Euro 2020

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      Jack Grealish insists there’s more to come despite incredible Aston Villa season and hopes for England Euro 2020 call-up

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      JACK GREALISH says he isn’t ready to throw away his ‘L’ plates yet – even though England legend Gary Lineker has tipped him for this season’s Premier League Player of the Year awards.
      Despite his Jack the Lad image off the park, Grealish remains a humble hero and admits he fears missing out on Gareth Southgate’s England squad.

      Jack Grealish has his eyes on a strong run in with Aston Villa and a place in England’s Euros squadCredit: AFP

      The 25-year-old Aston Villa captain Grealish has impressed in his five previous England appearances, since making his debut against Denmark in September but fears he could miss out if he suffers a dramatic dip in form.
      He told the Express and Star: “I still think there is so much more to come from me and that is not being big-headed either.
      “It is just having confidence in my own ability. I think everyone I have worked with will say how confident I am as a person and a player in my own ability.
      “I truly believe in myself and think I have so much more to give. I have big aims for this season.

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      “The one thing I am just praying to God for is I get in that next England squad because I’ve enjoyed every minute so far.
      “It’s definitely helped bring my game on. Watching those players train and taking little bits from their game. As soon as you start playing for the national team, you up your own game.
      “Hopefully there is more to come but as I’ve said to a lot of people, there is so much talent in the England team in my position. I have to keep doing what I have been doing, keep trying to impress the manager and keep my fingers crossed.”

      Grealish’s value is soaring towards the £100million mark as he has been responsible for either scoring up 15 of Villa’s goals this season – the best stats of any player in the Premier League.

      Jack Grealish has impressed in a Three Lions shirt and wants to stay on Gareth Southgate’s radarCredit: Getty Images
      Yet he studies Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne and soaks up knowledge from Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson as he looks to take his game to the next level.
      “I remember one night in Belgium I sat with Jordan Henderson for two hours and we chatted about everything,” said Grealish.
      “It is nice to speak to these people about how they see the game, how they train at different clubs, different cultures.
      “The other half is watching players like Kevin De Bruyne and when he gets into the final third, what he does. You need to mix it up, sometimes dink it to the back stick, sometimes go underneath the defence. That is what I have been doing in training and it has paid off in matches.”
      Grealish’s child-like love of the game showed against Newcastle recently when manager Dean Smith brought him off for a well earned rest – and received the petted lip treatment from his workaholic skipper.

      He revealed: “I spoke to the manager about that. I was devastated. I hadn’t come off for 42 games. I was desperate to stay on.
      “I always want to be on the pitch, no matter how tired I am or how tired the manager thinks I am. I think that will stay with me.
      “Everyone knows I like a night out. I’m a normal kid and I would never pretend otherwise. But I just love football. I love having a ball at my feet.
      “I’ve been blessed with talent and I’m determined to make the most of it. I don’t think I will ever lose this hunger.
      “There is nothing I love doing more than entertaining people.”

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      England to face Austria and Romania in pre-Euro 2020 warm-up matches this June in preparation for Gareth Southgate

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      ENGLAND will entertain both Austria and Romania as warm-up fixtures for Euro 2020.
      Both nations were due to provide opposition for the Three Lions’ ahead of the tournament last year and now, they will visit in June.

      Gareth Southgate’s England will face Austria and Romania as warm-up for Euro 2020Credit: AP:Associated Press

      The venues have yet to be confirmed.
      However, at least one of them is set to be played away from Wembley. 
      England face Austria on June 2.
      And then four days later they will take on Romania.

      Gareth Southgate’s team begin their bid for glory at the Euros with a group game against Croatia on June 13.
      A mouthwatering clash against the Auld Enemy Scotland will then take place on June 18.
      And they will finish their group stage against Czech Republic on June 22.
      All three games are scheduled to be at Wembley.

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      Meanwhile, Southgate is preparing for next month’s World Cup qualifiers.
      England begin the road to the 2022 tournament in Qatar with a home game against San Marino on March 25.
      They then visit Albania on March 28.
      But the Three Lions return home three days later to battle it out with Poland.

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      England clash with Scotland at Euro 2020 is most anticipated by fans as top sporting events of 2021 revealed

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      ENGLAND versus Scotland at Euro 2020 is the sporting event Brits are most looking forward to this year, research has revealed.
      A survey of 2,000 sports fans found 73 per cent felt being able to watch live sport during lockdown has boosted their mental wellbeing.

      Fans cannot wait for the rematch of the Euro 96 classic between England and ScotlandCredit: Hulton Archive – Getty

      Wembley Stadium will host the summer spectacleCredit: PA:Press Association

      And 2021 is set to be one of the most sport-packed years in recent history amid the coronavirus-induced postponement of a number of major events.
      The most hotly anticipated individual sporting event is England versus Scotland in the Euros, which is lined up for June 18 at Wembley Stadium.
      The FA Cup final came second (33 per cent), followed by the final of the Euros (23 per cent), the 100 metre finals at the Olympics (23 per cent) and the Wimbledon finals (21 per cent).
      And the much talked about proposed fight between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury was at number six.

      The Olympic Games, scheduled to start in July in Japan, is the tournament Britain’s sports fans are most excited about.
      It is followed by the European Championships, which has also been delayed by a year, Wimbledon, The Six Nations and The Ashes.
      The survey, conducted by Medicspot, also revealed 68 per cent of adults think it’s right that elite sport continues to take place during lockdown.
      A spokesperson for Medicspot, said: “The UK’s sports teams have played an important role in supporting the public during the pandemic, bringing people together through a shared interest at a time when people are feeling more isolated than ever due to lockdown and travel restrictions.

      FANS’ MOST ANTICIPATED INDIVIDUAL EVENTS

      1. England v Scotland at the Euros (35 per cent)2. FA Cup final (33 per cent)3. Final of the Euros (28 per cent)4. 100 metre finals at Olympics (23 per cent)5. Finals at Wimbledon (21 per cent)6. AJ v Tyson Fury (20 per cent)7. Champions League final (19 per cent)8. The Boxing Day Ashes test (16 per cent)9. England v Wales in the Six Nations (16 per cent)10. England v Scotland in the Six Nations (14 per cent)11. The British Grand Prix (13 per cent)12. The Grand National (12 per cent)

      “Thanks to the regular testing of players and staff, a number of top-level sporting events, such as football and F1, have continued relatively uninterrupted and this has helped millions of fans across the UK.
      “While 2021 is full of uncertainty, the public is really excited about the comprehensive programme of sporting events coming our way.”
      The study also found 39 per cent think elite sports people should be vaccinated earlier than other groups if it allows live sport to continue.
      This followed comments by Burnley manager Sean Dyche who questioned whether it would make sense for footballers to be vaccinated earlier, with money clubs are spending on testing being freed up for the NHS.
      But Dyche said footballers shouldn’t take priority over key workers and the most vulnerable.
      More than two-thirds (68 per cent) of those questioned by Medicspot, which provides private Covid testing at more than 50 locations around the UK, think that if people are allowed inside stadiums this year, clubs should give free tickets to key workers.

      Fans hope the rearranged Tokyo Olympics gets the go aheadCredit: AFP or licensors

      FANS’ MOST ANTICIPATED TOURNAMENTS

      1. Olympic Games (50 per cent)2. Euros (40 per cent)3. Wimbledon (33 per cent)4. Six Nations (28 per cent)5. Ashes (25 per cent)6. Champions League knockouts (22 per cent)7. Formula One (18 per cent)8. Twenty20 World Cup (13 per cent)9. Tour de France (12 per cent)10. Ryder Cup (11 per cent)

      And 76 per cent think people should only be allowed to watch live sporting events if they have a negative Covid-19 test or can prove they have had the vaccine.
      Medicspot carried out the research after experiencing a 40 per cent increase in people ordering its private Covid tests, which are used to check if you have Covid-19 by taking a swab of your nose and throat.
      The survey, conducted via OnePoll, also revealed 84 per cent think sport is important for creating a sense of community and bringing people together.
      More than half (57 per cent) have missed being able to go to watch sport inside a stadium because of the pandemic, and 52 per cent have missed being able to go to watch sport at the pub with friends.

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      Euro 2021 still planned to go ahead this summer as Uefa confirm tournament will be held across 12 nations despite Covid

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      UEFA chiefs have again insisted they expect the delayed Euro 2020 to go ahead as scheduled this summer.
      But Euro bosses have left themselves a get-out clause if the virus runs out of control and forces last-minute changes.

      Wembley Stadium is still set to host the Euro 2020 finalCredit: Reuters

      The viability of a tournament held in 12 nations has been under increasing question as the pandemic continues to hold sway across Europe.
      But after a virtual meeting with all 12 planned host nations on Wednesday, Uefa President Aleksander Ceferin confirmed there were no current plans to rip up the current schedule.
      Ceferin said: “Uefa is committed to holding Euro 2020 in the 12 cities originally planned.
      “The Euro is the flagship competition for national team football in Europe and is a vital source of funding for grassroots and wider football development.”

      There have been growing suggestions that the tournament could be switched to four, two or even one nation, even the idea by Bayern Munich’s Karlheinz Rummenigge that it might be staged entirely in London.
      Wembley is due to host seven games including the semi-finals and final.

      So far, though, none of the proposed hosts have indicated they intend to withdraw, leaving Uefa open to facing significant compensation claims if changes are made.
      Host cities have instead been ordered to draft preferred plans for the number of fans allowed in their stadium, ranging from full houses to games behind closed doors.

      But in a sign of growing unease, those plans will not now be required before the start of April.
      In a statement, Uefa conceded that the meeting “recognised the need for flexibility around decisions on arrangements for the tournament, in order to reflect the different challenges and circumstances cities find themselves in”.

      We must allow ourselves the maximum space to allow fans’ return to the stadiums.
      Aleksander Ceferin

      Despite that, Ceferin added: “I am optimistic that things are highly likely to be very different with regard to the virus as we move closer to the tournament.
      “It is important that we give the host cities and governments as much time as we can to formulate an accurate picture of what will be possible come June and July.
      “Fans are such a big part of what makes football special and that is true of the EURO as much as it is of any game.
      “We must allow ourselves the maximum space to allow their return to the stadiums.”
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      Uefa want to SCRAP 12-nation Euro 2020 plans and hold tournament in one country, claims German legend Rummenigge

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      GERMAN legend Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has claimed Uefa want to host Euro 2020 in ONE country.
      The former striker turned Bayern Munich chief executive said Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin was backing the idea of scrapping the scheduled 12-nation event in favour of a single host.

      German legend Karl-Heinz Rummenigge thinks the Euros will be played in just one country – not 12Credit: AFP

      Rummenigge said: “We must not forget that the idea of this special hosting of the tournament came about when the coronavirus did not yet exist.
      “At that time it was an initiative of the EU Commission that wanted to have football shown all over Europe.
      “But I know that the UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin – who is incredibly careful with corona – is thinking about whether it wouldn’t make more sense in these times to play the tournament in just one country.
      “That would be with a corresponding hygiene concept, of course.”

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      Uefa remain insistent there are no current plans to change the delayed tournament, due to be completed with the semi-finals and final at Wembley.
      Swiss FA president Dominique Blanc suggested last week that the tournament could be held in Russia, Germany or entirely in London.
      But all 12 scheduled host cities have been asked by Uefa to confirm their preferred plans for the number of fans allowed inside grounds.

      So far, all the planned hosts, including the Azerbaijan capital Baku, have signalled they want to continue as scheduled and Uefa is wary of the potential legal costs of scrapping contracts worth millions.

      Portugal won the Euros in 2016 and will be looking to defend their titleCredit: AFP – Getty
      Despite that, Uefa have confirmed that ticket holders will be entitled to full refunds if scheduled games are moved to venues more than 35 miles away from the intended stadium.
      Uefa said: “If a match needs to be moved to another venue, UEFA will firstly decide if the tickets for the rescheduled match remain valid.
      “When making this decision, UEFA would take into account various factors, such as whether the new venue is within a reasonable travelling distance from the original venue.
      “In the event that a match is moved to a venue which is more than 50km away from the original venue, ticket buyers would be entitled to a full refund of the ticket price if they cannot, or do not wish to, attend.”

      A final decision on the tournament is due to be made in March.
      Rummenigge added: “In the next few weeks, UEFA will and must make a decision on how and where the tournament should take place.
      “That will not be easy. But the way I got to know Aleksander Ceferin, UEFA will make the right decision with great care and wisdom.”

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      Uefa still hoping to have fans at Euro 2021 Under-21 Championships with bizarre new schedule spread over FOUR months

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      UEFA chiefs will make a late call on whether fans will be permitted at the Under-21 Euros in two months’ time.
      The first week of the tournament, to be hosted by Hungary and Slovenia, has been brought forward to March 24 due to Covid’s impact on the fixture list.

      England Under-21 manager Aidy BoothroydCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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      That will involve the group-stage matches, which will see Aidy Boothroyd’s England take on Switzerland, Portugal and Croatia.
      The second week involving the knockout stages will take place in June.
      There is still hope supporters will be able to attend but with coronavirus rates still high, particularly in Slovenia, it remains to be seen if that will be possible.

      A Uefa spokesperson said: “Uefa is monitoring the situation in the two (Under-21) host countries very closely, and will make a decision on whether spectators can be allowed together with the host associations and the relevant authorities nearer the time of the tournament.”
      The regular European Championships has been delayed until this summer, after the pandemic ran rife last year.
      England face off against Scotland in a group game at Wembley on June 18 — and under current restrictions supporters would not be allowed in.
      But as SunSport reported the vaccine breakthrough has given ministers belief crowds will be able to attend games.

      Up until as recently as last month, there were real fears in Whitehall that Euro 2020 matches would be behind closed doors as the country battles to keep a lid on the virus.
      But the impending arrival of vaccines has changed the landscape.
      Uefa has confirmed the Scots will get 14,400 tickets for Wembley.
      But the Tartan Army is likely to be bolstered by thousands more who bagged seats in last year’s Uefa general ballot.

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      Five stars pushing for spot in Gareth Southgate’s England Euro squad including John Stones and Danny Ings

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      GARETH SOUTHGATE has a huge selection headache ahead of him as he picks his England squad for Euro 2020.
      The Three Lions boss has until the end of May to cut his wealth of talent down to just 23 names.

      Gareth Southgate has much to ponder ahead of picking his Euro 2020 squadCredit: Represented by ZUMA Press, Inc.

      While the likes of Marcus Rashford and Harry Kane are seemingly assured of a place in the squad, there is huge competition for the remaining plane tickets.
      Particular points of interest include the centre of defence, left-back, attacking midfield and the final striker spots.
      With the Premier League season not yet halfway through, there is plenty of time for star players to put themselves in Southgate’s thoughts.

      Here, SunSport details five names the England boss may have to consider for his Euro squad.
      John Stones
      A stalwart of Southgate’s defence at the last World Cup, Stones has popped back on the radar through a stunning return to form for Manchester City.
      Playing in eight of City’s last nine games, the centre-back has conceded just a single goal on this run.
      Out of the Three Lions’ three previous meet-ups, Stones can feel confident of jumping Michael Keane, Tyrone Mings, Eric Dier and Conor Coady in the pecking order.

      So long as he can avoid the sort of calamitous mistakes seen in the Nations League finals two summers ago.

      John Stones has made himself one of the first names on the Manchester City teamsheetCredit: EPA
      Danny Ings
      Southgate has an abundance of youthful options to back up Kane next summer.
      Dominic Calvert-Lewin has played himself into being undroppable while Tammy Abraham remains a favourite despite a middling season with Chelsea.
      Few could argue with Ings stealing that third spot if he can continue his amazing goalscoring form of the past 18 months.
      Last season’s 25-goal effort was no flash in the pan with a further seven strikes, including a worldie winner past Liverpool, so far this season.
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      Danny Ings scored a fantastic goal for England against Wales in OctoberCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
      Luke Shaw
      How could you ignore the starting left-back for the Premier League champions?
      That will be the question Manchester United’s Shaw hopes to put to Southgate at the end of the campaign – if the Red Devils can win the title.
      Ben Chilwell is comfortable in the squad with Bukayo Saka and Ainsley Maitland-Niles also liked by Southgate.
      Shaw only has eight caps having last played for England in 2018, but Southgate is certainly aware of his abilities and said last year: “[Shaw] is more than capable of being the best left-back in the country in my opinion.”

      Luke Shaw is pushing for one of England’s more open positions, at left-backCredit: EPA
      Mason Greenwood
      Whether Southgate is ready to reintroduce Greenwood to the England setup may depend on more than his form on the pitch.
      Discarded after his part in the shameful Iceland incident, the striker has since seen fellow offender Phil Foden given a reprieve.
      With just a single Premier League goal to his name in 2020-21 and much of the recent weeks spent on the United bench, he may find that this Euros comes too soon.
      Nevertheless, the talent is there and, as part of a team putting together a serious title challenge, Greenwood certainly has it in him to convince Southgate in the coming months.

      Mason Greenwood made his lone England appearance in Iceland last yearCredit: AP:Associated Press

      Harvey Barnes
      Southgate is spoiled for choice in selecting an attacking wildcard next summer.
      Jamal Musiala, Jude Bellingham and Eberechi Eze are all putting their name forward for the role of super-sub magician.
      But Barnes, who made his England debut last year, is perhaps best placed.
      Now an integral part of Leicester’s latest charge to the top-four, the 23-year-old may even edge out team-mate James Maddison for a spot at Euro 2020.

      Could Harvey Barnes continue his run into the England team?Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      England boast the most-valuable squad of all Euro 2020 nations

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      From Thierry Henry to David Trezeguet and Karim Benzema, top 5 French strikers in history with no Olivier Giroud

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      REAL MADRID boss Zinedine Zidane has labelled Karim Benzema the best French striker of all-time… but is he right?
      Les Bleus have been blessed with several world-class players over the years, helping rack up two World Cups and two European Championships.

      Reigning world champions France have boasted a number of star forwards over the yearsCredit: Reuters

      Strikers such as Antoine Griezmann, Kylian Mbappe, Eric Cantona and Olivier Giroud can all stake a claim to being in the top five.
      And a number of great attacking midfielders, including Zidane, Michel Platini and Raymond Kopa, have provided the ammunition.
      But, as with any list of this calibre, some top names must be left out.
      Here, SunSport details our top five strikers in French football history.

      5 – Antoine Griezmann
      As mentioned, several top players would be jostling for this position with Giroud, Mbappe, Jean-Pierre Papin and Sylvain Wiltord unfortunate to miss out.
      Yet Barcelona star Griezmann has spearheaded the attack to two finals in his three major tournaments.
      Vital goals past Ireland and Germany set up a Euro 2016 final defeat before he netted the go-ahead goal in the World Cup final two years later.

      Antoine Griezmann was a focal point in France’s 2018 World Cup winCredit: Getty – Contributor
      4 – David Trezeguet
      Scoring goals in friendlies or against minnows in qualifying is all well and good, but it is the big moment when the heroes turn up.

      Trezeguet’s golden goal winner to win Euro 2000 is forever etched in France football history.
      And the ex-Juventus ace formed part of an impressive attack for over a decade, sitting as his country’s fourth-highest scorer of all-time with 34 goals.

      David Trezeguet netted the goal that won Euro 2000Credit: EPA
      3 – Karim Benzema
      What could have been, had Benzema not become embroiled in a sextape blackmail scandal with former France team-mate Mathieu Valbuena, is anyone’s guess.
      The 32-year-old denies all allegations but has not featured for Les Bleus since 2015.
      Zidane praised his work ethic and quality at bringing others into the attack, which cannot be doubted with Benzema so far claiming four LaLiga titles, four Champions League crowns and four Ligue 1 wins in a fantastic career.

      Karim Benzema is still France’s tenth-highest scorer despite not playing for five yearsCredit: AFP or licensors
      2 – Just Fontaine
      Registering 30 goals for his country is only good enough to make 87-year-old Fontaine the equal-seventh top scorer in the annuls of French football.
      But a career-ending injury meant he did so in just 21 games, putting him head and shoulders above almost any player of any nationality for goals-to-game ratio.
      Fontaine’s 13 goals at the 1958 World Cup remains a record, in a tournament where only Pele’s Brazil could knock out Les Bleus.

      1 – Thierry Henry
      Bursting onto the scene as France’s top scorer in the 1998 World Cup triumph, Henry set out his stall for the years to come.
      Another trio en route to Euro 2000 continued his ascent before his best calendar year came in 2003 – hitting 11 goals in 14 games.
      Retiring internationally in 2010, he held a national record of 51 goals with his tally of 123 caps by far the most of any attacker to play for France.

      Thierry Henry is France’s all-time top goalscorerCredit: AP:Associated Press

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