Euro 2024

ROBERTO MARTINEZ’S 100 per cent record as boss came to an unexpected end in Slovenia in March – but they will travel to Germany as realistic contenders.One player, of course, stands out despite spending the past 18 months in Saudi Arabia – Cristiano Ronaldo.Portugal could go all the wayCredit: EPACR7 is still the face of Portuguese football – even at the ripe old age of 39.But Manchester City duo Ruben Dias and Bernardo Silva head a host of familiar Premier League faces, which also includes Man Utd’s Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Jota of Liverpool.If Portugal turn up with the right attitude, they have a real chance.But they were miles off it in Qatar in 2022, before being sent packing by Morocco in the last eight.read more on the eurosMartinez has attempted to bring a more attacking approach to a team that became increasingly dull as the Fernando Santos reign ebbed away.Yet it remains unclear if the former Everton and Belgium boss will be able to call the shots and truly put his stamp on the side or remain the latest prisoner to Ronaldo’s whims.Of course, Portugal won the title in 2016 despite finishing third in their group and with Ronaldo limping off in the final. Can they do it again?Manager: Roberto MartinezSpaniard has come a long way since becoming one of the ‘Three Amigos’ when he first arrived at Wigan.Most read in FootballMartinez has been in the international game since 2016 when he began his six-year stint as Belguim’s head coach.He guided them to a third place finish at the 2018 World Cup, their best-ever position in the competition.Martinez resigned from the Belgium job after the 2022 World Cup – and became the head coach of Portugal in January 2023.Since taking over from Fernando Santos, the Spaniard has won 12 of his 13 matches at the helm, and he will be hoping his side can replicate that form at Euro 2024.Roberto Martinez has been head coach of Portugal since January 2023Credit: GETTYEURO 2024 FREE BETS AND OFFERSKey man: Cristiano RonaldoHis 128 international goals is astonishing and despite young talent, Ronaldo is still expected to lead his side out in Germany.Likely line-upMeet the ten Wags ready to stun at Euro 2024How they attackPortugal are are one of the best teams in the competition when it comes to building attacks from the defence.United transfer target Goncalo Inacio and Dias at centre- back are both comfortable in possession.And deepest midfielder, Joao Palhinha of Fulham, drops back to help.Ruben Dias steps out in possession and as he does so it is Pahlinha who rotates back in to provide defensive coveFurther up the pitch, Portugal have an abundance of highly technical players who can find space to receive the ball.The likes of Fernandes, Silva and Joao Felix all find areas to hurt the opposition defence.Fernandes is positioned between the lines of the Iceland midfield and defence to receive the ball with Joao Felix also coming into this zoneIn the final third, Portugal carry a real goal threat with Fernandes and Felix joining Rafael Leao, and, either Goncalo Ramos or Ronaldo.As they break into the final third they pin the opposition back by positioning players on the last line to attack the ball.Portugal like to get players in the box, to overload the opposition who might leave one player unmarked.Three Portuguese players, Leao, Ramos and Ronaldo, are positioned on the opposition defenders. This overload allows Ramos to get a free run to attack the crossHow they defendAs with many of the top teams at the tournament this coming summer we can expect to see Portugal defend in a medium to high defensive block as they look to regain possession quickly.Portugal work against the ball as the opposition are looking to build their attack in a man-to-man system with some zonal marking mixed through.They are flexible and aggressive against the ball with players working to support Ronaldo, who clearly tends to do less work defensively.Portugal are marking man to man and they have cut off all options so Slovakia are forced to play longBy pressing aggressively, Portugal effectively look to force the opposition down one half of the pitch.They then move collectively across to pin them in and force mistakes.Portugal are adept at squeezing the space, and here they force Bosnia to play back wardsThe forward players for Portugal will work to apply pressure to the ball deep and try to force a mistake from the opposition.The press is supported by their man-to-man structure in midfield to make it difficult for the opposition to play out.The Portuguese striker moves to engage and the rest of the press shifts across and pins the opposition to one side to force a mistakePredictionPortugal are serious contenders this summer. In Georgia, Turkey and Czech Republic, they have a great group and should win it with ease.A best third-placed side would then be waiting in the last-16 before a potential quarter-final clash with two nations who finished the group as runners-up.READ MORE SUN STORIESPortugal should be making the semi-finals and could go all the way.Latest oddsWilliam Hill have them as fifth favourites to win it at 8/1.PLAY DREAM TEAM EUROS NOW!The best fantasy football game for this summer’s tournament. More

A POLL of 2,000 football fans saw Cristiano Ronaldo beat Frenchman Zinedine Zidane – and England legend Bobby Charlton – to be named the Euros’ best ever player.Other players considered among the greatest to participate in the Uefa European Championships included David Beckham, Andres Iniesta and Marco van Basten.Cristiano Ronaldo was voted the best ever Euros playerCredit: EPADavid Beckham came in fourth on the list, but was not the highest ranking EnglishmanCredit: GettyThe survey was commissioned by Lottoland.co.uk, which is offering new customers a free bet when they spend £10 on the Euros, via its sportsbook.A spokesperson said: “You can always rely on the Euros to watch the best players.“From Modric to Maldini, Beckham to Beckenbauer, some of the greatest players ever to grace the turf have played in the tournament over the decades.“And it’s one competition that Ronaldo can finally deservedly win without being compared to Lionel Messi – who, being Argentinian, is not eligible for the tournament.”read more football newsBeckham placed fourth on the list, with Holland’s Johan Cruyff rounding out the top five.Elsewhere in the top 10 were Thierry Henry, Harry Kane – and Paul Gascoigne, who lit up Euro 96 with spectacular performances.The study also found that while Ronaldo topped the poll for individual players, in terms of which nationality produces the biggest Euros legends, Spain came out on top.And gallingly for England fans, they only placed third – behind the Spaniards and fierce football rivals Germany.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSStrikers were deemed to be the most exciting type of player to watch, selected by 30 per cent of respondents.While 21 per cent love nothing more than ‘link’ players, who operate in a role between the midfield and the strikers, and 14 per cent love watching tricky wingers.BBC VS ITV: Who wins in battle of Euro 2024 teamsBut 60 per cent said that to be considered a true Euros great, a player needs to have actually won the tournament – which would sadly rule out any British player.However, 21 per cent of footie fans polled, via OnePoll, reckon this is England’s year, and they’ll go one better than the final they lost to Italy last time out.The single greatest Euros-winning side ever was Spain’s 2012 vintage, which featured midfielders Xavi and Andres Iniesta, as well as legendary defenders Sergio Ramos and Gerard Pique.Lottoland’s spokesperson added: “Euro 2024 is promising to be a truly vintage tournament, after the delays and disruption to Euro 2020.“When it comes to the UK, England and Scotland will go into the tournament with confidence, with players like Bukayo Saka and Andy Robertson in flying form for their clubs.“Who knows, perhaps if we run a survey like this again in 10 years, a British player might find themselves topping the list.”THE TOP 20 EUROS PLAYERS OF ALL TIMETHE European championships has seen some of football’s greatest-ever players grace the competition.
1.  Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)2.  Zinedine Zidane (France)3.  Bobby Charlton (England)4. David Beckham (England)5.  Johan Cruyff (Netherlands)6. Thierry Henry (France)7. Franz Beckenbauer (Germany)8. Harry Kane (England)9.  Paul Gascoigne (England)10. Alan Shearer (England)11.  Steven Gerrard (England)12.  Marco van Basten (Netherlands)13. Paolo Maldini (Italy)14. Peter Schmeichel (Denmark)15.  Ruud Gullitt (Netherlands)16. Gerd Müller (Germany)17. Zlatan Ibrahimović (Sweden)18. Gareth Bale (Wales)19. Luka Modric (Croatia)20. Andrés Iniesta (Spain) More

EURO 2024 star Michal Sadilek will miss the tournament after falling off his bike.The FC Twente star was set to play for the Czech Republic at the tournament in Germany.Michal Sadilek will miss Euro 2024 after falling off a bikeCredit: GettySadilek, 25, will miss out now after he suffered a laceration on his leg after falling off his bike.The midfielder was taking part in an individual training program when the incident happened.A statement from the Czech national team read: “The players who played more than half a half in Friday’s friendly against Malta had an individual program on Saturday.”Unfortunately, Michal Sadílek unfortunately fell while riding his bike and suffered a laceration in the leg area.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLManager Ivan Hasek admitted that Sadilek will be a big miss for the team.He said: “It’s a big weakness for us, because Michal is one of the experienced players.”After all, he also put on the captain’s armband during the match against Malta.”On behalf of the whole team, I wish him a speedy recovery. If we call someone else, we will decide in the near future.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSSadilek was set to be one of the team’s more experienced players as he was a part of the side in Euro 2020.He has earned 24 caps for the team, scoring one goal and has captained the side in the 7-1 friendly win against Malta on Friday.Young stars set to shine at Euro 2024The Czech Republic are in Group F and will take on Portugal in their opening game on June 18.They will then face Turkey and Georgia as they aim to reach the knockout stages.In Euro 2020, the side was knocked out in the quarter-finals by Denmark.Hasek still has talent to rely on in Sadilek’s absence as West Ham star and captain Tomas Soucek will lead the side.He will also have other star midfielders such as Fiorentina’s Antonin Barak and Feyenoord’s Ondrej Lingr. More

TOURNAMENT rookies Georgia have absolutely nothing to lose as they step onto the big stage for the first time.They held their nerve in the play-off shoot-out against Greece following a win over Luxembourg.Napoli winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has the skill and speed to bamboozle defendersCredit: APFormer France full-back Willy Sagnol became a national hero in his adopted homeland by guiding the nation to the Euros.But this will be a huge challenge and even a point from their three games is likely to be a triumph.Sagnol’s squad play across Europe with a few in Asia and have a smattering of top grade experience.EURO 2024 FREE BETS AND OFFERSManager: Willy Sagnol The Frenchman boasts an impressive CV that includes a Champions League winner’s medal and five Bundesliga titles with Bayern Munich as a player.read more on the eurosThe 47-year-old was manager of Bordeaux before becoming assistant manager at Bayern under Carlo Ancelotti in 2017.He has been Georgia manager since 2021.Willy Sagnol has become a legend in GeorgiaCredit: GettyWilly Sagnol, left, with France team-mates Zinedine Zidane, Thierry Henry, and Claude Makelele back in 2005Credit: AP:Associated PressKey man: Khvicha KvaratskheliaWinger has made his mark in the Champions League and helped Serie to the title in 2023.With 15 goals in 29 caps for his country show why he is the main asset of Sagnol’s side.Most read in Euro 2024Likely line-upHow they could line up at the EurosHow they attackGeorgia certainly did things the hard way in qualifying for their first ever major international tournament as they came through a playoff against Greece on penalties.It is a country that tends to produce highly technical players and in Khvicha Kvaratskhelia they have a talent who could emerge as one of the stars of the tournament.We expect to see Georgia play in a 3-4-1-2 system with two mobile and dynamic strikers but their back three will help them to progress the ball.While they can at times play longer, the minnows have the quality to play out from the back and into the middle third.Three defenders spread across the pitch and offer width. In these positions one of the two central midfielders will then drop back in to offer an option to receive and link playGeorgia will build the attack with confidence from deeper areas and their stars are typically comfortable receiving the ball deep facing their own goal.They can play longer driven passes into the midfield areas before linking play and combining to play forward.Against Scotland the first pass goes short to pull the oppositin towards the ball before a longer pass into the midfielder and then a first time pass into space around the cornerThere can be no doubt that the Napoli forward Kvaratskhelia will be Georgia’s main danger as they attack. While he plays from the left at club level we tend to see him allowed to drift and play anywhere across the attack for the national team. He is a threat to drop into space to receive the ball at any point.Kvaratskhelia receives the ball in space between four opposition defenders in the match against ScotlandHow they defendFrom the defensive side of the game we expect to see Georgia drop off to play in a medium defensive block with little intent to press the ball and look to engage it high. They will typically be solid and strong centrally but they do give up spaces wide that can be exploited.Georgia are in their medium block but they are positioned centrally. As you can see there are clear spaces that can be played into in the wide areasThis form of defending could well be dangerous for Georgia in this tournament as top sides will be able to easily take advantage of the spaces.Georgia are positioned in a medium defensive block with a solid central structure. Against a team like Spain, though, these spaces can be extremely dangerous to give upBy giving up these wide spaces Georgia are inviting the opposition to attack down the sides and in these situations they can be outplayed wide through longer passes behind their defence.Greece move the ball wide we see that Georgia are slow to react and adapt. This allows the longer pass to be played easily to access the space and runners to attack behind the Georgian defencePredictionIt is hard to make a case for them advancing beyond the group phase.Besides the brilliant Kvaratskhelia and goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, who has been linked with Newcastle and Chelsea, there is a real lack of quality in the side.READ MORE SUN STORIESIf Georgia were to beat Portugal, Turkey or Czech Republic in the group stages it would be an incredible upset.Become a Euro 2024 expert in two minutesLatest oddsWilliam Hill have them at 500/1 to win Euro 2024 and 10/3 to lose all their matches.PLAY DREAM TEAM EUROS NOW!The best fantasy football game for this summer’s tournament. More

FORMER Roma and Italy striker Vincenzo Montella has taken to international management like a duck to water.His new Turkey side topped their qualification group ahead of Croatia and Wales.Vincenzo Montella is the Italian in charge of TurkeyCredit: RexGoals might be a problem – they only scored seven in the six matches excluding the wins over Latvia.Montella inherited a side that was in a funk after missing out on Qatar after a play-off defeat in Portugal, so revenge could be in the air.There was plenty of frustration in Turkey when they went out pointless from Euro 2020 – but they might be dark horses to make a run to the last eight or even further.Manager: Vincenzo MontellaRoma legend was known as the Little Aeroplane due to his goal celebration. read more on the eurosBriefly rocked up at Fulham in 2007.Has managed Fiorentina, AC Milan and Sevilla.Key man: Hakan CalhanogluInter Milan star crossed the San Siro divide so returning to the land of his birth in Turkey kit will not be a problem.Will be his team’s dead-ball threat.Most read in FootballHakan Calhanoglu is Turkey’s star manCredit: GettyEURO 2024 FREE BETS AND OFFERSLikely line-upHow they attackTurkey consistently come into major international tournaments as dark horses, with many tipping them to do well.This year appears to be no different and given that they are in a group with Portugal, Czech Republic and Georgia – they will be confident of reaching at least the knockout stage.Turkey have a modern and patient approach to the initial build-up and they look to make sure they have at least one extra player in build-up to allow them to play through the pressure.This tends to mean that one of the deeper midfielders in their 4-2-3-1 will drop back in.One of the two midfielders at the base of the Turkish midfield drops in to make sure that there are three outfield players against two Italian players pressingWhen Turkey build their attack they are patient in creating the correct shape to play through the thirds – but then aggressive when the attacking passing lanes open up.As they move into the middle they will use longer passes into wide areas where their wide attackers and full-backs look to overload the opposition.Key is in the run from the central player which drags the Italian full-back inside to cover. This creates an opening on the far side and Turkey have an overloadAs they break into the final third, Turkey are then aggressive with the movement of their front four and try to create overloads within the penalty area.Turkey attack in the wide areas and flood the boxHow they defendTurkey are aggressive in their positioning as they look to defend in the first instance in either a medium or high defensive block. They will be compact against the ball in these situations and they will look to cut off the centre of the pitch and to force the opposition to play wide.As the opposition do play the ball into the wide areas we see Turkey move aggressively to pin them inTurkey have a lot of experienced and physical players who understand how to act in pressing traps like this to force a mistake from the opposition.This is part of the reason that their higher defensive block can be effective, even against good teams.They are compact and aggressive in the way that they look to force mistakes early in the opposition attack.Turkey have pushed six players high to defend as Italy look to come out from the backWhen Turkey work and press they are compact with no space between their lines of attackers and midfielders.But even when they do become spread out they are still difficult to play through centrally. Opposition teams will generally have to be direct and aggressive in terms of playing wide or long quickly to turn the Turkish defensive block around.READ MORE SUN STORIESAlthough the Turkish defensive block is slightly less compact against Austria there are still no spaces to play into centrallyPredictionTurkey should make into the knockout rounds – but with them most likely to come second or third in their group – getting deep in the tournament may be tough with England and France possible opponents.Latest oddsWilliam Hill have them as 8/11 to finish in the top two of the group. They are 50/1 to go all the way.PLAY DREAM TEAM EUROS NOW!The best fantasy football game for this summer’s tournament. More

ENGLAND fans have been warned they could be targeted at the Euros by notorious Serbian hooligans who are known to create brutal carnage at big games. Their opening clash with Serbia has been identified as one of the four “high-risk” matches in the group stages of the tournament this season. England fans are at risk of being targeted by hooligans at Euro 2024Credit: Getty Images – GettySerbian Hooligans are one of the most notorious football fans known to create carnage during big gamesBalaclava-clad Serbian fan Ivan Bogdanov gestures towards riot police during the Euro 2012 qualifying matchCredit: GettySerbian riot police officers push back hooligans during a match in 2018Credit: AP:Associated PressEngland take on Serbia at the Veltins-Arena in Gelsenkirchen in western Germany next Sunday.But while it will be the chance for Gareth Southgate’s men to lay down a marker as one of the favourites to win the Euros, the match could be the centre of hooliganism for many fans.Travelling Three Lions supporters have forged a poor reputation for their behaviour overseas over the years.And the cheap price of strong beer has led to the Foreign Office issuing an official warning to fans telling them to “drink responsibly”.READ MORE ON EURO 2024Following the Covid pandemic and the winter Qatar World Cup, this tournament presents the first chance for a new generation of supporters to follow England at a major tournament.Approximately 1,600 known troublemakers were forced to surrender their passports for the duration of Euro 2024. However, there is a real and genuine threat of rival fans wanting to confront their English counterparts in Germany – especially by the Serbians. Serbian hooligans are one of the most violent football fans in the whole world. Most read in Euro 2024They have a reputation for clashing with cops and security teams after wreaking havoc at the football pitches. Some of their signature moves include setting off flares in between matches, fighting with rival fans, and hurling brutal insults as well as provoking others. Serbian “ultras” in particular – many of which are part of the far-right pro-Russian “Delije” or “Strongmen” Red Star Belgrade fan groups – have already made their desire to fight English and German nationals.In 2018, Serbian and Brazilian fans were pictured brawling in the stands during a game in Russia. Serb supporters were recorded chanting “Kill the Albanians” and wore T-shirts of Serbian war crimes general Ratko Mladic in a heated snub to two ethnic Albanians in the Swiss squad.Kosovo fought Serbia in a bitter war for independence in 1999 that resulted in the deaths of thousands of civilians and soldiers on both sides.In 2014, a mass brawl broke out between fans at a Euro 2016 qualifier between Serbia and Albania.Fans stormed the Partizan stadium in Belgrade and attacked players before riot police were called in to break up the bloody fight, forcing the match to be abandoned.Supporters are known to plan their violent parades days before a match and have repeatedly said they would die for their club, according to Vice TV.Are they the most notorious football fans? FROM pitch raids to mass brawls and death threats, Serbian hooligans are known wreak havoc and create carnage during football games.
Die-hard groups of hooligans are intertwined with football in Serbia – and they are known for ruthlessly attacking players on the pitch and storming opposition stalls when the match turns against them.
Hooligan firms in the Balkan state have chilling names such as The Gravediggers, Head Hunters, Zulu Warriors, and the Red Devils.
And one of their most vicious leaders is known as “Ivan the Terrible”.
In 2012, Ivan – who has been linked to Serbian far-right paramilitaries – forced a Euros qualifying match between Serbia and Italy in Genoa to be abandoned after trying to attack rival fans and police.
He rallied supporters to lob live flares and bangers onto the pitch as players warmed up and ordered them to break down barriers separating them from Italian fans while taunting police.
Tracing their lineage back to the Balkan war of the 1990s, Serb football hooligans are renowned for their tough-as-nails attitude and love of violence.
They are known for throwing live bangers at players who have switched sides and invading the pitches when games don’t go their way.
In the past, the Ultras have killed rival fans – including a Toulouse supporter in 2009 who was beaten to death with iron bars and bicycle chains.

Roughly 500,000 Serbs live in Germany and there are fears some may head to Gelsenkirchen specifically to cause trouble around the England game – similar to the scenes in Marseille at Euro 2016 when Three Lions fans were attacked by Russians.Scotland supporters are also thought to be at risk when they take on Hungary on June 23 at Stuttgart’s MHPArena. One East European platform has even chillingly vowed daily updates from the Euros “where we will cover the matches and, above all, events outside the stadium”.Up to 1,300 police officers will be deployed on matchday around the grounds with extra surveillance at fan zones and city centres as part of the massive security operation at the Euros.It is understood British police “spotters” and plain-clothed officers will also be on hand to watch England fans – especially at the Trabrennbahn racecourse where there is a fan zone for 40,000 Three Lions followers near the Veltins-Arena for the Serbia game.However, Germany’s experience with hosting major widescale sporting events means they are well prepared – which could put off some hooligans from trying to start problems. A UK law enforcement source told the i: “If you were going to hold this tournament at this time anywhere apart from the UK, then you would choose Germany. “They have a lot of experience at this kind of thing and they are putting in place a comprehensive system.“But it’s a complex picture and unfortunately England fans are still regarded as fair game, or even desirable targets, by opposing hooligan groupings. “There is particular concern about the Serbia game.”Professor Dr Geoff Pearson added to the i: “Generally, England fans don’t go looking to start fights these days. READ MORE SUN STORIES”There are some who may misbehave a bit and attract the attention of the police. “The higher risk is that local groups or other groups start targeting them.”A policeman arrests a supporter after clashes between Red Star Belgrade’s and Partizan Belgrade’s hooligansCredit: ReutersRussia hooligan charge at England supporters at end of Euro 2016Credit: Splash NewsEngland face Serbia in their Group C opener on June 9Credit: RexPLAY DREAM TEAM EUROS NOW!The best fantasy football game for this summer’s tournament. More