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      Luke Littler makes surprise appearance in ‘class’ England announcement vid as he reveals Man Utd star is in squad

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      LUKE LITTLER delighted fans after making a surprise appearance in England’s Euro 2024 squad announcement.The 17-year-old darts ace shot to fame after reaching the final of the PDC World Darts Championship in January.Littler looked sharp as he helped announce the England squadCredit: Instagram lukethenukelittlerHis part of the announcement saw him wear the new England shirtCredit: Instagram lukethenukelittlerHis darts revealed Mainoo had made the squadCredit: X @EnglandHe then went one better by winning the Premier League Darts final last month.He featured in England’s video announcement of the squad, which shows fans and celebrities revealing who made the cut in a creative way.Littler pops up in the second half of the announcement video playing darts in an old pub.The camera then cuts to a man writing his score on a blackboard and spelling out “Mainoo” to show that the Manchester United youngster had been included by Gareth Southgate.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLIt was no doubt a special moment for Littler, who is a proud Man Utd fan.Taking to Instagram after the announcement was released, he wrote: “Euros squad✅ class being a part of the announcement vid🙏🏻 time to back the boys c’monnnn @england🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 #itscominghome”The darts superstar posted four snaps from behind the scenes on the shoot featuring the new England kit.Fans flooded Littler’s comment section to praise his role in the announcement.Most read in Euro 2024EURO 2024 FREE BETS AND OFFERSOne fan wrote: “Is this the Harry Maguire replacement?🔥” After it was confirmed that Maguire would miss the tournament with a calf injury.Luke Littler leaves World No1 Humphries speechless with ‘greatest moment ever witnessed’ in Premier League Darts finalAnother said: “I bet Luke could do a better Job than Southgate.”While a third said: “Legend, go on Luke 👌” More

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      France World Cup winner claims five England players would get in French team with MBAPPE missing out

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      HE’s the world’s best footballer in the eyes of many, approaching his peak and has just completed a dream move.Yet according to a French World Cup winner, Real Madrid new boy Kylian Mbappe might not get in a combined England-France team.Kylian Mbappe wouldn’t walk into a combined XI, says a French iconCredit: GettyPhil Foden, Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka could keep Mbappe outCredit: PAEmmanuel Petit is well qualified to deliver such a shock verdict on strikers.The ex-Chelsea and Barcelona midfielder played alongside Premier League all-time great attackers Dennis Bergkamp and Thierry Henry in his three years at Arsenal.And he believes England’s current front three can be so effective together that they might ALL be good enough for France ahead of 25-year-old Mbappe.Three Lions’ skipper and record scorer Harry Kane is being nursed back to full fitness just days before Euro 2024 – in which the Three Lions could meet Didier Deschamps’ Les Bleus in the semi-finals.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLMeanwhile, Phil Foden is flying after his finest season so far for champions Manchester City.And although Bukayo Sako has arguably been less consistent this season, the winger remains Arsenal’s stand-out talent going forward.In all, Petit believes five Englishmen could get in a French side who are favourites alongside Gareth Southgate’s men to win the Euros.Mbappe’s hat-trick couldn’t save France from World Cup final anguish against Argentina two years ago.Most read in Euro 2024CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSPetit wishes France had midfielders like Jude Bellingham and Phil FodenCredit: RexAnd his pacy brilliance also might not be enough to displace Saka or Foden if the French could include England stars – at least according to Petit.The 53-year-old told bestonlinepokersites.ltd: “Harry Kane would get in the France team because he’s a great goal scorer. Jack Wilshere, Gordon Strachan and Jurgen Klinsmann answer quickfire questions ahead of Euro 2024″I have huge respect for Olivier Giroud but Kane is one of the best strikers of the last 10 years.”Even if we have Kylian Mbappe on the left or Ousmane Dembele on the right, that doesn’t mean that Phil Foden cannot play instead of Mbappe. “Foden has been amazing this season. He has become the boss of Manchester City. “And on the other side, you have Bukayo Saka who has been tremendous for the last four years for Arsenal.”Petit is less surprising in his assessment of where you’ll find the other players worthy of going from Lions to Les Bleus.The 64-cap former anchorman, who doesn;t have an English player in any of the defensive slots or in goal, said: “I think in the midfield area there are more positions that England players can take. “This is where we have talented players, but not enough in my opinion. Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice can play, no problem at all.”Gareth Southgate will take the handbrake off at Euro 2024… because he has no choiceBy Charlie Wyett
      GARETH SOUTHGATE will have no choice but to take the handbrake off his England team at Euro 2024.
      The defensive crisis gripping the Three Lions means the only option in Germany, within ­reason, will be outright attack.
      Southgate has often been lambasted for his safety-first approach — even if he points out you must go back to Walter Winterbottom’s sides in the 1950s to find an England manager with a better scoring record.
      But with the crocked Harry Maguire left out, Luke Shaw not fit enough to start the tournament and John Stones having made just 12 ­Premier League starts this season, this is not a defence you would stake your life on.
      The last time England went to a major tournament in Germany — the 2006 World Cup — the four centre-backs selected were Sol Campbell (68 caps), Rio Ferdinand (47), Jamie Carragher (25) and John Terry (24).
      This time, when England fly out on Monday, the quartet will be Lewis Dunk (six), Joe Gomez (14), Marc Guehi (ten) and Ezri Konsa (three).
      It makes Southgate’s decision not to recall the 49-cap Eric Dier for his ­provisional squad even stranger — especially considering his strong end to the season with Bayern Munich.
      The elder statesman in his defence — and the one who absolutely has to stay fit — is 71-cap Stones. More

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      Iceland’s trip to England comes under a cloud with star banned due to ongoing sexual assault case  

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      ICELAND come to Wembley under a cloud with star player Albert Gudmundsson suspended again because of an ongoing sexual assault case.The attacking midfielder, 26, was the fifth top-scorer in Serie A last season with 14 goals for Genoa.Albert Gudmundsson is one of two Iceland stars missingCredit: GettyHe has been a target for West Ham and Spurs, as well as a host of Italian clubs.But under Iceland FA rules he was banned from playing for his country when the allegations — which he denies — first emerged in 2023.The case was dropped earlier this year and the recalled Gudmundsson scored in both Euro 2024 play-off games. But the alleged victim has successfully appealed.READ MORE ON EURO 2024So Iceland boss Age Hareide will have to do without his star player — as well as key defender Victor Palsson — for the game against England.Hareide, the former Norway, Manchester City and Norwich defender, said: “It’s always bad to lose players.”But we have to talk about the players who are there. We have a lot of talent here. “I think it’s every player’s dream — and it was mine as well in 1980 — to play against England at Wembley.”Most read in Euro 2024Friday’s clash is England’s final warm-up ahead of the Euros.Gareth Southgate’s men then launch their campaign in Germany against Serbia on June 16.Jack Wilshere, Gordon Strachan and Jurgen Klinsmann answer quickfire questions ahead of Euro 2024The Three Lions will complete their group action by taking on Denmark four days later and Slovenia on June 25.Southgate hopes defenders Luke Shaw and Lewis Dunk will be back to full fitness within a week.The duo made England’s final 26-man squad despite not yet being ready.In contrast, Manchester United’s Harry Maguire is “devastated” to miss out – as his calf problem would rule him out for out at least the group matches. More

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      Jack Grealish offered ‘four-week loan transfer’ to Wayne Lineker’s Ibiza bar after missing out on England’s Euros squad

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      WAYNE LINEKER has reached out to party animal Jack Grealish and offered him a “four-week loan transfer” to his Ibiza nightclub after he failed to make the England squad.Wayne, the brother of Three Lions icon Gary, is the owner of Ocean Beach and has opened his doors for England & Man City legend Grealish to get over his Euros disappointment.Southgate said Grealish was ‘devastated’ after missing out on the Euros squadCredit: GettyWayne Lineker has offered fun-loving Grealish a lifeline this summerCredit: InstagramPopular party animal Grealish leaves Man City’s title-winning party at 5amCredit: SplashGrealish has enjoyed his summer breaks at the O Bar beforeCredit: BackgridThe devastated star could be back there this year after his shock England snubCredit: BackgridThe offer came after a popular sports page posted on Instagram saying: “BREAKING NEWS. Jack Grealish agrees 4-week loan deal to Ocean Beach – HERE WE GO.”  – with the post racking up 25,000 likes.After The Mirror approached Lineker for comment on the proposed “transfer”, the Ibiza supremo and former Celebs Go Dating star said: “Gareth’s loss is our gain. We love hosting Jack at O Beach Ibiza, he’s a great lad!”Grealish frequented Ocean Beach last year, as he revelled in Manchester City’s historic treble season – with the City winger and Wayne sharing snaps together on social media.Gareth Southgate opened up yesterday on the difficult conversation he had with a “devastated” Grealish – who went on an epic month-long bender after Man City won the treble last year – after cutting him from his initial 33-man squad.READ MORE ON GREALISHThe England boss 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.”England’s players were said to have reacted with surprise at Grealish’s exclusion, with one senior player said to have approached Southgate to ask for an explanation about the decision.Grealish was determined to make the final cut for the squad after a season that saw him in and out of the City team.Most read in Euro 2024EURO 2024 FREE BETS AND OFFERSWhat Southgate said about axed England stars
      WHAT Gareth Southgate said about his axed England stars after confirming his 26-man England squad for Euro 2024.
      Harry Maguire
      “The decision on Harry [Maguire] is totally about his physical condition and his recovery from the injury. There is no other reason as he is one of our strongest centre-backs.
      “Harry has made some progress, but it’s been complicated and we wouldn’t have had him in the group stages. There were too many hurdles to get through without being clear where we might get to.
      “Knowing we haven’t got a clean bill of health across the rest of the backline, we need players who are fit and ready to go from the start.
      “It was a really difficult call, you know how I feel about Harry, what he’s done for England and for me as a manager. ”
      Jack Grealish
      “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.
      “We knew we had a couple of really difficult days coming up.”
      James Maddison
      “Madders [Maddison] and Jack [Grealish] would have provided us with something different as well and they’ve been tough calls.
      “They’re calls we’ve gone over and over and over as a group of staff to try to be fair and to try to use the right rationale.
      “We back our decisions but we recognise we could have gone a different route. The boys are big characters, fabulous team-mates and great boys to work with.
      “It’s sad to have to deliver that news to them.”
      Jarrad Branthwaite
      “It’s a bit early for Jarrad [Branthwaite]. He has had a fabulous season, it was good to get him on the pitch the other night.
      “But of course, in an ideal world, you’d like that balance of left-footers. For him to be in ahead of the others, I don’t think it would have been the right call at this stage.”
      Jarell Quansah
      “Jarell Quansah has stayed with us. He’s not had the experience of an England international at Wembley. It’ll be great for him to be us for the game.
      “Hopefully we’re not needing to call anyone else in.”

      Last month he even cut short his post-season summer holiday with girlfriend Sasha Atwood as he tried to get to fully fit for England’s tournament in Germany.He has earned 36 caps for England, and appeared at both the 2022 World Cup and Euro 2020 for the Three Lions.England make their official Euros 2024 squad announcement His most recent appearance for England came on Monday as a substitute against Bosnia.Grealish’s surprise exclusion was revealed yesterday ahead of Southgate’s official squad announcement, which also saw Harry Maguire miss out with a calf injury.The two stars are joined by James Maddison, Curtis Jones, James Trafford, Jarrel Quansah and Jarrad Branthwaite in missing out.Grealish went on a month-long bender after winning the treble with CityCredit: Instagram
      The popular forward knows how to let his hair down – after getting a soaking by team-mate Erling Haaland on the Man City bus parade last yearCredit: TwitterPLAY DREAM TEAM EUROS NOW!The best fantasy football game for this summer’s tournament. More

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      Who is Marco Guida? Meet the Italian referee officiating at Euro 2024

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      MARCO Guida is an elite level referee who usually plies his trade in Serie A.He has been selected to officiate at Euro 2024 — here’s everything you need to know about the Italian.Guida has averaged 4.41 yellow cards per game in his career so farCredit: GettyWho is Marco Guida?Marco Guida was born in Pompeii on June 7, 1981, and currently lives in Torre Annunziata, located on the gulf of Naples. Although he started refereeing in 1996 as a teenager, he didn’t become a Fifa official until 2014.He made his first league appearance on January 31, 2010 when he took charge of the Serie A clash between Chevio and Bologna, which ended in a 1-1 draw.During his debut, he only handed out one yellow card, while throughout his career so far Guida has averaged 4.41 yellow cards per game.READ MORE ON EURO 2024He also averages 0.24 red cards and 0.33 penalties every match.Has Marco Guida officiated at major tournaments before?Although Guida is 42, yet he has never refereed at a major international tournament.Despite this, he has impressed Uefa enough to be selected for Euro 2024 this summer.However, Guida was at the helm for two international friendlies last year — Slovenia v Northern Ireland and Austria v Sweden.Most read in Euro 2024England make their official Euros 2024 squad announcement He has also taken charge of five Champions League matches, the biggest of which being the quarter-final between Atletico and Dortmund on April 10, 2024, which the Spanish giants won 2-1.What else has Marco Guida done before?Aston Villa fans might not be too happy to hear that Guida has been selected to referee at Euro 2024.The Italian refereed the first leg of Villa’s 6-2 aggregate defeat at the hands of Olympiakos in the Europa Conference League semi-final on May 2, 2024.A number of Villains supporters took to social media after the match to complain about Guida disallowing Leon Bailey’s first half goal — a decision held up by VAR.One posted: “Crazy, how was that ruled out?!”While another wrote: “Why didn’t VAR take a proper look at that?”And a third said: “Absolutely no idea why that’s been disallowed.”Has Marco Guida used VAR before?VAR was introduced into Serie A during the 2017-18 season — a year earlier than it was incorporated into the Premier League.READ MORE SUN STORIESOut of his 200 appearances in Italy’s top league, 80 have been since VAR’s introduction.So it’s fair to say that Guida is somewhat of a veteran of the technology.How England will line up after big names axed from Euros More

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      Dream Team Euros: Belgium’s top stars, bargain options & players to avoid

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      BELGIUM didn’t make the most of their so-called ‘Golden Generation’ but their current side still contains plenty of talent.The Red Devils have been dealt a relatively favourable draw at Euro 2024 with Slovakia, Romania and Ukraine for company in Group E.This set of fixtures should interest Dream Team Euros managers and so let’s analyse Domenico Tedesco’s squad in search of the top stars, bargain options, and players to avoid.PLAY DREAM TEAM EUROS NOW – £50,000 PRIZE POT, FREE TO PLAY, GREAT FUN!Any team that includes Kevin De Bruyne deserves to be taken seriouslyCredit: Dream TeamTOP STARSWith Kevin De Bruyne (£7m) in their ranks, Belgian boast arguably the best playmaker of the modern era.The Manchester City midfielder has proved over the course of several years that he is capable of massive returns in the realm of Dream Team.Goals, assists, big chances created, bonus points… he does it all.De Bruyne is the outright most-expensive player in his position but if anyone has a body of work that justifies such a status, it’s him.Romelu Lukaku (£5.5m) broke the record for most goals scored in a European Championship qualifying campaign when he plundered 14 of them to book his country’s place in Germany.Most read in FootballSome Dream Team bosses will find it hard to look past the hulking target man’s ineffective spells at Manchester United and Chelsea but it would be a mistake to ignore his prolific record.Lukaku has bagged 83 goals in 114 caps at a rate better than Neymar, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo at international level.Lukaku’s record for Belgium is immenseCredit: EPAFew players have a higher ceiling than Jeremy Doku (£5m) when it comes to point-scoring potential.The 22-year-old’s dribbling stats are incredible at times, an attribute that helps him collect plenty of bonus points.His end product still needs work but when everything clicks the skilful winger is almost unplayable.If Doku starts against Slovakia in Matchday 1, he could feast.PLAY DREAM TEAM EUROS NOW!The best fantasy football game for this summer’s tournament.
      BARGAIN OPTIONSIt would be a stretch to describe Koen Casteels (£3.5m) as a certified bargain but he looks reasonably priced now it’s been confirmed Thibaut Courtois will not play any part in Germany this summer.The Wolfsburg goalkeeper is in line to start for Belgium in a favourable group – most of the other first-choice selections in his position among the top nations are priced at either £4m or £4.5m.Courtois will be watching Belgium from the sofa this summerCredit: ReutersWout Faes (£3m) started every game of the Red Devils’ qualifying campaign and may therefore offer an affordable route into a defence hopeful of clean sheets.In the attacking positions, Johan Bakayoko (£3m) would suddenly be great value if he got the nod on the right flank.The 21-year-old registered 14 goals and 14 assists in all competitions for PSV this season and offers plenty of excitement in possession.However, it might be wise to wait for a clearer indication of the pecking order before committing to Bakayoko.EUROS SCORE PREDICTOR IS HERE! CLICK HERE TO PLAY FOR FREE – £5,000 PRIZE POT!PLAYERS TO AVOIDLeandro Trossard (£4m) offers plenty but it might surprise some gaffers to learn that the Arsenal man has completed 90 minutes just once for his country since the start of the 2022 World Cup.In fact, he averages just 50 minutes per appearance for Belgium in the same time frame.Trossard’s place in the pecking order isn’t all that clearCredit: EPAThree goals in his last six outings may have persuaded Tedesco that Trossard is worthy of more playing time but his position is one in which Belgium still have decent depth.An ownership of 11.1% feels high for an asset who might spend significant time twiddling his thumbs on the bench.READ MORE SUN STORIESSimilarly, Lois Openda (£3.5m) has bags of talent and is coming fresh off a 28-goal season with RB Leipzig but it’s difficult for him to get a look in up front because Lukaku’s record is so formidable.If circumstances change and he becomes first-choice striker then he would potentially transform into a smart value-for-money option but that’s not the case at present.Dream Team’s Nick Elliott previews this summer’s Euros fantasy game More

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      Who is Daniele Orsato? Meet Euro 2024 referee

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      REFEREE Daniele Orsato is set to hang up his whistle at the end of Euro 2024.The vastly experienced referee, 48, took charge of his final Serie A match last month, receiving a standing ovation from Atalanta and Fiorentina fans – he also broke down in tears after his final Champions League game. Italian Daniele Orsato is one of the world’s most respected and experienced referees but will retire after Euro 2024Credit: GettyWho is Daniele Orsato?The Italian made his first World Cup appearance in 2018 and also officiated at Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup.Orsato had before officiated a series of international friendlies and World Cup qualifying fixtures, including the first leg of the World Cup play-off between Honduras and Australia.He’s also been a senior referee in Serie A since 2010, officiating 290 games before retiring.Orsato made his Serie C debut in 2002, moving to the premier Serie A division for the 2006-07 season. He has gone on to make nearly 200 appearances in the division.Since 2012, the Italian has been involved in Champions League fixtures. Orsato went on to referee the 2020 Champions League final and multiple semi-finals.Most read in sport He faced huge criticism from Croatian legend Luka Modric in the last World Cup.The Real Madrid star branded Orsata as “one of the worst” and said his performance was a “disaster” as Argentina beat Croatia in the sem-final.Modric said: “Argentina were a fair winner of the match, they were better, they deserved to win, but these things have to be mentioned, I generally don’t do them, but today they have to be done.”‘I don’t like to talk about referees, but this is one of the worst. I don’t have a good memory of [Orsato], he’s a disaster. For me it wasn’t a penalty.”Despite this, I don’t want to detract from Argentina. The penalty killed us. We have to recover for third place and win that match.” More

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      Who is Michael Oliver? Premier League referee officiating at Euro 2024

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      PREMIER LEAGUE referee Michael Oliver is one of the English game’s most experienced officials.And he’ll be the man in the middle throughout Euro 2024 as one of the top refs in the game.English referee Michael Oliver will be in the middle at Euro 2024Who is Michael Oliver?Born in Ashington, Northumberland, , on February 20, 1985, Michael Oliver began refereeing at the age of 14 after being introduced to it by his father.By 2007 he had become the youngest referee to officiate at Wembley stadium when he whistled the Conference National play-off final.Oliver continued to break records becoming the youngest-ever Football League referee and youngest Premier League fourth official.In 2010, Oliver became the youngest ever Prem referee at the age of 25 years and 182 days old when he officiated Birmingham City’s game with Blackburn Rovers.READ MORE ON MICHAEL OLIVERHe is one of the most experienced referees in the Premier League having taken charge of 372 matches in the top flight.He was used as an official in both Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup and has officiated over 50 Champions League and Europa League matches.Oliver was also in charge for the 2018 FA Cup final between Chelsea and Manchester United – which was notable for the absence of Prince William who was attending the wedding of his brother Prince Harry to Meghan Markle.He officiated again in the 2021 final in which Leicester defeated Chelsea.Most read in Euro 2020He has also taken charge of matches in the United Arab Emirates Pro League.In 2023 he officiated the game between Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal for a reported £3,000.Italy football legend Marcello Lippi sympathises for Gianluigi Buffon after being sent off in final ever Champions League match by Michael Oliver In the 2023/2024 season, the referee came under huge scrutiny after failing to award Liverpool a penalty during the 1-1 draw with Man City at Anfield.He made headlines again in April 2024 over a penalty decision during a London derby between Arsenal and Spurs.In 2024, it was revealed he was one of the main referees at the Euros in Germany.His assistants have been named as Stuart Burt and Dan Cook.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