Euro 2024

SPAIN’S team may not be a patch on the one that dominated world football 15 years ago – which had superstars coming out of its ears.Yet Luis de la Fuente’s side still topped a qualifying group full of banana skins.Luis de la Fuente is in charge of a strong Spain squadCredit: GettyThe only slip-up came at Hampden Park when Scott McTominay’s double earned Scotland a famous 2-0 win – after which crybaby Rodri branded the Tartan Army’s style “a bit rubbish”.Spain triumphed in all their other games, seeing off Erling Haaland’s Norway and winning 7-1 away to Georgia, who will also compete in Germany thanks to the play-offs.Chelsea fans may be surprised to see Alvaro Morata is captain, given he was hardly an inspiration at Stamford Bridge.In fact La Roja’s squad is full of Premier League players from the past, present and, quite possibly, future.read more on the eurosManchester City marathon man Rodri is the man who orchestrates Spain’s gameplan.Newcastle fans are still bemused by the reversal of fortune for their former flop Joselu – now starring for Real Madrid – while Mikel Merino also once wore black and white.Merino’s Real Sociedad team-mate Martin Zubimendi is a long-time target for Arsenal, and Spurs are keen on Nico Williams.Dani Olmo – whose hat-trick in August’s German Super Cup denied Harry Kane yet another trophy – has a £52million release clause at RB Leipzig which kicks in this summer.Most read in FootballManager: Luis de la FuenteSurprise choice as coach but won the Under-21 Euros in 2019 and an Olympic silver medal a year later.Luis de la Fuente has got off to a strong start as Spain bossCredit: GettyKey man: RodriRodri is arguably the greatest holding midfielder the Premier League has ever seen.But will Manchester City’s Mr Invincible have enough left in the tank after complaints of tiredness this season?Rodri plays a vital anchoring role for SpainLikely line-upDe la Fuente makes full use of Spain’s reputation for technical brilliance by packing out his midfield.Rodri and Fabian Ruiz provide a solid base, allowing Gavi licence to roam.Morata is often deployed as a target man with plenty of pace on the flanks provided by the likes of Ferran Torres and Williams.There is plenty of experience at full-back thanks to Jose Gaya and Dani Carvajal.How they attackUnder Luis de la Fuente, Spain will be a very different side to what we have seen in recent years. Gone is the 4-3-3 to be replaced by a more structured 4-2-3-1 system and this forms the basis of how they will attack in this tournament.When building out from deeper positions we will see Spain push their full-backs slightly higher – to the same line as the two deeper central midfielders.The goalkeeper effectively forms a back three with the two central defenders.This shape, along with the two central midfielders dropping back, will help Spain to effectively move the ball out from the back.Rodri and Fabian Ruiz are the two deepest midfielders and they will stay deep in build-up as the full-backs push forward, and the keeper moves alongside the centre-backsWhen they are further up the pitch, the wide attackers and central attacking midfielder are very fluid, moving in and out of position in order to create space that can be exploited.  Rodri has the ball and the winger moves inside to allow the ful-lback to dash down the wing to receive the ballWith the two deepest midfielders holding their shape at the base of the attack, Spain attack with four players.The attacking midfielder and two wingers move forward aggressively to support the striker. They will then be further supported by the two full-backs moving into advanced positions.Rodri finds Morata in the channel and the Spanish have plenty of options in attackSpain will be a real threat to opposition teams with their willingness to push players forward.How they defendThe move away from their traditional 4-3-3 shape into a 4-2-3-1 also makes Spain more solid defensively. The presence of two deep midfielders offers security and allows them to push further forward and to press in a higher block.Spain look to press and work in a high block to try to regain possession high. They will press from their strikers looking to cut off passing lanes for the goalkeeperSpain will consistently be brave in their defensive game plan.They will be willing to push players high and to play man-on-man against the opposition. In doing so they will effectively force the opposition either into making a mistake and a loose pass or playing longer and giving the ball away.Nico Williams ends up pressing right across to the goalkeeper from the far side as the rest of the team go man to man.The likes of Williams and Lamine Yamal provide pace and direct running from the wide areas and support Morata, who is defensively intelligent player.Spain work together to limit opportunities for the opposition to play forward.Spain press high and work defensively. They will regain possession regularly in these areas.PredictionShould Spain top their group, their last-16 opponents will be one of the best third-placed teams.They would then likely have to go through Germany in the quarter-finals and Portugal or the Netherlands in the semis.By finishing second, they would probably face Hungary or Switzerland for the right to set up a potential last-eight collision with England.France or Belgium would then be realistic semi-final opponents meaning Spain are going to have it tough either way – as he been reflected in their odds.Latest oddsThe three-time winners are fifth favourites to win the competition behind England, France, Germany and Portugal.They are 8/1 with William Hill to add a fourth crown.PLAY DREAM TEAM EUROS NOW!The best fantasy football game for this summer’s tournament.
Glam fans and WagsReal Madrid stalwart Carvajal has been married to partner Daphne since 2022 – team-mate Joselu is his brother-in-law.The two tied the knot at a rustic former Franciscan convent in Ayllon, Segovia, in front of just 250 close friends and family members.Torres has split from former Spain boss Luis Enrique’s daughter Sira.She is a professional show-jumper and a member of the swanky Barcelona Royal Polo Club.READ MORE SUN STORIESCaptain Morata is dating stunning Italian model and fashion designer Alice Campello.She revealed she spent eight months ignoring his messages before they got together.Dani Carvajal poses with wife DaphneCredit: The Mega AgencyLuis Enrique’s daughter will be supporting Spain despite her splitCredit: InstagramSira Martinez was dating Ferran TorresCredit: Instagram / @siramartinezcAlice Campello will also be in the standsCredit: Instagram / @alicecampelloAlvaro Morata finally persuaded the stunning model to date him
Sara Botello recently had a child with Aymeric LaporteCredit: Instagram / @sara_botello
The couple tied the knot last yearCredit: Instagram @Sara_BotelloMikel Merino’s stunning girlfriend Lola LiberalCredit: Instagram @lolaliberal More

IN RECENT years, you’ve been able to rely on the Swiss national team like one of their watches.They will always be there at major tournaments and always go out in the last 16.The Swiss have a mountain to climb to qualify from Group A.Credit: AFPEuro 2020 was the exception, when a remarkable comeback saw them recover from 2-0 down to beat France on penalties in the last 16.A repeat looks unlikely. Murat Yakin’s team made really heavy weather of qualifying, so much so that there was talk of him getting the sack.A squad with plenty of players in top-level leagues need to punch its weight if they are to make the knockout stages.read more on the eurosManager: Murat Yakin Former Basel coach who had a brush with Jose Mourinho in 2013, beating Chelsea in the Champions League.Murat Yakin was appointed ahead of the Qatar World CupCredit: GettyKey man: Granit XhakaThe Swiss captain makes everything tick and goes into Euro 2024 after the best season of his career, anchoring Bayer Leverkusen to their maiden German title.What has always characterised him is that he thinks big and is not afraid to express his ambitions publicly.Granit Xhaka is Switzerland’s appearance record holderCredit: GettyLikely line-upSwitzerland usually play with a back threeHow they attackWe expect to see Switzerland to come into the tournament either playing in a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 shape with a lot of experience throughout their squad.Most read in Euro 2024The Red Crosses are calm and composed when playing out from their first-line with their goalkeeper, Yann Mvogo of Lorient, showing ability with his feet.We often see Switzerland breaking the press with their passes out from the first line before quickly launching aggressive attacking moves from that position.Jack Wilshere, Gordon Strachan and Jurgen Klinsmann answer quickfire questions ahead of Euro 2024Mvogo was forced into a mistake against IrelandSwitzerland quickly move the ball wide or into the strikers feet or body before making runs to support this pass from deep. Their midfielders will look to get forward to combine and break into the opposition area. Switzerland will have players making long runs from the midfield to attack the space.In the more established attacking phase of the game, when they have the opposition pressed back into their own defensive third, Switzerland will push multiple players forward into advanced positions to occupy space. They will have options at different depths in the final third and across the width of the pitch to break down the opposition.Switzerland get into good positions and flood players into the final thirdHow they defendFrom the defensive side of the game we expect to see a versatile and varied approach to defending from Switzerland this summer. At times they will work and press in a high block to look for opportunities to regain possession but they are also comfortable when dropping back in and defending in a deeper block.Switzerland defending in a deep and compact defensive block.They are limiting the spaces that the opposition can play into between the lines with this kind of positioning.They are versatile, however, and at times we expect to see Switzerland defending in a far more aggressive manner as they will look to push players forward to defend high and man to man. When doing so they are difficult to play through because they still defend and work as a unit with few spaces between the lines.Switzerland press man to manWith the ball in the touchline the man in possession can do nothing but put the ball out of play.Again though Switzerland will be versatile in their defensive structure and at times they will defend in a medium block to shut off the centre of the pitch for the opposition. By defending in such a varied way, Switzerland will be difficult to break down for teams this summer.Switzerland in a medium block as they sit and defend the centre of the pitch.PredictionPredicting the runners-up of Group A is a difficult task, with Hungary up there as favourites to finish second.The Swiss might miss out on a top-two finish, but they could still progress to the knockout rounds as one of the four best third-placed nations.But if Switzerland manage to win Group A, they will face the runners-up from Group C, which is likely to be Denmark. If they succeed in that Round of 16 tie, their quarter-final opponents will be the winners of Group B, which many predict to be Spain.Latest oddsSwitzerland are at 80/1 odds to win Euro 2024, alongside Serbia and Hungary.Glam fans and WagsThe Switzerland squad will be cheered on by a host of glamorous wives and girlfriends.READ MORE SUN STORIESGranit Xhaka’s long-term partner Leonita leads the list of names, with the pair tying the knot in 2017.Granit Xhaka wife LeonitaCredit: Instagram @leonita.xLeonita Xhaka boasts 221k followers on InstagramCredit: Instagram / @leonita.xBut recently put her Instagram on privateCredit: Social Media – Refer to SourceManuel Akanji is married to MelanieCredit: Rex More

HUNGARY’S Italian boss Marco Rossi has brought pride and success back to a nation whose glory days seemed gone forever less than a decade ago.This is the third time in a row – and the second under Rossi – that the Magyars have qualified for the Euros.Hungary enter third straight Euros with high hopesCredit: SportsfileThe question now is whether they can transfer their form from recent Nations League campaigns into a major tournament.They have more players doing well in the big leagues than they have for a long time, such as Freiburg forward Roland Sallai.Whilst the hosts Germany will, of course, be a difficult match there is not a lot between the Hungarians, Switzerland or even Scotland as the rest of the group.Roared on by a big travelling support, this could be their best chance of making a real impact on the international stage.READ MORE ON THE EUROSManager: Marco Rossi One of five Italian coaches at Euro 2024, Rossi was granted Hungarian citizenship last year.Marco Rossi has led Hungary to great success since his 2017 takeoverCredit: PAKey man: Dominik SzoboszlaiThe golden boy of Hungarian football is also the team’s skipper.But after a fine start at new club Liverpool, he was injured and then out of form.Dominik Szoboszlai is the star man and led his nation to an unbeaten qualification run to Euro 2024Credit: EPALikely line-upHow they attackHungary adopt a 3-4-2-1 shape with two advanced midfielders playing in behind a more muscular type of striker. Most read in FootballAs they look to build their attack from the back Hungary remain patient with the ball as they look to draw opposition players out to press the ball.They slow the tempo down to draw the opposition towards them.They then switch to hitting more direct passes over the line or through the press.Jack Wilshere, Gordon Strachan and Jurgen Klinsmann answer quickfire questions ahead of Euro 2024Hungary tempt the opposition out towards the ball which creates the opportunity to play over the press and into spaceHungary are fairly flexible in their approach with two key players in particular given freedom to move in and out of position.Milos Kerkez, of Bournemouth, will typically play as a left wing-back but he has the freedom to move into the channels.And Liverpool star Szoboszlai will be one of the two advanced midfielders but expect him to roam all over the pitch.Kerkez comes inside and Szoboszlai drops out of the attack to create pockets of space in the attackHungary will be slower and more patient in the build-up in the initial phase of the game they will then move through the gears.Deeper players pile forward to support the attack and get into positions beyond the ball to break through.Nagy plays the ball into the striker and two players immediately move ahead of the ball to provide optionsHow they defendHungary look to split their defensive structure. Near the opposition goal, they will work to press and try to regain possession of the ball high up the pitch.During this phase, the rest of the defensive block drops to be medium to deep to deny the opposition space.Forwards move and press to cut off passing lanes and to put pressure on the ball and to cut off opportunities for the opposition to play outBecause the defensive structure for Hungary is split, if the opposition are able to play through the initial press then they can find spaces that they can play in to hurt the rest of the Hungarian back line.Nagy presses in midfield, which often leaves gaps when the ball is not won backWhile Hungary try to press aggressively in the middle areas to regain possession, they struggle at times with their positioning.This can leave the opposition space around the press that they can easily attack into.Simple passes often release an opposition player through the press and into the Hungarian halfPredictionHungary are predicted to have a slight edge over their closest Group A rivals Scotland and Switzerland.Because of that, many believe the Hungarians will finish second behind hosts Germany, which would pit them against the runners-up of Group G – likely to be holders Italy.Hungary were expected to finish bottom of Nations League Group A3 in 2022.But instead shocked their more high ranking opponents, beating England home and away and drawing 1-1 with Germany at home. Latest oddsHungary are joint twelfth favourites to be crowned Euro 2024 champions.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe sit with 80/1 odds, alongside Serbia, Austria, and Switzerland.Glam fans and WagsFrom a professional tennis player to a stunning Hungarian model, here’s the Wags making their tournament debuts this week.Meet stunning Wag Fanni Gecsek, girlfriend of SzoboszlaiFanni is a model and former tennis playerTalented Fanni played in ITF Tournaments from from 2017-2019Diana Vigh Gulacsi is married to the Hungarian goalkeeperCredit: Instagram @dianavighThe pair were married in 2017Credit: Instagram @dianavighMidfielder Adam Nagy’s girlfriend is AgnessCredit: Instagram @chezagnessTop qualifying goalscorer Varga Barnabas with his partnerCredit: Instagram @varga.barnabas_ More

QUALIFYING for back-to-back Euros is an achievement in itself and the Tartan Army are sure to make the most of it.The 2-0 win over Spain and the 15 other goals scored en route to Germany are decent reasons to believe Steve Clarke’s team can make an impact.Scotland players line up ahead of their 2-0 victory over GibraltarCredit: GettyBut a run of seven games without a win, including a friendly defeat by Northern Ireland in March, suggests they should travel more in hope than expectation.But if experienced players like captain Andy Robertson and goal machine Scott McTominay are fit and in form, the knockout stage is not beyond the Scots.Manager: Steve ClarkeOnly Jock Stein, Andy Roxburgh and Craig Brown have managed Scotland in more games.Steve Clarke has led Scotland to their first European championships since 1996 in 2020Credit: Kenny RamsayKey player: John McGinnThe Aston Villa captain has reached new levels under the coaching of Unai Emery and is crucial to a midfield that provides most of Scotland’s goals.read more on the eurosLikely line-upHow they attackWe are likely to see Scotland line up in a 5-4-1 system with the Southampton striker Che Adams leading the attacking line.While Adams will run and work hard he is more used to making runs to drag defenders out of shape.It relies on players from the narrow three-man midfield and the attacking midfielder making runs behind him to stretch and open up the opposition.McTominay and McGinn regularly make extremely long runs to get into the final third and they are often responsible for getting the goals.Most read in FootballMcGinn, McTominay and Hickey race forward to support Adams in attack and in this case it was McGinn who scoredJohn McGinn scores against Cyprus in qualifyingCredit: Kenny RamsayScotland will typically look to build into wide areas with the full-backs and central midfielders working together.The players on the flanks then look to get the ball into the area or into central spaces around the edge of the opposition penalty area.Inside the ten stunning Euro 2024 stadiums including historic final venueThis time the goalscorer is the Norwich midfielder Kenny McLean who makes a long run to support the Scottish attack from deepScotland’s Kenny McLean celebrates scoring vs Norway with John McGinnCredit: ReutersIn qualifying against Norway, Norwich’s Kenny McLean arrived in the box to score.Once again McGinn was involved and the initial cross came from McTominay on the right-side.As Scotland will typically be passive against the ball as they sit in a deeper defensive block, they will attack through quick forward passes when they get the opportunity to win the ball back.Striker Adams is important in terms of making runs to get on the end of these passes and to allow their team to move forward to support the attack.The forward line will be affected by the absence of Lyndon Dykes, who was ruled out of Euro 2024 after being carried off on a stretcher in training.Clarke has brought in 18-year-old Ben Doak to replace the injured Queens Park Rangers forward.PLAY DREAM TEAM EUROS NOW!The best fantasy football game for this summer’s tournament.
Hickey often regains possession deep then quickly drives forward and looks to pass into space to release the striker making an off the ball runHow they defendScotland sit deep in a 5-4-1 block.Clarke’s defensive goal is to stop the opposition from being able to play centrally in their defensive third.They will usually work extremely hard in order to deny any spaces between the lines as they try to force the opposition wide.Scotland have a line of five defenders across the back, and then the other five outfield players are also behind the ballWhen they are defending, all of their players are behind the ball and positioned in their defensive third as they look to force the opposition wide.The midfielders for Scotland will have a key role and they are typically very narrow in their positioning. They will work to shift across from side to side in order to stop the opposition from being able to break the line with a pass.Scotland are often narrow as they defend the centre of the pitch and look to force the opposition to play wide as they attackBy forcing the opposition outside as they look to attack, Scotland are effectively saying that they are comfortably defending the area from crosses.They will also, however, look to quickly shift out when the ball goes wide to press the space and deny the opposition wide players any space.As the ball goes wide the fullback and ball side central midfielder will work to close down and look to pin the ball carrier widePredictionScotland were drawn into a hard group with hosts Germany, disciplined Hungary and Switzerland.Finish as runners up in Group A, and they will face the second place team in Group B, meaning it could be anyone of Spain, Italy or Croatia.Win that last 16 game and they are presented with the possibility of a mouthwatering knockout clash against either England, Belgium or the Netherlands.There is also the prospect of Scotland going through as one of the best third-place teams.But that could present any number of scenarios.The only guarantee here is that the Tartan Army would then meet a group winner in the round of 16. Latest oddsScotland are 100/1 to lift the trophy come July 14.Glam fans and WagsThe players have got some dedicated support as they make their bid to qualify from Group A.READ MORE SUN STORIESClarke has encouraged the players’ wives and girlfriends to accompany them on major tournaments.Kenny McLean is expecting his first child with stunning girlfriend Robyn KeenShe is a model with over 38k followers on InstagramCredit: instagram/Robyn Emma KeenThe model has been labelled the ‘most beautiful British woman’Cam Reading is the girlfriend of Scotland midfielder Scott McTominayCredit: Instagram @scottmctominayReading boasts an enviable lifestyle which includes travelling and shoppingCredit: Instagram @camreadingThe blonde bombshell supports McTominay at Manchester United award showsCredit: Instagram @camreadingCaptain Andy Robertson is married to long-term love RachelJohn McGinn married Sara Stokes last yearCredit: instagram/John McGinnChe Adams with girlfriend Amelia KateCredit: Instagram @cheadams_Ryan Christie and girlfriend Georgie Bell More

BRUTAL decisions are being made by managers across the continent as they reveal their squads for Euro 2024.Jack Grealish was the most high-profile name initially selected by Gareth Southgate to be axed as the boss cut down the England squad from 33 to 26.Jack Grealish has been left out of England’s squadCredit: GettyThibaut Courtois has not been chosen after a fall out with the managerCredit: ReutersBut the Manchester City star was not the only star left “devastated” as squads were released with less than a week to go until the tournament kicks-off.Here, SunSport make an XI of stars not chosen by their managers – with players out injured not included.And the team is surely good enough to compete with the strongest nations this summer.GK: Thibaut CourtoisThe Real Madrid No1 had a difficult season with injury but was fit for Euros selection.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHowever, he has been controversially left out by Belgium boss Domenico Tedesco after a public fall out.The boss took the captain’s armband off him for a qualifier against Estonia and left Courtois furious.He claims Tedesco has not explained his decision and their relationship has never recovered. The boss told the press he has tried to invite him back into the fold.Most read in Euro 2024Courtois then accused Tedesco of lying on social media.BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSRight-back: Pedro PorroPorro, who has three caps for Spain, enjoyed a solid season at Tottenham.But manager Luis de la Fuente opted for Dani Carvajal and veteran Jesus Navas instead.Become a Euro 2024 expert in two minutesCentre-backs: Mats Hummels and Pau TorresHummels was one of Borussia Dortmund’s standout players as they made an incredible run to the Champions League final.But the experienced 35-year-old was not selected by Julian Nagelsmann as he opts for a more youthful-looking squad.Pau Torres will also feel he is unlucky to not be selected by Spain after helping Aston Villa qualify for next season’s Champions League.Mats Hummels has been left out the Germany squadCredit: RexLeft-back: Ian MaatsenNetherlands boss Ronald Koeman has played veteran Daley Blind and Tottenham centre-half Micky van de Ven on the left side of defence in warm-up games.Despite him never earning a cap, it is shock to see Maatsen’s snubbed after a strong loan spell at Dortmund from Chelsea.Centre-midfielders: Emre Can and Leon GoretzkaAgain, Nagelsmann’s huge calls continue as he leaves out Dortmund captain Can and Bayern Munich star Goretzka.They have exactly 100 caps between them.Right-wing: Michael OliseEngland have four Crystal Palace stars in their squad but perhaps the Eagles’ best player is not on the plane to Germany.Olise is still waiting for his first senior France call-up.Michael Olise was close to earning his first ever France call-upCredit: GettyNo.10: Jack GrealishOn his absence, Southgate said: “I have just delivered a really difficult conversation to a lad who is devastated. I think the world of him as a kid.“It certainly doesn’t get any easier. You put yourself in the shoes of a player, a parent. You understand that for these players this is a devastating moment.”Grealish could be flying to Ibiza for a holiday instead of Germany for the Euros, with rival players from the host nation shocked as they feared playing against him.Left-wing: Marcus Rashford Rashford struggled for form with Manchester United this season, scoring just eight goals.But despite being reliable in the past for the Three Lions, it was not enough to earn a place on the plane.Marcus Rashford’s poor form for Man Utd cost him a spot on England’s leftCredit: ReutersStriker: Christopher NkunkuNkunku had a tough debut season at Chelsea as he battled injury.And his stop-start campaign saw him fail to make the France squad.Didier Deschamps said: “Of course Nkunku could’ve been called, but he had a complicated season.READ MORE SUN STORIES “He played some minutes recently, but it wasn’t quite enough.”Subs bench:Kevin Trapp, Jarrad Branthwaite, Malo Gusto, Jurrien Timber, Raphael Guerreiro, Manuel Locatelli, Julian Brandt, Moussa Diaby and Joshua Zirkzee.PLAY DREAM TEAM EUROS NOW!The best fantasy football game for this summer’s tournament. More