopped after Eriksen collapsed on the field just before half time, receiving CPR shortly afterwards.
      The match between the Danes and Finns continued once both teams were aware Eriksen had woken up, with Finland running out 1-0 winners.
      Follow all the latest with our live blog below…
      BRAITHWAITE CONTINUED
      Martin Braithwaite has revealed he is still feeling emotional following Christian Eriksen’s cardiac arrest.
      He said: “I am still emotional about the situation.
      “Most importantly Christian is feeling better and therefore I am feeling better too.
      “His health is the most important thing of all. It was important for me personally to see that he felt better via video.
      “I had some pictures in my head from last Saturday that I would like to get rid of.
      “We were all about to lose a friend and a team-mate. It’s not something you normally think of on a football pitch. Joy and love are normal. No one can prepare for what happened.”
      NOT A S-MART CHOICE
      Denmark striker Martin Braithwaite has claimed that Denmark’s decision to play Finland following Christian Eriksen’s cardiac arrest was the ‘least bad decision’.
      He said: “None of the options were good. We took the least bad one. There were lots of players who were unable to play.
      “We were in a bad place. We made the least bad decision.
      “We were told we had to make a decision. That’s the only thing I can say. I wished there was a third option. Because I did not want to go out again.
      “But Uefa said there were two options. We made a decision because we knew we would not be able to sleep that night.”
      BLIND FAITH
      Daley Blind considered withdrawing from Holland’s Euro 2020 opener after seeing his former Ajax team-mate and friend Christian Eriksen collapse after suffering a cardiac arrest on Saturday.
      The former Manchester United star has been fitted with an implanted defibrillator after being diagnosed with heart muscle inflammation.
      Blind left the pitch in tears following Holland’s 3-2 win over Ukraine on Sunday.
      He told Dutch broadcaster NOS: “Yesterday had a huge impact on me. Besides the fact that I know Christian well as a friend, the situation for him is terrible.
      “Of course I have also experienced a few things in that area, so that I had to overcome a mental hurdle to play.
      “I had a lot of trouble with it, but I’m proud that I did it. Then all the emotion comes out for a while.
      “I’ve definitely thought about not taking part. The images and the moment had a lot of impact and I didn’t sleep very well because of them. I really had to overcome a big hurdle to do this.”
      CARDIAC ARREST EXPLAINED
      What is a cardiac arrest?
      Find out what happened to Christian Eriksen below.
      Christian Eriksen’s life was saved by the fast reactions of team-mates and medics
      ERIKSEN TIMELINE
      The world held its breath after Christian Eriksen collapsed on the pitch
      FAB’S FEARS
      Fabrice Muamba begged ‘please, this is not going to happen again’ as he watched Christian Eriksen collapse.
      He told GMB: “I was just hoping that the guy can pull through. Christian is a fantastic footballer.
      “Aged 29, the guy still has a couple of years left in him to play at the highest level.
      “He’s finishing a good season with Inter Milan and to play at a tournament in his home country was the perfect opportunity.
      “To watch it and see this happen to a fellow professional player, you are saying, ‘Please, this is not going to happen again.’”
      CAPTAIN KJAER
      AC Milan are considering making Denmark hero Simon Kjaer their captain, according to reports.
      The Dane stopped Christian Eriksen from swallowing his tongue before performing CPR on his stricken team-mate on Saturday.
      And the Italian giants are thinking about making him their permanent skipper as a result, according to Sportsmediaset.
      Milan legend – and the club’s technical director – Paolo Maldini is said to support the move.
      And Kjaer also has the fans’ backing with some supporters even starting a social media campaign to get him the armband, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.

      MORE FROM SCHMEICHEL
      Asked about his own recollection of the harrowing situation, the Foxes stopper added: “It’s a violent experience.
      “But he is here today, and I am very grateful for that. The only heroes there are are the doctors who saved him.
      “We are professional football players, but these people dedicate their lives to saving people. That they could do it under that pressure.
      “I cannot describe how much admiration I have for them. That they could bring him back is a miracle.
      “I even think about how I would have my team-mates react if I was lying there. And then we have some amazing people on this team. A captain and a coach who knows how to act.
      “It characterises us as a team and country that we stand together until the very end.
      “Personally, I tried to imagine if it was me who was lying there. I knew Christian’s wife, children, and parents were there, so at one point I tried to look for them.
      “It is an inhuman situation for them to go through.”
      ‘WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE’
      Kasper Schmeichel said it was ‘damn nice’ to see Christian Eriksen laughing and smiling in hospital after his cardiac arrest.
      The 34-year-old said: “It was damn nice to see him smile and laugh and be himself. Just notice that he is there.
      “It was a wonderful experience and something that has helped me see that he was okay after lying there.
      “We talked about nothing and everything. As long as he is well – that has been the most important thing. He has experienced something that we have not experienced.
      “He has a completely different experience of the situation. It was great to talk to him, and now we have a lot of work to try to navigate.”

      NO JAB
      Inter Milan have been forced to deny rumours Christian Eriksen’s cardiac arrest was related to the Covid vaccine.
      Inter director Giuseppe Marotta said: “He didn’t have Covid and wasn’t vaccinated either. At this moment, Eriksen is under the guidance of the Danish medical staff.
      “It is right that they release information, but I can say the Inter medical staff have been in contact with them from the start.
      “The players are very close and we all immediately communicated with each other after seeing those images. We didn’t want to be invasive and so tried to respect his convalescence once we had been reassured.”

      ICYMI
      Denmark boss Kasper Hjulmand has blasted Uefa for giving his players a ‘tough choice’ after Christian Eriksen collapsed on the pitch on Saturday.
      He said: “I think it was the wrong thing to make the decision between the two scenarios in this case.
      “The players didn’t know if they lost their best friend and they had to decide [whether to play].
      “I have a feeling we shouldn’t have played, to just get on the bus and go home and see what the next days brought.
      “It was a tough message that the players had to try and make a decision. I have a sense that it was wrong the players were put in this situation.
      “I am really proud to be the coach of a team that responded the way they did. Football showed its best face. Team spirit, compassion and love is what football is really about.”
      ERIKSEN’S AGENT SPEAKS
      Christian Eriksen’s friend and agent Martin Schoots said, as reported by Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport: “We spoke this morning [Sunday].
      “He joked, he was in a good mood, I found him fine. We all want to understand what happened to him, he wants to do it too: the doctors are carrying out in-depth examinations, it will take time.
      “He was happy because he understood how much love is around. Messages have reached him from all over the world.
      “And he was particularly impressed by those of the Inter world: not only the team-mates he heard through the chat, but also the fans.
      “Christian doesn’t give up. He and his family want to send their thanks to everyone.
      “Half the world has contacted us, everyone was worried.
      “Now he just has to rest, with him are his wife and parents. Also tomorrow [Monday] he will remain under observation, perhaps even on Tuesday.
      “But in any case he wants to cheer on his team-mates against Belgium.”
      KEEP AN EYE OUT
      Kasper Schmeichel reassured Christian Eriksen’s wife Sabrina Kvist Jensen that her husband was alive as he supported her on the side of the pitch.
      Schmeichel’s dad Peter told BBC Radio 5 Live: “That would be the worst two hours in my time in football. We had absolutely no information but we could see it was very, very serious.
      “You look at the reaction of the players and it happened not very far from all the wives of the players and, of course, Christian’s wife would have seen that.
      “She came on to the pitch and you could see from the reaction of the players; I saw my son Kasper run over to her, and I spoke to him last night.
      “He said that Christian is breathing. She actually thought that he’d passed away, and just to confirm that (he was breathing) he went back to be absolutely sure that he wasn’t saying anything that was out of order.
      “By then Christian was talking to the doctor and we could see there was a little bit of calm there, but until it was confirmed it was really terrible to watch it all and to understand why a fit, 29-year-old player at this level and how it can happen like that.
      “And having a son there, straight away you relate that to yourself.”

      ON THE BOX
      The television boss in charge of Denmark vs Finland has defended the coverage of Christian Eriksen’s cardiac arrest.
      He insisted it was ‘necessary to show distress’ but also outlined the steps taken to protect the player and those involved.
      TV director Jean-Jacques Amsellem said there was ‘no handbook for these incidents’.
      He told L’Equipe: “There was a slow-motion of the scene where we can see him fall really clearly, but I immediately forced my teams not to focus on him, not to film him anymore.
      “During all the live coverage that followed, I did at one moment show Danes in tears because it was still necessary to show the distress.
      “We also saw the emotions of the Finns and the crowd but I don’t think we did anything mawkish or creepy.”

      BEEB BLAST
      The BBC has launched a review into the “staggering decision” to show harrowing footage of stricken Christian Eriksen collapsed on the pitch.
      Inter Milan star Eriksen was given CPR on the pitch after suffering a cardiac arrest during Denmark’s Euro 2020 opener against Finland on Saturday.
      His teammates formed a protective wall around him but viewers were left horrified of the BBC’s distressing footage of his treatment.
      The broadcaster quickly tried pinning the blame on Uefa and apologised for anyone “upset” by the footage.
      But Uefa responded by saying several broadcasters across Europe managed to cut back to their studios to protect viewers.
      The BBC has now launched a probe into whether the match director made the right call in not stopping filming soon enough, The Times reports.
      Insiders are now questioning the “staggering decision” to continue broadcasting, the paper says.
      BROTHERS IN ARMS
      Christain Eriksen had his life saved thanks to the incredible work of Denmark medics, Uefa doctors, hospital staff and team-mate Simon Kjaer.
      The Danish star, 29, was close to being ‘gone’ according to one doc – but was saved by two hero brothers, Morten and Anders Boesen.
      The Boesen brothers both work for Copenhagen, with Morten the team doctor for both club and country having first taken on the role at the Danish Superliga side in 2004.
      He started working with Denmark’s national squad in 2019.
      Anders works for Copenhagen’s academy and is also a qualified doctor.
      While not officially working with Denmark, he was named Uefa’s independent stadium doctor for the clash with Finland with the game taking place at Copenhagen’s Parken Stadium.
      As such, the brothers – who are more used to ‘fixing knees than savings lives’, a source told The Athletic – were first on the scene to save Eriksen.

      DANISH DILEMMA
      UEFA threatened Denmark with a 3-0 loss if they failed to complete their match with Finland, Peter Schmeichel revealed.
      Their match was stopped just before half-time when Christian Eriksen collapsed on the pitch.
      He told GMB: “They said the players insisted on playing. I know that not to be the truth. Or that’s how you see the truth.
      “They were left with three options. One was to play immediately and get the last 50 minutes played.
      “The next one was to come in yesterday at 12 noon and finish the 50 minutes.
      “And the third option was to forfeit the game and lose 3-0.
      “So, you know, work it out for yourself. Is it the players’ wish to play? Did they have any choice really? I don’t think they had.
      “And as you can hear from yesterday’s press conference, the coach seriously regrets putting the players back on the pitch.”
      ERIKSEN SPEAKS
      Christian Eriksen has spoken for the first time since his cardiac arrest on Saturday.
      The 29-year-old said he feels better but wants to ‘understand what happened’.
      He sent a brief message to the public in quotes reported by Italian outlet Gazzaetta dello Sport.
      Eriksen said: “Thank you all, I won’t give up. I feel better now but I want to understand what happened.
      “I want to say thank you for all you did for me.”

      DE BOER ON ERIKSEN
      The Dutch manager said: “For me it was very difficult to see those images yesterday. We saw the game live and I had to leave the room.
      “I’ve worked for five years with Christian Eriksen and as well there are some players in my team who are in contact with him or are still playing with or who had a good bond with him when he played for Ajax so it was a rollercoaster last night.
      “We had a meeting scheduled last night to talk about our tactical gameplay but we rescheduled it for the morning because I didn’t want to speak about football so we did that this morning and everybody could find his own moment and have his own space.
      “Daley was quite emotion as well. He had some problems with his own heart as you know and even now Christian Eriksen is one of his best friends so when you’re both at the tournament they have fought for it.
      “So there is a lot of emotions going through him so it definitely was not easy for us, for him especially.
      “We hear good news coming from Denmark so let’s hope that things will get well for him and now we need to continue and focus on the most important thing next to the normal, [most] important thing [that is] life, which is football. That’s what we did today.”
      MORE FROM BLIND
      The Netherlands players were together watching the Denmark v Finland clash on Saturday and Blind said: “We were with a number of guys who also experienced Abdelhak Nouri [who was left with permanent brain damage after collapsing during a pre-season friendly while at Ajax] and also with teammates of Christian.
      “It has so much impact. It is very recognisable to me and that made it intense. Also for my family. My parents, my wife.”
      Blind added: “Leave him alone. Don’t speculate about his future. Give him time and space to recover. If it didn’t go well, it would start haunting your head even more.
      “He now even encourages his teammates to play. That’s why I decided to play myself. Also because I’m safe according to the doctors.”
      BLIND FAITH
      Daley Blind considered withdrawing from Holland’s Euro 2020 opener after seeing his former Ajax team-mate and friend Christian Eriksen collapse after suffering a cardiac arrest on Saturday.
      The former Manchester United star has been fitted with an implanted defibrillator after being diagnosed with heart muscle inflammation.
      Blind left the pitch in tears following Holland’s 3-2 win over Ukraine on Sunday.
      He told Dutch broadcaster NOS: “Yesterday had a huge impact on me. Besides the fact that I know Christian well as a friend, the situation for him is terrible.
      “Of course I have also experienced a few things in that area, so that I had to overcome a mental hurdle to play.
      “I had a lot of trouble with it, but I’m proud that I did it. Then all the emotion comes out for a while.
      “I’ve definitely thought about not taking part. The images and the moment had a lot of impact and I didn’t sleep very well because of them. I really had to overcome a big hurdle to do this.”

      MORNING FOOTBALL FANS
      Christian Eriksen “was gone” before he was resuscitated on the pitch, Denmark’s team doctor has revealed.
      Football has united in support for the Inter Milan midfielder, who is said to be “stable” after collapsing during Saturday’s 1-0 loss against Finland.
      And doc Morten Boesen said: “He was gone. We did cardiac resuscitation, it was a cardiac arrest.
      “How close were we to losing him? I don’t know, but we got him back after one defib [defibrillation] so that’s quite fast.
      “The examinations that have been done so far look fine. We don’t have an explanation as to why it happened.”
      Eriksen’s Denmark team-mates have received psychological help.
      But manager Kasper Hjulmand criticised Uefa for asking his team if they wanted to resume the match.
      He said: “I think it was the wrong thing to make the decision between the two scenarios in this case.
      “The players didn’t know if they lost their best friend and they had to decide.
      “I have a feeling we shouldn’t have played, to just get on the bus and go home and see what the next days brought.”
      But Hjulmand also revealed that Eriksen told him: “I think you are feeling worse than I am. I feel as if I’m about to go training now, boys.”  
      Meanwhile, ex-Bolton star Fabrice Muamba, who had to retire in 2012 after a similar horrifying experience, hailed the “brilliant” treatment Eriksen received.
      Muamba added: “The most important thing and number one priority for us all is to give Christian and his family space and time to heal and recover.” 
      HELP FOR DANISH PLAYERS
      Christian Eriksen’s team-mates received psychological support following the Denmark superstar’s collapse i yesterday’s match against Finland.
      The squad was able to speak to the midfielder once he recovered slightly in hospital, and it was Eriksen who encouraged them to resume the match.
      Finland clapped their opponents back onto the field before beating them 1-0, but the result will probably not matter to the Danes after what happened to Eriksen.
      And Denmark Sporting Director Peter Moller revealed the players got the chance to express their feelings after the match finished.
      He said: “We had psychological help. We had four people come to our hotel last night. Everybody expressed their feelings and how they saw their situation.
      “Everybody was really pleased that we talked the situation through. This morning we had the same people come to the hotel and players could express their feelings and thoughts with professional help.
      “The conversation with Christian had a massive impact on the players.”
      MUAMBA: GIVE ERIKSEN TIME
      Fabrice Muamba says Christian Eriksen needs time and space to recover.
      Danish star Eriksen, 29, is stable in hospital having suffered a cardiac arrest against Finland.
      Christian Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest in Saturday’s game with Finland
      The incident had haunting echoes of Muamba’s own fight for life after collapsing while playing for Bolton against Tottenham in 2012.
      Muamba, forced to retire, tweeted: “This makes you realise how fragile life is and how quickly you can lose a loved one.
      “Like everyone, I am relieved to hear Christian is in a stable condition and that he is doing ok.
      “Credit of course must go to the brilliant medical staff who got to him so quickly and did an amazing job to make sure he was ok.
      “His team-mates who rallied around him also did a great job and should be really proud.
      “The most important thing and number one priority for us all is to give Christian and his family space and time to heal and recover.”
      KANE JOINS WELL-WISHERS
      Christian Eriksen’s former Spurs team-mate Harry Kane was among big names to send messages of “love” and support for Christian Eriksen on social media.
      And fans who were in the Copenhagen stadium where Eriksen collapsed gathered later outside Rigshospitalet to underline their feelings and support.

      Load more entries… More

    • 238 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Raheem Sterling’s mum celebrated his England goal by calling their old neighbours to say he had achieved his dream

      by

      RAHEEM Sterling’s thrilled mum celebrated his England goal by calling their old neighbours to say he had achieved his dream.The Three Lions ace netted the winner in the opening Euros 1-0 victory on Sunday just yards from his old Wembley home.
      ⚽ Follow ALL of the latest news and updates from Euro 2020 with our live blog
      Raheem Sterling scored Sunday’s winning goal just yards from where he grew upCredit: Getty
      His proud mum Nadine celebrated by calling their old neighbours and telling them he’d achieved his dreamCredit: BackGrid
      Afterwards, he revealed his wish to score in a game “in his back garden”.
      Mum Nadine, 47, rang mates in the North London cul-de-sac, saying she was “so happy”.
      One pal said: “It was brilliant to see him score. Everyone here is thrilled.”
      Raheem, 26, was made an MBE earlier for services to racial equality in sport.
      Raheem netted the winning goal at Wembley – the area he was raised in
      Raheem posted this picture before the game, writing ‘never forget where it started’Credit: Tim Stewart

      Irene Bhahewandeem, 53, who lived opposite the family, said: “He would come for ice cream with my kids when he was little.
      “It was unbelievable to see him score in his home town.”
      Before the game with Croatia, the Man City star shared a picture of his younger self holding a ­trophy, captioned: “Never forget where it started.”
      The England ace said he’s always wanted to score in a game ‘in his back garden’Credit: Rex
      England beat Croatia to win their Euro 2020 opener after Raheem Sterling scores winning goal More

    • 200 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      Who does Cesc Fabregas play for and why isn’t he in the Spain Euro 2020 squad?

      by

      CESC FABREGAS was a stalwart of the Spain team that won two European Championships and a World Cup.But at Euro 2020, the midfield magician will have a watching brief.
      Cesc Fabregas is a pundit for BBC at Euro 2020Credit: BBC
      He will take his place on the BBC sofa as a pundit throughout the tournament.
      Who does Cesc Fabregas still play for?
      Cesc Fabregas is still playing club football and may still have plenty of years left, at the ripe old age of 34.
      The Spaniard left Chelsea back in 2019 after five years at the club.
      Fabregas now plays in France for AS Monaco.
      Who has Cesc Fabregas played for?
      Cesc Fabregas has played for the following teams:

      Arsenal (2003-2011)
      Barcelona (2011-2014)
      Chelsea (2014-2019)
      Monaco (2019-present)

      Is Cesc Fabregas still playing for Spain?
      Cesc Fabregas hasn’t played for Spain in five years.
      However, the midfielder insisted in 2018 that he has NOT retired from international football.
      Fabregas has not said anything since to suggest he wouldn’t be available for the national team if called upon.
      The then-Chelsea midfielder was left out of the Spain World Cup squad following a blip in his club form in 2018 and is not thought to have got close to regaining his place since. More

    • 125 Shares199 Views

      in Soccer

      Why isn’t Zlatan Ibrahimovic playing for Sweden at Euro 2020?

      by

      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 will 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

    • 213 Shares149 Views

      in Soccer

      Watch moment Arsenal star Granit Xhaka shows drastic new blonde hair to wife Leonita leaving her stunned

      by

      ARSENAL midfielder Granit Xhaka stunned his wife Leonita by dying his hair blonde while away at Euro 2020.The Gunners star, who is currently representing Switzerland, videoed himself revealing the new look to his partner.
      WIN £50,000! Play Dream Team Euros – our FREE fantasy football game
      Xhaka showed of his dramatic new hairdo on FaceTim with his wife Leonita
      Leonita could not have been more shocked by Xhaka’s dyed hair
      ⚽ Follow ALL of the latest news and updates from Euro 2020 with our live blog
      And she was left completely speechless as her face dropped when she instantly realised what Xhaka had done.
      Xhaka started for Switzerland on Saturday afternoon as they drew 1-1 with Wales in Baku.
      The Swiss took the lead four minutes into the second half when Breel Embolo headed home to break the deadlock.
      And they looked set to close out what would have been a deserved win in their Group A opener.
      But with 16 minutes to go Wales striker Kiefer Moore flicked on a Joe Morrell cross to salvage a point for Rob Page’s side.
      Next up for Switzerland is a trip to Rome to take on Italy on Wednesday.
      And then they round off their Group A campaign against Turkey on Sunday.
      BETTING SPECIAL – GET £50 in FREE BETS for Royal Ascot with Sky Bet

      Xhaka captained Switzerland in their opening game at the European ChampionshipsCredit: GettyWIN £50,000 with Dream Team EurosDream Team Euros is HERE!

      The best fantasy football game to accompany Euro 2020 has arrived.
      And you can play absolutely FREE for your chance to win the £50,000 jackpot.
      CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR FREE!
      Dream Team Euros

      £50,000 jackpot
      The best fantasy football game this summer
      Play in mini-leagues against your mates, colleagues, family members – and some hand-picked celebrities
      FREE to play

      Italy are currently top of the group thanks to a brilliant 3-0 victory over Turkey on the opening night of the tournament on Friday.
      Switzerland have never gone beyond the round of 16 in the European Championships.
      Their best performance at the tournament came five years ago when they were denied a quarter-final spot by Poland after losing on penalties.
      ⚽ Follow ALL of the latest news and updates from Euro 2020 with our live blog

      Harry Maguire trains with team ahead of England vs Scotland More

    • 200 Shares189 Views

      in Soccer

      Why is Aymeric Laporte playing for Spain in Euro 2020 & did he play for France?

      by

      SPAIN will be looking to win back the European Championships they lost five years ago in France as they partake in this summer’s tournament. And La Furia Roja will have the chance to do it with Man City stalwart Aymeric Laporte in their side, despite having never capped him before.
      Aymeric Laporte has been selected to play for Spain at the EurosCredit: Reuters
      The 27-year-old will be taking part in his first ever major international tournament, thanks to his inclusion.
      Why is Aymeric Laporte set to play for Spain at Euro 2020?
      Laporte was born in the French Basque Country so is French by nationality.
      Because of his Basque links, Laporte played his youth career and the first part of his professional career with Spanish club Athletic Bilbao.
      Laporte, however, played 51 times for France’s youth sides, from Under-17s all the way up to the Under-21s, who he captained.

      He then earned a big-money £57m move to Manchester City, where he’s gone on to become one of the Premier League’s best defenders.
      Laporte was actually called up to the France squad in September 2019, however he got damaged his knee ligaments before he could play.
      The Times reports that boss Didier Deschamps promised a return to the French squad as soon as he was fit but the call never came, a decision which ultimately set in motion Laporte’s switch to Spain.
      France have the likes of Lucas Hernandez, Clement Lenglet, Raphael Varane, Prensel Kimpembe and Kurt Zouma in the central defensive roles.
      Laporte then officially changed his international allegiance to Spain, who granted him a Spanish passport last month.
      A Spanish FA statement readh: “The player Aymeric Laporte is eligible to play for the representative teams of the RFEF – Spanish Football Association with immediate effect.”
      Aymeric Laporte won the Premier League with City last monthCredit: PA
      Players are allowed to switch allegiances, so long as they haven’t played over three times for their country before the age of 21.
      Spain manager Luis Enrique then selected Laporte in his Euro 2020 squad on May 21, electing to leave out Real Madrid legend Sergio Ramos.
      Laporte will going Pau Torres, Inigo Martinez and City team-mate Eric Garcia as the squad’s main centre-backs. More