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    Who is Daniel Siebert? Meet the German referee officiating at Euro 2024

    REFEREE Daniel Siebert is set to take part in one of the most important football events of the year.Read on to find out more about the German national’s 26 years refereeing at top flight matches ahead of the tournament.Daniel Siebert will be officiating at Euro 2024Credit: ReutersWho is Daniel Siebert?Daniel Siebert is a German football referee affiliated with FC Nordost Berlin from the Berlin Football AssociationBorn on May 4, 1984, he officiates international matches as a FIFA referee and holds a UEFA elite category ranking.The part-time school teacher started his journey into officiating in 1998 and in 2007 he was appointed a Bundesliga referee by the DFB.Siebert then spent three years in the German second tier before making the step up to Germany’s top flight.Read more on Euro 2024The 40-year-old is ranked as a UEFA first category referee, a term given to a group of referees classified as among UEFA’s best.Siebert has brandished 147 yellow cards and just two red cards in 33 matches covering more than 10 different competitions.The German refereed Arsenal’s Europa League last-16 second leg victory against Olympiacos in March 2021.Has Daniel Siebert officiated at major tournaments before?In October 2014, Siebert was selected as a FIFA referee, the youngest of the ten German representatives at the time.Most read in FootballHe first appeared on the international stage as a referee on May 29, 2015, during the 2015 UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualifier between Portugal and Turkey. His inaugural senior international game was the friendly between Luxembourg and Moldova on June 9, 2015.’Every team in Europe is scared of England’ – SunSport’s all-star panel previews Euro 2024During the 2020 European Championship, Siebert was the referee for three games.These included the Group D match between Scotland and the Czech Republic, the Group E encounter between Sweden and Slovakia, and the Round of 16 clash between Wales and Denmark.In the 2021 FIFA Arab Cup, he officiated four matches, including the final between Tunisia and Algeria.There was some controversy during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar when Siebert was accused of making contact with Tunisian midfielder Ellyes Skhiri on his desperate run to stop an impending Socceroos goal.Siebert speaks with head coach Jalel Kadri and Hannibal Mejbri of TunisiaCredit: Getty ImagesMany fans believed he deserved a yellow card, while those in favour of the goal say Skhiri had no real chance of chasing down Australian Riley McGree.Siebert is one of 19 referees taking part in the Euros, hence attending a two-day workshop in Frankfurt ahead of the tournament.”Now that I’m here, I can fully realise that I am part of the referee team for the EURO in Germany,” he said. “I am thankful and happy to be selected for this tournament. It feels great.”What else has Daniel Siebert done before?Speaking to German news outlet Morgen Post in 2014, Siebert stated that becoming a referee was a “dream come true”.At the time of his appointment, Siebert was a part-time substitute teacher at the Hohenschönhausen Sports School based in Berlin.He is said to still teach today.Has Daniel Siebert used VAR before?Uruguay players remonstrated with the referee after the matchCredit: ReutersSiebert used VAR during the match between Ghana and Uruguay during a World Cup qualifier in December 2022.Uruguay was momentarily hopeful for a penalty award when VAR recommended that the referee review Daniel Amartey’s tackle on Darwin Nunez at the monitor.This incident marked only the second instance in the tournament where a referee decided not to overturn their original call. The first occurred when a penalty claim for Denmark against Tunisia was dismissed.Siebert will be moderating a number of games at the EurosThe decision-maker then carefully examined the play from multiple perspectives before determining that he had not made a clear and obvious error.Although Amartey did touch the ball, he seemed to also make contact with the forward and the referee’s decision to stick with his initial call was bold.READ MORE SUN STORIESUruguayan striker Edinson Cavani called for the referee to be “put in jail” after the national team crashed out of the World Cup at the group stage.Following this, Siebert did not receive further assignments and soon returned to Germany.Full list of main referees at Euro 2024

    Michael Oliver (England)
    Anthony Taylor (England)
    Artur Soares Dias (Portugal)
    Jesus Gil Manzano (Spain)
    Marco Guida (Italy)
    Istvan Kovacs (Romania)
    Ivan Kruzliak (Slovakia)
    Danny Makkelie (Netherlands)
    Szymon Marciniak (Poland)
    Halil Umut Meler (Turkey)
    Glenn Nyberg (Sweden)
    Daniele Orsato (Italy)
    Sandro Schärer (Switzerland)
    Daniel Siebert (Germany)
    Clement Turpin (France)
    Slavko Vinčić (Slovenia)
    Felix Zwayer (Germany)
    François Letexier (France)
    Facundo Tello (Argentina) More

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    Serbia vs England – Euro 2024: Three Lions kick campaign off against tough Serbs – stream FREE, TV channel, team news

    ENGLAND kick off their Euro 2024 campaign with a challenging fixture against Serbia.The Three Lions and the Eagles face off on Sunday at the Veltins-Arena in Gelsenkirchen.England are looking to win their first trophy since the 1966 World CupCredit: GettySerbia pose as a tough obstacle for England at Euro 2024Credit: PAGareth Southgate’s side is still chasing its first ever trophy since the 1966 World Cup after coming extremely close in the last few tournaments.England finished fourth at the 2018 World Cup, were runners-up at Euro 2020 and made the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup.In fact, Southgate’s men were only just a whisker away from lifting the European trophy at Wembley four years ago but lost to Italy on penalties.The Three Lions are still among the favourites but face a few hurdles along the way in the group stage.Read More on FootballEngland have been drawn with Serbia, Denmark and Slovenia in Group C.And they kick things off with an inexperienced Serbian side that will be laying in their first ever Euros since 2000 when they competed as Yugoslavia.However, Dragan Stojkovic’s side won’t be short of talented and experienced stars at his disposal.Premier League aces likes Chelsea’s Djordje Petrovic and Fulham’s Sasa Lukic are expected to play a big part.Most read in Euro 2024EURO 2024 FREE BETS AND OFFERSAnd they will be joined by ex-Southampton star Dusan Tadic, former Craven Cottage hitman Aleksandar Mitrovic, Juventus’ Dusan Vlahovic, Sevilla’s Nemanja Gudelj and the experienced Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.Path to the EurosEngland cruised to the Euro 2024 finals in undefeated fashion during the qualifying round.Harry Kane reveals his ‘perfect outcome’ before heading off to EurosThe Three Lions bested Italy, Ukraine, North Macedonia and Malta with six victories along the way.Gareth Southgate’s men dominated as they scored 22 goals and conceded only four.Serbia, on the other hand, qualified for their first ever European competition as runners-up in Group G behind Hungary.Dragan Stojkovic’s men bested Montenegro, Lithuania and Bulgaria along the way with four wins and two losses.Team NewsEngland will be without a left-back as the only man for the position Luke Shaw is still dealing with a muscle injury that has kept him sidelined since February.However, there is hope Manchester United ace Shaw will be fit in time for the group stage.Manchester City star John Stones should be available despite suffering a knock during Friday’s friendly loss to Iceland at Wembley.Gareth Southgate left a number of big names out of his squad such as the injured Harry Maguire who didn’t make the cut due to a calf injury.Maguire’s United team-mate Marcus Rashford was excluded after a poor season as were City star Grealish, Arsenal ace Ben White, Chelsea’s Raheem Sterling, Tottenham’s James Maddison and Jordan Henderson.However, Southgate is not short of star power with the likes of Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham, Arsenal’s Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka, City’s Kyle Walker and Phil Foden as well as record man Harry Kane at his disposal.The likes of Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa, Kobbie Mainoo, Adam Wharton, Ollie Watkins and Eberechi Eze are facing their first major test on the international stage.The same goes for Southgate’s largely inexperienced defence which will be going up against a fully fit Serbia side whose frontline will be led by captain Dusan Tadic as well as Dusan Vlahovic and Al-Hilal’s Aleksandar Mitrovic.Ones to watchEngland will be showcasing a stunning frontline that will be spearheaded by Bayern Munich superstar Harry Kane.Kane will be joined by the likes of Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka as well as Ballon d’Or contender Jude Bellingham.The Three Lions’ back four will also rely a lot on Declan Rice that will be expected to guard Gareth Southgate’s defence.Southgate’s men will need a solid defensive display as they will have to deal with the likes of Dusan Vlahovic, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Fenerbahce star Dusan Tadic.Manager Dragan Stojkovic also has the likes of AC Milan’s Luka Jovic and Juventus’ Filip Kostic available to fire up his attack.And Al-Hilal’s Sergej Milinkovic-Savic could help limit England’s attacking prowess in midfield.Head-to-HeadEngland and Serbia have only faced off once back when the latter competed as Serbia and Montenegro.The two teams met in 2003 during an international friendly at the King Power Stadium.The Three Lions won 2-1 thanks to goals by Steven Gerrard and Joe Cole, while Nenad Jestrovic temporarily equalised for his country.England also hold a better record from back when Serbia competed as part of Yugoslavia.The national team won five out of 14 matches, of which they lost four.SunSport predictionEngland pose as heavy favourites and they haven’t failed to get out the group stages since 2004. Serbia are not to be underestimated but the Three Lions have the experience.Prediction: 0-2PLAY DREAM TEAM EUROS NOW!The best fantasy football game for this summer’s tournament.
    When is Serbia vs England?
    England’s opening game against Serbia will take place on Sunday, June 16.
    The game kicks off at 8pm BST.
    Serbia vs England will be held at Arena AufShcalke in Gelsenkirchen, Germany.
    What channel is it and can it be live streamed?
    England’s clash with Serbia will be shown live on BBC One in the UK.
    You can live stream all the action from the BBC iPlayer, which is available for download onto your mobile or tablet device.
    Can I watch for FREE?
    Yes, the game is available to watch for FREE, so long as you have a valid TV licence.
    READ MORE SUN STORIESOdds
    Serbia – 1/4
    Draw – 24/5
    England – 11/1
    *Odds courtesy of William Hill and correct at time of publication.EURO 2024 LIVE: LATEST UPDATES FROM THE TOURNAMENT More

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    Inside Ollie Watkins’ meteoric rise from non-league football and lads’ holidays to England Euro 2024 star

    NINE summers ago Ollie Watkins went on a lads’ holiday after helping to save Conference South side Weston-Super-Mare from relegation.Now he’s in Germany as part of the England squad trying to win Euro 2024 after helping Aston Villa qualify for the Champions League.Ollie Watkins is looking to fire England to Euro 2024 gloryCredit: GettyThe star was playing for Weston just nine years agoWatkins was instrumental in securing Champions League football for Aston VillaCredit: ReutersHe has now headed out to Germany after sealing his place on the plane for Euro 2024Credit: GettyWatkins arrived on the Somerset coast as a teenaged striker on loan from League Two Exeter in December 2014.His 10 goals in 24 league games were a big factor in stopping Weston from slipping into the sixth tier for the first time in their history and in giving them something to celebrate on a post-season trip to Spain.But it was also his workrate and attitude that earned him the respect of the dressing room, and helped him take the first significant steps on the road to stardom.Ryan Northmore, boss of Weston at the time, said: “His goals saved the club from relegation. But he contributed much more than his goals, which is really important when you’re scrapping away for your lives.READ MORE ON EURO 2024“He wasn’t just sat at the top of the pitch waiting for the ball to come. He would roll his sleeves up and get involved in all aspects of the game.”Among Watkins’ team-mates at Weston was Tom Jordan, son of former Leeds, Manchester United and Scotland striker Joe.Jordan said: “He always struck me as the kind of lad who had his eyes wide open to different aspects of the game.Sometimes you would have loan lads come in from a League club to non-League and they would be looking at you like they were doing you a favour.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS“His attitude was very different. He was coming in thinking, ‘I’m going to learn from this experience’.“I was one of the older lads in the dressing room. Even when you were giving him basic messages about how you wanted him to perform in your team, he was receptive to it.Former England and Arsenal star Jack Wilshere picks his Euro 2024 Dream Team“He had respect for the lads and we had respect for his abilities.”Those abilities were obvious from Watkins’ very first game for Weston.Days after arriving from Exeter with close friend Matt Jay, he starred in a crucial game against Farnborough.Northmore said: “For an 18 year old to come in as our No 9 was a big responsibility.“Ollie was right up for it. He had a big grin on his face. That’s what I think he craved: to have that responsibility.“On the Tuesday night we had Farnbrough at home. They were down in the dumps with us. It was a six-pointer in December. Ollie got off to a flier.”Watkins came on in the 50th minute with the score at 2-2. Farnborough took the lead soon afterwards, but the teenager grabbed the equaliser and Weston snatched a late winner to seal a crucial victory.Northmore said: “Ollie hadn’t even trained with us yet but after the impact, the group really got around him and Matt and were really pleased to have them on board.”Watkins scored some vital goals as Weston went on a great run that all but secured safety before March.Northmore said: “Ebbsfleet had their Kuwaiti owners and one of their players was on the same money that we had for our full first-tam budget.“We nicked a 1-0. Ollie ran his socks off all night, got one chance and slotted it in the bottom corner.“Centre forwards can sometimes expect the team to play for them and rightly so.“But he also puts the hard yards in and is willing to play for the team.“It was really important in times like that when we were the underdog, when we needed someone with the character and the quality to give some kind of hope.“That’s what he became in the end, the player that the senior players were looking up to and looking after.”Jordan added: “He would go long spells in matches where he would be doing the ugly side of the game: chasing down clearances, coming back to defend corners and set-plays, and not having much of a glimpse of goal.“But he was very clinical when he got his couple of chances, left and right foot.“On the counter or breakaway, he was the perfect outlet for us.”It was during Watkins’ spell at Weston that the then Walsall boss Dean Smith spotted him.Smith would later take the striker to Brentford and bring him to Villa, where he has reached new levels under current boss Unai Emery.The Villa manager has praised Watkins’ desire to learn and improve every day, the key quality that also shone through all those years ago.Both Northmore and Jordan have watched with pride and pleasure as Watkins has made his way up the pyramid, all the way to a top-four finish in the Premier League and international honours with England.Jordan, now a personal trainer and grassroots coach, said: “I go down with my son to watch Bristol City a fair bit and I remember seeing Ollie with Brentford down there.“You could see a change in him physically but also in his contribution without the ball.“I remember saying to my lad, ‘Watch Ollie Watkins. Watch how hard he works,’ and messaging Ollie after the game and saying how impressed I was, considering he had moved on from playing in front of small crowds to playing at Ashton Gate.“He seems to be continually improving because I think he is a bit of a sponge.Dean Smith is one of the forwards biggest fans and signed him several timesCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd“Now it’s England representation and all the things he’s doing at the moment. It’s a credit to his attitude and workrate.”Watkins has never forgotten the part that Weston played in his rise to the top.One of his Villa shirts is on display there, he has spoken to young players coming through and happily tells the local press how important and enjoyable his time at the club was.And he even helped fund an end-of-season boys’ trip to Spain due to his fines for being late – although he was allowed to join the rest of the squad.Northmore, who is now head of football at an international school in Singapore, said: “It helped his transition from youth to senior football.“We never talked about him being on the road to being a Premier League or England striker.“It made Ollie go: ‘OK, I’m at Exeter and my career might go one of two ways.’”“He was a Weston player, and no disrespect to that level of football, it’s not glamorous.READ MORE SUN STORIES“That served as a motivation to go back to Exeter and to maximise every day in training and really focus on developing his talent.“It really did fit into the idea of arriving as a boy and leaving as a man.”EURO 2024 LIVE: LATEST UPDATES FROM THE TOURNAMENT More

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    Who is Sandro Scharer? Meet the Swiss referee officiating at Euro 2024

    SANDRO Scharer is set to officiate at a number of Euro 2024 games.While he may be one of the least-known officials at the event, the Swiss star is hoping to impress in Germany. Schärer during the UEFA Champions League Group A stage match between FC Bayern Muenchen and Lokomotiv MoskvaCredit: GettyWho is Sandro Scharer?Sandro Schärer is a Swiss football referee born on June 6, 1988.After completing high school, he studied sports and geography at the University of Basel.Before becoming a referee, Sandro initially worked as a substitute teacher at various high schools and as a ski instructor. He then trained as a referee in 2005 and began refereeing games in the Challenge League six years later at the age of 24. Read More on Euros 2024In 2013, he made his debut in the Super League in the game between FC Lausanne-Sport and FC Thun. Has Sandro Scharer officiated at major tournaments before?Sandro has officiated at major tournaments before. He has been involved in various UEFA competitions, such as the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League. He has also refereed in international tournaments, including qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup and the UEFA European Championship.Most read in SportSandro claims he is the type of referee that any player would hate to come up against.”I was a rebel on the pitch and had difficulty accepting referee decisions,” he recalled in an interview with FC Buttikon.Should VAR be scrapped?Has Sandro Scharer used VAR before?VAR was introduced to the Swiss Super League in the 2019/20 season.Therefore, Sandro is up to date with the often controversial video-assisted refereeing system.It will be used at the 2024 Euros in Germany but there could be a last-minute halt.The 2018 FIFA World Cup was the first major tournament to approve the device. It was credited with making the 2018 edition the cleanest World Cup since 1986 as there were no red cards issued in the opening 11 games and only four players were sent off throughout the entire tournament.For the Euros 2024, the high-tech feature will use 12 tracking cameras to determine if any part of the player’s body is in an offside position.READ MORE SUN STORIESA 3D animation will be displayed on the big screens in the stadium.The match ball will also include a chip which will help improve the technology’s accuracy.Full list of main referees at Euro 2024

    Michael Oliver (England)
    Anthony Taylor (England)
    Artur Soares Dias (Portugal)
    Jesus Gil Manzano (Spain)
    Marco Guida (Italy)
    Istvan Kovacs (Romania)
    Ivan Kruzliak (Slovakia)
    Danny Makkelie (Netherlands)
    Szymon Marciniak (Poland)
    Halil Umut Meler (Turkey)
    Glenn Nyberg (Sweden)
    Daniele Orsato (Italy)
    Sandro Schärer (Switzerland)
    Daniel Siebert (Germany)
    Clement Turpin (France)
    Slavko Vinčić (Slovenia)
    Felix Zwayer (Germany)
    François Letexier (France)
    Facundo Tello (Argentina) More

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    Who is BBC Euro 2024 presenter Pat Nevin?

    PAT NEVIN will be one of the BBC’s presenters for Euro 2024.The retired footballer will be familiar to football fans as he is often on BBC 5 Live providing commentary.Pat Nevin is one of the BBC’s presenters for Euro 2024Credit: GettyHe starred for Chelsea between 1983 and 1988Credit: GettyNevin, 60, enjoyed a successful career on the pitch as he played for the likes of Chelsea, Everton and Tranmere Rovers.The former winger started his career at Scottish outfit Clyde after being rejected by Celtic for being too small.He impressed in Scotland and earned a £95,000 transfer to Chelsea in 1983.Nevin went on to make 176 appearances as a Blue, scoring 26 goals and assisting seven.During his time at Stamford Bridge, he helped the club win the Second Division in 1984.He left Chelsea in 1988 after the club’s relegation from the First Division and joined Everton.He played 123 times for the Toffees and scored 18 goals.In his spell at Goodison Park, he was a part of the team that reached the FA Cup final in 1989 but lost 3-2 to Liverpool.Most read in Euro 2024His time at Everton was tricky as the club had just come out of one of its most successful periods.The club had won two league titles, an FA Cup and the European Cup Winners’ Cup.Six maddest moments at the EurosNevin moved to Tranmere Rovers in 1992 in the Second Division and helped the club reach the playoffs in three consecutive seasons.However, on each occasion, the club was knocked out in the semi-finals.In 1997, Nevin moved back to Scotland and had spells at Kilmarnock and Motherwell.Nevin played for Scotland between 1986 and 1996 and racked up 28 caps for his country and scored five goals.He retired from playing in 2000 and started working as the chief executive of Motherwell.He left the role in 2002 after the club went into administration.READ MORE SUN STORIESNevin soon went into broadcasting and has been a regular on the BBC.He will join the likes of former West Ham goalkeeper Robert Green and Blackburn star Chris Sutton at the Euros this summer.Pat Nevin’s honoursHere is a list of Pat Nevin’s honours…
    Clyde

    Scottish Second Division: 1981–82

    Chelsea

    Football League Second Division: 1983–84
    Full Members’ Cup: 1985–86

    Everton

    FA Cup runner-up: 1988–89
    Full Members’ Cup runner-up: 1988–89, 1990–91

    Kilmarnock

    Ayrshire Cup: 1997–98

    Scotland U18

    UEFA European Under-18 Championship: 1982

    Scotland

    Rous Cup runner-up: 1986, 1989

    Individual

    SPFA Second Division Player of the Year: 1981–82
    UEFA European Under-18 Championship Best Player: 1982
    Chelsea Player of the Year: 1983–84, 1986–87
    Tranmere Rovers Hall of Fame: 2010
    Gwladys Street’s Hall of Fame: 2012
    Clyde Hall of Fame: 2012 More

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    Euro 2024: Reason Harry Kane’s controversial statue wasn’t put up – with fears it could’ve lead to deaths

    HARRY Kane’s controversial statue was not put up for safety reasons after fears it could lead to deaths.A statue of England captain was not installed at a Transport for London (TfL) railway station because it risked “distracting train drivers”, officials have revealed. A statue of Harry Kane was not put up for safety reasonsCredit: Big Issue/Waltham Forest Council/Sculpture Machine Ltd IDThe artwork cost £7,000 to produceCredit: Big Issue/Waltham Forest Council/Sculpture Machine LtdHarry Kane will lead England at Euro 2024Credit: GettyIt was not placed at a platform at Chingford Railway stationCredit: WikipediaThe project was commissioned by Waltham Forest Council in 2019, which spent more than £7,000 on the artwork.But the England striker’s effigy still has no permanent home five years later.Depicting a life-sized Kane sitting on a bench, it had initially been planned to live at Chingford Overground Station, where the striker was brought up.Following a risk assessment by Transport for London, however, the plan was thwarted.Read More in FootballA TfL freedom of information case officer said: “Discussions with the Operations Team of Arriva Rail London – who operate the London Overground on behalf of Transport for London – around the proposal to locate the statue on the platform behind the buffer stops were high level and started in January of this year. “After initial feedback the proposal was not progressed. “A detailed assessment of the risks of locating the statue on the platform was not undertaken, therefore we do not hold this information.”They added: “Initial concerns that were fed back related to the risk that having the statue in proximity to the buffer stops could cause a distraction to train drivers as they approach the terminal (dead-end) platforms at Chingford. Most read in Euro 2024″The main distraction issue was not concerned with the statue, but the actions of persons around it, including posing for photographs on/next to it, hanging items on it such as scarfs, etc.”Had the discussions progressed further, this would have led to the commissioning of a formal safety validation workstream, including hazard identifications and a risk assessment, but a further proposal was then made to relocate the statue off station premises at Chingford, negating the requirement for commissioning of a safety validation.”Other potential locations, according to The Guardian, had included Chingford Rail Station and Ridgeway Park, which is where Walthamstow-born Kane played football as a youngster.The images, first obtained by the Big Issue, show a metallic Kane sitting on a green bench and holding a football on his thigh with his left hand.England stars land in Germany ready to be whisked to luxury Euro 2024 base as Kane and Co look to lead nation to gloryEngland’s record goalscorer, who now plays for Bayern Munich after moving from Tottenham Hotspur last summer, is said to have been positive about the statue.In February, his representatives were quoted as saying they “will be happy to go” to unveil the artwork once the location has been decided.Kane has led the Three Lions to Germany as they prepare to kick off their Euro 2024 campaign against Serbia on Sunday.Every member of the squad was then presented with a box containing a special shirt to be worn in the tournament.It also featured the history of the number they would be wearing and a personalised reminder of how they fell in love with the game as youngsters.Kane’s included a picture of him as a boy with the Ridgeway Rovers Football Club logo — and the words, “Harry Kane: All time goalscorer”.But a permanent home for the statue remains undetermined.The pictures, reportedly sent to the council by Sculpture Machine, have caused a stir on social media.Some questioned whether a footballer should be sitting on a bench in this way and others poking fun at its chocolate appearance.England camp scheduleHere’s how England’s schedule for Euro 2024 could look
    Sunday June 9: Player Arrivals – 26-man squad arrives at St. George’s Park
    Monday June 10: Squad fly to five-star hotel base camp in Germany
    Tuesday June 11: First training session ahead of Euro 2024
    Saturday June 15: Team travels to Gelsenkirchen for opening game vs Serbia and pre-match media conference
    Sunday June 16: Opening game vs Serbia. KO 8pm
    Thursday June 20: Game 2 vs Denmark. KO 5pm
    Tuesday June 25: Final group game vs Slovenia. KO 8pm
    Sunday June 30/Saturday June 29/Monday July 1 or Tuesday July 2: Last 16 if England win Group/Last 16 if England come second in Group/One of four best third-place teams
    Saturday July 6/Friday July 5: Quarter-finals, Group winners or one of best four third-place finishers/Quarter finals, second in Group and or one of best four third-place finishers
    Wednesday July 10/Tuesday July 9: Semi-finals, Group winner path or third-best path/Semi-finals, runner-up path or third-best path
    Sunday 14: Final, 8pm KO

    Prince William, who is an Aston Villa fan, plans to travel to Germany to watch the Three Lions when they take on ­Serbia, Denmark and Slovenia in Group C.Those selected to shoulder the nation’s hopes of winning a first major international tournament since 1966 met up at St. George’s Park on Sunday.And on Monday afternoon they landed in Germany as they headed to their five-star Golfresort Weimarer Land base camp, near the town of Blankenhain which the FA have reportedly paid £800,000 for.England kick off their tournament on Sunday June 16 against Serbia in Gelsenkirchen.The Three Lions will then play Denmark in Frankfurt on June 20, before their final group game against Slovenia in Cologne on June 25.Since their strong qualifying campaign ended in November, England have not been in ideal form going into the tournament.READ MORE SUN STORIESMarch saw England lose 1-0 to Brazil and draw 2-2 to Belgium.England then landed their first win of 2024 against Bosnia Herzegovina on June 3 with a 3-0 victory, before being stunned 1-0 by Iceland last Friday.Controversial footballer statues over the yearsFootballers around the world have become victims of dodgy sculptures over the years.
    Cristiano Ronaldo
    The superstar had a weird-looking bust displayed at Madeira airport much to the hilarity of fans globally.
    He also has another statue which fans were not to keen on.
    Diego Maradona
    One of the greatest players to ever kick a ball, Diego Maradona was further immortalised in a statue in Kolkata, India, in 2017.
    But the Argentinian’s image was not exactly reflected in the monument, which he helped to unveil.
    David Beckham
    David Beckham once launched an H&M underwear campaign with a statue of him in his pants
    James Corden also pranked Becks with a fake statue of him at LA Galaxy.
    The hilarious prank had Beckham’s face looking unrecognisable.
    Michael Essien
    The ex-Chelsea star was honoured with a bizarre statue in Ghana back in 2018.
    The out of proportion construction had fans questioning the artist.
    Mo Salah
    The Liverpool star has an out-of-proportion statue in his honour in Egypt.

    Prince William presenting Harry Kane with a special shirt to be worn in the tournamentCredit: Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace More

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    What is the latest time pubs will stay open until if England reach the Euro 2024 semis or final?

    PUNTERS will be in for a treat should England reach the semi-final or the final of Euro 2024.Gareth Southgate’s side has reached the final four in two of the last three major tournaments.Fans packed into pubs and bars across the country to watch England playCredit: AP:Associated PressIn the World Cup in 2018, England made it to the semi-final before losing to eventual runners-up Croatia.And in 2020, the Three Lions made it all the way to the final of the Euros before losing to Italy on penalties.This summer’s Euros will be held in Germany, and for fans who plan on watching from home, many will be flocking to the pubs.The government announced that pubs can relax licensing hours on occasions that have “exceptional national significance”.This can be done by Home Secretary James Cleverly and under Section 172 of the Licensing Act 2003.This will be the case should England reach the semi-final or final of the Euros.The loosening will include pubs in England and Wales, as Scotland and Northern Ireland are in charge of their own licensing rules.The relaxation of the times would see pubs stay open until 1am.Most read in Euro 2024As host nation Germany is an hour ahead of UK time, fans will be able to watch evening kick-offs over a pint without the fear of having to leave if a game goes to extra-time or penalties.The longer hours will also be allowed should Scotland reach the same stages.The semi-finals will happen on Tuesday, July 9 and Wednesday, July 10.The final will be on Sunday, July 14 and will be played at the Olympiastadion Berlin.England fell short of reaching the latter stages of the World Cup in 2022 as they were dumped out by France in the quarter-finals.Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, has hailed the decision as a boost to the hospitality sector.She said: “By cutting red tape, doing business will be that much easier.”The beer and pub sector is set for a bumper summer of sport.”So let’s hope that England and Scotland make it not just through to the semi-finals but meet in the final itself, with pub goers able to cheer the teams on with a beer later into the night thanks to these new measures.” More

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    Wales to hold talks on Rob Page’s future after fans turn on under-fire boss

    ROBERT PAGE will hold crunch talks with his Wales bosses as he battles to save his job.The Dragons boss is under increasing pressure following last week’s embarrassing goalless draw with Gibraltar and the 4-0 hammering by Slovakia on Sunday night.Page has two more years left on his contract but match-going fans have turned on the managerCredit: ReutersThe Wales boss now faces talks with chief executive Noel Mooney, president Steve Williams and technical director Dave AdamsCredit: GettyPage looked a resigned figure after the Trnava thrashing.And he apologised to angry fans before saying, “If the powers that be decide I’m not the one to lead them forward then that’s their decision.”The 49-year-old was booed off by the travelling Red Wall after each June match.He will now talk with Football Association of Wales chief executive Noel Mooney, president Steve Williams and technical director Dave Adams to determine the next step.read more in footballWhen asked if the disastrous friendly results would have a bearing on his future, Page said: “I’m the wrong person to be asking.“Only the board, the chief executive, the president, the technical director – that’s a question for them.“After camp, we have a conversation with Dave, Steve and Noel. Of course we’ll have those conversations.“One way or the other, we will decide on what’s right for Wales and move forward.”Most read in FootballPage said he felt “low” and knows the fans want him out.Following their Euro 2024 qualification failure, Page was backed by the FAW within 24 hours.Jack Wilshere, Jurgen Klinsmann and Gordon Strachan pick their ultimate Euro 2024 Dream TeamThree months ago FAW president Steve Williams said: “The FAW can confirm Rob Page is their manager for the forthcoming campaign in accordance with his contract.”Rob is the manager. His contract runs to the end of the World Cup and that is how we continue to work.”But the recent games with Gibraltar and Slovakia means Page, 49, now faces a fight to keep his job.He tried to used the friendlies to blood youngsters such as Lewis Koumas, 18, Charlie Crew 17 and Fin Stevens, 21.Page was without several senior players including captain Aaron Ramsey, vice-captain Ben Davies and Harry Wilson with the bulk unavailable through injury.He will use the talks to press his case for the future with his intention to stay on, starting with Wales’ Nations League home clash with Turkey on September 6.Page has two years left on his deal as the FAW review the camp – as they do with every international break.Page is the only manager to have led Wales at two major tournaments.He added: “The form coming into it has been all right but when you draw against Gibraltar and you get beaten with the goals we have tonight, questions are going to be asked. READ MORE SUN STORIES”I completely understand that.“I’m just focused on what I need to do. This camp served its purpose – to play a different formation – and we plan now for September.” More