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    Hoddle worried about Henderson’s inclusion in England Euro 2020 squad but admits off-pitch influence can be ‘massive’

    GLENN HODDLE admits he is worried about the inclusion of Jordan Henderson in England’s Euros squad.But the former Three Lions boss is confident the Liverpool skipper can still have an impact with the younger players off the pitch. 
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    Jordan Henderson played his first game since February on Sunday against RomaniaCredit: Alamy
    Glenn Hoddle admits he has fears of the star’s fitnessCredit: Paul Edwards – The SunWIN £50,000 with Dream Team EurosDream Team Euros is HERE!

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    Henderson was picked for Gareth Southgate’s extended 26-man group despite picking up a groin injury in February that saw him miss the end of the season.
    He played for the first time in almost four months in a 45-minute cameo in the 1-0 win over Romania on Sunday – but is a doubt for the group stages, starting with their opener against Croatia on Sunday.
    But speaking at a Betfair event, Hoddle said: “Henderson has been brought into the squad and I think it is a risk.
    “But I can see Gareth saying he needs someone with that experience who can settle people off the pitch. What happens off the pitch is not as important but it is massively important.
    “For that down time when you’re not training, having that experience around is key, and if you haven’t got that to lean on and watch it can be tough.
    “As a younger player you watch the older players and how they react and deal with it.
    “That’s why someone like Thomas Muller coming back into the German squad will be invaluable, or Karim Benzema at France. There are always those conundrums.”
    Speaking about the Scotland and Wales squads respectively, former national team coaches Gordon Strachan and Mark Hughes feel they also have well balanced squads.

    BETTING SPECIAL – GET ENGLAND TO WIN EURO 2020 AND HARRY KANE TO BE TOP SCORER AT 18/1

    Scot Strachan said of Steve Clarke’s team: “It is the right balance because it is the only balance he has got.
    “We haven’t got many choices with this group, and they have done very well.
    “We don’t have out and out strikers like your Gareth Bale’s or Robert Lewandowski’s who can win games on their own. We have to do everything as a unit in everything we do.”
    Bale will lead the line for Wales, but will be surrounded by an incredibly young and inexperienced XI.
    Former boss Hughes added: “There is a bit of a transition going on and some of the guys who gave such a contribution last time out in 2016 have left the group.
    “Younger players have replaced them but they have played at a good level. This will be invaluable for them.”
    This Euros Betfair is now offering No Cash Out Suspensions on Match Odds markets, find out more here: https://betting.betfair.com/football/euro-2020/

    Gareth Southgate gives his response to England’s friendly victory against Romania More

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    Snickers launch petition for Scotland to have day off work to watch Euro 2020 opener against Czech Republic

    SNICKERS have launched a petition to get Scotland a day off work ahead of their European Championship return.Steve Clarke’s side will compete in a major tournament for the first time in over 20 years this month as excitement mounts across the country. 

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    Snickers are trying to get Scottish fans next Monday off work for their opening game at the EurosCredit: Getty

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    There is no doubt that the Tartan Army are all counting down the seconds until they take on England at Wembley next Friday.
    But they are all just as excited for the opening game against Czech Republic at Hampden.
    However, not everybody will be able to tune in for it due to the timing.
    The clash will kick-off at 2pm on Monday – right when most of the country will be at work.
    Quick-thinking Scots will have quickly slapped a holiday in the moment the games and schedules were announced.
    But fear not those who did not, as the world famous chocolate bar manufacturers are here to help.
    Snickers are one of the sponsors of the Scottish National Team.
    And they have now launched a campaign to get Scotland a day off on Monday 14 June so that everybody can enjoy the football.
    BETTING SPECIAL – GET ENGLAND TO WIN EURO 2020 AND HARRY KANE TO BE TOP SCORER AT 18/1

    Their petition is already live, which you can sign right here, but only around 800 people have done so at the time of publication.
    But they are not only keeping their efforts online – they have also put up signs up all over the country.
    And they have even placed a giant Snickers bar holding a sign which reads ‘Make June 14th a bank holiday’ directly outside the Scottish Government’s HQ at Hollyrood.
    It seems unlikely that the Scottish nation will get their bank holiday for the big time, but the company have generously offered every adult north of the border a free Snickers bar if the request is granted. 
    ⚽ Follow ALL of the latest news and updates from Euro 2020 with our live blog
    How the top pundits of the two channels stack up against each other
    Snickers are the officially awkward sponsors of both England and Scotland at the Euros More

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    Poland vs Iceland LIVE: Stream, TV channel, kick-off time and team news for Euro 2020 warm-up as Lewandowski STARTS

    POLAND are gearing up for the Euros with their final pre-tournament warm-up game.And they will face one of the biggest heroes of Euro 2016 in Iceland, who won’t be bringing their thunder clap to the this year’s tournament, having not qualified.

    KICK-OFF TIME: 5pm UK time/6pm local
    TV CHANNEL: Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football
    LIVE STREAM: Sky Go and NOW TV
    POLAND TEAM: Szczesny, Kedziora, Glik, Puchacz, Dawidowicz, Krychowiak, Moder, Frankowski, Zielinski, Lewandowski, Swierczok.
    ICELAND TEAM: Runarsson, Sampsted, Hermannsson, Bjarnason, Thorarinsson, Bjarnason, Gunnarsson, Baldursson, Gudmundsson, Anderson, Bodvarsson.

    WIN £50,000! Play Dream Team Euros – our FREE fantasy football game  

    Stay up to date with all the action in our live blog, below…
    POLAND 0-0 ICELAND
    2 Another quick reminder:
    Iceland manager Arnar Vidarsson appears to have chosen a 4-4-2 formation with six changes to the team that beat the Faroe Islands on Friday.
    Runar Runarsson starts in goal with Alfons Sampsted at right-back and Gudmundur Thorarinsson on the other side, while Hjortur Hermannsson and Brynjar Bjarnason link up at centre-back.
    Captain Aron Gunnarsson covers the right flank with Mikael Anderson on the left, while Andri Baldursson and Birkir Bjarnason team up in midfield.
    Albert Gudmundsson and Jon Bodvarsson lead the attack
    POLAND 0-0 ICELAND
    1 Just a quick reminder:
    Poland manager Paulo Sousa appears to have opted for a 4-4-2 formation with six changes to the team that drew with Russia last week.
    Wojciech Szczesny returns between the sticks as he replaces Lukasz Fabianski.
    Tomasz Kedziora starts at right-back with Pawel Dawidowicz, who takes Kamil Piatkowski’s place, on the other side, while Kamil Glik, on for Michal Helik, and Tymoteusz Puchacz team up at centre-back.
    Grzegorz Krychowiak covers the right flank whereas Piotr Zielinski, who replaces Karol Swiderski, plays on the other side, while Jakub Moder, on for Mateusz Klich, and Przemyslaw Frankowski link up in midfield.
    Jakub Swierczok and captain Robert Lewandowski, who replaces Dawid Kownacki, lead the attack
    PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
    AND OFF WE GO IN POZNAN!!!!!!!
    HERE COME THE TEAMS!!!
    The INEA Stadion is ready to host the international friendly between Poland and Iceland ahead of Euro 2020.
    The hosts are being led out to the pitch by captain Robert Lewandowski whereas Aron Gunnarsson dons his nation’s armband.
    Afew fans have showed up for this game in the stands despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
    Not long to go now!
    GETTY IMAGES
    GETTY IMAGES
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    PAUL-ING TOGETHER
    Paulo Sousa took over as Poland manager in January replacing Jerzy Brzęczek, who had been dismissed despite achieving qualification for Euro 2020.
    Sousa has been experiencing a rough start at the Eagles’ helm as he has only won one of his first four matches in charge.
    Poland beat Andorra 3-0 under the Portuguese legend and also lost to England; both matches took place in March.
    Sousa experienced tremendous success as a player as he won two successive Champions League titles with Juventus and Borussia Dortmund
    GETTY IMAGES
    SIG-ING PRAISES
    Goteborg star Kolbeinn Sigthorsson would have the chance to make history for Iceland in today’s friendly against Poland if he was included in the squad.
    Sigthorsson is just one goal away from officially becoming his nation’s record goalscorer.
    In fact, the striker is currently tied with Chelsea hero Eidur Gudjohnsen with a total of 26 goals in 63 matches.
    Brescia ace Birkir Bjarnason is also after a special record as he is only four more appearances away from becoming Iceland’s most capped player and surpassing Runar Kristinsson, who holds the record with 100 international matches under his belt
    GETTY IMAGES
    LEWAN-GOAL-SKI
    Robert Lewandowski enjoyed another stunning season with Bayern Munich and topped the goalscoring charts once more.
    Lewandowski registered a staggering 41 goals and seven assists in 29 league matches and finished as the Bundesliga’s top scorer.
    The star striker also recorded a total of 48 goals in 40 appearances across all competitions this past campaign.
    And of course, the 32-year-old is Poland’ record goalscorer with 66 goals in 118 games, which also makes him his nation’s most capped player
    GETTY IMAGES
    ICELAND STATS
    Iceland failed to qualify for Euro 2020 after finishing third in Group H behind France as well as Turkey and came up short in the play-offs when they lost to Hungary in the final.
    The Scandinavians didn’t fare any better in the Nations League as they finished bottom of the group in League A below Belgium, Denmark and England.
    Arnar Vidarsson’s men have struggled in their most recent outings as they’ve only won two of their last six matches.
    During that same period of time, Iceland also lost four times
    GETTY IMAGES
    POLAND STATS
    Poland qualified for Euro 2020 after topping Group G where they bested Austria and eliminated North Macedonia, Slovenia, Israel and Latvia – the Eagles won eight out of 10 matches and only lost once.
    The hosts didn’t have the same success in the Nations League as they finished third in their League A group below Italy and the Netherlands with only two wins in six matches, of which they lost three times.
    Poland’s recent track record hasn’t been stellar as they’ve only won one out of their last six games across all competitions.
    The White and Reds also count three losses during that same period of time ahead of Euro 2020
    GETTY IMAGES
    HEAD-TO-HEAD
    Poland and Iceland’s first ever meeting took place way back in 2000 during an international friendly match which the former won 1-0 at home thanks to Tomasz Frankowski’s goal.
    Since then, the two sides have faced off a total of four times with the Eagles winning a majority of three matches whereas the Scandinavians are still looking for their first victory.
    Both teams have never faced off in an official capacity and thus have only locked horns in friendly encounters throughout the years.
    In fact, their most recent game took place in 2015 when Poland won 4-2 at home thanks to a brace by Robert Lewandowski
    GETTY IMAGES
    ICELAND FORMATION
    Iceland manager Arnar Vidarsson appears to have chosen a 4-4-2 formation with six changes to the team that beat the Faroe Islands on Friday.
    Runar Runarsson starts in goal with Alfons Sampsted at right-back and Gudmundur Thorarinsson on the other side, while Hjortur Hermannsson and Brynjar Bjarnason link up at centre-back.
    Captain Aron Gunnarsson covers the right flank with Mikael Anderson on the left, while Andri Baldursson and Birkir Bjarnason team up in midfield.
    Albert Gudmundsson and Jon Bodvarsson lead the attack
    POLAND FORMATION
    Poland manager Paulo Sousa appears to have opted for a 4-4-2 formation with six changes to the team that drew with Russia last week.
    Wojciech Szczesny returns between the sticks as he replaces Lukasz Fabianski.
    Tomasz Kedziora starts at right-back with Pawel Dawidowicz, who takes Kamil Piatkowski’s place, on the other side, while Kamil Glik, on for Michal Helik, and Tymoteusz Puchacz team up at centre-back.
    Grzegorz Krychowiak covers the right flank whereas Piotr Zielinski, who replaces Karol Swiderski, plays on the other side, while Jakub Moder, on for Mateusz Klich, and Przemyslaw Frankowski link up in midfield.
    Jakub Swierczok and captain Robert Lewandowski, who replaces Dawid Kownacki, lead the attack
    POLAND SUBS
    22 Fabianski, 12 Skorupski, 18 Bereszynski, 13 Rybus, 25 Helik, 2 Piatkowski, 14 Klich, 21 Jozwiak, 17 Placheta, 6 Kozlowski, 8 Linetty, 11 Swiderski
    POLAND XI
    1 Szczesny; 4 Kedziora, 15 Glik, 26 Puchacz, 3 Dawidowicz; 10 Krychowiak, 16 Moder, 19 Frankowski, 20 Zielinski; 9 Lewandowski, 24 Swierczok
    ICELAND SUBS
    1 Kristinsson, 12 E. Olafsson, 5 Thrandarson, 10 Johannesson, 16 K. Thordarson, 18 I. Olafsson, 19 Thorsteinsson, 20 Fridriksson, 21 Gudjohnsen, 23 S. Thordarson, 24 Eyjolfsson
    ICELAND XI
    13 Runarsson; 2 Sampsted, 4 Hermannsson, 6 Bjarnason, 3 Thorarinsson; 8 Bjarnason, 17 Gunnarsson, 7 Baldursson, 11 Gudmundsson, 15 Anderson; 22 Bodvarsson
    Byrjunarlið Íslands í leiknum gegn Póllandi í dag!Leikurinn hefst kl. 16:00 að íslenskum tíma og verður í beinni útsendingu á RÚV.Our starting lineup for the friendly against Poland.#fyririsland pic.twitter.com/ZX6yz5yret— Knattspyrnusambandið (@footballiceland) June 8, 2021

    THE TEAM SHEETS ARE IN!!!
    GOOD AFTERNOON FROM POZNAN
    Welcome to our live coverage of the international friendly match between Poland and Iceland at the INEA Stadion ahead of the summer’s delayed Euro 2020 competition.
    The hosts are looking for a morale-boosting victory ahead of the European championships where they will face Slovakia, Spain and Sweden.
    Neither side is dealing with any significant absences but Poland manager Paulo Sousa is expected to start a strong side, which could include Bayern Munich superstar Robert Lewandowski.
    Either Mateusz Klich or Jakub Moder could start in midfield while Juventus goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny should feature between the sticks.
    Iceland boss Arnar Vidarsson may opt for the same backline and midfield after keeping a clean sheet against the Faroe Islands on Friday’s 1-0 win.
    Mikael Anderson and Albert Gudmundsson could start and replace the likes of Jon Dadi Bodvarsson and Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson.
    The line-ups are gong to depend on what each manager needs for this friendly, as only one of them is going to compete in Euro 2020.
    Therefore, if Sousa is still figuring out the team’s identity then he will play a strong side or else he will opt to rest his key players.
    But Vidarsson, on the other hand, doesn’t really have much reason to rest players as bragging rights are still up for grabs
    GETTY IMAGES
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    Van de Beek out for Holland, Germany hit SEVEN past Latvia, Ben White called up to England Euro 2020 squad

    GERMANY have made a big statement of intent by hammering Latvia 7-1 heading into Euro 2020.Meanwhile Man Utd’s Donny van de Beek has been ruled out of the entire tournament for Holland.
    The Dutch are already without injured captain Virgil van Dijk and goalkeeper Jesper Cillessen, who tested positive for Covid.
    And on the home front, Gareth Southgate has confirmed Ben White will replace the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold in his 26-man England squad.

    Follow all of the latest news, build up and updates below…
    TV TIMES
    Euro 2020 is almost here and the TV games have been announced.
    ITV and BBC have revealed which England matches they’ll be showing, plus all other fixtures.
    Click HERE to see the TV times.
    ENTRY LEVEL
    Vaccine passports can be used to get into England’s Euro 2020 group matches in a major move backed by the Government.
    Fans seeking to attend the games against Croatia, Scotland and the Czech Republic at Wembley will have to show the NHS app confirming they have received both Covid jabs at least 14 days before or a negative lateral flow test taken within 48 hours of the game.
    But a successful use of the technology starting on Sunday will allow bigger crowds to attend the knock-out stages and could see more than 45,000 at the Final next month.
    The Government, FA and Uefa have agreed to cap crowds at 22,500 for the three group matches, 25 per cent of Wembley’s capacity.
    It is hoped that the passport scheme will be a trailblazer for other sporting events and lead to full crowds in the Prem from the start of next season.
    In an email sent to ticket holders, the regulations have been laid out.
    They state: “All ticket holders aged 11 and older must present evidence that they are at a low-risk of transmitting Covid-19 to enter Wembley Stadium. Failure to do so will mean you’re unable to attend the match.”
    EURO SLASH
    England can win a maximum £24.29m in prize money at Euro 2020 – after Uefa and national associations agreed a cash cut.
    The initial prize money budget for the tournament planned a total pot of £319m.
    But with the Covid crisis causing a delay and crowds limited as a result of the pandemic, Uefa has now slashed the prize pool to £284.55m.
    England, like the other 23 qualified nations, will get a minimum payment of £8m.
    But the group stage prize money has been reduced from £1.29m per win (half that for a draw), to £860,000 for each victory and half for a draw.
    Qualifying for the last-16 is now worth £1.29m, down from the original £1.72m.
    Quarter-finalists will now receive an additional £2.15m, compared to the planned £2.8m.
    Reaching the semis will net the FA an extra £3.44m, 25 per cent less than the initial figure of £4.3m.
    And the winners and runners up will now receive £6.88m and £4.3m respectively.
    CAL OF DUTY
    Chelsea star Callum Hudson-Odoi has hinted that he is open to switching his international allegiance to Ghana in the future.
    The 20-year-old is still eligible to represent the West African nation despite being capped three times at senior level by England.
    As reported by Joy Sports, he said: “I think obviously when you’re young, you have the opportunity to play for England throughout all the years, from under 15 to under 16 all the way up.
    “When they obviously gave me the opportunity to come I was in the country already.
    “It’s something that I already had in my mind, set on already playing for England.”
    “So it was the thing obviously choosing Ghana or England, and at the end of the day I said I always had the right people around me who always advise me – what’s right, what’s wrong. England came and I said ‘Yeah, let me go and play for my country.
    “But I said Ghana is my home as well, so we’ll see, we’ll see. You’ll never know, so.”
    GER JOKING
    England put their penalty shootout demons behind them in Russia to beat Colombia – but they are set to return against the Germans AGAIN this summer.
    Before that, though, the Three Lions will dump out both Spain and Portugal in the knockout stages.
    That is according to predictions from a supercomputer that has churned out the results for the whole of Euro 2020, as reported by talkSPORT.
    And it spells more semi-final heartbreak for Gareth Southgate.
    Read more HERE.
    LIONS READY TO ROAR
    Marcus Rashford and Raheem Sterling are set to ‘explode’ into life for England at this summer’s European Championship, according to Roy Keane.
    He said: “Sometimes you look at players who have had a quiet spell; quiet because they’ve set such high standards.
    “Rashford and Sterling, for example.
    “But I think that is a good thing. You’re going into the tournament going ‘these lads are ready to explode’.
    “Gareth [Southgate] definitely likes Rashford and Sterling.”
    PAUL THE OTHER ONE
    Paul Gascoigne has revealed that he brutally snubbed Chelsea in 1995 when he left Lazio for Rangers.
    He told talkSPORT: “I remember speaking to [then Lazio boss] Dino Zoff and asking him what clubs were interested in me at the time and he said Chelsea.
    “I said ‘I ain’t going there, what’s the other one?’ He replied Aston Villa.
    “And I said I ain’t going there either, and then he said Rangers. So I’m walking out of the door and I turned around and said ‘I ain’t going to Queens Park Rangers’.
    “No, Glasgow Rangers. I slammed the door and said to Dino get them over quickly.
    “I remember [Rangers boss] Walter Smith turning up and going ‘let me tell you about the club’.
    “I went ‘no, let me tell you what I’ve got in the fridge…. and I came out with two Budweisers. He said ‘you’re signing, aren’t you?!'”
    PAUL YOUR HAIR OUT
    Phil Foden paid tribute to Paul Gascoigne by recreating the England icon’s famous haircut from Euro 96.
    The Manchester City star has fans hoping the new look will help him inspire the Three Lions this summer the way Gazza did 25 years ago.
    Foden – who has already been compared to Gascoigne in terms of playing style – took things to a new level by unveiling his fresh trim for the Euros.
    Ahead of England’s first Group D game against Croatia on Sunday, the 21-year-old revealed he has bleached his usually dark locks blonde.
    And in case any fans were in doubt about the Gascoigne reference, Foden captioned a picture on his Instagram story: “Euro 96 vibes.”
    Phil Foden’s latest haircut has been inspired by Paul Gascoigne’s Euro 96 look
    WHITE HOT
    Ben White was travelling home to Brighton on Sunday night when he got THE phone call.
    Gareth Southgate’s name appeared on the screen.
    The central defender had left Middlesbrough in a car provided by the FA and was 90 minutes into the 300-mile journey south.
    Yet after a quick conversation, which White will remember for the rest of his life, he mentally tore up his list of potential holiday destinations and turned his attention to Wembley.
    Then, he prepared for a quick turnaround in Brighton before heading to St. George’s Park this morning to meet up with his new international team-mates.
    After a jubilant phone call to his parents, Carole and Barry, the rest of the trip to the seaside on Sunday flew by as his head was now firmly in the clouds.
    TOP OF THE BIL
    EXCLUSIVE – Sam Johnstone is so chilled he would treat the Euros exactly like a night game at Barnsley.
    At least that is what Slaven Bilic believes following the keeper’s classy England debut in Sunday’s 1-0 friendly win over Romania.
    Bilic said: “Sam is not a loud guy. He is very calm and doesn’t speak a lot. He is one of those guys that gives you confidence with his calmness.
    “He is relaxed but not sleepy. He is totally in a zone and in the beginning I was telling him to be louder.
    “But after that, I noticed he is one of those who can calm a team down with his attitude. He is not fazed. For him it would be the same if it were a Monday night in Barnsley or a match at Euro 2020.
    “It comes from your character but also from when you are at a big club and always being scrutinised.”
    RAM READY
    Aaron Ramsey has declared he is raring to go for Wales ahead of Euro 2020.
    Speaking of repeated injuries during his time at Juventus, he said: “It’s been a frustrating couple of years to try and get any consistency going. Different environments, different methods and things like that.
    “It’s not something I’ve been used to because I was at one club for a very long time and I think adapting to that took a lot longer.
    “I’ve had to change a few things but now I feel like I’m in a good place. I’ve definitely worked hard over the last few months to get my body back into a good place.
    “I’m a proud Welshman who wants to play for Wales and help my team as much as I can. For me to have missed a few games over the last few years has been very frustrating and difficult for me.
    “Hopefully now that’s behind me and I can look forward to all these games in the European Championships.”
    ROO MOON RISING
    Wayne Rooney will make his playing comeback in the 2021 edition of Soccer Aid.
    The popular charity match is set to take place on Saturday, September 4 in front of what could be a full house at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium.
    The Derby manager, 35, was part of the England coaching team in last year’s match as fans raised a record £9.3million for Unicef.
    And he will feature alongside Manchester United alumni Paul Scholes and Gary Neville plus Jamie Redknapp, Fara Williams, David James, Ashley Cole, Kelly Smith and Emile Heskey for the home team.
    Jamaican sprint legend Usain Bolt is signed up to the World XI side with Roberto Carlos and Patrice Evra.
    Rooney said: “Pulling on an England shirt is always special, so I’m absolutely delighted to be doing that again in Soccer Aid for Unicef this September.”
    THE REAL DON
    Man Utd midfielder Donny van de Beek has been ruled out of Euro 2020 through injury.
    The Dutch international’s injury caps off a difficult season where he has struggled first starts under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
    A statement from the Holland National team said: “Donny van de Beek misses EURO 2020. Van de Beek has to let the European Championship pass by.
    “The midfielder is struggling with an injury. As a result, he is not available in time for EURO 2020.
    “Frank de Boer will not call a replacement for Van de Beek. Get well soon, Donny!”
    GOLDEN BOY
    Harry Kane is dreaming of a stunning Euro 2020 trophy double as the England captain wants to lead his country to victory in the final at Wembley on July 11.
    And he is also on a mission to add to his personal collection of gongs by once again bagging the Golden Boot.
    He said: “As a striker, if you are scoring, you are helping the team. That’s always my aim — and to win.
    “Of course, I’d love to win another Golden Boot. More importantly, I’d love to be lifting that Euros trophy.
    “Whatever way we get there, whether it’s me scoring or others, it doesn’t bother me as long as we are winning games.
    “That’s why we play football on the hihest stage, to be involved in the biggest games. Once most guys are on the pitch, instinct takes over.”
    BOO ARE YA?
    Rio Ferdinand has slammed fans who boo England players taking the knee as ‘ignorant’.
    A number of supporters at the Three Lions’ Euro 2020 warm-up friendlies jeered the pre-game gesture.
    Ferdinand told his YouTube channel: “These fans, these ignorant people going to these games, they haven’t got a clue.
    “They don’t know what the players are kneeling for. It’s not a political stance.
    “All these people saying, ‘BLM is a political movement’ – [the knee] is nothing to do with [BLM]. So take that out of your mind.”
    MAKING THEIR MARC
    England star Marcus Rashford believes that the Three Lions’ squad players can add an extra ‘spark’ to the first XI.
    The Man United forward is one of a number of attacking players vying for a place, and he believes that everyone will contribute.
    He said: “Don’t get me wrong, everybody wants to be in the first XI – but I think from my experience of being in tournaments you need a squad.
    “You have to have players capable of coming on at different moments and giving that extra spark. I think in our squad we have that all over the pitch, so to be honest it (starting against Croatia) is not at the front of my mind.
    “We go there as a squad that’s trying to win a tournament. Whether or not you’re starting in the first XI you’ve still got a massive role to play if we want to win the tournament.
    “You’re being deluded if you expect 11 players to win seven games – and you’re playing games in a short space of time. The squad’s going have to be utilised and to be honest I’m excited and looking forward to it.”
    Marcus Rashford is confident in all of the options that Gareth Southgate has at his disposalCredit: Getty
    GERMANY 7 LATVIA 1
    Germany battered minnows Latvia in their final Euro 2020 warm-up match last night.
    Joachim Low’s side go into the tournament full of confidence after dismantling the 138th placed side in the Fifa Rankings.
    Atalanta star Robin Gosens got the goal-fest started in the 19th minute – with Ilkay Gundogan and Thomas Muller strikes making it 3-0 before the half-hour mark.
    A Robert Ozols own goal swiftly made it four, before Serge Gnabry put Die Mannschaft 5-0 up on the stroke of half-time.
    Timo Werner and Leroy Sane efforts put the Germans 7-0 up, although Aleksejs Saveljevs grabbed a consolation with 15 minutes remaining.
    [embedded content]
    PRICE IS WHITE
    Manchester United and Arsenal have been warned that England star Ben White will cost £50million, according to reports.
    The Brighton defender, 23, enjoyed a fine debut Premier League season this term.
    And he was rewarded for his form by replacing the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold in England’s final 26-man squad for Euro 2020.
    Brighton are unsurprisingly desperate to keep hold of the Three Lions star beyond this summer.
    And to do so, the Daily Mail say the Seagulls have slapped a £50m price tag on the Dorset-born defender.
    United continue their hunt for a long-term partner for Harry Maguire with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer keen to cement a solid defensive pairing this summer.
    And Arsenal have lost David Luiz so may well be on the hunt for a new centre-back – but cannot offer European football next term.
    Chelsea, Tottenham, Liverpool, Roma, Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund have all also been linked with White.
    Brighton have slapped a £50m price tag on their England defender Ben White
    GOOD MORNING EUROS FANS
    Ben White is the final piece to Gareth Southgate’s England puzzle as he’s been confirmed as Trent Alexander-Arnold’s replacement for Euro 2020.
    The centre back will wear the No22 jersey at the tournament.
    The Three Lions boss will be delighted to see Harry Maguire running again in training, yet he remains a doubt for the Euros opener against Croatia.
    One player who is more confident about playing this summer is Paul Pogba, who believes France are in with a great chance of winning the tournament.
    Pogba told Eurosport: “We have a PlayStation team but it will remain a PlayStation team if we don’t win a trophy.
    “Being world champions and having a team like that, we will be expected to do even more.
    “We must remain humble. I want to give this message: it’s not a foregone conclusion. We hear a lot of talk but we keep our feet on the ground.”
    And the Germans are also looking buoyant after hammering Latvia 7-1 in their final warm-up game.
    France and Germany play each other in their opening match of the tournament on Tuesday, June 15.
    EXCLUSIVE – TEDDY SHERINGHAM INTERVIEW
    When we think of Euro ’96, several beautiful images come to mind – Gazza’s goal, Pearce’s ­penalty and all of the win against Holland.
    But two unpleasant images pop up too – one being a heartbroken Gareth Southgate after his penalty miss in the semi-final against Germany.
    And, from a month or so before that, the photos of the infamous night out in Hong Kong.
    Teddy Sheringham, his clothes inexplicably in shreds, was one of many faces staring out of our front pages along with a spirit-soaked Gazza, obviously enjoying an almighty pre-tournament bender.
    Click here to read Adrian Chiles’ interview with Teddy Sheringham
    England ace Teddy Sheringham reveals what REALLY happened behind the scenes at Euro 1996
    UKRAINE WIN 4-0
    Ukraine have won their final warm-up game, hammering Cyprus 4-0.
    Two goals from West Ham winger Andriy Yarmolenko, one from Man City star Oleksandr Zinchenko and one from Gent striker Roman Yaremchuk were enough to secure the win.
    They’re up against Austria, Holland and North Macedonia in Group B.
    GERMANY WIN 7-1
    Germany have beaten Latvia 7-1 ahead of their opening Euro 2020 match against France on Tuesday, June 15.
    And the goals came from seven different players, with ex-Manchester City star Leroy Sane getting the last.

    GERMANS LOOKING GOOD
    Germany are currently beating Latvia 6-0 in their final friendly before Euro 2020.
    Joachim Low’s side face France in their opening match of the tournament on Tuesday, June 15.

    WHEN ROONEY RULED EUROPE
    It’s been SEVENTEEN years since Wayne Rooney took international football by storm at Euro 2004.
    The then 18-year-old scored four goals and got England fans dreaming of glory with some superb performances.
    Injury in the quarter-final against Portugal ended his nation’s chances – but most still remember it as Rooney’s finest summer in an England shirt.

    MAY BE DISAPPOINTED
    Ex-Manchester United star David May is dissapointed Marcus Rashford has gone to the Euros.
    The England star reportedly needs surgery after the tournament is over but May would have liked for the player to get the problem sorted sooner rather than later.
    He told United’s debate show: “Me, personally, I would have loved him not to have gone to the Euros.
    “But I know as a footballer – as a player – you want to be in those tournaments.”

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    Kevin De Bruyne spotted with black eye in Belgium camp sparking fears Man City ace will miss Euro 2020 opener vs Russia

    KEVIN DE BRUYNE has shown off the shiner that could keep him out of Belgium’s Euro 2020 opener. The Manchester City ace is a doubt to play Russia on Saturday after undergoing eye surgery on an orbital fracture.
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    Kevin De Bruyne was spotted with his black eye in the Belgium camp
    Kevin De Bruyne suffered an orbital fracture in a collision with Antonio Rudiger
    The 29-year-old was body checked by Antonio Rudiger in the Champions League final and left the field in tears.
    His operation was successful, but De Bruyne remains in a race against the clock to feature against the Russians.
    European football correspondant Kristof Terreur showed off a picture of his black eye alongside the caption: “Still unsure he’ll make the bench for Belgium’s first game against Russia.”
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    Belgium boss Roberto Martinez has already warned fans that he ‘probably won’t be ready’ for their curtain-raiser.
    Speaking on Saturday, he said: “Kevin is doing well. He’s in a good state of mind and can’t wait to join us on the pitch on Monday.
    “It is not an operation that prevents you from returning to activity or needs recovery time, it is actually the opposite.
    “It should even give him the opportunity to play without the need for protection.

    “And that’s the good news. It was done at the right time and this is positive news for the Euros.
    “But he probably will not be ready for the first game against Russia and we will need to analyse the situation on a day-by-day basis.”
    De Bruyne has 80 caps for his country having scored 21 goals.
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    England fans can use vaccine passports for first time to get into Euro 2020 group matches in huge boost for supporters

    VACCINE passports can be used to get into England’s Euro 2020 group matches in a major move backed by the Government.Fans seeking to attend the games against Croatia, Scotland and the Czech Republic at Wembley will have to show the NHS app confirming they have received both Covid jabs at least 14 days before or a negative lateral flow test taken within 48 hours of the game.
    England fans can use vaccine passports to get into Euro 2020 group matchesCredit: Alamy
    But a successful use of the technology starting on Sunday will allow bigger crowds to attend the knock-out stages and could see more than 45,000 at the Final next month.
    The Government, FA and Uefa have agreed to cap crowds at 22,500 for the three group matches, 25 per cent of Wembley’s capacity.
    It is hoped that the passport scheme will be a trailblazer for other sporting events and lead to full crowds in the Prem from the start of next season.
    In an email sent to ticket holders, the regulations have been laid out.
    EURO 2020 BETTING SPECIAL – GET £1 FREE BET FOR EVERY SHOT ON TARGET YOUR GOLDEN BOOT SELECTION HAS
    They state: “All ticket holders aged 11 and older must present evidence that they are at a low-risk of transmitting Covid-19 to enter Wembley Stadium.
    “Failure to do so will mean you’re unable to attend the match.”
    The email added: “Proof of full vaccination – both doses received at least 14 days prior to the match (demonstrated via the NHS App or via the Scottish or Welsh vaccination record services).
    “Or proof of a negative Lateral Flow Test (LFT), reported and demonstrated via a text message or email from NHS Test and Trace.
    “This can be on your device (including a screenshot) or a printout.
    “The test needs to be taken within 48 hours of the time stadium gates open (meaning three hours before match kick-off).
    “Any other test results, e.g. a PCR test result from a private company, will not be accepted and entry will be denied.”
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    In addition, ticket-holders will have to wear masks and will be allocated a 30-minute slot in the three hours before kick-off to enter the stadiums to reduce bottlenecks.
    Fans have been asked to remain in their seats at half-time, avoid hugs and high-fives, and maintain physical distance when celebrating.
    By contrast with the regulations at Wembley, the maximum 12,000 fans attending games at Hampden will not have to show proof of vaccination or a negative test, but they will be asked to maintain 1.5m social distancing rather than 1m.
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    Euro 2020 prize money revealed with England fighting for £24m jackpot after Uefa agree cash cut

    ENGLAND can win a maximum £24.29m in prize money at Euro 2020 – after Uefa and national associations agreed a cash cut.The initial prize money budget for the tournament planned a total pot of £319m.
    England will be playing for a reduced prize pot share of £24m at Euro 2020Credit: EPAEURO 2020 PRIZE MONEY: Full breakdown

    GROUP STAGE
    Planned – £8m
    Actual – £8m
    MATCH BONUS
    Planned – £1.29m for win, £645k for draw
    Actual – £860k for win, £430k draw
    LAST-16
    Planned – £1.72m
    Actual – £1.29m
    QUARTER-FINALS
    Planned – £2.8m
    Actual – £2.15m
    SEMI-FINALS
    Planned – £4.3m
    Actual – £3.44m
    RUNNER-UP
    Planned – £6.02m
    Actual – £4.3m
    WINNER
    Planned – £8.61m
    Actual – £6.88m

    But with the Covid crisis causing a delay and crowds limited as a result of the pandemic, Uefa has now slashed the prize pool to £284.55m.
    England, like the other 23 qualified nations, will get a minimum payment of £8m.
    But the group stage prize money has been reduced from £1.29m per win (half that for a draw), to £860,000 for each victory and half for a draw.
    Qualifying for the last-16 is now worth £1.29m, down from the original £1.72m.
    Quarter-finalists will now receive an additional £2.15m, compared to the planned £2.8m.
    Reaching the semis will net the FA an extra £3.44m, 25 per cent less than the initial figure of £4.3m.
    And the winners and runners up will now receive £6.88m and £4.3m respectively.
    Those figures are way down on the original prizes of £8.61m and £6.02m.
    BETTING SPECIAL – GET ENGLAND TO WIN EURO 2020 AND HARRY KANE TO BE TOP SCORER AT 18/1

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    Roy Keane reckons England have a shot of Euro 2020 glory, with Marcus Rashford and Raheem Sterling looking to ‘explode’ and prove their doubters wrong.
    Keane said: “Sometimes you look at players who have had a quiet spell – quiet because they’ve set such high standards.
    “Rashford and Sterling, for example.
    “But I think that is a good thing. You’re going into the tournament going ‘these lads are ready to explode’.
    “Gareth [Southgate] definitely likes Rashford and Sterling.”
    ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

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    Supercomputer predicts Euro 2020 as England beat Spain and Portugal but lose on penalties to Germany AGAIN

    ENGLAND put their penalty shootout demons behind them in Russia to beat Colombia – but they are set to return against the Germans AGAIN this summer.Before that, though, the Three Lions will dump out both Spain and Portugal in the knockout stages.
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    A supercomputer reckons England will lose to Germany on the penalties in the semi-finalsCredit: Andy Hooper-The Daily Mail
    The Germans have forged a reputation for holding their nerve from 12 yards over the yearsCredit: Getty
    That is according to predictions from a supercomputer that has churned out the results for the whole of Euro 2020, as reported by talkSPORT.
    And it spells more semi-final heartbreak for Gareth Southgate.
    The England boss famously missed his spot-kick 25 years ago as the Germans scraped through to the final.
    But this time around he must watch on from the sidelines as one of his 26 players fails from 12 yards, probably against Manuel Neuer, after a 2-2 draw.
    France’s 3-2 win after extra-time in the final will do little to soften the blow.
    The machine backs England to top Group D with Croatia through in second but Czech Republic and bottom Scotland crash out.
    Italy, Belgium, Netherlands, Spain and France are the other group winners, while Wales finish fourth in Group A.
    The pick of the round-of-16 ties sees the Three Lions take out Portugal 2-1 after extra-time following the 2004 and 2006 pain while Germany edge past the Dutch on penalties.

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    In the quarter-finals, England stun Spain 3-1 and Belgium get past Italy 2-1 after extra-time.
    Germany need an additional 30 minutes to register a 3-1 victory over Turkey while France’s 3-1 win against Croatia is a repeat outcome of the 2018 World Cup final.
    In the other semi-final, France squeeze past Belgium – this time 2-1 rather than the 1-0 result three years ago.
    And Kylian Mbappe and Co make it back-to-back major tournaments after a dramatic final at Wembley on July 11.
    Gareth Southgate missed his penalty against the Germans at Euro 96Credit: PA:Empics Sport
    England are predicted to beat Portugal after being knocked out by the country in 2004 and 2006Credit: PA:Press Association
    Raheem Sterling will be hoping to get another goal in the 2-1 win over Spain in the quartersCredit: Getty – Contributor
    France lifted the 2018 World Cup and are predicted to be victorious this summerCredit: PA

    England ace Teddy Sheringham reveals what REALLY happened behind the scenes at Euro 1996 More