Euro 2024

ITALY legend Giorgio Chiellini has quit playing aged 39 – but a moving retirement message failed to prevent a savaging from England fans.The “master of the dark arts” remains unforgiven for a famous foul on Three Lions winger Bukayo Saka in the Azzurri’s Euro 2020 final triumph.
Bukayo Saka was in a menacing position when Giorgio Chiellini cynically hauled him back in Italy’s Euro 2020 final success at WembleyCredit: PA
You have been the most beautiful and intense journey of my life.You have been my everything. With you I have travelled a unique and unforgettable path.But now it is time to start new chapters, face new challenges and write further important and exciting pages of life. pic.twitter.com/IjHDDE4jMe— Giorgio Chiellini (@chiellini) December 12, 2023

One of the Three Lions’ best hopes of victory in the Euro final disappeared when Chiellini pulled Saka over at 1-1 in the 96th minuteCredit: PA
The all-time great defender called his career “the most beautiful and intense journey of my life” in a poetic farewell online.
But many England followers can’t forget his “outrageous” cynicism in hauling Saka down by the neck to curb danger at Wembley in July 2021.
The Arsenal hero was surging clear in extra time during a 1-1 draw when Chiellini dragged him over – before Italy won 3-2 on penalties.
So the Juventus icon’s emotional announcement as he bowed out as a player didn’t go down too well with a large batch of Three Lions fans.
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Chiellini posted a highlights video interspersed with him flicking through an album of collectors’ cards and stickers over 23 years.
The 117-cap icon also wrote: “You have been my everything. With you I have travelled a unique and unforgettable path.
“But now it is time to start new chapters, face new challenges and write further important and exciting pages of life.”
But the heartfelt words of the nine-time Serie A winner, who has spent the last two seasons in the MLS with LAFC, drew a mixed response online.
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Iconic defensive hardman Chiellini knew it was his last game as LAFC lost the MLS Cup final 2-1 to Columbus Crew last SaturdayCredit: Reuters
One fan posted: “I would respect you for what you said, only if you didn’t pull Saka by the neck in that Euro’s final.”
Another said, “Saka will never forget him” and a third wrote: “Happy retirement… you cost Saka his first England gold medal.”
But some supporters mixed anger at the incident with recognition for the two-time Champions League runner-up doing the dirty things so well.
One wrote: “Dragging Bukayo Saka down to the core of the Earth in the Euro 2020 final was one of the last great football moments. Outrageous, superb behaviour that must be respected. ”
And this verdict was similar: “Chiellini was an old school defender. Pulling Saka down in the Euros final just embodied the dark arts. You have to respect someone this good at their craft.”
Chiellini himself has admitted he “grabbed him good!” when discussing the Saka incident.
He claimed the moment was a “symbol of Euro 2020” and followed “one of the only mistakes” he made at the tournament.
Chiellini admitted he thought he could shepherd the ball out – then upended Saka when he realised he couldn’t. More

ENGLAND’S Wags are looking to beat their rivals to a prime holiday spot during next year’s Euros.While Gareth Southgate will be looking to whip his squad into shape before the tournament, the players’ partners are planning on making the most of their freedom after Qatar’s more lowkey atmosphere.
The Schlosshotel hotel in Germany is being eyed for England’s Wags
The castle’s construction was completed in 1893 under commission of Empress Victoria Friedrich
The hotel is located in Kronberg near Frankfurt
The hotel’s land features a golf resort
Germany are the hosts for next summers tournament, and some suitably luxurious accommodation is being eyed up.
As revealed by SunSport, the five-star hotel and castle Schlosshotel has already been scouted out following the hiring of a personal travel planner.
Located in Kronberg near Frankfurt, it rooms which can cost up to £1,750 a night, combining a luxury golf resort and castle hotel.
The resort’s construction was completed in 1893 under commission from Empress Victoria Friedrich and has operated as a luxury hotel since 1954.
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Owned by the Landgrave and Princes von Hessen, the hotel offers a variety of services for guests, including a Porsche rental service, a limousine service for guests and on-call masseuses and butlers.
It also offers wedding services and Christmas party’s which no doubt pair well with its huge banqueting halls that can accommodate for as many as 300 guests.
There is even a cocktail reception at the hotel’s cave or Rose Garden in the park of the Castle Hotel Kronberg.
On the England Wags search, a source told The Sun: “They have hired a personal travel planner.
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“They’re actually toying with the idea of a German castle.
“They’re keen to let their hair down after being restricted in Qatar but still want their own privacy.
“The ones they’ve picked out so far are deep within the countryside, surrounded by woodland and protected from prying eyes.”
However, Schlosshotel is not the only location which has been earmarked for next summer.
It faces competition from Schloss Auel Boutique Hotel in Lohmar, near Cologne.
It offers cocktail bars, Michelin star chefs and a team of personal assistants to assist with any requests.
When the tournament rolls around next summer the group of England Wags who head there are already said to be “excited” for the trip following the restrictions in Qatar.
The source added: “The Wags are extremely excited for the tournament.
“Qatar was far too restrictive. This time around they can properly enjoy themselves without worrying.”
Guests can be charged up to £1,750 a night to stay in the hotelCredit: “Simon Brown”
Schlosshotel is a five-star hotel
England’s Wags are looking to spend the Euro’s in luxury
The hotel resort can play host to stunning events including wedding
The hotel can host parties for as many as 300 guests
The hotel was earmarked by a travel planner
The hotel also features a stunning swimming pool and spa
There is even a cocktail reception by its Rose Garden on the castle grounds
England’s Wags are eyeing up luxury German castles for next year’s Euros (L-R: Kieran Trippiers wife Charlotte, Jordan Pickford’s wife Megan Davison , Harry Maguire’s wife Fern Hawkins, Kyle Walker’s wife Annie Kilner, and Luke Shaw’s partner Anoushka Santos)Credit: Instagram More

HE starred against Arsenal, and Ross Barkley has now stole the show against the European champions.The Luton Town midfielder, 30, was in irresistible form against Man City on Sunday.
Ross Barkley played a starring role for Luton Town against Man CityCredit: PA
Barkley’s all-action display had fans calling for an England recall for the ex-Chelsea aceCredit: AP
The former Blues man played a significant role for the Hatters’ opener scored by Elijah Adebayo.
Although he couldn’t halt his side’s narrow 2-1 defeat, his performance had fans on X purring.
Some even suggested he should return to the England fold and replace Kalvin Phillips in the squad.
One fan wrote: “Hear me out…… This version of Ross Barkley with Rice and Bellingham in a midfield for England.”
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A second posted: “Ross Barkley has really been class in the more holding role the last few weeks. If he keeps this up, deserves to be in contention for England over Kalvin Phillips surely.”
A third shared: “If Ross Barkley keeps playing the way he is, could he be the answer to an England problem position at the Euros? Rice, Barkley and Bellingham could work very well.”
A fourth added: “Ross Barkley redemption arc. He’s taking England to Euro 2024 glory.”
While a fifth said: “Call me crazy, but Ross Barkley needs to play for England again.”
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Barkley’s recent displays could give England boss Gareth Southgate a selection headache.
The Chelsea flop, who also played for Nice, has 33 caps for the Three Lions.
His last appearance for his country came in the 6-0 defeat of Bulgaria in 2019, when he scored twice and provided an assist.
But, in recent times he has been well down the pecking order after struggling for form. More

ENGLAND fans could face a beer ban for their opening match at Euro 2024.Gelsenkirchen’s chief of police has warned troublemakers “we will be prepared” ahead of the Three Lions’ clash with Serbia in the city.
England fans face a beer ban for their opening match at Euro 2024Credit: Simon Jones
The Three Lions take on Serbia at the Veltins Arena in Gelsenkirchen on June 16Credit: Getty
England begin their campaign at Schalke’s Veltins Arena on June 16 and could also return for the round of 16 if they win their group.
However, top cop Peter Both is aiming to ban supporters from drinking inside the stadium and in public areas in the city.
He has also vowed to send home any England fans causing trouble, threatening to use water cannons on them if necessary.
Both’s plan to ban booze is a blow to England fans planning to travel to England’s tournament opener as well as the Euros’ official beer Bitburger.
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The German brewery have paid millions to sell drinks at stadiums and official fan zones next summer.
Speaking to the Mirror, Both explained: “We’re discussing the possibility of banning alcohol in the stadium and I make no secret of it.
“Through the ­spectacles of someone responsible for security and in charge of police deployment on that day, I would find it good.
“We are also currently checking at the moment to what extent we can apply banning alcohol in public places.
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Gelsenkirchen’s chief of police wants to ban drinking inside the stadium and in public areasCredit: News Group Newspapers ltd
He has also vowed to send home troublemakers in a warning to England supportersCredit: Simon Jones
“In principle you’re free to drink alcohol on the street in Germany, but in big areas where fans gather in overfilled spaces we want to forbid it.”
He also had a warning to Three Lions fans heading to Germany, adding: “It’s important all police in Germany adopt a mindset of seeing the fans as peaceful rather than a threat, but we will react if something happens – and we’re prepared for that.
“You can’t exclude the fact that some will be coming with the intention of causing riots. My message to England fans is we will be prepared.
“If anyone does try to cause serious trouble we will move quickly and they will be sent home.”
After facing Serbia, England are set to take on Denmark in Frankfurt on June 20 before playing Slovenia in Cologne on June 25.
Gareth Southgate’s side will reportedly be based at the five-star Golfresort Weimarer Land throughout the tournament.
It is understood the Three Lions beat Austria to the booking of the remote resort located near the town of Blankenhain. More

ENGLAND are set to stay at a 5-star golf and spa resort in a secluded part of Germany to avoid a repeat of the Baden-Baden Wag circus.Gareth Southgate and the FA have chosen a base away from the buzz of big cities after Victoria Beckham, Cheryl Tweedy, Coleen Rooney and Abbey Clancy stole the show at the 2006 World Cup.
This is set to be England’s base for Euro 2024Credit: https://www.instagram.com/golfweimarerland/
The Golfresort Weimarer Land boasts two 18-hole golf coursesCredit: https://twitter.com/golfweimar/media
A stunning swimming pool can be found at the resortCredit: https://twitter.com/golfweimar/media
One-and-a-half training pitches will give Gareth Southgate plenty of space for his campCredit: https://www.instagram.com/golfweimarerland/
So, they will not base themselves in a big city like Hamburg or Berlin, where partners could be tempted by the vibrant nightlife available.
Instead, they have decided the Golfresort Weimarer Land, near to the town of Blankenhain, will be where they will stay during the tournament.
According to Bild, Ralf Rangnick had been keen for his Austria team to stay there.
He was reportedly aware of the “tranquility” of the surroundings during his time at RB Leipzig, one of the host venues of the tournament.
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The facility is one of the most spectacular golf resorts in Germany, with 45-holes to play.
There are two 18-hole courses, as well as a nine-hole course.
While that will give the players something to enjoy during their downtime, the most important aspect is the one and a half football pitches available to train on – making it ideal for training camps.
Golfresort Weimarer Land was built in 2021, with the idea of attracting top international teams.
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The resort also features a state-of-the-art gym, as well as a wellness centre and spa – with seven different treatment rooms.
Leisure facilities include snooker, table football and table tennis, with running and e-bike routes.
There are several conference rooms Southgate can use for video analysis and to give his side a teamtalk.
Seven restaurants on site also give the players plenty of catering options.
They are named after famous golf courses, including Augusta and the Masters.
The latter offers fine dining with Mediterranean Francophile cuisine.
Golfresort Weimarer Land has 94 rooms, suites and family suites.
To book a room it costs around £300-per-night.
There are 94 rooms that cost as much as £300-per-nightCredit: https://www.golfresort-weimarerland.de/en.html
Surroundings around the base are tranquilCredit: https://www.instagram.com/golfweimarerland/
A huge conference room is perfect for team meetingsCredit: https://www.golfresort-weimarerland.de/en.html
A spa will help the players relax and take their mind of their stress of the tournamentCredit: https://www.instagram.com/golfweimarerland/
There are seven restaurants at the resortCredit: https://twitter.com/golfweimar/media
Mediterranean Francophile cuisine is available at one restaurant called MastersCredit: https://twitter.com/golfweimar/media
Players like Harry Kane will enjoy the golf courses availableCredit: https://twitter.com/golfweimar/media
Golfresort Weimarer Land has been chosen because it is a relaxing treat away from the busy citiesCredit: https://www.golfresort-weimarerland.de/en.html
Werder Bremen, Rangers and QPR are among the teams to have previously held training camps at the resort
Earlier this month, Southgate hinted of a relaxing venue packed with facilities to entertain the players and staff.
“We need that nice contrast of relaxation and areas where we can work,” he said.
“You want to minimise travel where you can but within the FA our staff are really good at picking venues that the players will enjoy and feel comfortable in.
“You want to be somewhere where you can zone out from everything that’s going on around you, but somewhere with good facilities.”
Last time England played in a German World Cup, it was the Wags who stole the show.
Sven Goran-Eriksson’s Three Lions lost to Portugal in the quarter-finals.
However, it was the Wags who were front page news, as their escapades were said to be a distraction for the players.
Southgate believes a balance is important, and wants to welcome families, but doesn’t want a repeat of when the Wags took over Baden-Baden.
The resort was built in 2021 to entice football teams to have their training camps thereCredit: https://twitter.com/golfweimar/media
A golf simulator will amuse some of the England squadfCredit: https://twitter.com/golfweimar/media
During the 2006 World Cup, Wags like Cheryl Tweedy were said to be a distraction for the teamCredit: PA:Press Association
England are said to have beaten Austria to landing the resortCredit: https://www.instagram.com/golfweimarerland/
“I wasn’t involved in that tournament so I don’t know how all that was but we have a great environment with our players,” Southgate said.
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“We want their families to be able to go and enjoy the tournament as well. We normally welcome them in at various times. It changes the dynamic of the hotel, especially if the kids come in, and those elements are important for the players.
“Really we want somewhere where we can be a little bit on our own.” More