Euro 2024

AARON RAMSDALE was praised by fans after he opened up about life as England’s number two goalkeeper at Euro 2024.Ramsdale is yet to play a single minute at the tournament in Germany this summer as Three Lions No1 Jordan Pickford has been on top form.Aaron Ramsdale was praised by fans after opening up about life as England’s number two goalkeeper at Euro 2024Credit: gettyJordan Pickford has been England’s No1 this summerCredit: reutersRamsdale is yet to play a single minute at Euro 2024Credit: gettyWith England playing the Euro 2024 final against Spain in Berlin TODAY, Ramsdale has reflected on his time in the squad.The Gunners keeper said: ” Out of a population in England of 60 million or whatever it is, I’m living all of their dreams. “And then there is one man living my dream on the pitch, and that one person is doing a hell of a job.”Fans on social media reacted quickly to Ramsdale’s comments with one saying, “A great player and an even better man.”READ MORE ON EURO 2024While another added: “Aaron Ramsdale is a class act.”A third then put: “That’s actually brilliant.”His words reflected the unity in Southgate’s squad as Pickford and Ramsdale have been spotted celebrating together throughout the tournament. The Arsenal shot-stopper has spent most of the season as back-up to David Raya.Most read in Euro 2024BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHe added: “It was tough [being on the bench for Arsenal], it was tough. But I have my release now, I’m now here. “I’ve got the greatest honour, the greatest badge on my chest. If I play a minute or no minutes, it will be the pinnacle for me.”Watch Jordan Pickford absolutely lose it as he celebrates with fans after Ollie Watkins’ England winner vs NetherlandsRamsdale continues to be a man of the people as before England’s Euro 2024 opener in June he urged the government to have a week-long national holiday if the Three Lions win the tournament.Speaking on YouTube channel, That’s Football, Ramsdale said: “It has got to be a national holiday hasn’t it… for a week, because nobody is working.”England can win it if Gareth Southgate decides to be bolder… and it will add some gloss to a sub-standard EurosBy Phil ThomasTHEY’VE been booed by their own fans, the manager has been pelted with pints and were so dull even Gary “Mr Nice” Lineker branded one of their group games as s**t.Yet if England upset the odds in Berlin this evening, there’s a good case to argue the Euros will never have had a more fitting winner.Let’s face it, for all the nation has suddenly gone football-daft and started belting out Sweet Caroline again — thanks for that — this has been a tournament of trash.The big guns didn’t turn up, the big names may as well not have and, barring the first round of group fixtures, big thrills were harder to find than a sober Scotland fan.It has been a month of yawning, not fawning. Of exasperation, not animation. Four weeks of booze and boos.History will look back on it as the sub-standard Euros . . . and when it comes to sub-standard, we are in a league of our own.Initially thanks to the dross Harry Kane and Co served up in stuttering from the group of bored-to-death.Yet the three knockout ties weren’t so much about sub standards as the standard of subs. The reason England reached the final — and why they can now win it!Yes, Spain have been head and shoulders the best team in Germany, and young wingers Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal the stand-out stars.But for everyone from Yamal, 17 yesterday, to old head Dani Carvajal, 32, the Euros is a gruelling four weeks after a demanding season. Which obviously applies to England as well.That is why the strength of the bench has been and will be so vital, maybe even more than the strength of the starting XI.An area where Spain don’t come close to matching the Three Lions. See what I mean about sub standards . . . about where England have a clear and crucial edge?About why Southgate may well be Sir Gareth before long?If they stick it up the Senors tonight, the cries for an honour will be even louder than they were for his head. After all, it was Southgate who made the key calls against Slovakia, Switzerland and then Holland. All subs who raised the standard.Ivan Toney’s dramatic role in the last-16 great escape. Eberechi Eze and Luke Shaw saving the day against the Swiss. Cole Palmer and matchwinner Ollie Watkins’ semi-final heroics.Southgate has had the golden touch with his replacements and it’s hard to give him a dig in the ribs over that . . . in fact it’s hard to say he didn’t get them spot on.But I’m going to anyway.For although England would be on their way home now without their subs — or finishers as they are now, apparently — don’t hail it as the work of a tactical genius.There has been as much luck as judgment. There has been too much dithering. They have been made too late in the day. They have been reactive, not proactive.Toney was chucked on in the final minute against Slovakia. What was he supposed to do in that time? Even the player himself asked as much in the post-match conference.Eze, Shaw and Palmer changed the tone and the tempo in fighting back against the Swiss. But again, only after England had gone behind late in the day.And although Watkins hit the last-gasp winner to beat the Dutch, from Palmer’s pass, once more Southgate waited too long in turning to his bench.Time and again he leaves Kane on when he is out on his feet. Time and again he has left Palmer kicking his heels, despite impacting things whenever he appears.Southgate has got away with it so far but it won’t always be the case. As manager, he has to have the bottle to make changes earlier.Playing to your strengths isn’t rocket science and for England that is the bench — but only if you know how to exploit it.So come on Gareth, show us that you do!Who knows, we might even get to relax for the final few minutes . . . although I won’t be holding my breath.Read more articles by Phil ThomasInside Jordan Pickford’s penalty saving technique as he bids to be England’s Euros heroJORDAN PICKFORD has regularly been the hero when it comes to a penalty shootout for his country, writes Jon Boon.The England and Everton goalkeeper, 30, saved Manuel Akanji’s effort for Switzerland to hand the Three Lions an advantage in their shootout win in their Euro 2024 quarter-final.Now, with the help of Goalkeeper.com, we’ve uncovered Pickford’s penalty-saving technique.USES HISTORIC TRENDSPickford is well prepared when it comes to facing the ball from 12-yards.His water bottle trick has become infamous with the list of penalty takers and direction of shot taped on to it.But you cannot always listen blindly to most probable placements, and a goalkeeper’s intuition should also play a role.That human element remains important.UTILISES A MIXED STRATEGYBeing a goalkeeper is often called the ‘loneliest job’ in the world.And when it comes to penalties, your team-mates are solely reliant upon your strategy to save one.Often, we’ve seen goalies who prefer to favour one side – and continuously dive one way.However, Pickford adopts a mixed strategy.Sometimes, he will dive to the power side – saving from Jorginho in the Euro 2020 final.His save from Akanji in the Swiss shootout was made on the placement side.TECHNICAL EXECUTION OF DIVEGoalkeepers are hindered during penalty shootouts – with the Fifa rulebook meaning they have to stay on the line until the shot is taken.That means the lift off of your dive has to be executed a certain way.Pickford launches himself from his back foot behind the line, pushes his body weight forwards, makes no large negative step and keeps both hands active to make the save.This was put into effect when he made saves from Italy’s Andrea Belotti in 2020 and Colombia’s Carlos Bacca at the 2018 World Cup.France’s Mike Maignan, by comparison, takes a large negative step, and struggles to reach his posts.CLUB VS COUNTRY METRICSInterestingly, Pickford is better at saving penalties in shootouts for England than in his overall career average, and better at saving in shootouts vs in game.Clearly, Pickford performs better in an England shirt and when there is bigger pressure.Read our full analysis of Jordan Pickford’s penalty-saving techniques… More

SPAIN have brought in a 27th member of their squad ahead of the Euro 2024 final, according to reports.The three-time winners take on England at the Olympiastadion in Berlin on Sunday night.Gavi has joined the Spain squad ahead of the Euro 2024 finalCredit: X @SEFutbolGavi has been ruled out with a torn cruciate ligament since NovemberCredit: GettyAhead of the match, another player has joined up with the players at their team hotel.Barcelona midfielder Gavi arrived on Sunday morning in a bid to boost team morale.The 19-year-old was welcomed by manager Luis de la Fuente and Spanish FA president Pedro Rocha.Footage shared to social media shows Gavi arriving at the team hotel, where he was greeted by both De la Fuente and Rocha.READ MORE EURO 2024 NEWSGavi is currently sidelined with a torn cruciate ligament injury which he suffered in their final qualifier against Georgia in November.The injury ruled the teenager out of Euro 2024, although four of his Barca team-mates made the squad.Standout performer Lamine Yamal, Ferran Torres, Pedri and Fermin Lopez all made De la Fuente’s final 26-man squad.Gavi has scored five goals in 27 caps for Spain since making his debut aged 17 in 2021.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSHe was a part of their squad at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where La Roja made the last 16.The youngster played in all four matches and scored in their 7-0 group stage win over Costa Rica.Inside the Spain camp as England face even tougher test than France didEngland vs Spain recordEngland have played Spain 27 times in total – here is a look at every result…May 1929, Spain 4-3 England – International Friendly (L)December 1931, England 7-1 Spain – International Friendly (W)July 1950, Spain 1-0 England – World Cup (L)May 1955, Spain 1-1 England – International Friendly (D)November 1955, England 4-1 Spain – International Friendly (W)May 1960, Spain 3-0 England – International Friendly (L)October 1960, England 4-2 Spain – International Friendly (W)December 1965, Spain 0-2 England – International Friendly (W)May 1967, England 2-0 Spain – International Friendly (W)April 1968, England 1-0 Spain – European Championship (W)May 1968, Spain 1-2 England – European Championship (W)March 1980, Spain 0-2 England – International Friendly (W)June 1980, England 2-1 Spain – European Championship (W)March 1981, England 1-2 Spain – International Friendly (L)July 1982, Spain 0-0 England – World Cup (D)February 1987, Spain 2-4 England – International Friendly (W)September 1992, Spain 1-0 England – International Friendly (L)June 1996, England 0(4)-(2)0 Spain – European Championship (W)February 2001, England 3-0 Spain – International Friendly (W)November 2004, Spain 1-0 England – International Friendly (L)February 2007, England 0-1 Spain – International Friendly (L)February 2009, Spain 2-0 England – International Friendly (L)November 2011, England 1-0 Spain – International Friendly (W)November 2015, Spain 2-0 England – International Friendly (L)November 2016, England 2-2 Spain – International Friendly (D)September 2018, England 1-2 Spain – Nations League (L)October 2018, Spain 2-3 England – Nations League (W)Overall, England have won 14, drawn three and lost 10 matches against Spain.Gavi was also a member of Spain’s Nations League-winning side last year.At club level, he has made 111 appearances for Barcelona, scoring seven goals and adding 14 assists.Having joined the club’s academy from Real Betis aged 10, he made his senior debut just three weeks after turning 17.Inside the baffling, brilliant story of Lamine Yamal – from being bathed by Messi to doing homework while taking Euros by stormLAMINE YAMAL has confirmed his status as football’s next superstar at Euro 2024 – but has only been playing 11-a-side games for four years, write Jack Rosser.Spain’s incredible 16-year-old bent home the goal of the tournament so far against France as La Roja sealed the spot in the final.But his first five years in Barcelona’s academy were spent playing seven-a-side football, up until the age of 12 in 2020 when he finally got a crack at 11-a-side games.Yamal’s story is baffling, brilliant and barely believable in equal measure.He is a boy born to a Moroccan father and a mother from Equatorial Guinea, who turns 17 tomorrow and was cradled by footballing royalty at just six months old.Staggering pictures of Yamal as a baby being held and bathed by Messi, taken for a Barcelona charity calendar 16 years ago, resurfaced this week.He did not restrict his brushes with greatness to Barcelona either, with footage of Yamal as an academy player walking as a mascot with Spain and Real Madrid icon Sergio Ramos at an El Clasico in 2016.There is a touch of fate about this gem, Spain’s “little MVP”, as team-mate Nico Williams has dubbed him.Yamal has been doing homework in his spare time and received exam results during the tournament. He passed, obviously.Now he’s the youngest ever goalscorer at the Euros, also becoming the youngest player to ever start a major semi-final – claiming that title from Pele.But it’s Yamal’s humble approach on and off the pitch that most impresses everyone he meets.And France star Adrien Rabiot probably felt quite embarrassed as he boarded his plane back home from Germany.He had tried to intimidate Yamal ahead of their semi-final clash – telling Yamal he “needs to do more.”Was this good enough, then? Yamal responded with a goal for the ages and a man of the match performance.A season which started with a pre-season game against Tottenham where Yamal excelled but was overshadowed by Oliver Skipp scoring a brace will end on the biggest stage European football has to offer on Sunday.From being outshone by Skipp to eclipsing Pele’s records is not a bad year’s work – just imagine what he will do when he grows up.Read all about the incredible rise of Lamine Yamal in full… More

ENGLAND fans are drinking Tenerife dry as excitement for tonight’s Euros final hits fever pitch here in Tenerife.Brits holidaying on the Spanish island are scoring neat deals for drinks – with pints costing less than £1.England football fans in Tenerife buy England replica shirts from beach sellersCredit: Ian WhittakerBrit man wearing Jude Bellingham’s jerseyCredit: Ian WhittakerFootball fans in Tenerife are flocking to bars and restaurants for chap bearsCredit: Ian WhittakerA sign showing pints of beer selling for just one euroCredit: Ian WhittakerEngland fans watching live matches in Tenerife pubsCredit: Ian WhittakerAnd tourists from the UK have not been put off cheering on the lads, despite being on the opposition’s turf.Bars, clubs and pubs will tonight be jam-packed with football fanatics as England and Spain fans alike hope to net a win.As our lads prepare for the historic showdown in Berlin tonight, England fans have already started boozing.Donning their Three Lions shirts, they are necking pints and pitchers in the holiday hotspot’s busiest party towns.more on tenerife In the streets of Playa de las Americas, cries of “it’s coming home” ring through the resort as flags are proudly waved with the help of the sea breeze.Reece Hayes, 22, and dad Lee, 49, belted out Southgate You’re The One as they proudly sported their England jerseys.They refrained from singing Three Lions (It’s Coming Home), however, out of fear of jinxing the match.The father and son duo told The Sun they’ll be propping up a bar later to cheers on our side.Most read in Euro 2024Other England fans have been spotted buying football tops last minute from street sellers outside busy bars.Haggling with stubborn sellers, footie lovers have been snapping up tops for between 25 and 40 euros – dependent on their bargaining skills.They are hoping Gareth Southgate’s side can end decades of hurt by tonight smashing Spain for Euros glory.England have never won the Euros – but the whole country is hoping Harry Kane can lead the team to a much-needed victory.The Three Lions were catapulted into the final when Ollie Watkins netted a late beauty against the Netherlands.Flight prices to the German capital soared after England’s semi-finals success, but thousands of Brits are still scrambling to get there.Others secured flights to Spain to enjoy the clash in a party atmosphere with a jug of sangria in hand.A win for England in Berlin would mean the players could earn a combined £1billion during their careers from increased wages and megabucks endorsement deals. READ MORE SUN STORIESThe earnings league is likely to be topped by Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham, 21, whose brand looks certain to outstrip even David Beckham’s, raking him in £400million.Elsewhere, a further £100million would be picked up by each of Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, Cole Palmer and Kobbie Mainoo, experts predict.Pints are being sold for dirt cheap prices amid the Euro finalsCredit: Ian WhittakerBeach sellers selling replicas of football jerseysCredit: Ian WhittakerA wide range of football shirt replicas being sold to tourists visiting TenerifeCredit: Ian Whittaker More

ENGLAND fans are out in force across the UK and in Germany ahead of tonight’s Euro 2024 final.More than 50,000 Three Lions supporters have travelled to Berlin, with many downing pints, while others are enjoying a mini hotrod tour and holding up the traffic.Crowds of rowdy fans are gathering in London ahead of the matchCredit: Zuma PressTabitha Butler, 26 and Beatrice Lennon-Butler, 23 in BirminghamCredit: SWNSFans hitting the pubs in Leeds ahead of the gameCredit: NB PRERSS LTDFans start their joyous celebrations early in central LondonCredit: AlamyEngland fans are out in full force in central LondonCredit: AlamyEngland fans pose for a photo at BreitscheidplatzCredit: PAEngland fans enjoying a mini Hotrod tour while holding up trafficCredit: Paul EdwardsEngland fans with a replica UEFA Euro 2024 Trophy at Breitscheidplatz in Berlin todayCredit: PAOne fan in Berlin climbed up a flag poleCredit: PATom Staite, 27, from Warwick, Joe Lyon, 27, from Birmingham and Billy Hodder, 27, from YattonCredit: SWNSIt’s not just the English in Berlin – hordes of Spaniards are also partying in the cityCredit: AlamyBrits have been snapped at the likes of Brandenburg Gate and Friedrichstrasse, with many donning replica shirts and St George’s cross flags.Some are even brandishing a full size trophy in Breitscheidplatz.Plenty are already enjoying a drink in the sun at the Reichstag Euro 2024 Fan Zone.Thousands are also descending on fan zones across the UK – including in London, Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester and Bristol. Read more sports newsWhile many fans are making last ditch efforts to get to Germany – despite warnings of traffic chaos heading into Britain’s busiest airports this weekend.England fans have paid thousands of pounds, travelling by air, road and rail to Germany to be at the match.Alfie Bray, 21, a mechanical engineer from Birmingham, had flown from London to Frankfurt and got the train to Berlin.He and friend Callum Williams, 21, booked travel to the city as soon as the second goal was scored in the semi-final.Most read in Euro 2024Martin Rafferty, 44, from Birmingham, said he and friends had driven for 15 hours to reach the city despite not having tickets for the final.He said: “It could be a chance of making history.”Brazen England fans don ‘winners’ tattoos before Euros 2024 final even begins as supporters say ‘it’s coming home’Tony Rudd, 37, made a journey of 26 hours to get to Berlin from his home in Darwin, Australia, costing about £4,500.He said: “I made a last-minute decision. I went ‘I’m going’.”Pubs and bars across England are allowed to stay open until 1am on Monday morning – with boozy fans already pictured setting off flares in Trafalgar Square in London.British Beer And Pub Association chief executive Emma McClarkin said: “On what promises to be a hugely exciting day for the country we expect an incredible 10 million extra pints to be poured in our pubs this Sunday to toast England’s Euros final.A jubilant England fan poses with both of his pintsCredit: PAEngland fans from Mansfield, Nottingham and Peterborough at BreitscheidplatzCredit: PA”A huge £48 million in additional trade for pubs and breweries will be generated by fans across the nation.”It comes as England stars triumphantly saw off the Netherlands on Wednesday in the semi-final with a last gasp Ollie Watkins winner.The Three Lions are hoping to end their 58-year wait for glory against Spain.England men have never reached a major final on foreign soil and have also never lost a match in Berlin before.Before the players head to Berlin for the final, the athletes prepared at their luxury base in Blankenhain.All 26 members of the squad were in full training.It gives Gareth Southgate a selection decision to make at left-back after Luke Shaw and Kieran Trippier played half the game each in the semi-final victory over Holland.Trippier has been nursing a calf strain and Shaw is yet to play over 45 minutes at the tournament so far.Once training is over, England will leave Blankenhain and head to Berlin at 3.30pm.England fans light flares as they enjoy the atmosphere in Trafalgar Square, LondonCredit: APLuke Osborne, 27 and Hugh Burrowes, 28, from CannockCredit: SWNSMore than 50,000 England fans have descended on BerlinCredit: PAEngland fans in face paint with beers in handCredit: PAAn England fan carrying a crate of beerCredit: PAThe men’s side have never won a European Championship, with the World Cup win in 1966 their last and only major silverware.Brazen England fans have already been getting Euro 2024 winners tattoos so convinced Harry Kane and the boys will be victorious.Dan Thomas, from Swindon, Wiltshire, is among those who is ultra-confident England will defeat Spain despite not winning major honours since the World Cup in 1966.The data consultant spent two and a half hours getting a trophy and the words “England Euro 2024 Winners” tattooed on his leg three days ago.The 29-year-old went to the Reign Barbers and Tattoos parlour in Swindon on Thursday – the day after England booked its place in the final.”I thought (England) would get far, so it’s come as no shock,” he said.”I’m pretty confident. I think it will happen. I wouldn’t have got it done if I didn’t think it would happen.”I think it will be close and I think it will be 1-1, but go to extra time. I think we’ll win 2-1 at extra time.”Southgate himself has issued a rallying cry to fans ahead of the match.The Three Lions manager said the team has been “grateful” for the support throughout the tournament, saying he hoped to see the “same again” this evening.The King, the Prince of Wales and the Prime Minister are among those who have thrown their support behind the team.In a video posted on social media by the England football team, Southgate said: “To all of the fans that travelled to the games, I know there have been some epic journeys, hours and hours of travel, so grateful for that support.”It’s meant so much to us in the stadium, and it’s so important for the players, so same again please for the final.England’s route to the Euro 2024 final”To everybody at home, we’ve for a long time wanted to create memories for everybody.”I think we’ve had a lot over the last seven, eight years. This tournament has thrown up more, the knockout phase in particular.”I think we’ve shown amazing resilience, never say die spirit, composure under pressure at different moments.”So, we’re looking forward to this challenge. We know we’ve got to be exceptional again against Spain. But we’re in here fighting and we hope to do you proud again.”Speaking during a press conference on Saturday evening, Southgate said the team were aware of what a victory would mean to the nation.Captain Kane told the press conference he is “extremely proud to be English”, saying a win would be “incredible” for fans.The Prince of Wales, who will attend the match, said in a social media post on Saturday: “We are so proud of you all England, just one last push to finish the job!”Go out there and show the world what you’re made of. We believe. W.”William, who is president of the Football Association (FA), attended England’s quarter-final victory over Switzerland a week ago and the group stage game against Denmark, and was seen cheering in the stands.His father, the King, also commended the team after their 2-1 semi-final win over the Netherlands on Wednesday but quipped that they should avoid more last-minute drama.In a message to Southgate’s side, Charles sent the players the royal family’s “very best wishes” and “warmest congratulations”.He added: “If I may encourage you to secure victory before the need for any last minute wonder goals or another penalties drama, I am sure the stresses on the nation’s collective heart rate and blood pressure would be greatly alleviated!READ MORE SUN STORIES”Good luck, England.”In a good luck message, Sir Keir Starmer, writing to “Gareth and all the England team”, said: “You should all be proud of what you’ve achieved so far, and I hope you can take some strength from the millions at home kicking every ball alongside you.”HOW TO WATCH THE 2024 EUROS FINALTHE Euro 2024 final will take place on Sunday, July 14Kick-off will be at 8pm BST and The Olympiastadion in Berlin will host.The Euro 2024 final will be broadcast live on both BBC One and ITV1.All of the games at the European Championships have been aired on either BBC or ITV during the tournament.You will be able to live stream the final for free on either BBC iPlayer or ITVX.Alternatively, you can keep up to date with all the action by following SunSport’s live blog.England fans – including one in a Gareth Southgate Hawaiian-style shirt – in BerlinCredit: PAEngland fans in full crusader costumes in the German cityCredit: AlamyFans pose with replica shirts and a St George’s a flag draped over their shoulders outside the stadiumCredit: PAFans chanting, bottles in hand after making the trip from the UKCredit: PAEngland fans from Stoke pose for a photo outside the OlympiastadionCredit: PAEngland fans from Birmingham proudly holding up their St George’s flag while on tourCredit: AlamyThere’s a party atmosphere in the German capital with hours to go before kick offCredit: PAEngland fans are already on the beers in BerlinCredit: PAThe replica trophy is getting past around among groups of fansCredit: PAThe party is already in full swing in the German capitalCredit: PAEngland fans Lewis and Tyler Cremin outside the stadium in BerlinCredit: PAEngland fans of all ages are getting geared up for the gameCredit: PA More