Euro 2024

JUDE BELLINGHAM celebrated with his family after playing the hero as England edged past Serbia 1-0 in their Euro 2024 opener last night.The Real Madrid superstar, 20, crashed into the box to thunder home a 13th minute header from Bukayo Saka’s deflected cross.Jude Bellingham laughed with dad Mark in the stands after the gameCredit: PABellingham, 20, also caught up with brother Jobe and mum DeniseCredit: PAJobe and Denise watched on together in the standsCredit: RexBellingham cut a relaxed figure as he laughed with his dad MarkCredit: PAEngland’s No10 was the match-winner in GelsenkirchenCredit: GettyBellingham put himself about during the contest, and looked every inch the superstar as he became the youngest player to ever feature at three major international tournaments – eclipsing even Cristiano Ronaldo as he beat Michael Owen’s previous record.As was the case at the Champions League final earlier this month, Bellingham was roared on from the stands by dad Mark, mum Denise and younger brother and Sunderland star Jobe.A man in demand, the midfielder underwent plenty of media duties after the final whistle sounded in Gelsenkirchen.After completing them, with typical good grace, and taking a quick shower, Bellingham headed back out to celebrate with his thrilled family in the stands.READ MORE ON JUDE BELLINGHAMEngland’s superstar beamed with his retired policeman father Mark, while ex-HR professional and financial expert mum Denise also grinned.Little brother Jobe, 18, who has attracted interest from Prem duo Crystal Palace and Brentford, glanced down at his phone during the happy exchange.Jude moved to Real Madrid last summer in a blockbuster £115million transfer.The fit was instant, with the Madrid faithful immediately taking Bellingham to their hearts.Most read in Euro 2024BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSFans posed for selfies with the Bellinghams in the standsCredit: EPAThe humble star has credited his mum Denise with helping him take everything so gracefully in his stride.With his mum having moved with him to Madrid, where he has since begun dating Dutch model Laura Celia, he told the Mail last December: “My mum is there to just keep everything neutral really.Jude Bellingham reacts to match winning England display in euro 2024 opener against SerbiaEURO 2024 LIVE: KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM GERMANY”Without my mum, sometimes I’d get too low with the lows or too high with the highs and I stay pretty humble because I’ve got her around.”It’s also great to have her there because she’s a great laugh as well. We get on so well and we’re always doing stuff together.”Dad Mark, meanwhile, has also been a driving positive force in his sons’ careers – dating back to both of them starting at boyhood club Birmingham as kids.While Denise headed to Madrid’s stunning La Finca neighbourhood to look out for Jude, Mark headed to Wearside with Jobe.Given Bellingham’s level of superstardom, his family were recognised in the stands at Arena AufSchalke last night.They could be seen posing for selfies with delighted England supporters while in attendance at the match.’Jude Bellingham is made up of amazing people’After the game, Bellingham paid tribute to his supportive family and friends.He said: “Jude Bellingham is made up of amazing people. It’s not just me.”It’s because I have such a great support network – my family, my friends, my team-mates. Playing football is the easiest part.”On the game itself, he added: “I have got used to getting into the box, getting wide and trying to do that. I got into that habit at Madrid and I wanted to carry my form into the Euros.”It’s a great start for me personally to get my confidence up, and to help the lads get the win is the most important thing.”Having received the adulation of the travelling England faithful, who serenaded him with The Beatles’ classic “Hey Jude”, Bellingham vowed: “I am willing to do whatever it takes and am ready to do everything to help the country win this football tournament.”He and his Three Lions team-mates are next set to be in action on Thursday, when they take on Denmark in Frankfurt.Meet Jude Bellingham’s stunning girlfriend, lingerie model Laura Celia ValkBy Jon Boon
LAURA CELIA VALK is the stunning Dutch fashion model who has stolen Jude Bellingham’s heart.
The Sun exclusively revealed that she’s been staying at his place in Madrid and is completely smitten with him.
Laura boasts a huge social media following and regularly travels the world, enjoying a luxurious lifestyle.
From underwear modelling to showing off Pretty Little Thing’s latest wear, she regularly collaborates with fashion houses around the globe.
Wherever she is, Laura makes sure to drop into Chanel – her favourite designer.
She’s also quite the foodie, with pizza and strawberries being her favourites.
It won’t be long before we see her at the Bernabeu enjoying a prawn sandwich!
Find out more about Laura.
Or read all the latest Jude Bellingham news.

Other stars including skipper Harry Kane also entered the stands after the match to see their loved ones.Kane, 30, shared a kiss with wife Kate, before the pair also posed for a selfie.Conor Gallagher caught up with partner Aine May Kennedy.While Kyle Walker went to see wife Annie Kilner and the kids.READ MORE SUN STORIESOllie Watkins hugged girlfriend Ellie Alderson.And Jarrod Bowen shared an embrace with Dani Dyer.Harry Kane shared a kiss with wife KateCredit: GettyConor Gallagher caught up with girlfriend Aine May KennedyCredit: RexKyle Walker went up to see wife Annie Kilner and the kidsCredit: EURO 2024 News Pool (ENP) – Serbia vs EnglandSubstitute Ollie Watkins hugged partner Ellie AldersonCredit: Instagram @ellsaldersonJarrod Bowen hugs partner Dani Dyer in the standsCredit: EURO 2024 News Pool (ENP) – Serbia vs England More

HAVING finished a disappointing third in their group behind the Czech Republic and Albania, Poland needed a penalty shootout win over Wales in the play-offs to make the tournament.After such a stuttering qualifying campaign there is little hope back home that Poland can make it through a very tricky group.Poland saw off Wales to qualifyCredit: EPAAnd things got off to the worst possible start as they lost 2-1 to Holland in their group opener. Former Under-21s coach Michal Probierz was parachuted in during that qualification run to turn things around and managed to just sneak them through, but he has no experience of managing at a major tournament.The squad will hold plenty of interest for fans from English clubs, with Aston Villa’s Matty Cash, Arsenal’s Jakub Kiwior, Southampton’s Jan Bednarek and Brighton midfielder Jakub Moder.Manager: Michal ProbierzHas managed 10 clubs, nine of them Polish, one of which lasted just two days.read more on the eurosMichal Probierz took over as Poland manager in 2023Credit: EPAKey man: Robert LewandowskiThere is no doubting that Poland’s fortunes will swing on whether Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski fires or not.However, he must improve on a record of just seven goals in 18 tournament outings.Robert Lewandowski has plenty of legs despite his ageLikely line-upThe Poles usually play with a three-man defence and wing-backs in a 3-5-2 formation.Lewandowski is the main focus of the attack, with support from Karol Swiderski who plays for Serie A club Hellas Verona, on loan from MLS club Charlotte FC.Most read in Euro 2024How Poland cold play in an 3-5-2 formationHow they attackExpect to see Poland line up for the tournament in a 3-5-2 shape.The wing-backs will combine with one of the deeper midfielders to try to take the ball out safely from the backline.They use intelligent rotations to move the ball – but they can at times be too slow to progress.The three central defenders spread across the pitch as the wing-backs move high. As the ball moves to the right-sided central defender, the right wing-back rotates back to receive it in spacePoland use the two wing-backs as their primary tactic for getting the ball up the pitch.When they receive the ball in space they are more likely to pass and move rather than dribble or drive forward with the ball. They will often look to combine and swap positions with the central midfielders.The left wing-back receives the ball and has time and space to turn and play forward into space centrally to release runners moving from the midfieldAs they open up spaces in the attacking phase we will see Poland become more aggressive with ball progression as they look to quickly release runners to attack space. They are not a side that we can expect to be heavily possession-based.Now the left wing-back makes a diagonal run into the penalty area. In possession, they will look to hit these spaces to attack as quickly as possibleHow they defendAs with many teams coming into this tournament we expect to see Poland work and press relatively high when the opposition are looking to play out from the back. Playing high and compact against the ball appears to be a real trend from the defensive side of the game amongst teams that have qualified for Germany.Poland will work to force the opposition to play either long passes, where they can contest second balls, or out wide where they can slide the block and trap the oppositionWhen the opposition are enticed into playing passes that are still relatively short but out and into the wide spaces, we can expect to see Poland quickly shift their block over to pin the opposition to the touchline and then force a turnover.The Wales goalkeeper plays the ball wide but Poland are quick to get over and to apply aggressive pressure on the man in possessionWhen they do drop and defend in more of a medium block we still see intelligent positioning from the Polish side against the ball. They will remain strong and compact centrally. With the two forward and three central midfielders and then the wing-backs will be positioned aggressively high.Here against Wales, we see Poland have dropped into a compact medium block to defend the long ballPredictionPoland are in a tough group with France, the Netherlands and potential dark horses Austria.If they manage to upset the odds and top the pile, the Poles will face the runners-up from Group F – the Czech Republic, Turkey and Georgia would be most likely but Portugal could slip up.Belgium and England would stand in the way of a surprise run to the final in the quarter and semi-finals respectively.If they finish second, the runner-up from Group E would be next, potentially Ukraine or Romania.Poland could also progress as one of the best third-placed teams but would then face a tough last-16 draw.READ MORE SUN STORIESLatest oddsPoland are not expected to make a deep run in the tournament.They are 1001/1 with William Hill, which places them in the bottom six of 24 countries.PLAY DREAM TEAM EUROS NOW!The best fantasy football game for this summer’s tournament. 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