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      Inside England’s unlikely bromances in Euro 2024 squad, from Bellingham’s best friend to Newcastle and Sunderland rivals

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      CLIQUES that were commonplace in the England camp in tournaments gone by have been well and truly consigned to history.Players used to stick with those they knew best when with their country, usually from their club, as Gary Neville, Rio Ferdinand and others have often recounted over the years.Jude Bellingham and Trent Alexander-Arnold celebrated together against SerbiaCredit: APJordan Pickford and Kieran Trippier are good palsCredit: GettyDeclan Rice and Ivan Toney have formed a close bondCredit: GettyGareth Southgate has worked hard during his eight years to transform all that – and now bromances that you perhaps would not expect are popping up all over the squad at Euro 2024.Declan Rice and Ivan Toney? They have never played together at club level and only a handful of times for England, but are thick as thieves.Lewis Dunk and Dean Henderson? They play for arch-rivals Brighton and Crystal Palace, but that has not stopped an unlikely alliance from forming.It underlines how Southgate has broken down those barriers which he likely experienced himself as a player.READ MORE ON ENGLANDRemember, he was a relative outsider in the Three Lions squad to those at big-four clubs, having represented Palace, Aston Villa and Middlesbrough.Some friendships go way back and are being rekindled out here at England’s training camp in Blankenhain, eastern Germany.Phil Foden and Cole Palmer have relished spending time together again, having done so for years for Manchester City before Palmer was sold to Chelsea for £45million last summer.Foden, who edged out Palmer to win the Footballer of the Year award this season, revealed: “Me and Cole have been hanging out quite a lot when on camp.Most read in Euro 2024BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSCole Palmer and Phil Foden are close from their days together at Manchester CityCredit: PA“We’ve been going to the sauna and steam, playing a bit of padel.“He’s someone I know really well from club and is a close friend.Conor Gallagher on Marc Guehi bromance“I’ve been training with him for many years at City, I know his talent and how good he is and he can only get better.“He’s someone I can see having a big effect on the tournament when he gets his opportunity.”Padel is just one of a number of down-time sports available to help build dressing-room harmony, along with golf and table-tennis.NFL nuts Harry Kane and Anthony Gordon were chucking an American football to each other ahead of a light training session on Monday.Players up for the press conference have taken on the media at darts, as has been the case since Southgate took over (the press are currently leading 3-1).John Stones and Kieran Trippier gatecrashed Jordan Pickford’s presser to see how their good mate fared, finding it hilarious as he slumped to defeat against talkSPORT.Trippier and Pickford are often pictured together on England dutyCredit: RexTrippier, Pickford and John Stones have a good understanding on and off the pitchCredit: GettyThe trio play for City (Stones), Newcastle (Trippier) and Everton (Pickford), and even though they have represented England many times together, it still speaks to how buddying-up is happening irrespective of club loyalties.There was also enjoyment had from riding the £3,400 state-of-the-art e-bikes as part of Monday’s recovery session – even if Foden did reveal Bukayo Saka, who is popular with everyone in the squad, had some trouble with the gears!Like Foden and Palmer, Conor Gallagher and Marc Guehi also have a long-standing friendship and have been besties since they were little playing in the Chelsea academy.They won the Under-17 World Cup together in 2017 and had a season in the Palace team in 2021-22 when they both joined the South Londoners, Guehi permanently and Gallagher on loan.The current Blues midfielder said: “There’s a lot of great friendships in the squad.“I think a big part of enjoying training and enjoying every minute of this tournament is getting along with everyone and having a good time and being relaxed off the pitch so you can do your best on the pitch. Marc is a top guy, top player.”In our downtime, there is a lot of stuff to do. You have basketball, table tennis, darts. Mario Kart. I am spending a lot of time with Marc having day-to-day competitions. Whoever wins the most competitions in a day wins that day and gets a point. Right now, it is 3-2 to me.”We only had one game of Mario Kart and Marc beat me. My excuse is that he has got younger sisters so he has got to play with them. We play table tennis a lot and it is a lot easier. I think I have got the better of him in that but there are many days for Marc to come back.”Me and Marc go way back. We both joined Chelsea academy right at the start when we were seven or right and we played together at Swansea and Crystal Palace. Wherever I have gone he has followed me. He is a great friend of mine and a top player.”Marc Guehi and Conor Gallagher were team-mates at Crystal PalaceCredit: GettyThe pair are clearly still good friends two years on from Gallagher’s Palace loanCredit: PAGuehi, 23, and Gallagher, 24, both featured in Sunday’s 1-0 win over Serbia, the former from the start and the latter off the bench.That game also highlighted how close Real Madrid superstar Jude Bellingham and Liverpool man Trent Alexander-Arnold have become.Bellingham celebrated his early winning goal with a routine with TAA where they both held their hands in front of their faces, in reference to a game England players have been playing for years called Werewolf.They were then snapped recreating the post in training on Monday by photographer-for-the-day Rice, who completed the Three Lions’ three-man midfield along with the duo against the Serbs.The kindred-spirit nature of Rice and Toney’s friendship meant they knew they would hit it off before they had even played together.Bellingham and Alexander-Arnold are another close pair in the England squadCredit: AlamyThey celebrated Bellingham’s goal against Serbia with a Werewolf moveCredit: GettyHow England rated vs Serbia… as Bellingham shines but TWO big names get 5s
      JUDE BELLINGHAM was England’s head boy as Gareth Southgate’s side made a winning start in Germany.
      The Real Madrid superstar oozed class throughout and broke the deadlock with only 13 minutes played thanks to an excellent header, dispatching Bukayo Saka’s deflected cross.
      But, despite the brilliant start, it was a nervy affair here in Gelsenkirchen.
      Serbia exerted significant pressure in the second half, with a few narrow escapes for Southgate’s men.
      Harry Kane barely had a kick and the Premier League’s player of the year Phil Foden struggled to have any influence on the left of the Three Lions’ front three.
      Here’s how SunSport’s Tom Barclay rated England’s stars… with TWO stars getting just a 5.

      Rice and Toney have never been club team-mates but have become friends with EnglandCredit: GettyRice, sold by West Ham to Arsenal last summer for £105m, explained: “When I was at West Ham, he used to banter me on the pitch all the time.”Toney, 28, elaborated: “He would do a diag (diagonal crossfield pass) and, say it went out of play, I would say ‘good pass’.“We are kind of like the same people, (we have) the same interest.”Rice, 25, added: “The way we are, how he is, it’s the same type that I like to be. It’s easy.”Rice even went so far as to say that if there was one squad-member he had to spend a year with marooned on a desert island, it would definitely be Toney.He has introduced the Brentford striker to golf out here in Germany, while the pair have been playing Uno and are often the DJs in the dressing room.They are also part of a four-man, gym-bunny group that also includes Liverpool defender Joe Gomez and Ezri Konsa, of Aston Villa.One of the games the squad have been enjoying playing is who can handle the heat in the sauna for the longest.Toney has a strong reputation for it, but Gomez appears to be the king of the heat.Speaking on the FA’s Lions’ Den, Rice revealed: “Loads of the lads are in the sauna. This guy’s (Toney) mentality in the sauna is nuts.“He just keeps adding the water in and the steam just hits you. He’s just there, like that (arms folded, relaxed) and I’m like (sweating).”Toney added: “You’ve got to be the last man standing. To be fair, I got beat the other day. Joe is something else.“You have to have that competitive edge. I think everyone’s got it in the team. It’s enjoyable, even with the sauna. Last man standing. When there’s six or seven of us, it’s who crumbles first.“Obviously Ez (Eberechi Eze) is moaning all the time, he drops out, then it’s a little domino effect.”Fellow sauna enthusiast Palmer, 22, is also known to be very close to fellow youngster Kobbie Mainoo, 19.That is despite the pair growing up on the opposite sides of Manchester, with Palmer City and Mainoo United, underlining how club rivalries seem to count for nothing in this squad.Dunk made that exact point when explaining his friendship with Eagles stopper Henderson, 27.The Brighton captain, 32, said: “I’ve been getting on with Dean Henderson really well.READ MORE SUN STORIES“You just get comfortable with someone, easy to talk to, quite funny, a little bit stupid! No, he’s a good lad.”Neatly summing up what Southgate has created as England manager, Dunk added: “There’s no rivalries in this camp, I can tell you that.”
      Bromances in England squad
      CLIQUES that were commonplace in the England camp in tournaments gone by have been well and truly consigned to history.
      Declan Rice and Ivan Toney? They have never played together at club level and only a handful of times for England, but are thick as thieves.
      Lewis Dunk and Dean Henderson? They play for arch-rivals Brighton and Crystal Palace, but that has not stopped an unlikely alliance from forming.
      Phil Foden and Cole Palmer have relished spending time together again, having done so for years for Manchester City before Palmer was sold to Chelsea for £45million last summer.
      NFL nuts Harry Kane and Anthony Gordon were chucking an American football to each other ahead of a light training session on Monday.
      John Stones and Kieran Trippier gatecrashed Jordan Pickford’s presser to see how their good mate fared, finding it hilarious as he slumped to defeat against talkSPORT.
      Conor Gallagher and Marc Guehi also have a long-standing friendship and have been besties since they were little playing in the Chelsea academy.
      Jude Bellingham and Liverpool man Trent Alexander-Arnold have also become close – evident in the Werewolf celebration they performed against Serbia.

      EURO 2024 LIVE: KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM GERMANY More

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      Shocking moment huge brawl breaks out between Turkey and Georgia fans after fiery Euro 2024 clash

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      TURKEY and Georgia fans brawled in a fan zone following the fiery Euro 2024 clash between the two nations yesterday.The two sides met at a sodden Signal Iduna Park in their Group F opener.A brawl broke out at a fan zone in PolandViolent scenes echoed what had happened in the standsBefore the match, fears were raised that kick-off could be delayed, with torrential rain falling and chaos descending in the stands.Supporters in certain areas of the ground found themselves drenched as water cannoned down from the roof.And in shocking scenes, fans of the two nations could be seen throwing punches and grappling as cops struggled to bring order.With just a thin rail dividing the two sets of supporters, things kicked off more than an hour before the game.READ MORE ON EURO 2024Eventually riot police restored order, with the game able to kick off at 2pm UK time as planned.That wasn’t the end of the day’s fighting, however, with supporters in Poland continuing the scrap.A fan zone in the Polish city of Gorzow Wielkopolski reportedly hosted supporters of both nations.In a video circulating on social media, the rival sets of fans could be seen fighting.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSSupporters clashed ahead of the game in DortmundCredit: ReutersPunches were thrown in the fiery bust-upCredit: ReutersRiot police were deployed to break things upCredit: AFPAs other supporters watched on from deck chairs, several fans became embroiled in the disturbing scene, with punches and kicks thrown.With nobody immediately on hand to break up the fight, tempers appeared to flare for around a minute before the brawl broke apart.Turkey vs Georgia Euro 2024 clash at risk of postponement as TWO waterfalls flood from roof and violence breaks outEURO 2024 LIVE: KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM GERMANYOn the pitch, Turkey beat Georgia 3-1 in one of matchday one’s most exciting matches.Mert Muldur gave them the lead on 25 minutes, only for Metz star Georges Mikautadze to equalise shortly after the half hour mark.Real Madrid wonderkid Arda Guler restored Turkey’s lead with a stunning strike on 65 minutes.Deep into stoppage time Georgia threw everyone, including their goalkeeper, forward in hunt of an equaliser.And Kerem Akturkoglu made them pay, rolling the ball into an unguarded net in the 97th minute.Turkey will return to action on Saturday when they face Portugal, also in Dortmund.While on the same day, Georgia will take on the Czech Republic in Hamburg, with both sides looking to get off the mark. More

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      Meet Denmark’s amazing Wags, from a stunning model and influencer to children’s charity co-founder

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      STANDING in the way of England qualifying for the next round of the Euros are Denmark.But the Danes will be desperate to get a result after a draw in their opener against Slovenia.Denmark’s stunning Wags include model and influencer Katrine Friis who was once based in EnglandKatrine shows off her amazing bikini body and models for various swimwear brands on InstagramAndreas Christensen and Katrine have been together since 2016 and they now live in BarcelonaCredit: Social Media – Refer to Source
      The players will know each other well, with several of the Three Lions’ opponents having experience on our shores.
      Kasper Schmeichel was formerly of Leicester, while Andreas Christensen played at Chelsea.Still, Rasmus Hojlund, Christian Norgaard, Pierre-Emile Højbjerg, Jannik Vestergaard, Joachim Anderson, Mathias Jensen, Mikel Damsgaard, Mathias Jorgensen, and Mads Hermansen are ALL Premier League players.Cheering our rivals will be their amazing Wags, who were banned from the World Cup in Qatar to avoid enriching the country’s economy.Katrine FriisDanish beauty Katrine loves city life.Read more football news Previously, she was one of the queens of the King’s Road – often seen perusing the fashion boutiques and keeping up with the trends when her partner Andreas Christensen played for Chelsea.They began dating in 2016, and she also models a variety of swimwear brands.Friis now happily divides her time between her homeland in Copenhagen and Barcelona, where she now shops along the Passeig De Gracia.Josefine NorgaardGorgeous Josefine is the wife of Brentford’s Norgaard.Most read in Euro 2024She boasts 10,000 followers on Instagram, where she embraces life as a footballer’s missus and shows off her love of architecture.England Wags Instagram Rich ListRecently, she showed off a romantic trip to Paris with the midfielder, where she indulged herself with a trip to the Celine boutique.Josefine and Norgaard married two years ago, and they have a son together.Josefine Norgaard has 10,000 followers on Instagram and embraces life as a footballers’ wifeLike many Premier League Wags, stunning Josefine enjoys amazing holidays in luxurious locationsCredit: Instagram @ josefinebarsoeJosefine and Brentford star Chrstian Norgaard got married two years ago and have a son togetherCredit: Instagram @ josefinebarsoeCecilie PorsdalNutritionist Cecilie is the partner of Joachim Andersen.They finally said their ‘I do’s’ last month, after they reportedly began dating when they were teenagers.She is a social media influencer, as well as a lover of food.Cecilie has a separate Instagram page that celebrates restaurants that serve food artistically.Nutritionist Cecilie is a social media influencer who shares her fancy meals around the globe on InstagramGlam Cecilie shares plenty of photos in glam locations and cuts an elegant figureCredit: Instagram @cecilieporsdalClassy pair Joachim Anderson and Cecilie finally got married last month after being in a longterm romanceSabrina Kvist JensenSabrina prefers to keep a low-profile, but is a trained hairdresser.She originally stayed in her homeland to complete her hairdressing education, while husband Christian Eriksen earned his stripes with Spurs, before moving to England where she worked for a clothing company.She was thrust into the spotlight when Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch at Euro 2020.Sabrina was consoled by Danish players after she rushed down to the sidelines and has been by his side ever since as he made a full recovery.Christian Eriksen and Sabrina Kvist Jensen were an item before the former Spurs midfielder moved to the UKPretty Sabrina is a trained hairdresser and the mother of two of Eriksen’s childrenStine SchmeichelThe wife of the former Leicester No1, Stine is a trained midwife.She is also co-founder of Fodboldfonden – a charity that raises funds for the benefit of vulnerable and disadvantaged children.They first met when they were just 17 at a 7-Eleven at a Copenhagen train station.In 2015 they wed, and have three children together.Stine Schmeichel is her husband’s greatest supporter who cheers him on in the standsKasper Schmeichel and Stine first met when they were just 17 at a 7-Eleven at a Copenhagen train stationStine is co-founder of Fodboldfonden – a charity that raises funds for the benefit of vulnerable and disadvantaged childrenDenmark Euro 2024 guideTHE winners of Euro 1992 will be hoping for another unlikely surge to the latter stages under boss Kasper Hjulmand.

      The spirit of the squad cannot be questioned after they recovered from Christian Eriksen’s collapse to make it to the Euro 2020 semi-finals and give England a scare.
      MANAGER: Kasper Hjulmand
      Played in America for North Florida Ospreys and became Thomas Tuchel’s successor at Mainz in 2014. 
      KEY MAN: Rasmus Hojlund
      One of few bright sparks as Man Utd finished a dismal eighth in the Premier League. Can cause problems with his tireless work ethic and clinical finishing.
      How Denmark attack
      Denmark are very structured and patient in the way they attack.
      They will often push a midfielder up to join the three strikers and attempt to create a four-man overload.
      How Denmark defend
      While Denmark attack in a 4-3-3, or even a 4-2-2, they will drop into a deeper 5-4-1 out of possession.
      They will wait patiently for the right moment to press and recover quickly if the opposition attempt to play over the top.
      Read the full Denmark Euro 2024 guide here, including predicted line-ups, odds and Wags

      Elina GollertElina is the beautiful Wag of Denmark captain Simon Kjaer.She uses her Instagram to show off an array of fashionable outfits, as well as her epic lifestyle.Although it’s not all fun and games, as she shared it can be tough having to move from country to country following your beau around wherever his football career takes him.READ MORE SUN STORIESShe also appeared in the Netflix documentary Captains of the World, where she discussed her husband’s leadership skills.Originally from Sweden, she is a mother of two.Originally from Sweden, Elina Gollert has followed her beau around the globe for his football careerBeauty Elina shows off her epic fashion sense in a variety of fashionable outfits on InstagramElina appeared in Netflix documentary Captains of the World where she championed her partner’s leadership skills More

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      Euro 2024 top goal scorers: Who is leading the race for the Golden Boot as Bellingham and Havertz get off to fast start

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      EVERY European player would have dreamt of leading their country to the Euro 2024 title at least once this summer – but attackers would love to get ahold of the Golden Boot just as badly.It was no surprise to see Cristiano Ronaldo finish top of the goal-scoring leaderboards in the previous Euros edition.Cristiano Ronaldo took home the prestigious award after the last competitionCredit: GettyThe Portuguese perfectionist’s five goals helped him to add another Golden Boot to his long list of accolades.But Ronaldo, 39, will need to be on top form if he is to reclaim his crown with the likes of exquisite England captain Harry Kane and French phenomenon Kylian Mbappe lurking.However, surprisingly, none of the three superstars above are leading the race.And this is bad for UFC icon Conor McGregor who has placed a huge £51,000 bet on Ronaldo to win it again.Read more on Euro 2024Here are the current Euro 2024 top goal scorer leaderboards.Euro 2024 top goal scorers
      Jude Bellingham – England – 1 goal
      Kai Havertz – Germany – 1 goal
      Alvaro Morata – Spain – 1 goal
      Christian Eriksen – Denmark – 1 goal
      Cody Gakpo – Holland – 1 goal
      Nicola Barella – Italy – 1 goal
      Francisco Conceicao – Portugal – 1 goal
      Arda Guler – Turkey – 1 goal
      Jamal Musiala – Germany – 1 goal
      Florian Wirtz – Germany – 1 goal
      Who has previously won the Euros Golden Boot?
      1960: François Heutte (France), Viktor Ponedelnik (USSR), Valentin Ivanov (USSR), Dražan Jerković (Yugoslavia), Milan Galić (Yugoslavia) – 2 goals
      1964: Jesús María Pereda (Spain), Ferenc Bene (Hungary), Deszö Novák (Hungary) – 2 goals
      2020 – Cristiano Ronaldo** (Portugal) Patrick Schick (Czech Republic) – 5 goals
      1968: Dragan Džajić (Yugoslavia) – 2 goals
      1972: Gerd Müller (West Germany) – 4 goals
      1976: Dieter Müller (West Germany) – 4 goals
      1980: Klaus Allofs (West Germany) – 3 goals
      1984: Michel Platini (France) – 9 goals
      1988: Marco van Basten (Netherlands) – 5 goals
      1992: Henrik Larsen (Denmark), Karl-Heinz Riedle (Germany), Dennis Bergkamp (Netherlands), Tomas Brolin (Sweden) – 3 goals
      1996: Alan Shearer (England) – 5 goals
      2000: Patrick Kluivert (Netherlands), Savo Milošević (Yugoslavia) – 5 goals
      2004: Milan Baroš (Czech Republic) – 5 goals
      2008: David Villa (Spain) – 4 goals
      2012: Fernando Torres (Spain)*, Alan Dzagoev (Russia), Mario Gomez (Germany), Mario Mandžukić (Croatia), Mario Balotelli (Italy), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) – 3 goals
      2016: Antoine Griezmann (France) – 6 goals
      2020: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)**, Patrik Schick (Czechia) – 5 goals
      * Fernando Torres received the 2012 trophy due to an assist and having played the fewest minutes of the players who scored three goalsMost read in Euro 2024** Cristiano Ronaldo won the 2020 trophy due to providing one assistWho has scored the most Euro goals?Cristiano Ronaldo has scored the most Euro goals with or without qualifying matches.However, Frenchman Michael Platini scored the most goals in a single final tournament with a total of 9 during the 1984 competition.Most goals (including qualifying)Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) – 55 goalsZlatan Ibrahimović (Sweden) – 25 goalsRobbie Keane (Republic of Ireland) – 23 goalsMost final tournament goalsCristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) – 14 goalsMichel Platini (France) – 9 goalsAntoine Griezmann (France), Alan Shearer (England), Álvaro Morata (Spain) – 7 goals More

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      Dani Carvajal & Cody Gakpo lead the best Dream Team Euros XI of Matchday 1

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      DREAM TEAM EUROS Matchday 1 contained a whopping 34 goals at an average of 2.8 per game.Amid all the excitement, several top stars justified their popularity but there were also plenty of unexpected names among the performers.Here’s an XI of the top Dream Team Euros point-scorers from Matchday 1.GOALKEEPER: Unai Simon (£4m)That’s one way of doing itCredit: GettySpain’s custodian manufactured his return of 12 points in a rather unusual way.Simon kept a clean sheet against Croatia in Berlin but he walked the tightrope as it was his error that led to La Roja conceding a second-half penalty.The Athletic Bilbao keeper saved the resultant spot-kick and had his blushes spared for a second time when Bruno Petkovic’s follow-up was disallowed for encroachment.Simon’s error should have led to his clean sheet being wiped out but his recovery meant he banked a dozen points when all was said and done.DEFENDERS: Dani Carvajal (£4m), Erik Janza (£1.5m), Mert Mulder (£2m)Naturally, Spain’s streetwise right-back also benefited from his side’s clean sheet and he supplemented that with two tackles, a bonus point and a goal.Most read in FootballCarvajal latched on to Lamine Yamal’s inviting cross to put his side 3-0 up just before half-time.The Real Madrid defender therefore finished with 16 points, the joint-highest tally among all assets in Matchday 1.Carvajal combined a clean sheet with an unexpected goalCredit: EPAJanza was Slovenia’s unlikely hero as it was his firm strike from outside the box that was deflected past Kasper Schmeichel to earn Matjaz Kek’s side a point against Denmark.The industrious left-back also created a big chance and earned three bonus points for his efforts to bank 13 in total.Muldur completes the three-man defence having scored one of the goals of the tournament so far.Turkey’s right-back produced a sensational volley from distance to open the scoring in what proved to be a breathless encounter with Georgia in Group F.The 25-year-old pocketed 11 points once the dust had settled in Dortmund.MIDFIELDERS: Christian Eriksen (£3m), Fabian Ruiz (£3.5m), Jude Bellingham (£6m), Jamal Musiala (£4.5m), Michel Aebischer (£2m)Eriksen has a great record for DenmarkCredit: AFPDenmark’s talisman endured an ineffectual season with Manchester United but he once again stepped up at international level in Matchday 1.Not only did Eriksen score, he was one of just two players who earned the maximum of five bonus points, helping him return 14 overall.This was mostly due to the fact he provided seven accurate crosses – for comparison, nobody else at the tournament has registered more than three currently.Ruiz was the only player to both score and assist a goal in Matchday 1.The PSG playmaker put Alvaro Morata through one-on-one for the opening goal against Croatia and then three minutes later he displayed neat footwork on the edge of the box to double Spain’s lead.Like Eriksen, Ruiz also bagged 14 points.Bellingham got the job done for England against SerbiaCredit: GettyEngland mustered just five shots against Serbia in what was a relatively uninspiring performance but, crucially, they claimed the three points thanks to Bellingham’s emphatic header.The Real Madrid wonderkid was head and shoulders above everyone else on the pitch in the first half and he earned three bonus points for his contributions outside of the game’s only goal.It feels a long time ago now but Musiala lit up the tournament’s opening fixture as he inspired Germany to a 5-1 thrashing of Scotland.The hosts’ No10 completed the same number of successful dribbles as all the other players on the pitch combined, not to mention his rasping goal.Many pundits tipped Hungary as potential dark horses but they succumbed to Swizterland in Group A, thanks in no small part to Aebischer.The Bologna midfielder didn’t register any goals or assists in his first 20 caps at international level but he provided one of each in Cologne to deliver three points for Murat Yakin’s sideBellingham, Musiala and Aebischer all earned 13 points each.STRIKERS: Cody Gakpo (£4m), Kai Havertz (£4.5m)16 points and countingCredit: Dream TeamNetherlands’ No11 earned more player performance marks (14), which ultimately determine bonus points, than any other player in Matchday 1.Predominately playing from the left, Gakpo produced an impressive all-round performance, including a goal, to help the Oranje beat Poland 2-1 in what is expected to be a competitive group.The Liverpool forward matched Carvajal’s tally of 16 points and sits joint-top of the rankings at present.Havertz only played 63 minutes of Germany’s convincing win but he did plenty of damage in that time, providing the assist for Musiala’s goal before converting a penalty.The Arsenal man is competing with Niclas Fullkrug (£4m) at centre-forward but his smart showing against Scotland should see him keep his place.READ MORE SUN STORIESHavertz claimed 13 points in Matchday 1.Bring on Matchday 2!Jack Wilshere, Gordon Strachan and Jurgen Klinsmann answer quickfire questions ahead of Euro 2024 More

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      ‘High chance’ of terror attack at Euros with threats on ‘all fronts’, German intel chief warns amid mammoth security op

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      GERMANY has been bracing itself for a potential terror attack at Euro 2024 amid a mammoth security op due to possible threats on “all fronts”.Thomas Haldenwang, head of Germany’s intelligence agency has warned there is a “high chance” of a terror attack at the tournament with a number of major security concerns already taking place.Thomas Haldenwang, head of Germany’s intelligence agency has warned there is a ‘high chance’ of a terror attack at Euro 2024Credit: EPAInside the International Cooperation Center in Germany where the security crackdown is being navigated from amid a ‘high chance’ of an attackCredit: GettyOver 22,000 federal cops have been deployed across Germany to deal with any potential threatCredit: GettyA man in Hamburg was seen with an axe before a game earlier in the tournamentCredit: ReutersA pitch invader managed to get onto the pitch in the Romania versus Ukraine match on June 17Credit: ReutersIf any attacks are being planned Mr Haldenwang says the main threats could come from Islamic extremists or those with strong links to the raging war in the Middle East between Israel and Hamas.The president of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution pinpointed ISIS splinter cell ISIS-K as the main “focus of attention” for any potential concerns.Since the October 7 massacre in Gaza, terror levels have soared across Europe with security groups being on high alert at almost every major event. With the Euros welcoming hundreds of thousands of fans each day to Germany, Haldenwang and his team put special measures in place to combat any threats.read more in Euro 2024Police around the country were told they couldn’t take leave during the summer of football with the federal cops deploying over 22,000 extra officers.The monumental move is the biggest mobilisation in the organisation’s history.A total of 580 international officers have also been drafted in to make up specialist security units. All of those officers are expected to be on hand for each day of the month-long event monitoring transport, fan zones and tourist hotspots. Most read in Euro 2024Cops from across the continent have also been urged to help out Germany by staying alert for any potential suspects at borders and train stations before they enter.UEFA, European football’s governing body, expects over 2.7 million fans to rock up to Germany across ten cities.Turkey vs Georgia Euro 2024 clash at risk of postponement as TWO waterfalls flood from roof and violence breaks outBefore the tournament got underway, security expert Will Geddes told The Sun about Germany’s plan to use a robust ring of steel made up of thousands of armed cops to shield against potential attacks.The UEFA Euro 2024 championship presents a “wide spectrum of potential risks and issues” amid a “very high level of risk” from ISIS, he warned.Will explained that the country’s special forces, intelligence services and armed police will be called up to help prepare for and defend against any possible attacks.Crowds will be monitored closely under widespread CCTV, AI, the watchful eye of “super spotters” and plain-clothed officers, he said.Euro 2024 security worries
      PITCH INVASION
      On Monday 17, a fan managed to run on the pitch before being dragged off by security in Romania’s 3-0 thumping of Ukraine.
      The supporter, who was wearing a yellow t-shirt, appeared from the stand behind the goal before a Ukraine corner.
      He managed to get to Romanian star Nicolae Stanciu, but was swiftly whisked away by stewards.
      CLASH IN THE STANDS
      Turkey’s Euro 2024 clash with Georgia descended into chaos before kick-off after fights broke out in the stands as water poured from the roof.
      Footage from the Westfalenstadion in Dortmund showed rain from a storm drenching seats by the pitch.
      Around the same time, crowd violence began to erupt inside the ground between the two sets of fans.
      Objects were reportedly thrown between two sections as fighting ensued.
      The scene was described as “absolute bedlam” by journalist Daniel Storey with fears the game could be suspended.
      A small section of supporters from both sides could be seen throwing punches and pushing.
      CRAZED AXEMAN
      Last week, shocking footage showed a man with a golden pickaxe walking towards cops with a Molotov cocktail.
      Police were forced to draw their guns and deploy pepper spray moments before the suspect was arrested on the streets of Hamburg.
      The Reeperbahn strip, not far from where thousands of Dutch supporters were gathering to watch their match against Poland, was quickly closed off to the public.
      ARRESTING TERROR SUSPECTS
      Pre-tournament German cops announced that they had arrested a suspected ISIS terrorist while he was trying to sneak his way into the Euros.
      Anti-terror investigators caught Soufian T, 23, who is said to have applied to get a pass as a security guard for “side events” outside the football stadium.
      Cops from the Cologne police department, along with investigators from the Bonn State Security Service and federal police, arrested the German-Moroccan-Polish citizen with his mother and sister at Cologne-Bonn Airport.
      TRANSPORT CHAOS
      Organisers of the Euros have already been heavily criticised during the early stages of the tournament amid transport chaos.
      Following England’s win over Serbia on Sunday, some Three Lions fans were stranded in Gelsenkirchen for up to THREE HOURS.
      Bogestra, responsible for transport in Gelsenkirchen, claimed that “it is normal to wait” when 50,000 people are trying to get home.
      They added that their concept “worked overall”, and that their target was to get everybody transported within two hours of the final whistle.
      Bogestra also claimed that social media “overrated” the issues, and that it is “impossible” to have all fans moved within an hour.
      They alleged that fans used emergency brakes before the game, which led to some of the delays.

      Working with analysts who have experience in military, intelligence and law enforcement, Will’s team have seen ISIS make “very specific references to Germany”.The prolific death cult has hurled out repeated threats against events like the Euros, Champions League and Paris Olympics in recent months.Germany’s interior minister Nancy Faeser told 350 foreign cops dispatched to help ahead of the event that the focus of security will be “above all on the threat of Islamist terrorism”.It has also been revealed that fans who feel “unsafe” or “threatened” during the tournament have been urged to say “Panama” to police or staff to get help.Competition organisers in Gelsenkirchen – where England faced Serbia on Sunday – sent out the message to fans.READ MORE SUN STORIESUpon hearing the word Panama staff are meant to “immediately offer the possibility of a place to retreat”.There is also a specialist Panama team at games who are “a multilingual, multi-professional team trained in crisis intervention, non-violent communication and de-escalation”.’Acute’ terrorist threat across Europe
      By Jessica Baker, Foreign News Reporter
      THE threat of terrorism to the security of Europe is “acute”, the EU’s law enforcement agency has warned.
      Europol said the top concern of EU countries is “jihadist terrorism” and foreign terrorist fighters who travel from conflict zones.
      Some fear the terror group ISIS could be looking to leverage conflict in the Middle East to launch a fresh of attacks across Europe.
      Ten jihadist attacks have been foiled by cops in Europe in the past 12 months alone, according to Dutch intelligence agency AIVD.
      The agency claimed attacks planned and intercepted included stabbing rampages at major events and assaults on specific groups and venues.
      Israel’s spy agency meanwhile alleged Iranian terror cells are plotting attacks across the continent ahead of the Paris Olympics.
      The Olympics chief has promised a ring of steel at the Games’ opening ceremony and insisted “security is the priority” to ensure the safety of an expected 15 million fans and more than 10,000 athletes.

      An ISIS poster shows an armed terrorist about to exit a German train with a sign that reads ‘Welcome to Europe’Credit: ISISAnother pitch invader was seen on the pitch in the Ukraine match going up to playersCredit: AFPRiot police have been spotted across the country keeping a close eye on football fans in case of any security breachesCredit: Getty More

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      Frank Lampard tells brilliant story live on BBC about why he ‘stayed away’ from Cristiano Ronaldo on holiday

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      FRANK LAMPARD has recounted a recent chance encounter with Cristiano Ronaldo on holiday.The former Chelsea star, 45, has been out of managerial work since leaving the Blues at the end of the 2022-23 season.Frank Lampard appeared as a pundit on Portugal’s tournament openerCredit: BBC SPORTThe veteran forward was in action as Portugal beat the Czech Republic 2-1Credit: GettyRonaldo, 39, has kept himself in pristine condition well into his 30sCredit: GettyWhile taking time out of his coaching career, Lampard has appeared on the BBC as a pundit for Euro 2024.Last night he appeared on coverage of Portugal’s tournament opener against the Czech Republic alongside Gary Lineker, Cesc Fabregas and Alan Shearer.While analysing the game, naturally Ronaldo’s name popped up.With the veteran forward, 39, still starting for his country despite his advancing years, Lampard lifted the lid on a recent meeting with him.READ MORE ON RONALDOHe revealed: “I actually bumped into him on holiday a few months ago.”I was in the same hotel on the beach, I quickly put my T-shirt on and had a nice picture with him.”And I noticed he was going to the gym twice a day with his personal trainer.”It just shows you his dedication to what he does.”Most read in Euro 2024BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSBBC and ITV’s Euro 2024 line up in fullHere’s how each channel will line-up:
      BBC presenters:
      Gary Lineker, Alex Scott, Gabby Logan and Mark Chapman
      ITV presenters:
      Mark Pougatch and Laura Woods 
      BBC pundits:
      Alan Shearer, Micah Richards, Rio Ferdinand, Ellen White, Frank Lampard, Ashley Williams, Wayne Rooney, Joe Hart, Cesc Fabregas, Thomas Frank, David Moyes, Rachel Corsie and James McFadden
      ITV pundits:
      Ian Wright, Roy Keane, Gary Neville, Karen Carney, Graeme Souness, Eni Aluko, Ange Postecoglou, Danny Rohl and Christina Unkel
      BBC commentators:
      Guy Mowbray, Robyn Cowen, Vicki Sparks, Steve Wilson, Steve Bower and Jonathan Pearce
      ITV commentators:
      Sam Matterface, Clive Tyldesley, Seb Hutchinson, Pien Meulensteen and Joe Speight
      BBC co-commentators:
      Danny Murphy, Martin Keown, Jermaine Jenas and James McFadden
      ITV co-commentators:
      Lee Dixon, Ally McCoist and Andros Townsend

      Lampard then grinned as he joked: “I may have been sipping a beer watching him and giving him a little ripple of applause as he walked back.”Ronaldo’s side overcame a 1-0 second-half deficit to beat the Czech Republic 2-1 in Leipzig.’Says it all’ – Fans fume at Cristiano Ronaldo’s unsportsmanlike gesture at end of Portugal Euro 2024 clash EURO 2024 LIVE: KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM GERMANYDuring talkSPORT’s half-time coverage, England icon Stuart Pearce made a bold claim about how Portugal’s team-mates seemed to be treating Ronaldo.He said: “This might sound ridiculous, but [maybe] they don’t trust Ronaldo enough to keep supplying him with the ball, that type of thing.”When asked by presenter Adrian Durham to explain his point, Pearce, 62, added: “There’s been times in the games where he’s shown to feet and they’ve not popped the ball into his feet.”There was one with Bernardo Silva, it was one of these rogue passes [by Czech Republic] that got cut out.”Bernardo Silva had it in the centre circle, Ronaldo peeled off in an inside-right position.”I’m thinking, ‘If this was ten years ago, you slide it in front of him and you know full well he’s going to get there and score.'”He [Silva] denied the pass, and I found that quite strange.”READ MORE SUN STORIESRonaldo was criticised by some fans for the way he celebrated Portugal’s stoppage time winner, when he appeared to rub it in the faces of two dejected Czech stars.The five-time Ballon d’Or winner will be back in action this Saturday, when his side take on Turkey in Dortmund, looking to book their progression to the round of 16 with a game to spare. More

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      Supercomputer predicts Euro 2024 winner after first round of fixtures – so is it coming home?

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      ALL 24 teams have now played at Euro 2024 after Portugal brought the first round of fixtures to a close on Tuesday with a 2-1 win over Czech Republic.Most of the big nations came through their tournament openers with victories and will be looking to book their places in the knockout stages with another win this week.England edged past Serbia in their opener thanks to a Jude Bellingham headerCredit: GettyFrance sealed a 1-0 win over Austria in their first match of the EurosCredit: GettyBut there was still room for shocks as Belgium suffered a devastating 1-0 defeat to Slovakia.Italy, Holland and Portugal narrowly avoided dropping points as they came from behind to win.England and France edged past Serbia and Austria respectively, while Germany and Spain claimed comprehensive victories over Scotland and Croatia.But who are now the favourites following one round of games?READ MORE ON EURO 2024Well, according to Bettingexpert’s supercomputer, BETSiE, England remain the front-runners despite an unconvincing display against Serbia.The algorithm comes to a conclusion based on “all match results from the season played across all competitions and involved countries, projecting the remainder of the campaign based on both pre-season expectations and xG earned both for and against”.And it states Gareth Southgate’s men have a 20.97 per cent chance of ending the Three Lions’ 58-year trophy drought.They are three per cent ahead of France – who have reached back-to-back World Cup finals under Didier Deschamps.Most read in Euro 2024CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSEngland still boast a 20.97 per cent chance of Euros glory according to the supercomputerThen come hosts Germany, with Portugal and Spain the only other teams boasting a chance of glory of more than 10 per cent.Belgium and Croatia’s defeats have seen the supercomputer predict them to finish third in their respective groups.Scotland, not Switzerland, must set the tempo in tonight’s make-or-break Euro 2024 matchAnd despite starting with wins, Romania and Slovakia are still languishing in 19th and 20th place.Their chances of winning the competition stand at just 0.06 per cent.EURO 2024 LIVE: KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM GERMANY More