Euro 2020

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      Northern Ireland vs Slovakia FREE: Live stream, TV channel, team news, kick-off time for Euro 2020 play-off

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      NORTHERN IRELAND stand on the edge of qualification to next year’s Euros – but first they come up against Slovakia in a huge play-off clash. 
      Should Northern Ireland beat the Slovaks, they would join Euros Group E with Spain, Poland and Sweden.

      Windsor Park will provide the setting for what could be a famous nightCredit: PA:Press Association

      Slovakia represent a tough task, however, having knocked out the Republic of Ireland on penalties in the last round.
      The home side will benefit from the fact that there will be 1,000 fans in the stadium cheering them on to hopeful victory, though.
      What time does Northern Ireland vs Slovakia kick-off?
      Northern Ireland vs Slovakia will get underway at at 7.45pm (BST) on November 12.
      Windsor Park in Belfast will play host to the clash, providing an advantage for Northern Ireland.
      There will also be 1,000 socially-distanced fans around the stadium.
      What channel is Northern Ireland vs Slovakia on and can I live stream it?
      Northern Ireland vs Slovakia will be shown on Sky Sports Premier League.
      Sky will also be showing it on their FREE channel Challenge.

      What is the team news?
      Jordan Jones and George Edmundson will miss the clash for the home side, after breaching Covid-19 regulations.
      “I have spoken to Jordan today and made my feelings on the matter clear to him,” manager Ian Baraclough said.

      “This team has a responsibility to show leadership not only on the field, but off it too. It is something we have discussed many times.
      “Jordan is a talented young player who has a lot to offer Northern Irish football.
      “Unfortunately he has made the wrong decision in a period where we all need to look out for the safety of others, as well as ourselves.
      “Jordan will not be included in my squad for the upcoming international window and hopefully he will learn from this incident.”

      Odds
      Northern Ireland – 17/10
      Draw – 19/10
      Slovakia – 19/10
      *All odds from Ladbrokes and correct at time of publication.  More

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      Serbia vs Scotland FREE: Live stream, TV channel, team news and kick-off time for massive Euro 2020 play-off clash

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      SCOTLAND and Serbia are set to clash this week for a spot at next year’s Euros.
      Steve Clarke’s side made it to this stage with a penalty shootout win over Israel in the last round.

      Scotland are one win away from making next year’s EurosCredit: Kenny Ramsay – The Sun Glasgow

      Serbia handily defeated Norway to book their duel with the Scots.
      And tonight, the two sides will do battle in a do-or-die game that will see just one book a place at Euro 2020.
      What time does Serbia vs Scotland kick off?
      Serbia vs Scotland kicks off at 7.45pm (BST) and will take place on Thursday, November 12.
      The game will be played in Serbia, at the Rajko Mitic Stadium in Belgrade.

      What channel is Serbia vs Scotland on and can I live stream it free?
      Serbia vs Scotland is live on Sky Sports Football, Sky One and Pick.
      The match can also be live streamed on a tablet or mobile device if you have a Sky Go or NOW TV account.
      Sky Pick is FREE for all UK viewers.
      Team news
      Scotland have two blows to their side as Ryan Fraser and Grant Hanley are set to miss out through injury.
      Fraser played in Scotland’s last two games but picked up a hamstring problem while playing for Newcastle.

      Assistant coach Steven Reid said: “It’s disappointing – Grant has missed a little bit of football and unfortunately is not going to be with us – and Ryan as well.
      “He performed really well in the past camp, so that is a blow but we have got strength in depth. We have bigger numbers than usual in the squad and feel as if we have a squad which is capable of competing well.”
      For the Serbs, they should have a squad firing on all cylinders.
      Star Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and captain Aleksandr Kolarov both flew to Serbia as quick as they could following a change in Covid guidelines in Italy.

      Odds
      Serbia – 7/10
      Draw – 12/5
      Scotland – 9/2 More

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      Scotland fight for return to world stage as Jackie McNamara recalls rubbing shoulders with Tony Blair and Rod Stewart

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      JACKIE McNAMARA will never forget the Blair years – when Scotland regularly used to rub shoulders with Prime Ministers and the great and the good on a global stage.
      Sadly for the football-mad nation those heady days were followed by the blur years as the Scots failed to qualify for a staggering 10 major tournaments over 22 painful years.

      The Tartan Army have suffered a painful 22 years since World Cup 1998Credit: Getty

      Former Scotland star Jackie McNamara was part of that squad and remembers rubbing shoulders with the likes of Tony Blair and Rod StewartCredit: Allsport

      Tonight the former Celtic and Wolves defender hopes things can only get better and Steve Clarke’s side extend their unbeaten run to nine games with a crucial play-off win over Serbia in Belgrade tonight, to book their place in this summer’s European Championships. 
      McNamara played in Scotland’s last match in a major finals – a crushing 3-0 defeat at the hands of Morocco in Saint Etienne on June 23, 1998 – which ended in disaster as Craig Burley was sent off and the 10-man Scots wave Au Revoir to France – and football’s biggest stages.
      Now, after an agonising wait of 8,177 days, the former Scotland defender desperately wants the Tartan Army to celebrate a return to the big time – and an end to the Blair Hitch Project!
      “I’m not sure the current players realise what a massive deal it is to play at a World Cup or European Championship,” said McNamara, who was 24 and assumed his first World Cup would be the first of many – not the last.

      “I remember the Prime Minister Tony Blair dropped in to wish us all the best on the eve of our opening game against Brazil in Paris.
      “He stopped by the team hotel for a bit of lunch and a blether with the lads.
      “He jokingly suggested he fancied a game in midfield but Craig Brown told him he’d have to fight Craig Burley for it.
      “The standing joke in our squad was that Burley believed his best position was in midfield but Craig Brown preferred him at right-back and kept playing him there!

      “Ironically it was only when I went on at right back against Norway in our second match that Craig moved Burley into midfield and he promptly scored our equaliser in a 1-1 draw.
      “There were other memorable highlights, like the day Rod Stewart turned up at the team hotel to wish us all the best.
      “Unfortunately Rod had obviously had a drink or two with the Tartan Army and was a little the worse for wear!
      “Any chance of a song with one of our most famous fans disappeared as a couple of security men ushered Rod into a waiting lift and whisked him off to another floor, away from the media!
      “But these big tournaments are not just special for the players, the fans are left with memories which last a lifetime too. 
      “The Tartan Army are famous for their ability to party with all nations and they have been sorely missed, for the colour they add to the occasion, for far too long now.
      “My dad and the rest of my family spent the whole world cup in France and had a great time.
      “He went to the Eiffel Tower to do a bit of sight-seeing and witnessed a massive football match – involving hundreds – taking place between the Tartan Army and the Rest of the World under the famous landmark!
      “Ally McCoist was in Paris doing some broadcast work and ended up on stage in a bar full of Scotland fans belting out Bruce Springsteen songs on the karaoke.
      “He says he had one of the best backing bands ever assembled – Sir Alex Ferguson, Sir Kenny Dalglish and JAMES BOND himself … Sean Connery!” 
      Sadly, since those heady days with 007 and Rod Stewart, nothing has been plain ‘Sailing,’ for Scotland but McNamara is hopeful all that could change tonight.
      “I just hope we can get over the line in Belgrade because it’s been a long and frustrating wait for the whole nation,” he said.

      Hilarious moment hotdog and beer go flying as Tartan Army Scot slips at Wembley More

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      Northern Ireland vs Slovakia: Live stream, TV channel, team news and kick-off time for Euro 2020 play-off

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      NORTHERN IRELAND stand on the edge of qualification to next year’s Euros – but first they come up against Slovakia in a huge play-off clash. 
      Should Northern Ireland beat the Slovaks, they would join Euros Group E with Spain, Poland and Sweden.

      Windsor Park will provide the setting for what could be a famous nightCredit: PA:Press Association

      Slovakia represent a tough task, however, having knocked out the Republic of Ireland on penalties in the last round.
      The home side will benefit from the fact that there will be 1,000 fans in the stadium cheering them on to hopeful victory, though.
      What time does Northern Ireland vs Slovakia kick-off?
      Northern Ireland vs Slovakia will get underway at at 7.45pm (BST) on November 12.
      Windsor Park in Belfast will play host to the clash, providing an advantage for Northern Ireland.
      There will also be 1,000 socially-distanced fans around the stadium.
      What channel is Northern Ireland vs Slovakia on and can I live stream it?
      Northern Ireland vs Slovakia will be shown on Sky Sports Football.
      The game can be streamed from a tablet or smartphone, providing you have a NOW TV or Sky Go account.

      What is the team news?
      Jordan Jones and George Edmundson will miss the clash for the home side, after breaching Covid-19 regulations.
      “I have spoken to Jordan today and made my feelings on the matter clear to him,” manager Ian Baraclough said.

      “This team has a responsibility to show leadership not only on the field, but off it too. It is something we have discussed many times.
      “Jordan is a talented young player who has a lot to offer Northern Irish football.
      “Unfortunately he has made the wrong decision in a period where we all need to look out for the safety of others, as well as ourselves.
      “Jordan will not be included in my squad for the upcoming international window and hopefully he will learn from this incident.”

      Odds
      Northern Ireland – 17/10
      Draw – 19/10
      Slovakia – 19/10
      *All odds from Ladbrokes and correct at time of publication.  More

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      Jamal Lewis reveals he rejected England and Jamaica for Northern Ireland as he looks for Euro 2020 play-off glory

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      JAMAL LEWIS had the choice of glamour with England, sunshine with Jamaica or rain with Northern Ireland.
      The Newcastle United defender followed his heart so wet and windy Windsor Park it is on Thursday night.

      Jamal Lewis, 22, has 12 caps for Northern IrelandCredit: Sportsfile – Subscription

      The left-back plies his trade at Newcastle UnitedCredit: AFP and licensors

      Stepping out to face Slovakia in a play-off final with next summer’s European Championship one game away tells him it was the right decision.
      But it’s still just an added extra to the buzz he gets by simply wearing the green jersey representing the country of his mother’s birth.
      Lewis’ mum Catrina was born in Belfast and as the woman who did so much to put her boy on the road to sporting success he feels a deep-rooted connection to the place.
      She doubled as his athletics coach when he represented England in schoolboy cross country running. 

      Former Norwich left-back Lewis, 22, said: “I’m someone who thinks a lot but at some point you have to go with your gut feeling and it felt right to go with Northern Ireland. 
      “I knew there was potentially a call up for England Under-20s because I was playing in the Championship with Norwich at a pretty young age. That’s always going to get you recognition. 
      “But I wanted to play at international level straightaway and I’ve loved it ever since I put on the shirt.
      “I made the decision based on where I would enjoy my football. That’s the case at club and international level.

      Lewis revealed that he chose Northern Ireland over England or JamaicaCredit: Pacemaker Press

      Lewis made his name at Norwich CityCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      “It was a win, win situation for me. To play at a high level for a country where I thought I’d be loved and appreciated.
      “When I was younger my mum made a conscious effort to come to Northern Ireland as often as we could to see family.  I have great memories and half my family is here.
      “I’m hugely proud to represent this country. We’re small but we’re not short of quality or togetherness and that’s why we’ve had success recently.”
      Victory will catapult Northern Ireland into their second successive Euro finals. Rank outsiders, they won a group match in France four years ago en route to the last 16 and were the romantics’ choice.
      Winning their first penalty shootout in the semi-final in Bosnia last month underlines that where the collection may lack quality they make up for it in nerve.
      Lewis, 22, was born in Luton and was snapped up by Norwich at 16. In September he signed five-year contract with Newcastle. 
      He said: “Some of the players here can speak a bit quickly but if I’m honest I find the Northern Ireland accent easier to understand than Geordie.
      “My family is also of Afro-Caribbean descent and I could have chosen Jamaica. I consistently ran in the English schools championships and for England at cross country from 13-16.

      The boys who went to Euro 2016 have told me that is was an unforgettable experience
      Jamal Lewis

      “I ran the London mini marathon which is the last three miles of the full course. It doubles as the National Road Running championships and I ran the 5k in 15 minutes.
      “Mum was my athletics coach as a kid but she knew football would always come first. It is a huge honour to play for my mum’s family now. Belfast is a place in my heart.
      “It’s the first campaign that I have been part of in terms of qualifying and it’s so fresh for me. 
      “The boys who went to Euro 2016 have told me that is was an unforgettable experience. 
      “Seeing them reach the Euros and being so close to the World Cup in 2018, that’s the level I want to play at.”
      Catrina is a driving force with her son in sporting terms and elsewhere.
      She works closely with the Irish FA’s ‘Football for All’ campaign, this month marking it’s twentieth anniversary originally set up to tackle sectarian divides in football.
      Lewis said: “My mum does a lot of work for the community that is what she gears her life around. We’re going to start building that together in terms of giving back, in Belfast and in Luton.”

      Lewis made his Northern Ireland debut against South Korea in 2018 as a teenCredit: PA:Press Association

      Ireland star Daryl Horgan understands Declan Rice’s decision to switch to England and ‘wouldn’t hold it against him’ More

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      Serbia stars Milinkovic-Savic and Kolarov in dramatic dash home for Scotland play-off to beat Italy Covid-19 travel ban

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      TWO Serie A Serbia stars made a dramatic dash home so they can face Scotland on Thursday. 
      Semi-final hero Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and 94-cap skipper Aleksandar Kolarov headed to Belgrade despite Serbia’s plans being thrown into chaos by shock new Italian health rules. 

      Sergej Milinkovic-Savic scored in semi-final win over NorwayCredit: Reuters

      Boss Ljubisa Tumbakovic’s plans looked to have been wrecked when Italian medical chiefs refused to allow six top-flight clubs to let their players travel to play because of Covid concerns. 
      They would require to quarantine on their return to Italy – but Kolarov’s Inter team bosses were locked in discussions with authorities to see if providing private jets would get them round the rules. 
      It’s understood both Kolarov and Milinkovic-Savic flew to Serbia privately before the Italian authorities’ decree.  
      Players from top-flight sides Fiorentina, Genoa, Inter, Lazio, Roma and Sassuolo are affected – and have threatened to wreck Serb boss Tumbakovic’s plans just three days before the meeting with Scotland in Belgrade.

      Milinkovic-Savic was the two-goal Serb hero of their win in Oslo which set up Thursday’s meeting with Steve Clarke’s side. 

      It’s understood Kolarov and his Serbia team-mate flew back privately Credit: Reuters
      Filip Djuricic of Sassuolo, who’s already tested positive for Covid-19, is definitely out.
      And doubts remain over the availability of Fiorentina defender Nikola Milenkovic, along with Milos Veljkovic, who’s being prevented from travelling by his club Werder Bremen.
      Fiorentina frontman Dusan Vlahovic would also miss the clash. 

      Serbia boss Tumbakovic named a 32-man squad for their three games against Scotland, Hungary and Russia so they would be unlikely to call any new faces up.  
      Meanwhile, the Serbia gaffer praised opposite number Clarke ahead of Thursday’s clash and warned his players not to underestimate the Scots.

      Serbia gaffer Ljubisa TumbakovicCredit: EPA
      He said: “Steve Clarke is a very experienced manager. Unlike Norway, he does not have superstars to work with, but he has a squad of players who work hard for each other.
      “Their two most famous players – Andy Robertson of Liverpool and Scott McTominay of Manchester United – integrate well with the rest of the team.

      “They are more organised than Norway and extremely combative and disciplined.
      “Our problem in this country is that we are underestimating them and we think they are weaker than Norway. They are not.
      “Football is a massive part of their culture and they are on a very good run of form.”

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      Uefa admit delayed Euros CAN’T go ahead as planned – with format set to be changed and some host cities set for axe

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      FOOTBALL bosses are preparing to rip up the format for the Euros – and SCRAP some venues.
      Uefa privately accept there is no way that next summer’s tournament – postponed because of Covid – will be able to go ahead with the planned 12 host cities.

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      Euro 2020 is set for a format change with some host cities to be axed due to Covid

      A worst-case scenario could see one country stage the tournament with four venues being used.
      Wembley is due to stage seven games, including England’s three group matches, plus the semi-finals and final.
      The competition is sure to go ahead – owing to the millions Uefa will receive from TV companies.
      And the governing body is hopeful supporters will still be able to attend.

      But some venues are at risk and the tournament will have to be condensed to ensure less travelling.
      Places such as Baku in Azerbaijan – now caught in a conflict with Armenia – plus St Petersburg in Russia will be among the first to be dropped.

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      Baku, Azerbaijan, is under threat as the country is in conflict with ArmeniaCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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      San Mames in Bilbao, Spain, is among those that could be axed as it struggled to sell ticketsCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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      Bilbao in Spain struggled to sell tickets so would also be in the firing line.
      Uefa know they can complete a tournament in one country, with teams staying in bubbles.

      Further meetings are due over the next few months.

      Manager Paul Fairclough talks about the England C team and its importance to the game More

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      England clash with New Zealand next month axed due to coronavirus travel restrictions in hit to Southgate’s Euros prep

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      ENGLAND’S international friendly against New Zealand has been axed due to coronavirus travel restrictions.
      Gareth Southgate’s side are now scrambling to find a replacement opponent for next month’s game.

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      Gareth Southgate’s European Championships preparations hit a bump with the friendly against New Zealand cancelledCredit: PA:Press Association

      The game was due to take place on November 12 at Wembley.
      But the All Whites announced they had withdrawn from the fixture over further complications surrounding travel and player availability.
      A New Zealand Football statement read: “It is not an action taken lightly, this is a match we all wanted to play.
      “However, as it stands of the last All Whites squad selected for the November 2019 tour, even excluding the New Zealand-based players, a significant number of the team would be subject to quarantine or restrictions on their return home.

      “This would heavily disrupt their domestic seasons and potentially jeopardise their professional careers.
      “The shifting nature of travel restrictions and commercial flight availability under Covid means that we do not have certainty we could assemble a squad at Wembley on this day and defaulting on this fixture at the last minute is not an option.”
      New Zealand head coach Danny Hay, whose side will begin World Cup 2022 qualifiers in March, added: “I’m gutted, and I know the players will also be, but this is one of those situations we can’t do anything about.
      “We always knew when planning for these fixtures that certain players would be unavailable but looking at the restrictions currently in place, as well as the rising number of Covid-19 cases across Europe, it just isn’t possible to put a competitive squad together.

      “We all want to be playing more games but coming up against one of the top sides in the world with a heavily understrength team doesn’t do anything to help our long-term development.”

      England tweeted to confirm they will announce a replacement opposition in due course in a bid to reduce the impact on Gareth Southgate’s European Championships preparations.
      The Three Lions’ friendly at Wembley on November 12 will be followed by the conclusion of their Nations League group away to Belgium and at home to Iceland on November 15 and 18 respectively.

      Trent Alexander-Arnold ‘absolutely ruins’ England team-mates including Harry Maguire with stunning training goal More