Euro 2024

ENGLAND’S first and only major tournament win against Slovenia came at the courtesy of the so-called Golden Generation.Jermain Defoe grabbed the only goal as Fabio Capello’s team ran out 1-0 winners in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa final Group C tie.Wayne Rooney led England’s attack against Slovenia in 2010Credit: ReutersAnd rather ironically, the Three Lions face Slovenia in Group C at Euro 2024 tonight. England’s line-up in the final group match will be night and day away in ability and personnel from the two sides’ last competitive meeting.In 2010, The Three Lions’ starters included James Milner, record Premier League appearance holder Gareth Barry and Glen Johnson.While it also adorned Wayne Rooney’s generational talent alongside the world class Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard.read more england newsLikewise, Joe Cole came on for his Chelsea teammate Ashley Cole, while Emile Heskey replaced goalscorer Defoe with 10 minutes to go.Michael Dawson, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Ledley King, then Stoke defender Matthew Upson and Joe Hart were on the bench and make up the list of forgotten men.Yet despite the host of talent at Capello’s disposal, England came second in the group behind the United States.In fact, England’s marginal 1-0 triumph over Slovenia was the Three Lions’ only victory of the group stage in 2010.Most read in Euro 2024BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAs England drew 1-1 with the USA thanks to goals from Gerrard and Clint Dempsey, and Algeria held them to a goalless draw in Cape Town.They went onto crash out after a 4-1 defeat at the hands of a fierce finalists Germany in the last-16.England’s Best and Worst KitsAnd the current crop are hoping to avoid repeating history.At Euro 2024, England have won one and drawn one – and are looking to come alive against Slovenia in their final tie before the knockouts.But luckily for them the final game is not as much of a ‘must win’ as it was for the 2010 squad, after England qualified for the round of 16 on Monday following Albania’s defeat to Spain.England go into the Slovenia game already on four points from beating Serbia and a draw with Denmark.England have turned into a long-ball team, that has to change, says Jack WilshereENGLAND need to find the courage and confidence to start playing out from the back again, writes Jack Wilshere.That was the approach that brought them success and they seemed to be getting better at it.But in the last two games they have tried it less and Jordan Pickford has been going long more often.England’s lack of structure and playing out from the back was dictated by how the first two games went. The opponents grew in confidence and started to press a little bit higher.And, as England have made mistakes, they have ended up trying to eliminate risk by playing it longer.We’ve been looking for solutions and ended up going back to Jordan and there’s no option, we’re under a bit of pressure and he has to go long.But, more often than not, playing out through the thirds is the way to go.Let’s do it, let’s go and be brave and dominate the ball. Read Jack Wilshere’s tactical analysis in full.Or check out all of Jack’s Euro 2024 columns. More

MANCHESTER UNITED legend Wayne Rooney has claimed “something is not right” ahead of England’s final Euro 2024 group stage match.The Three Lions automatically qualified for the round-of-16 on Monday with one game left to play.Wayne Rooney believes ‘something is not right’ in the England campCredit: GettyHowever, Gareth Southgate’s side have failed to impress on the pitch.England clinched a 1-0 win over Serbia before dropping points to Denmark in a 1-1 draw last week.And Rooney believes there is something off about the England camp ahead of tonight’s match against Slovenia.Speaking on the BBC’s Euros Extra show, he explained: “The messages coming out of the camp is very different to what it has been at the last two tournaments.Read More on England”There’s certainly something not right.”I think the positive I see from the last two games is it can only improve.”You’re going to go up against better opposition, so it has to improve.”And try and get a good win.”Most read in Euro 2024EURO 2024 FREE BETS AND OFFERSJack Wilshere: Southgate must be brave with RiceBy Jack WilshereGARETH SOUTHGATE should be brave and play Declan Rice as our sole holding midfielder.But if England manager Southgate doesn’t want to do that — and he probably doesn’t ­— then he needs to give Rice the chance to play more like he does for Arsenal.Let’s be absolutely clear here. Rice was so important for us again during that first half against Denmark.The fact that he had a difficult second 45 minutes showed how much England were struggling.Rice himself would hold his hands up and say he gave away the ball too often.But what I took overall from his performance is that he needs more help in the engine room.Read here how Jack Wilshere would resolve the Declan Rice dilemma.Rooney also insisted that Harry Kane and Co must seek clarity if they are unsure of how to play.Following Thursday’s match against Denmark, the England captain admitted that he and his team-mates are “not quite sure how” to pressurise opponents.Secrets to England Euros successEx-United and Everton star Rooney continued: “For me, the players have to take responsibility as well.”You’ve got the captain, in Harry Kane, saying he didn’t know how to press.”If I’m in that team, and I’m going onto the football pitch and I don’t know how to press or how I’m going to play the game, that’s a big worry and a bit concerning.”And that’s when you go to the England manager, you go to the coaches, and say ‘alright before we go onto this pitch, every single player has to know how to press.'”‘We’re struggling with and without the ball’, admits Harry KaneHARRY KANE admits England “haven’t been good enough” at the Euros.Here’s what skipper Kane said after the disappointing 1-1 draw with Denmark:”We’re struggling with and without the ball.”The pressing in both games hasn’t been quite right. We haven’t been good enough, from top to bottom, from me to Picks (Jordan Pickford).”Everyone is dropping below their level a bit, in terms of retaining the ball, playing under pressure.”We know there’ll be a bit of noise and disappointment back home.”But it’s a time to stay calm and we’ll get there step by step.”It wasn’t our greatest game but we got away with draw.“We are starting games well. But when the teams are dropping a few players deeper we are not quite sure how to get the pressure on, and who is the one who is supposed to be going.”“In the second half, we changed it with me and Jude (Bellingham)  playing in front of their two midfielders. But it was difficult.”EURO 2024 LIVE: KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM GERMANY More

EURO 2024’s hottest football fan has promised to wow England supporters with her raciest outfits yet in the knockout games.Model and football fan Marta Barczok is backing Gareth Southgate’s men to romp home victorious this summer after her nation Poland crashed out in the group stages.Euro 2024’s hottest football fan Marta Barczok has promised to wow England supporters with her raciest outfits yet in the knockout gamesCredit: Instagram/@martabarczok.officialThe model is always showing off her looks on InstagramCredit: Instagram/@martabarczok.officialMarta is a huge Poland fan but now they’ve been eliminated she is cheering on EnglandCredit: Instagram/@martabarczok.officialMarta is in Dortmund to watch Poland play against France tonightCredit: Marta Barczok Marta has made a lot of friends since arriving in Dortmund as she hangs out with footy fans from across the continentCredit: Instagram/@martabarczok.officialThe glamorous star has been known to wear some eye-catching outfits at previous tournaments such as tall high heels, colourful tops and even a sexy retro Polish kit.At Euro 2024, Marta is looking to outdo all her past looks and really steal the spotlight.She told The Sun: “I have a special jersey, and I promise it will be a surprise. But I won’t reveal any details just yet!”The influencer has attended various tournaments in the past including Euro 2016 and 2020.read more in Euro 2024Marta has been in Germany since the tournament kicked off and is set to stay until July 14.She is hoping to watch her favourite player Harry Kane lift the trophy after backing England to finally conquer Europe.Kane and co were just a trio of penalties away from winning the whole tournament in the rescheduled 2021 event before Italy managed to dash away the nation’s hopes.Marta said: “My favourite for this tournament is England – I believe they have a real chance of winning and I expect them to go far.”Most read in Euro 2024The Three Lions have already qualified for the next round before even kicking off for their third group stage match on Tuesday.Although they have faced some huge criticism for ex-players turned pundits after two lacklustre performances.Poland’s hottest fan ‘Miss Euros’ reveals high hopes for England glory – and her favourite Three Lions starThey narrowly beat Serbia 1-0 in the opening clash before fleeing Frankfurt with a lucky point in their match against Denmark.One of the biggest scoldings came from ex-striker Gary Lineker who labelled the Three Lions’ performance against Denmark as “s***”.The BBC stalwart blasted Kane for his positioning during the draw as he called on Southgate to make a much needed change to the line up. Kane fired back at the four-letter blast at a press conference reminding Lineker and co how England have “won nothing” since 1966.Marta has amassed a large fanbase on InstagramCredit: martabarczok.official/InstagramEngland are her second favourites after her beloved PolandCredit: Instagram/@martabarczok.officialThe glamorous model has even responded to criticism launched at the Three Lions after their opening two group gamesCredit: Instagram/@martabarczok.officialHer looks are typically red and white to fit in with the Polish fansCredit: Instagram/@martabarczok.officialMarta has been at every Poland game so farCredit: Zuma PressSkipper Harry warned of the impact on the morale of the younger players and asked ex England pros to bear in mind that they also failed under the bright lights. Marta also backed her star striker and described the criticism of England as “premature”.She said: “I respect Gary Lineker for always speaking his mind without holding back. However, I believe his criticism of England at Euro 2024 is premature. “England is just getting started, and in a tournament, earning points is what truly matters. “In time, no one will remember how the games were played; the focus will be on the points earned and the success achieved.”Pundits and legends lay into EnglandENGLAND’s lifeless display in the 1-1 draw with Denmark left pundits and legends queuing up to take a dig at Gareth Southgate’s team.Here’s the best of what was said…ALAN SHEARER“Awful performance, particularly after going up in the game.“I don’t think one England player can look at themselves and say, ‘I’ve done my job tonight’.“England were all over the place, far too sloppy in possession, gave the ball away too much and got caught too many times.“There was no energy, no pace, no guile — Southgate is simply not getting the best out of England’s best players.“It’s concerning and Gareth will get some serious questions.“You saw England players lying on their backs — they look absolutely shattered but there’s no excuse for that.”GARY LINEKERThe BBC host called the performance “lifeless and tepid”.On Harry Kane he said: “He needs his manager to ask more of him. I would have expected that if I’d put in that kind of performance.”RIO FERDINAND“The players don’t look the same as they do for their clubs. It is a big concern.”ROY KEANE“Courage and bravery, we’re not really seeing it.“There’s something amiss with the balance. Bellingham is waving his arms.“This is a big test for Gareth. It looks like he’s overthinking things.”JAMIE CARRAGHER”My big worry watching this and for the rest of the tournament?”England look absolutely knackered. They can’t get close to the ball.”The surest sign of fatigue is dropping deep.”Declan Rice is having to cover so much ground. No-one can convince me this is a strategy.”JACK WILSHERE”It’s strange that we have taken the lead in both games so far, yet instead of it settling us down and giving us the confidence to play, we have failed to take control.”But what was most worrying was that Denmark had a clear way of playing — while we didn’t.”Marta says the Euros always provide three things to make them such special times – excitement, drama and unforgettable moments.She added: “This time, the tournament is in Germany, which is great since it’s close by and I can get there quickly, though getting tickets wasn’t easy.”The atmosphere at the Euros is always electric, and I’m excited to be part of it again.”It’s a great opportunity to explore some incredible German cities.”And especially excited to visit Dortmund, home to the best stadium and most passionate fans.”Marta is already looking ahead to the next Euros in 2028 which is set to be held in the UK and Ireland as she lives in London.”It will be incredibly convenient and thrilling to have such a major tournament right at my doorstep,” she added.READ MORE SUN STORIESIt comes as Croatia’s stunning fan, Ivana Knoll has already rocked the tournament in Germany but is set to go home after her side failed to escape from the “group of death”.Knoll is known for her particularly revealing outfits and left fans dying to know whether she had any tricks up her sleeve for her trip to Germany.Marta has been dubbed ‘Miss Euros’Credit: Instagram/@martabarczok.officialThe superfan is looking to outdo all her past looks and really steal the spotlight at this years tournamentCredit: The SunThe superfan lives in London and is a regular at Premier League matchesCredit: Instagram/@martabarczok.officialOne outfit that impressed fans was a retro Poland shirt and a skirtCredit: Instagram/@martabarczok.officialMarta has been in Germany since the Euros kicked offCredit: The Sun More