Euro 2024

DAVID ALABA will be on Austria’s bench at Euro 2024 – even though he cannot play due to injury.The 31-year-old was his country’s talisman and was due to captain them this summer before he suffered the cruel blow.Austria captain David Alaba will still have a part to play at Euro 2024Credit: ReutersThe Real Madrid star is staying with the squad despite being ruled out through injuryCredit: GettyAlaba’s Real Madrid team-mates were left unable to look after he sickeningly twisted his knee in a 4-1 win over Villarreal in December.The star has appeared for Austria at both the previous Euros in 2016 and 2020 but has failed to recover from the blow in time for a third.He underwent major knee surgery last December before going under the knife again last month.However, he has suffered no complications with either operation, and he has now got the green light to help Ralf Rangnick’s team in Germany.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLAlaba met up with Austria’s squad for their pre-tournament friendlies against Serbia and Switzerland.Now Real Madrid have agreed to let him stay and continue his recovery with Austria doctors and medical team so he can still skipper his nation despite being unable to take the field.Discussing the “non-playing captain”, Rangnick said: “It is a great shame of course that he isn’t available to us as a player.“Over the last weeks I’ve had close exchanges with David. He stressed he wanted very much to still be with us.Most read in Euro 2024CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS“Therefore, I am very happy to say this will be possible after a good discussion with his club Real Madrid.”Alaba missed out on Real Madrid’s Champions League and LaLiga double due to the injury.Watch brilliant moment Roy Keane is forced to HIDE in shopping centre as Ian Wright poses with fans at Euro 2024But Carlo Ancelotti and the ace are both still hopeful that he remains on course to return to action in September.Austria are based in Berlin, with Rangnick’s side training at Mommsenstadion, the home of sixth tier Tennis Borussia Berlin.They head into the tournament unbeaten in seven, with five of those victories.The 2008 co-hosts face France in their opening match on Monday before clashes with Poland and the Netherlands in Group D.And now they will have Alaba, as well as Rangnick, leading them from the touchline as they look to try and reach the knockouts.EURO 2024 LIVE: LATEST UPDATES FROM THE TOURNAMENT More

HUMILIATED Scotland are facing a mountain to climb on Wednesday night against a buoyant Swiss side who won in style.Goals from Kwadwo Duah, Michel Aebischer and sub Breel Embolo put them level on points in Group A with Germany who routed the Scots 24-hours earlier.Breel Embolo lobs Peter GulacsiCredit: GettyEmbolo celebrates his Swiss clincherCredit: GettyEURO 2024 LIVE: LATEST UPDATES FROM THE TOURNAMENTAnd the Swiss can kill off the fragile hopes of Steve Clarke’s men with another win in Cologne.A Barnabas Varga second half effort gave Hungary a slim chance before Embolo’s clincher.It was a belter of a game.The Magyars came into this with a hugely confidence boosting run of just one defeat in 16 games.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLYet, in the first half especially, they were dire – bullied by a Swiss side who played with real control and a belief helped by the fact the Hungarians hadn’t beaten them in a competitive game for 43-years.A blistering opening few minutes saw Hungary’s Attila Szalai scuff a close range attempt and then at the other end Aebischer was denied by Peter Gulacsi’s shoulder from eight yards before an offside flag was raised.But Murat Yakin’s men soon took a grip of things.Livewire wide-man Dan Ndoye produced a dazzling, mazy fifth minute run before attempting a pass into the box which was intercepted and cleared.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSIt was Switzerland’s first game back here since their heart-breaking 2006 World Cup last 16 penalties defeat to Ukraine.Hungary briefly featured with a 10th minute counter attack which ended with a Roland Sallai shot over from 20-yards.But Switzerland took a deserved 12th minute lead – a piercing Aebischer through ball picking out Duah to run in and clinically fire past Gulacsi.Far side assistant Andraz Kovacic’s offside flag went up but TV replays clearly showed the striker was comfortably onside and a VAR check duly confirmed it to spark Duah ecstasy as he raced to the Swiss dugout.Ropey Hungary should’ve been punished again in the 20th minute following a poor pass-back from Milos Kerkez – but Swiss attacker Ruben Vargas was denied superbly by Gulacsi.Switzerland were dictating and dominating with Hungary skipper and best player Dominik Szoboszlai – becoming the Euros’ youngest ever captain at 23 years, seven months and 21 days – unable to influence.It was just about the Hungarians trying to stay in the game.Five minutes from the break, though, they suddenly had a wonderful chance – an unmarked Willi Orban somehow failing to head home from Szoboszlai’s free-kick just six yards out.London-born Kwadwo Duah gave Switzerland the leadCredit: GettyDuah, 27, celebrates his openerCredit: AFPAnd, agonisingly for them, several minutes later the Swiss went two up – a stunning Aebischer curling right foot shot into the far corner from almost 25-yards.Gulacsi denied Duah a second goal three minutes into the second half and then got down well to his left to hold a Vargas shot as the Hungarians looked vulnerable.They desperately needed a goal to give Switzerland something to think about.Only Varga will know how he contrived to head wide six yards out from a stunning Roland Sallai cross.But within seconds he made amends with a terrific poacher’s finish – racing into the six yard box to stoop and head-flick home a 64th minute Szoboszlai delivery.Suddenly it was game on and the rejuvenated Hungarians pushed strongly in the closing stages.READ MORE SUN STORIESWith tension rising Swiss boss Yakin was booked and then Gulacsi saved brilliantly from Granit Xhaka.But Swiss sub Embolo pounced in the third minute of injury time to seal victory.Michel Aebischer doubles Switzerland’s leadCredit: GettyAebischer put his side two goals to the goodCredit: APBarnabas Varga pulled one back for HungaryCredit: GettyVarga had given Marco Rossi’s side hope in the second halfCredit: Getty More

ROY KEANE hid from selfie hunters during a shopping trip with Ian Wright yesterday.The duo are in Germany covering Euro 2024 for ITV.Ian Wright stopped for photos with fansCredit: https://www.instagram.com/wrightyofficial/Roy Keane hid as Wrighty stopped for snapsCredit: https://www.instagram.com/wrightyofficial/Wright, 60, turned and laughed at his palCredit: https://www.instagram.com/wrightyofficial/Keane wore a smirk on his face as he hidCredit: https://www.instagram.com/wrightyofficial/Prior to working on last night’s curtain raiser between the hosts and Scotland, Keane and Wright visited a shopping centre in Berlin.Having been recognised by local picture-hunters, the pair reacted in very different ways.While Wright, 60, happily obliged, miserly Keane decided to have some fun.In a video posted to the former Arsenal forward’s TikTok account, Keane could be seen running away from fans.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAs Wright posed for snaps, his Manchester United legend pal hid behind a column.When footage zoomed in on him, Keane, 52, could be seen cheekily grinning.After finishing up his photos, Wright cackled as he approached his mate.Having had fun earlier in the day, Keane was in a particularly grumpy mood after watching Scotland lose 5-1 to Germany.Most read in FootballBEST 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

He ranted: “When you’re playing football at this level you’ve got to hit people.”Hit them properly, hit them aggressively, do it in the right way.SunSport’s Euro 2024 headlines”It’s no good talking after the game about ‘We had a game plan’ – rubbish.”Andrew Robertson, it’s all just rubbish coming out. You knew before the game what was at stake.”After the game it’s no good going ‘We’ll regroup, we’ll be angry tomorrow’, no, you should be angry for a long time.”They spoke before the game about creating history. They’re creating history alright by playing as bad as that, letting their manager and supporters down.”Scotland will be back in action on Wednesday, when they take on Switzerland in Cologne.EURO 2024 LIVE: LATEST UPDATES FROM THE TOURNAMENTKeane ranted at Scotland’s poor performanceCredit: ITV More

THIS WAS the hilarious moment Steve Clarke gave a brave reporter a death stare after he was quizzed about his touchline row with a set-piece coach.It was a night to forget for the 60-year-old and Scotland as they were hammered 5-1 by Germany in the opening game of Euro 2024 yesterday.Scotland boss Steve Clarke and set-piece coach Austin MacPhee had a touchline rowCredit: XThe Scottish boss looked to be shaking with anger when quizzed about itCredit: BBCIt was his heaviest loss as national boss as his side only managed to hold the hosts in Munich for ten minutes.By half time they were trailing 3-0 and were a man down after Ryan Porteous was sent-off, and they went on to concede twice more after the break.They did not even manage to have a shot on target, with their consolation coming courtesy of an own goal from Antonio Rudiger late on.Captain Andy Robertson was blasted by Roy Keane after he admitted afterwards they “had got everything wrong”.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLAnd fans claimed that they “knew Scotland were in trouble” after spotting Kieran Tierney and Robertson’s early antics before they had even conceded.However, another talking point from Scotland’s defeat occurred in the technical area with their manager.As they fell 4-0 behind, Clarke and his set-piece coach Austin MacPhee were spotted arguing when a free kick routine went wrong just following the hour mark.Scotland declined to put the ball into the box from the set-piece, instead working the ball wide to Robertson.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSBut the full-back only succeeded in giving it away – leading to Leroy Sane running through on goal and almost adding another.It proved to be a rather poor choice, which looked to be the point Clarke was making, as their goal did actually occur from a ball being played into the box.Watch shock moment kilt-wearing Scotland fan’s wardrobe malfunction live on TV leaves reporter very flustered ITV commentator Sam Matterface said: “It wasn’t shown on your screen but that all came from a disappointing Scotland free kick.“There was a bit of an argument going on in the Scotland technical area between Steve Clarke and Austin MacPhee, who’s the set piece coach.“Clarke wanted them to utilise that set piece better.”However, Clarke was in no mood to talk about it in his post-match press conference when asked about the apparent difference of opinion.And he unleashed a fierce looking stare as he eyeballed the reporter who dared to ask.The journalist enquired as to whether they had smoothed things over since then and what was the reason behind the angry exchange.Clarke firstly looked to have a wry smile before quickly looking sternly straight at him before asking: “Is that a serious question?”When the reporter confirmed it was, Clarke then looked to be shaking his anger as he fiercely continued with his answer.EURO 2024 LIVE: LATEST UPDATES FROM THE TOURNAMENTHe said: “Yeah, we’re fine. I don’t even remember it. We’re fine.“It’s emotional on the touchline.”Clarke would go on to ask the heartbroken Tartan Army to keep the faith with him and his team ahead of Wednesday’s second group game with Switzerland.He said: “I’ve had tough nights before. I’ll cope.“I believe the players will get over this quickly. I have never doubted my players and I never will.”“What would I say to the fans?“Keep the faith and we’ll see you at the next game.”READ MORE SUN STORIESHe added: “We will go away and analyse the game as we always do and work on Switzerland and the shape of the team. “Now it’s all about reaction. Let’s see how they react. Four points is the target in the next two games.” More