Euro 2020

A BIZARRE domestic season is nearly over and Euro 2020 is nearly here for a massive festival of football.It’s set to be a huge summer of action from around Europe as Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions go for glory.
Southgate will be hoping to build on a good performance in the 2018 World CupCredit: AFP
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There is plenty of home nations interest as well with Wales and Scotland involved in this summer’s showpiece.
Re-arranged from last year’s cancelled tournament, Turkey face Italy in the Group A curtain-raiser in Rome.
Euro 2020 confirmed groups
There are 24 nations competing in Euro 2020, which will get underway on Friday, June 11 2021.
Of the Home Nations, three have made it to the finals with England and Scotland both in Group D, while Wales have a tough ask in Group A.

Group A: Turkey, Italy, Wales, Switzerland.
Group B: Denmark, Finland, Belgium, Russia.
Group C: Netherlands, Ukraine, Austria, North Macedonia.
Group D: England, Croatia, Czech Republic, Scotland.
Group E: Spain, Sweden, Poland, Slovakia.
Group F: Germany, France, Portugal, Hungary.

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England boast the most-valuable squad of all Euro 2020 nations
Euro 2020 fixtures
Every single match of this summer’s tournament will be shown on free-to-air TV in the UK.
You can catch the games on either the BBC or ITV, so anyone with a valid TV licence can watch.
Games kick-off at 2pm, 5pm and 8pm BST – so there’s no late nights or early mornings like we’ve had in some recent World Cup’s.
If you want to stream, the BBC iPlayer and ITV Hub will allow you to do so – all you have to do is create a free account.
GROUP STAGE – Matchday 1
Friday, June 11

Turkey vs Italy, 8pm (Group A, BBC)

Saturday, June 12

Wales vs Switzerland, 2pm (Group A, BBC)
Denmark vs Finland, 5pm (Group B, BBC)
Belgium vs Russia, 8pm (Group B, ITV)

Sunday, June 13

England vs Croatia, 2pm (Group D, BBC)
Austria vs North Macedonia, 5pm (Group C, ITV)
Holland vs Ukraine, 8pm (Group C, ITV)

Monday, June 14

Scotland vs Czech Republic, 2pm (Group D, BBC)
Poland vs Slovakia, 5pm (Group E, ITV)
Spain vs Sweden, 8pm (Group E, BBC)

Tuesday, June 15

Hungary vs Portugal, 5pm (Group F, ITV)
France vs Germany, 8pm (Group F, ITV)

How England’s path to Euros glory could look
GROUP STAGE – Matchday 2
Wednesday, June 16

Finland vs Russia, 2pm (Group B, BBC)
Turkey vs Wales, 5pm (Group A, BBC)
Italy vs Switzerland, 8pm (Group A, ITV)

Thursday, June 17

Ukraine vs North Macedonia, 2pm (Group C, ITV)
Denmark vs Belgium, 5pm (Group B, ITV)
Holland vs Austria, 8pm (Group C, BBC)

Friday, June 18

Sweden vs Slovakia, 2pm (Group E, BBC)
Croatia vs Czech Republic, 5pm (Group D, BBC)
England vs Scotland, 8pm (Group D, ITV)

Saturday, June 19

Hungary vs France, 2pm (Group F, BBC)
Portugal vs Germany, 5pm (Group F, ITV)
Spain vs Poland, 8pm (Group E, BBC)

GROUP STAGE – Matchday 3
Sunday, June 20

Italy vs Wales, 5pm (Group A, ITV)
Switzerland vs Turkey, 5pm (Group A, ITV)

Monday, June 21

Ukraine vs Austria, 5pm (Group C, ITV)
North Macedonia vs Holland, 5pm (Group C, ITV)
Russia vs Denmark, 8pm (Group B, BBC)
Finland vs Belgium, 8pm (Group B, BBC)

Tuesday, June 22

Croatia vs Scotland, 8pm (Group D, ITV)
Czech Republic vs England, 8pm (Group D, ITV)

Wednesday, June 23

Sweden vs Poland, 5pm (Group E, ITV)
Slovakia vs Spain, 5pm (Group E, ITV)
Portugal vs France, 8pm (Group F, BBC)
Germany vs Hungary, 8pm (Group F, BBC)

KNOCKOUT STAGE – Round of 16
Saturday, June 26

Match one – Runner up Group A vs Runner-up Group B, 6pm
Match two – Winner Group A vs Runner-up Group C, 8pm

Sunday, June 27

Match three – Winner Group C vs 3rd Group D/E/F, 6pm
Match four – Winner Group B vs 3rd Group A/D/E/F, 8pm

Monday, June 28

Match five – Runner-up Group D vs Runner-up Group E, 6pm
Match six – Winner Group F vs 3rd Group A/B/C. 8pm

Tuesday, June 29

Match seven – Winner Group D vs Runner-up Group F, 6pm
Match eight – Winner Group E vs 3rd Group A/B/C/D, 8pm

KNOCKOUT STAGE – Quarter-finals
Friday, July 2

Winner of Match six vs Winner of Match five, 6pm
Winner of Match four vs Winner of Match two, 8pm

Saturday, July 3

Winner of Match three vs Winner of Match one, 6pm
Winner of Match eight vs Winner of match seven, 8pm

KNOCKOUT STAGE – Semi-finals
Tuesday, July 6

Quarter-final two winner vs Quarter-final one winner, 8pm

Wednesday, July 7

Quarter-final four winner vs Quarter-final three winner, 8pm

KNOCKOUT STAGE – Final
Sunday, July 11

Semi-final one winner vs Semi-final two winner, 8pm

This summer’s showpiece will be held at Wembley in LondonCredit: PA
Where will the Euro 2020 final be held?
In a huge boost for Gareth Southgate and England, the semi-finals and final will be held at Wembley Stadium.
Euro 2020 confirmed venues are:

Rome (Stadio Olimpico)
Baku (Olympic Stadium)
Copenhagen (Parken Stadium)
St Petersburg (St Petersburg Stadium)
Amsterdam (Johan Crujff Arena)
Bucharest (National Arena)
London (Wembley Stadium)
Glasgow (Hampden Park)
Budapest (Puskás Aréna)
Munich (Fußball Arena München)
Seville (La Cartuja Stadium) More

EURO 2020 is almost here and the TV games have been announced.ITV and BBC have revealed which England matches they will be showing, plus all other fixtures.
Harry Kane will be looking to lead England to Euro 2020 gloryCredit: Reuters
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The Three Lions have been drawn with Czech Republic, Croatia and Scotland, while Wales face Turkey, Italy and Switzerland.
Which Euro 2020 games are on ITV and BBC?
11th June: Turkey vs Italy (8pm) – Rome – BBC
12th June: Wales vs Switzerland (2pm) – Baku – BBC
12th June: Denmark vs Finland (5pm) – Copenhagen – BBC
12th June: Belgium vs Russia (8pm) – St Petersburg – ITV
13th June: England vs Croatia (2pm) – Wembley – BBC
13th June: Austria vs North Macedonia (5pm) – Bucharest – ITV
13th June: Netherlands vs Ukraine (8pm) – Amsterdam – ITV
14th June: Scotland vs Czech Republic (2pm) – Glasgow – BBC
14th June: Poland vs Slovakia (5pm) – St Petersburg – ITV
14th June: Spain vs Sweden (8pm) – Seville – BBC
15th June: Hungary vs Portugal (5pm) – Budapest – ITV
15th June: France vs Germany (8pm) – Munich – ITV
16th June: Finland vs Russia (2pm) – St Petersburg – BBC
16th June: Turkey vs Wales (5pm) – Baku – BBC
16th June: Italy vs Switzerland (8pm) – Rome – ITV
17th June: Ukraine vs North Macedonia (2pm) – Bucharest – ITV

17th June: Denmark vs Belgium (5pm) – Copenhagen – ITV
17th June: Netherlands vs Austria (8pm) – Amsterdam – BBC
18th June: Sweden vs Slovakia (2pm) – St Petersburg – BBC
18th June: Croatia vs Czech Republic (5pm) – Glasgow – BBC
18th June: England vs Scotland (8pm) – Wembley – ITV
19th June: Hungary vs France (2pm) – Budapest – BBC
19th June: Portugal vs Germany (2pm) – Munich – ITV
19th June: Spain vs Poland (8pm) – Seville – BBC
20th June: Italy vs Wales (5pm) – Rome – ITV 
20th June: Switzerland vs Turkey (5pm) – Baku – ITV
21st June: North Macedonia vs Netherlands (5pm) – Amsterdam – ITV
21st June: Ukraine vs Austria (5pm) – Bucharest – ITV
21st June: Russia vs Denmark (8pm) – Copenhagen – BBC
21st June: Finland vs Belgium (8pm) – St Petersburg – BBC
22nd June: Czech Republic vs England (8pm) – Wembley – ITV
22nd June: Croatia vs Play-Off Winner C (8pm) – Glasgow – ITV
23rd June: Slovakia vs Spain (5pm) – Seville – ITV
23rd June: Sweden vs Poland (5pm) – St Petersburg – ITV
23rd June: Germany vs Hungary (8pm) – Munich – BBC
23rd June: Portugal vs France (8pm) – Budapest – BBC More

THERE appeared to be no love lost between French strikers Karim Benzema and Olivier Giroud.Les Bleus won the World Cup in 2018 with then-Arsenal forward Giroud playing a key part, even if he didn’t net during the tournament.
Karim Benzema had some choice words for Olivier GiroudCredit: AFP or licensors
But in a live chat on his Instagram, Benzema was less than complimentary about his fellow French striker.
Why didn’t Benzema play for France?
BENZEMA is in line for a sensational return to the international fold.
The Real ace has not played for France in five years after becoming involved in an alleged blackmail sextape plot involving teammate Mathieu Valbuena.
At Euro 2016, Giroud was targeted by booing French fans and spoke out after being jeered during the Championship on home soil.
Speaking to Le Parisien, he said: “I immediately realised that the people who booed me were not anti-Giroud, but pro-Benzema.
“It could not be otherwise. I came from a great season with Arsenal. It was just disappointing.
“Yes, it annoyed me. I was not even remotely responsible for this story and I did not understand the kind of hatred that developed against me.”

In November 2019, France Football Federation president Noel le Graet had seemingly ended any hopes of a recall for the French ace.
He said: “For me, Benzema is a very good player. I have never criticised his qualities.
“On the contrary, he is proving again this year at Madrid that he is one of the best players in his position.
“But the adventure with France is over.”
What did Benzema say about Giroud?
DURING his revealing online chat in early 2020, Benzema was asked how he rated fellow centre-forward Giroud.
He replied: “This won’t take long. You don’t confuse F1 with go-karting. And I’m being kind. Next… and I know I’m F1.
“It works because he’s there. That’s all. It’s not going to be spectacular, it’s not going to be anything crazy but in his way you see more of Griezmann or Mbappe because he will put the work in.
“Does everyone like that way of playing? I don’t know.”
Benzema doubled down on his scathing assessment later on March 30, 2020 stating he was ‘telling the truth’.
He continued: “About Giroud, I simply told the truth.
“But we didn’t remember what I said about him, especially about what he brings to the French national team.
“We just remembered the moment when I said I was F1 and he was karting. That’s what I think, that’s the truth, and that’s how it is.”
Benzema became embroiled in scandal in late 2015Credit: AFP

Who has the most goals for France?
IN Benzema’s stead, Giroud has emerged as Didier Deschamps’ go-to striker.
The Chelsea striker has earned 107 caps for the world champions, netting 44 times.
His last goal came in a 3-1 win over Sweden back in November.
Only Thierry Hnery (51) has more goals for France.
While Benzema has played 81 times for his country, the last of which came in 2015.
He has netted 27 goals for Les Bleus. More