EURO 2020 has reached the semi-final stage – and England are there! The Three Lions stormed into the semis on Saturday, crashing FOUR past Ukraine to set up a showdown with Denmark at Wembley.
And fans across the country went wild, with millions celebrating in the streets.
But in a bizarre incident, West Ham’s Andriy Yarmolenko was seen preventing team-mate Roman Yaremchuk from shaking hands with Harry Maguire.
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EVRA JIBE
MANCHESTER UNITED legend Patrice Evra has been entertaining fans on social media by singing into some fish and chips.
The hilarious ex-footballer was dressed as one of the Gallagher brothers and joked dinosaurs were alive the last time England won a major trophy.
The 40-year-old posted a video on Twitter of him singing to support England ahead of their Euro 2020 semi-final against Denmark.
Evra was part of the French squad that lost the Euro 2016 final to Portugal but is an England fan after spending nine seasons at United and West Ham.
The video starts with Evra wearing an Oasis-style wig and sunglasses, similar to what he wore to troll Liam Gallagher and Manchester City after their Champions League final defeat to Chelsea in May.
Evra has been taunting England about the last time they won a trophy
CORD SUPPORT
Declan Rice has revealed that he’s been face-timing with comedian James Corden after England’s Euro 2020 matches.
The midfielder explained that in their chats, Corden has made him realise the powerful impact the Three Lions pursuit of the European trophy is having on the country.
While speaking to the Official England Podcast, Rice said: “Since the Scotland game I speak to James Corden quite a bit, we FaceTime each other.
“James Corden said to me, ‘do you actually understand what you are doing?”
But the West Ham ace admitted that he actually hasn’t felt the impact yet and probably won’t until he’s career’s over.
He added: “It has not hit me yet and even when the tournament has finished it probably won’t hit me until my career finishes.”
Rice admits England’s triumphant Euro 2020 campaign up to this point hasn’t sunk in yetCredit: AFP
YAR HAVING A LAUGH
This is the bizarre moment Ukraine captain Andriy Yarmolenko refused to let team-mate Roman Yaremchuk shake hands with Harry Maguire.
The West Ham ace intervened as Yaremchuk offered Maguire his hand and made it impossible for him to help the England ace back to his feet.
Maguire was sat on the floor as Yaremchuk offered to help him up.
The Manchester United centre-back moved his hand away as the pair exchanged words.
Yaremchuk tried again but as Maguire went to take the hand on offer, Yarmolenko stepped in.
COP A LOAD OF THIS
England’s Euro 2020 semi-final clash against Denmark will be refereed by a part-time armed policeman.
And Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate already has history with man of authority Danny Makkelie, who was in charge for the last-16 win against Germany.
The Dutch official was in charge when Southgate, in his role as England U21 boss, lost their first game in the 2015 Euros against Portugal.
But it is his profession off the pitch that tells you that Makkelie will stand for no nonsense on it. As he progressed up the refereeing ladder, the 38-year-old was allowed to go part-time for the police in Rotterdam.
He describes how being an officer is for ‘the heart’ while trotting out onto the football pitch is his ‘passion’.
But Makkelie sees similarities between the two jobs and believes police work has been invaluable to him becoming a successful ref.
Credit: Reuters
Credit: Instagram
IT’S COMING ROME
England are only SECOND-favourites to win Euro 2020, according to a supercomputer.
The Three Lions booked a date with Denmark at Wembley in Wednesday night’s second semi-final after thumping Ukraine 4-0.
Despite the impressive performance in Rome, England aren’t yet favourites to lift the trophy come Sunday.
Thanks to their 100 per cent record, the supercomputer has given the Italians a 39.8 per cent chance of winning the tournament.
England come in second-favourites having won all but one match – the 0-0 group stage draw with Scotland – with a 29.4 per cent shot.
Spain rank third with a 22.4 per cent chance of going all the way, with Denmark the outsiders with a mere 8.4 per cent shot.
TIME TO CELEBRATE
UK sports are set to welcome back full crowds this summer WITHOUT the need for vaccine passports, according to reports.
The PM will announce plans to end lockdown restrictions on July 19 in a press conference this evening. And part of that is expected to permit capacity crowds inside stadiums from that date onwards.
However, unlike in recent pilot events, The Times reports spectators will NOT need to show evidence of a double Covid-19 vaccination – unless the pandemic problems significantly worsen.
The British Grand Prix, on July 18, has already been confirmed as another test so will have 140,000 people at Silverstone on race day.
But other fixtures such as the Goodwood races at the end of July and England’s Test cricket series against India which starts on August 4 should see full stands.
And football clubs across the pyramid, including in the Premier League and EFL, will follow suit when the new 2021-22 season gets underway next month. However, should England win Euro 2020, a public celebration or parade would not take place until after July 19.
Credit: Reuters
DANE DISMAY
Two of England’s Euro 2020 stars were sent off last time they played Denmark – as the Three Lions suffered a shock defeat at Wembley.
Gareth Southgate will be desperate there is no repeat of October 2020’s Nations League result on Wednesday.
The Three Lions take on the Danes at Wembley in the semi-final. But their previous clash did not go according to plan. Harry Maguire picked up a yellow card inside five minutes for a late challenge.
And then on 30 minutes, he overstretched after a heavy touch and earned a second yellow to get sent off. England started with a back three but Maguire’s early dismissal meant left wing-back Ainsley Maitland-Niles was sacrificed for Tyrone Mings.
Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips – who have shone together at the Euros this summer – partnered each other in midfield with Reece James and Maitland-Niles offering width.
Harry Kane led the line, supported by Mason Mount and Marcus Rashford.
ROME ROW – EXCLUSIVE
Sol Campbell confronted a coward who called him a ‘Judas c***’ in Rome before England’s win over Ukraine.
The spineless yob was filming the former Arsenal and Tottenham centre-back as he left a restaurant on Saturday lunch time and also yelled: “Jelly and ice cream when you go.”
The video was posted on Twitter but what can’t be seen in the footage is the female companion sitting with the abuser who SunSport understands looked ‘mortified’ by his actions.
SunSport also understands the man – believed to be in his early 30s – who shouted the abuse broke Covid rules by travelling from England to be in the Italian capital for the Three Lions’ 4-0 win.
He was also heard bragging about his intention to ignore quarantine requirements when he returned to the UK. The clip shows him pointing the camera at the 46-year-old former Southend and Macclesfield manager and heard shouting: “Here he is, Sol Campbell.”
Campbell looks over but proceeds to walk out the restaurant when the abuser goads him again. Unprovoked, he says: “Judas… C***!” It’s at this point Campbell turns back and walks towards the man. As the England legend approaches, the man adds: “Jelly and ice cream when you go mate.”
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MAD FOR IT
James Maddison is making the most of his well-earned summer holiday by partying in Ibiza.
The Leicester ace, 24, was missed out on Gareth Southgate’s England squad for Euro 2020.
And he has taken advantage of some time off to soak up the sun before returning to the East Midlands for pre-season.
Maddison was pictured enjoying himself in a pair of black swimming trunks at the Blue Marlin beach club. The tattooed ex-Norwich star laughed with and hugged friends with a drink in his hand and dived into the water on the Spanish island.
Maddison endured an injury-hit season with Leicester but racked up 11 goals and ten assists in 42 appearances – and ended it on a high by revealing his girlfriend is pregnant with their first child.
However, his on-pitch performances were not enough to earn a spot in the Three Lions squad as Phil Foden, Jack Grealish and Mason Mount got the call-ups instead.
Credit: The Mega Agency
Credit: The Mega Agency
Credit: The Mega Agency
Credit: The Mega Agency
CAPTAIN HARRY IS MAGIC
Gareth Southgate is delighted to have seen Manchester United ace Harry Maguire rise from the ashes after the lowest point of his career last year.
The England centre-back retained the manager’s faith even after the United skipper was sent off against Denmark last October.
It came just weeks after the former Leicester man was convicted of assault by a Greek court. But he is shining for his country this summer – with England yet to concede and the 28-year-old getting on the scoresheet himself against Ukraine.
Southgate said: “We’re in touch with the players quite a lot when they’re not with us – as much as we can. I try to respect clubs and not interfere but there are obvious times when things have happened and they need more support.
“The beginning of this season was very difficult for Harry on a number of fronts. So it’s brilliant to see how he has emerged with so much more confidence as a leader. You can see that within the group.
“Being captain of Manchester United is a massive challenge, a massive responsibility but it’s brought a lot more out of him. You can see he’s more confident in himself and has gone on to another level not just on his game but on his maturity.”
HORSING AROUND
Football fever is reaching the racing world with a horse to be named after manager Gareth Southgate.
The Three Lions are set for a semi-final clash with Denmark on Wednesday and trainer Amy Murphy is well and truly behind the team.
The Newmarket handler – ironically based at Southgate stables – is set to name a horse after the England boss.
She has reserved the name ‘Southgate’ to be used when she next heads to the sales.
Murphy said: “We’re always trying to be inventive and think of different ways to attract owners into the yard.
“The yard is called Southgate Stables, so as soon as they got through the group round it made sense to go and reserve it.”
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Italy and Spain meet at Wembley in a repeat of the 2012 European Championship final. Spain completely outclassed the Azzurri on that evening – winning 4-0 to secure a successive European crown.
But Tuesday could be a completely different story with Roberto Mancini’s side the favourites to progress to Sunday’s finale.
Italy have arguably been the best side in the competition and looked terrific when dumping No.1 ranked Belgium out of the tournament.
The quarter-final win stretched Italy’s record-breaking unbeaten run to 32 games and we’re backing them to edge out Spain tomorrow.
SHAWBERTO CARLOS
England star Luke Shaw has once again been compared to legendary left-back Roberto Carlos.
The Manchester United ace has been in scintillating form for his club side and has carried that through into Euro 2020 for the Three Lions.
He has been superb at both ends of the pitch – helping England keep a clean sheet in every game they have played and also chipping in with assists.
And footage from St George’s Park this morning show his team-mates appreciate his contributions.
Declan Rice is heard calling him ‘Roberto Shaw’ before Harry Kane chips in with ‘Shawberto’.
ENGLAND ALL READY
England’s players are up and about at St George’s Park as they begin a potentially historic week.
The Three Lions’ official Twitter account shared pictures of the squad making their way out the complex this morning.
Gareth Southgate’s men will begin their preparation for Wednesday’s semi-final at Wembley against Denmark.
CRIS CRUISE
Former Manchester United icon Cristiano Ronaldo has whisked Georgina Rodriguez and the kids off to Majorca for a luxury yacht trip following his Euro 2020 exit.
The Portugal legend took to social media to post a picture with his partner and four children – Cristiano Jr, Eva, Mateo and Alana Martina – off the coast near the town of Pollensa in the north of the island.
He captioned the post: “It’s time to rest with my loves.” Ronaldo helped fire his country through from the Group of Death but they were dumped out by Belgium in the last 16.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner will return to action with Juventus for pre-season in the coming weeks with the new Serie A campaign set to get underway on August 22.
The boat he went out to sea on with his family is thought to be the 88-feet long Azimut Grande, the super-yacht he purchased last June which boasts five luxury cabins and six bedrooms.
Azimut Grande is capable of reaching 28 knots, thanks to two 1,900 horsepower engines, and is made of carbon fibre weighing a whopping 93 tonnes. Ronaldo used to rent the Africa I yacht from a charter company before buying his own vessel.
Credit: Instagram
BEST HANGOVER IN THE WORLD
Jubilant England supporters shrugged off monster hangovers yesterday after brewing up a Euro 2020 semi-final clash with Denmark.
Three Lions fans necked 42million pints on Saturday night as plucky Ukraine were thumped 4-0.
But the headaches will probably, no definitely, be bigger if we beat the Carlsberg beer nation on Wednesday night.
England’s victory in Rome pulled in a peak TV audience of 20.9million viewers.
Happy fans emerging from 18 months of Covid misery packed beer gardens and fanzones to watch the action, as well as at home.
Breweries scrambled lorries to deliver ten million extra pints to bars to ensure stocks did not run out. Booze industry data showed 23million pints were drunk at home and 19million in pubs.
Credit: Reuters
SAK RACE
Bukayo Saka has declared himself fit to play England’s European Championship semi-finals against Denmark.
The Arsenal forward shined in England’s starting 11 in their heroic last 16 win against Germany. But he picked up a knock during the 2-0 win and as a result was replaced by Manchester United’s recent signing Jadon Sancho.
Sancho, 21, helped England to a 4-0 thumping as Saka, 19, failed to make the bench with manager Gareth Southgate resting the winger.
Southgate revealed the Gunners starlet made himself available to play against Ukraine and will be in contention for the Denmark clash.
He said: “He should be fine. He did declare himself available for the (Ukraine) game but we had not really had the chance to see him on the pitch and working at the level we felt would vindicate that decision.
“He will go back into full training with the group on Tuesday and, yes, he should be fine.”
Credit: Reuters
MADE OF THE WRIGHT STUFF
Ian Wright jumped on the Bukayo Saka hype by changing his Twitter profile to a snap of the youngster.
England ace Saka was pictured on England’s famous inflatable unicorn yesterday and ex-Three Lions forward Wright was quick to celebrate it.
The former Arsenal striker shared the shot and captioned it: “#NewProfilePic.”
BEGINNING OF THE HEND
Gareth Southgate says the whole squad were delighted when Jordan Henderson scored his first ever England goal against Ukraine.
The Liverpool skipper broke his Three Lions duck with a header to make it 4-0 in Rome and Southgate says the reaction is a prime example of how good the feeling is within the group.
The Three Lions boss said: “We talked a lot in the autumn about how that group had allowed a younger group to come in and have a profile because of the team, based on the hard work of those who had gone before.
“I think the newer players recognise that and they appreciate the way those older guys have made them feel welcome. I loved some of the reaction on the bench when Hendo scored because you could see the younger players were totally delighted for him.
“There’s a lovely moment with Jude, that shows you what Hendo brings to our environment that the players were so pleased for him. We all were.
“He’s really accepted that this was going to be a difficult and different challenge but he’s totally thrown himself into it.”
IN THE LIONS’ DEN
Gareth Southgate says reaching another semi-final is ‘not enough’ for England.
The Three Lions boss believes his stars have the mental toughness to complete a fairytale ending at the Euros.
He said: “We won’t feel totally satisfied if it’s just a semi-final for us.
“Whereas maybe three years ago, although there was massive disappointment after the World Cup semi-final, there was a feeling we’d come a long way.”
Now his side are used to re-writing the history books — following their landmark defeat of Germany in the last 16 and Saturday’s 4-0 quarter-final thrashing of Ukraine.
And Southgate is backing England to end a sequence of four straight semi-final defeats at major tournaments, since their only final in 1966.
PARTY TIME
England could stage a Euro 2020 victory party at Wembley in September if the Three Lions win the tournament, according to reports.
Southgate’s men have the whole of the country believing they can finally bring football home and end the 55-year wait for glory.
But even if they do go all the way and become the first England team since 1966 to win a tournament, they are unlikely to hold an immediate victory parade.
According to The Times, The FA have still not ‘discussed the matter in detail’ yet. However, the report states they ‘will have to start formulating plans of how to recognise the achievement’ should they go all the way.
An open-top bus tour would seem to be the most-likely option in normal circumstances. But Covid-19 restrictions make atour through London a non-starter.
Now it is thought that an alternative option ‘could be staging a ticketed event at Wembley’ or somewhere else in the capital, according to The Telegraph.
Credit: Getty
SET IN STONE
England fans want a statue of Gareth Southgate erected in the town in which he grew up.
They have launched a petition to honour the Three Lions boss in Crawley, West Sussex. His parents, Barbara and Clive, still live there.
Southgate went to Hazelwick Secondary and the school’s motto — “Effort Achieves” — was sewn on to pupils’ blazers and serves him well to this day.
He played for the school football team — and lined up alongside X Factor star Chico. The change.org petition, started during the 2018 World Cup in Russia where England also made the semi-finals, has more than 1,500 signatures.
It reads: “Gareth grew up in Crawley . . . and we believe the council should recognise his achievements with a statue of the man himself!” The petition has been resurrected following the latest successes.
A council spokesman said: “We’re tremendously proud of what Gareth Southgate has achieved. He’s a son of Crawley who grew up here, went to school here and learnt a lot of his football here so we want to recognise his achievements. Nothing has been ruled out.”
Credit: PA
Good morning football fans,
England’s triumphant 4-0 victory over Ukraine was voted as their third-best match over the last 25 years.
But the demolition job in Rome is still MILES off readers’ favourite game.
That came in 2001 when England thrashed Germany 5-1 in their own backyard in their 2002 World Cup qualifying clash in September 2001.
And the Germany rampage topped our poll with a whopping 55.7 per cent of readers’ votes.
England’s 4-1 win over Holland in the Euro 96 group stage – thanks to two goals apiece from Alan Shearer and Teddy Sheringham – came in second with just 20.3 per cent.
Meanwhile, the win over Ukraine was watched by a record-breaking 20.9million on BBC One.
That means the quarter-final is the UK’s new most-watched TV show of 2021.
With a semi-final coming up against Denmark on Wednesday, SunSport have compared the head-to-head records between the two sides.
And it may prove closer than you think with England winning 12 out of the last 17 encounters in total.
The latest came in the Nations League last autumn with England drawing 0-0 in Copenhagen and losing 1-0 at Wembley.
And finally, England fans hoping to buy a Three Lions shirt for the semi-final are set to be left disappointed with them selling like hotcakes.
‘PERSPECTIVE’
Gareth Southgate has warned his England players that Denmark will be riding ‘a powerful wave of emotion’ heading into Wednesday’s Euros semi-final.
The football world was stunned when Danish playmaker Christian Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest during his team’s tournament opener against Finland.
And the England boss believes that trauma has strengthened the Danes’ team spirit.
Southgate said: “We talk about perspective in sport but we rarely have it and this was a moment (Eriksen’s collapse) that brought it home for all of us.
“I can also imagine what it has done for the Danish team, their bond.
“What they went through that day – the way their captain (Simon Kjaer) acted and the way the group was – and how that would have connected with their supporters.
“That’s pretty powerful.
“They are riding a wave of emotion for certain and that’s a powerful force that’s coming to Wembley.
“Those things definitely have an impact on your thinking. We talk about pressure a lot and we lose perspective of what that might be when we play sport.”
CANDY KANE
Harry Kane is stockpiling Golden Boots.
He is already the winner of three Premier League ones for finishing top scorer with Tottenham, as well as the 2018 World Cup prize.
Before this tournament, the England captain expressed his desire to add a Euros boot to his collection.
Following his failure to score in the group stages, Kane looked more likely to land a wooden spoon for firing blanks.
Yet as has proved repeatedly in his international career, he can be at his most dangerous during a goal drought and so it has proved again.
Kane is one of seven players who have struck three times but five-goal Portugal skipper Cristiano Ronaldo and Patrik Schick of the Czech Republic — who have both been eliminated — are in his sights.
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