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      Inside ‘quiet’ and ‘humble’ Ollie Watkins’ rise from sleepy Devon town with Motown singer mum to England super-sub

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      SCREAMING with ecstasy, supersub Ollie Watkins said the world felt like it was in “slow motion” as he celebrated shooting England to the Euro 2024 final.Thrown into the Dortmund bear pit in the 81st minute, Ollie etched his name into English sporting history by firing the Three Lions to their first final on foreign soil.Ollie Watkins, pictured with his partner Ellie Alderson and his kids Marley and Amara, has had a phenomenal rise to the topWatkins scored a last minute winner against the Netherlands to secure England’s spot in the Euo 2024 finalCredit: GettyLater in the stands, the “quiet” lad brought up in a sleepy Devon market town, and who used to play for non-league Weston-super-Mare AFC, was greeted with a kiss by his partner Ellie Alderson before hugging his mum Delsi-May.Interior designer Ellie, mother of Ollie’s children Amara, two, and one-year-old Marley, later said online: “You got your moment and you took it. I’m so proud of you.”Many fans had been clamouring for the Aston Villa striker to get more game time as England progressed through the tournament.Not least of those was his mum Delsi-May, a soul and Motown singer also known by her stage name Ruby Washington.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSBefore the game against the Netherlands, Delsi-May said in a moment captured on TikTok that she hoped “they finally let my son come on the f***ing pitch”.Unlike many of his peers, Ollie, 28, wasn’t cosseted as a young player by one of the great clubs of the Premier League.Rewind nine years to the footballing backwater of Basingstoke, in Hampshire.It was a blustery March day at the Ark Cancer Charity Stadium for a National League South clash between Basingtoke and Weston-super-Mare AFC in the sixth tier of English football.Most read in Euro 2024With the teams locked at 1-1 and the game drifting towards full-time, the visitors asked their teenage striker to warm up.In the 80th minute, on jogged Ollie Watkins — on loan from Exeter City. But there would be no last minute heroics. RISE OF WATKINSInstead, it was Basingstoke who scored a 90th-minute winner.Ollie’s familiarity with the tough tackles and rough pitches of non-league football may help to explain why he has managed to remain humble and grounded.Mum Delsi-May said: “Oliver is a man of very few words.“We’ve got a family group chat, and he never brags or anything, we literally have to draw everything out of him. He’s so humble and I love that about him.“He’s quite nonchalant about the fact that he’s doing something he loves. He assumes it’s the norm, but it’s not. I’m immensely proud.”A mark of Ollie’s warm and generous character is his friendship with Woody Stokes.Woody, who has Down’s syndrome and autism, had waited more than 90 minutes for Ollie to sign an autograph when he was playing for Brentford.Since then, Ollie has welcomed the 11-year-old into his box at Villa Park and during lockdown drove to his home to deliver Easter eggs.Ollie said: “It’s more than just him being a fan. We’ve got a close little friendship. He is involved with a charity called Skylarks, so I support them too.”Rising star Ollie playing for his youth sideThe striker performing for Exeter City’s under 16’sCredit: BPMIt speaks volumes of a man who, despite the riches of the Premier League, has remained true to his upbringing. Born in December 1995 in Torquay, Devon, dad Steven and mum Delsi-May split when Ollie was a child.He was raised in the small market town of Newton Abbot, on the fringes of Dartmoor.Bringing up Ollie, his brothers Richie, Dale and Jordan, and sister Charlotte alone, Delsi-May often took the children to her shows.Ollie said: “I got taken along to her gigs with my brother when I was younger. She also used to work on cruise ships and that’s when she was away. My singing? I probably let the family down with that but one thing I got from mum, I think, was a very good music taste.“My grandad listened to Frank Sinatra, mum listened to Whitney Houston, the blues, soul, and I like that stuff.”Ollie had been rejected for a place at Exeter City’s academy aged nine but a year later he made the grade.It meant Delsi-May having to juggle her work with a 40-mile round trip for his football training.She said: “I had to bomb it over to school, bring them back, get them something to eat, get them in the car, bomb it over to Exeter during rush hour. Then I had to make sure I got back in time for me to get to work.”Ollie’s close friend Matt Jay, a fellow pupil at South Dartmoor Community College and Exeter City’s academy, recalls his old teammate failing to initially make the grade.Midfielder Matt, now at League Two Colchester United, said: “I joined Exeter at under-nines.“I think the story is that Ollie didn’t make it that year, but came back the next.“You could tell he had something, but people develop at different rates. Exeter’s academy was all about technical ability.“I’m not saying that Ollie wasn’t blessed with that, but he wasn’t the best player there, for sure.“He was very fast but he was a late developer.”Ollie in action for Weston-Super-MareCredit: BPMOllie eventually did progress through the ranks for Exeter, winning a professional contract, and making his league debut against Hartlepool United in 2014.But he was far from the finished article. When Ollie and Matt were 18, they were sent on loan to non-league Weston-super-Mare AFC on the Somerset coast.Matt, 28, said: “It was difficult. It was our first loan. We probably thought it was going to be a bit easier than it was.“We used to travel up Tuesday and Thursday evenings for training, get back way past midnight.“But that was all part of the learning experience. And I think that helped Ollie a lot to realise that you weren’t going to just walk into a first team.“You see Marcus Rashford or Phil Foden coming through so young at great clubs, and we all think we’re going to do that. But the reality is, it’s not that easy.“There are times where you wonder if you’re going to make it. A lot of it is about timing.”Back at Exeter, Ollie broke into the first team and began banging in the goals.In 2017, Brentford, then in the Championship, signed him for £1.8million.After 45 goals in 132 appearances he was bought by Aston Villa for a £33million fee.In the season just gone, he scored 19 Premier League goals, helping Villa qualify for the Champions League. England had come calling in March 2021 — and Delsi-May was cleaning her car when Ollie broke the news.She said: “I’m glad he did when I was in the car, because I let out the biggest scream. If I’d have let that out in the street, people would have said, ‘Find that woman a mental hospital!’ I still can’t believe it. I’m immensely proud.”Ollie scored with his first shot on target on his England debut in a 5-0 win over San Marino at Wembley.He told the High Performance podcast just how much it means to him to represent his country.He said: “It’s one of the best feelings and one that I relish. I love it when I go out there. I’m standing there and singing the national anthem and I’ve got goosebumps.“Representing your country is one of the biggest honours, especially where the squad is at the moment.READ MORE SUN STORIES“I feel like I can do more, I’ve got a lot to bring to the table. That’s my aim — to achieve something great with them.”For this unassuming lad from Newton Abbot, that golden opportunity may come in Berlin on Sunday.The England star’s family at the EurosCredit: Splash More

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      Will there be an open-top bus parade in London if England win Euro 2024?

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      ENGLAND will be on the brink of making history on Sunday as they take on Spain in the final of Euro 2024. It is the first major final on foreign soil for the Three Lions, who were beaten in the final of Euro 2020 by Italy on penalties at Wembley. England beat Netherlands 2-1 on Wednesday thanks to Ollie Watkins’ late goalGareth Southgate’s side have stumbled their way through the Euros with a series of nerve-wracking but thrilling performances en route to the Berlin showpiece. England have needed last-minute goals, extra-time and penalties in all three of their knockout games so far, including their 2-1 win over Netherlands on Wednesday night. And Sunday could be Southgate’s crowning moment as England boss, with celebrations expected to take place next week if his side are victorious. So just how will the country celebrate if England beat Spain at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin?Will there be a bus parade if England win Euro 2024?According to The Standard, there are plans in place for an open-top bus parade if England beat Spain in the final of Euro 2024. It’s said that preparations for a parade are already at an advanced stage, with a bus set to drive towards Buckingham Palace on Tuesday, July 16. The route would start at Guildhall and drive past Trafalgar Square en route to The Mall and the Palace. On Monday, the team would be expected to meet new Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. Most read in Euro 2024England’s route to the Euro 2024 finalENGLAND began their Euros final campaign in Germany on June 16.Starmer will attend the final on Sunday in Berlin. However if England lose the final, there will be no parade. An England win would be historic and the men’s national team’s first major trophy since they won the World Cup in 1966. England beat Slovakia, Switzerland and Holland en route to the final while Spain overcame Georgia, Germany and France. More

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      Euro 2024 final stadium is steeped in twisted history and is home to English football’s most shameful episode

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      GARETH SOUTHGATE and his players will walk in the footsteps of sporting infamy on Sunday.And they also have the chance to wipe out the memories of English football’s most shameful episode by replacing it with glorious triumph.The Olympiastadion in Berlin is where the Euro 2024 final will take place between England and SpainCredit: GettyThe stadium is famous for Jesse Owens humiliating Adolf Hitler at the OlympicsCredit: Hulton Archive – GettyBut for many the venue is also famous for England’s most shameful episodeCredit: RexThe FA shamefully ordered the England team to perform a Nazi salute during a friendly in 1938Credit: Getty – ContributorThe stadium has a capacity of 110,000 fansCredit: RexFor many, the Olympiastadion will always be the place where Jesse Owens humiliated Adolf Hitler in his own backyard.But the 1936 Olympics WERE used by the Nazis as pure propaganda, as a statement about the supposed supremacy of the “Aryan race”.The ghosts of those Games still flit between the towers and the colosseum-style architecture.Fans walking in on Sunday will see the plinth where the Olympic cauldron was lit by Fritz Schilgen – handpicked by propagandist film-maker Leni Riefenstahl – still there, high in the stands above one goal.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnd two years later, when the FA disgracefully ordered England’s players to raise their arm in the Nazi salute before beating Germany in a friendly, it seemed that the British state was implicitly accepting Hitler’s authority and power.The Three Lions have the opportunity to right that ancient wrong yet nothing can detract from the stadium’s place in the pantheon of sport’s darkest hours.Hitler, coming to power in 1933, two years after the Games had been awarded to Berlin, decided that the entire event had to be homage to his ideology and ambition.He stuck with the site in the Grunewald Forest, to the west of the city centre, that had initially been chosen for the 1916 Games that were cancelled following the outbreak of World War One.Most read in Euro 2024BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHitler used the Olympics to promote the supposed supremacy of the ‘Aryan race’Credit: Getty – ContributorThe ghosts of those Games still flit between the towers and the colosseum-style architectureCredit: GettyBut from what was originally just a stadium, Hitler demanded more, a sports complex named the “Reichssportsfeld” with the stadium at its heart.The original architect Werner March and his brother Walter were re-engaged.England fans gush ‘my manager’ as incredible footage emerges of Southgate going wild after reaching Euro 2024 final However, the main design changes were under the direction of Albert Speer, the “architect of the Third Reich” who later became Reich Minister of Armaments and War Production and who was handed a 20-year jail sentence for war crimes and crimes against humanity at the Nuremberg Trials.Construction of the 330 acre site took just two years, with the stadium having a capacity of 110,000 fans, including a special stand for Hitler and the Nazi High Command.At the western end stood the 77m high Bell Tower, which gave a view of the entire city from the top and which contained the 9.6 tonne Olympic Bell, adorned with the Olympic Rings, an eagle, the year 1936, a depiction of the Brandenburg Gate and the motto “I call the youth of the world” between two swastikas.The design was deliberate. Hitler’s racial theories postulated that the “Master Race” were the natural inheritors of the Roman Empire.Echoing Rome’s most famous ancient monument leaned into that theory, while the Olympic Rings remain where they were hung between the two huge towers at the stadium site entrance.It was about power, grandeur, history and a warped and twisted view of all of them.Construction of the 330 acre site took just two yearsCredit: GettyIn the build-up to the Games, Hitler demanded that the IOC ban black Jewish athletes from taking partCredit: AP:Associated PressIn the build-up to the Games, Hitler demanded that the IOC ban black Jewish athletes from taking part.That was refused but fencer Helene Mayer, whose mother was Jewish, was the only Jew selected by the host country.The Opening Ceremony, devised and then filmed by Riefenstahl, was an exercise in pure propaganda, with Lithuania banned from taking part in the Games on the direct orders of the German government after the trials and convictions of two prominent local Nazi leaders.A number of countries, including Spain and Ireland, boycotted the Games, along with many Jewish athletes from other nations.When the Games commenced, Hitler was in situ to celebrate German victories as an endorsement of his regime, although he was only interested in shaking the hands of home winners.But those flawed claims of Aryan glory were to be blown apart by Owens, who back home in the Deep South was used to the deprivations caused by Segregation.England 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.In the space of seven days, he won four gold medals, in the 100m, long jump, 200m and 4x100m relay.Hitler, outraged at seeing a black athlete conquer, left the stadium early to avoid the medals ceremony although he was reported to have “saluted” the victor.According to Speer: “The Fuhrer was deeply annoyed by the series of triumphs by Owens.“People whose antecedents come from the jungle were primitive, he said with a shrug.“Their physiques were stronger than civilised whites and hence they should be excluded from future Games.”Enough said. Sickening and a foreshadowing of what was to consume the entire planet within three years.Those flawed claims of Aryan glory were to be blown apart by OwensCredit: GettyIn the space of seven days, he won four gold medals, in the 100m, long jump, 200m and 4x100m relayCredit: GettyYet a year before Germany invaded Poland to start that war, on May 14 1938, English football succumbed to the worst of political cowardice.In the build-up to the game, with Neville Chamberlain having opted for Appeasement rather than instigating the inevitable conflict, the Foreign Office sent a letter to the FA reminding them of the “broader political implications”.The night before the match, the FA and Government agreed to tell the players to perform the Nazi salute when the National Anthem was played – with Hitler’s key lieutenant Joseph Goebbels among the 110,000 crowd.That was not passed on to the players until they were in the dressing room before kick-off.While FA secretary Stanley Rous – later to become Fifa President and be the strongest proponent of allowing Apartheid-era South Africa to remain a member – insisted the players had “no objections”, that was angrily dismissed by some of them.Wolves’ Stan Cullis refused to comply and was omitted from the team and Stanley Matthews claimed: “The dressing room erupted. All the players were livid and totally opposed.”Matthews said the “infamous picture” caused him shame through the rest of his life. England won 6-3.READ MORE SUN STORIESIn 1984, four years after his death, the main road leading up to the stadium was renamed Jesse-Owens-Allee in his honour.One stain slightly removed. On Sunday, Southgate and his players can partially erase another. More

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      England set to face Lionel Messi for first time EVER as legend turns 38… but only if they beat Spain

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      ENGLAND could finally get a first chance to take on Lionel Messi’s Argentina if they can lift the Euro 2024 crown on Sunday.Uefa and their South American counterparts joined forces to relaunch the “Conmebol–Uefa Cup of Champions” in 2020.Lionel Messi could finally face England if they win Euro 2024 on SundayCredit: GettyJude Bellingham and the Three Lions will face the Copa America winners if they beat SpainCredit: GettyIt was a replacement for the old Artemio Franchi Cup, created in 1985 when France beat Uruguay and then played just once more, when Argentina ousted Denmark on penalties in Mar del Plata, before being abolished.But as part of a 10-year “Memorandum of Understanding” between the two confederations, it was agreed that the champions of both continents would meet.In 2022, Argentina thrashed Italy 3-0 at Wembley in what was branded the “Finalissima”.A year later, England’s triumphant Lionesses saw off Brazil on penalties, also under the Arch.READ MORE ENGLAND NEWSUefa insiders confirmed that it is planned that the Euro 2024 winners will meet the Copa America title holders next summer.That match will be played in Europe, rather than South America, although the venue has not been confirmed.And if England do beat Spain, they would face either Argentina or Colombia, who meet in Miami in the early hours of Monday morning.If the 2022 World Cup winners are victorious, that could finally mean England taking on Messi, who was an unused member of the Argentine squad when the sides last met, in Geneva in 2005.Most read in Euro 2024CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSEngland 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.If the match is held next summer, it would make Lionel Messi 38 years old when he takes on the Three Lions for the first time.It is unclear if Messi will continue to play for his nation after the Copa America but if he does want to stay on until the 2026 World Cup he would be expected to play in the next Finalissima.Watch shocking moment Liverpool and Uruguay star Darwin Nunez fights off fans to save family from ‘drunken supporters’ More

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      Meet Francois Letexier, referee for England’s Euro 2024 final who SLAPPED Erling Haaland and has unusual second job

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      ERLING Haaland and Phil Foden can tell the England squad that Euro 2024 Final referee Francois Letexier packs a punch.But what else is there to know about the man who holds the fate of the Three Lions in his whistle in Berlin on Sunday?French referee Francois Letexier is taking charge of Sunday’s finalCredit: EPAErling Haaland was unhappy when Letexier accidentally caught himCredit: TNT SportsSun Sport reveals the man behind the cards.So, who is he, then?Letexier is just 35, from Brittany, and with a young son. He was the youngest referee in Ligue 1 when he was appointed in 2016 and promoted to the Fifa list only a year later. That’s quick going – anything else about him?Well, actually, yes. While refereeing is his main job, he’s used to sending people down as well as sending them off – his part-time role is as a court bailiff, saying: “It helps me keep a good life balance.”READ MORE ENGLAND NEWSOkay – but what’s this Haaland stuff?Letexier inflamed Manchester City’s Norwegian ace during the 3-3 Champions League quarter-final first leg draw at Real Madrid. England 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.BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThe referee was locked in a “disagreement” with Madrid’s Dani Carvajal in the first half of that match when he gestured towards the City goal. Unfortunately, Haaland was walking past, catching a backhand slap in the face. Fair to say he wasn’t a happy bunny.Letexier tried to apologise to Man City hero HaalandCredit: TNT SportsSunSport’s Latest Euro 2024 headlinesYes but that was an accident. Has there been anything else to talk about?Quite a few things, actually. Both in France and internationally.Most read in Euro 2024In October 2022 he made a series of controversial calls in a Ligue 1 match between Nice and Nantes, with the home side the beneficiary of spot kick decisions in both boxes. After dismissing Nantes’ Kader Bamba and keeper Alban Lafont he received death threats on social media.Two months earlier he issued FOUR red cards to St Etienne – three players and a coaching staff member – in a Ligue 2 match with Le Havre.But no issues with English teams then?Nope. But a big one with an English manager.In December he became embroiled in a strange spat with then-Reims boss Will Still, who accused him of making “inappropriate” comments.Still had been targeted by Sunderland as a potential replacement for Tony Mowbray and wanted to quiz Letexier over some of the decisions in a 2-0 defeat by Lens.The Englishman claimed Letexier responded: “Don’t worry, it (the refereeing) will be better in England.”Still added: “I found it funny, or not funny at all. I didn’t find it very appropriate, but it’s not a story, it’s not interesting.” Letexier subsequently claimed he had been misinterpreted. After leaving Reims, Still eventually signed for…Lens.Anything else?Oh yes. May’s intercontinental Olympic play-off between Indonesia and Guinea in Clairefontaine saw Letexier award two penalties to the African side, including the match-winner when the foul was outside the box, while also sending off the Indonesia coach.Are there any reasons to think he could be a good luck charm?Maybe. Letexier also took charge of last season’s Uefa Super Cup Final between City and Sevilla, when the Prem champions won on penalties after  Cole Palmer’s second-half equaliser. Kyle Walker scored City’s final penalty while the team included Phil Foden, with John Stones on the bench. Then again, it also included Rodri….Kobbie Mainoo: From work experience kid to England hero… and latest generational talentBy Charlie WyettAND we all thought England had just the one generational talent.Kobbie Mainoo was effectively brought to Germany as a work experience kid but has emerged as the key kid behind this country’s attempt to rewrite history.After just five senior starts, England’s new boy wonder will now have a teenage tear-up against Spain’s Lamine Yamal in the Euro 2024 final.Last night, he did not merely become England’s youngest ever player to feature in a semi-final of a major tournament, aged 19 years and 82 days.Here, he took this semi-final by the scruff of the neck, delivered a performance which was a joy to watch, particularly in the first half, and now England are in their first final on foreign soil.If Jude Bellingham thought he was certain to be England’s main posterboy over the next decade, he has someone else who has now emerged in his rear-view mirror within just a few weeks.To bag an FA Cup winners’ medal at the age of 19 was impressive. To then win Euro 2024 a couple of months later would be extraordinary.As we saw with Manchester United, Mainoo has now fitted seamlessly into the team and provided a perfect mix of both style and substance.Give it a couple of years, and you can only imagine how good this lad is going to be.For much of this tournament, the focus has been on the disappointing form of Harry Kane, Bellingham and Phil Foden.So Mainoo, to a degree, had almost been off the radar. But against the Dutch, in tight, congested spaces, he is a class apart.When he was put under pressure, remained cool, navigated his way out of difficult situations and drove forward.Despite what was at stake, Mainoo once again looked extraordinarily composed and was England’s best player in the first half. He won possession, he rode tackles and he drove forward like an old master.He nearly delivered an assist at 1-1 with some brilliant play. He received the ball from Foden, turned and drove forward before returning the ball to his team-mate but the shot was hacked off the line by Denzel Dumfries.Mainoo delivered a terrific block to snuff out some serious danger in a lightning-quick Dutch counter attack.In the second half, he had less space in midfield but nevertheless still had bags of energy and kept his discipline positionally – and then he let subs Cole Palmer and Ollie Watkins deliver the business.It is still mind-boggling that Mainoo is now heading to Berlin on Sunday, when you consider Mainoo only made his United debut against Charlton in the Carabao Cup in January 2023. His first Premier League start was just eight months ago.Yet it was his dazzling midfield form in an otherwise dysfunctional United team which earned him his first cap as a substitute against Brazil in March. He was then Man of the Match in a ridiculously-good performance in the 2-2 draw with Belgium.Mainoo’s form dipped in the last few weeks of the season. It was probably because he was knackered carrying some of his team-mates. But he then saved them again in the FA Cup final against Manchester City with a Man of the Match performance in a 2-1 win.A bit like Adam Wharton, he was part of England’s 26-man squad to soak up the experience, to learn what it is like to feature in a major tournament and maybe, if needed, to have a few cameo roles off the bench.And the fact he was effectively Southgate’s third-choice to partner Declan Rice here in Germany tells you exactly where he stood in a squad of 26.The Trent Alexander-Arnold midfield failed in the two opening games against Serbia and Denmark. Conor Gallagher – despite some bright performances as a sub in those games – really struggled in his start against Slovenia.Apart from a strong appearance as a substitute by Palmer, Mainoo’s performance against Slovakia was the only bright spot in a dismal and extremely fortunate win over Slovakia in the last 16.There was always a worry about Mainoo’s movement when England do not have possession but that will come with experience, like it would for any other central midfielder.Yet Mainoo has solved the problem for Southgate and now England can continue to dream big. And it is totally unthinkable from where you consider how they played in the group stages when they stunk out Germany.In Sunday’s final, England’s experienced players will be able to draw on the pain of both the 2018 World Cup and Euro 2020.For Mainoo, this will be a completely new experience but do not expect him to wilt. He’ll absolutely love it.–READ MORE SUN STORIES-England vs Netherlands Player Ratings More

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      Ollie Watkins jokingly digs out David Beckham for Instagram post after England star’s heroics against Netherlands

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      OLLIE WATKINS hilariously called out England legend David Beckham for not tagging him on Instagram following his last-gasp winner against Netherlands.Aston Villa striker Watkins, 28, produced a moment of magic to send Gareth Southgate’s men into a final against Spain in Berlin with a 90th-minute strike.Ollie Watkins scored a last-gasp winner for England against NetherlandsCredit: ReutersWatkins reacted on Lions’ Den to David Beckham’s post about himCredit: YouTube/EnglandBeckham sent his congratulations to Watkins after his last-gasp strike in the semi-finalCredit: GettyBeckham shared this post on his Instagram story on Wednesday eveningCredit: InstagramAfter the game, ex-England captain Beckham posted on his Instagram story: “That’s why they call it a TEAM.”What a moment ❤️. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Well done Ollie @england.”Watkins, who appeared on Lions’ Den, was grateful for the shout-out but also joked about Beckham not tagging him.He said: “Any chance of a tag? Send him my [Instagram handle].”READ MORE ON EURO 2024But after a playful comment, he then went on to sincerely thank the former Manchester United man.He added: “I had his boots [as a kid], I had his preds [predators].”It’s nice that he can do that [send me a message]. Obviously he scored a memorable goal [the free-kick against Greece], so now I’ve done something similar – [but] I think his was better.”Watkins had played just 20 minutes at the Euros before he came off the bench against the Dutch.Most read in Euro 2024BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSInside humble Ollie Watkins’ remarkable rise from non-league to England’s Euro 2024 heroNINE summers ago Ollie Watkins went on a lads’ holiday after helping to save Conference South side Weston-Super-Mare from relegation, writes Dan King.Now he’s just fired England into the Euro 2024 final with a sensational 90th-minute winner.And even helped Aston Villa qualify for the Champions League last season.Watkins arrived on the Somerset coast as a teenaged striker on loan from League Two Exeter in December 2014.His 10 goals in 24 league games were a big factor in stopping Weston from slipping into the sixth tier for the first time in their history – and in giving them something to celebrate on a post-season trip to Spain.But it was also his workrate and attitude that earned him the respect of the dressing room, and helped him take the first significant steps on the road to stardom.Ryan Northmore, boss of Weston at the time, said: “His goals saved the club from relegation. But he contributed much more than his goals, which is really important when you’re scrapping away for your lives.“He wasn’t just sat at the top of the pitch waiting for the ball to come. He would roll his sleeves up and get involved in all aspects of the game.”Days after joining, Watkins made an instant impact with an equaliser against Farnborough.Team-mate Tom Jordan said: “He always struck me as the kind of lad who had his eyes wide open to different aspects of the game.“Sometimes you would have loan lads come in from a League club to non-League and they would be looking at you like they were doing you a favour.“His attitude was very different. He was coming in thinking, ‘I’m going to learn from this experience’.”It was during Watkins’ spell at Weston that the then Walsall boss Dean Smith spotted him.Smith would later take the striker to Brentford and bring him to Villa, where he has reached new levels under current boss Unai Emery.But Watkins has never forgotten the part that Weston played in his rise to the top.One of his Villa shirts is on display there, he has spoken to young players coming through and happily tells the local press how important and enjoyable his time at the club was.And he even helped fund an end-of-season boys’ trip to Spain due to his fines for being late – although he was allowed to join the rest of the squad.Read all about Ollie Watkins’ incredible rise in full…But he scored within nine minutes of being brought on to send England to Berlin.Watkins’ mum Delsi-May called on Southgate to play her son after their quarter-final win over Switzerland.England vs Netherlands Player RatingsAnd following his special goal, the Villa forward revealed he had predicted his winning moment.Watkins, who was assisted by Cole Palmer, said: “The ball came into me, hold up is not the strongest side of my game but the goal was my bread and butter.”I said to Cole Palmer we were both going to go on the pitch and he would set me up and it happened.”You don’t get that opportunity very often and I had to be greedy and take the shot. I don’t think I have hit the ball so sweet like that before.”You can say it hasn’t been pretty, but England are in the final… and we’re peaking at just the right time, says Jack WilshereAFTER what has been a tough tournament of times, what an opportunity Gareth Southgate and his team will have to end in the best possible way, writes Jack Wilshere.We might like a team that played better football. But it’s a results business.Germany, Italy, France, Portugal and of course Holland would love to be where we are.People will say we’re lucky because we’re on this side of the draw.But we won the group. France didn’t and then ran into Spain.You can say it wasn’t that pretty, but we’re there.Gareth and his coaches won’t have been happy with some of the performances.But I did like the way Gareth and his team have dealt with it.There was no panic coming out of the camp.Everyone gave the same message: ‘We know we can better, but we’re here still.’And on Sunday they will be in Berlin to play Spain.They will probably have to produce two halves of football as good as the first against Holland to beat them.We have improved as the tournament has gone on and that is how you win things.You want to peak in the final.If Gareth can lead England to that major trophy we’ve all been waiting for, it will be the perfect answer to the critics and a brilliant day for us all.Read Jack Wilshere’s England vs Holland verdict in full.Or check out all of SunSport columnist Jack’s Euros 2024 opinions… More

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      England fans who can’t make it to Germany vow to flock to SPAIN for Euros final & dub clash the ‘Battle of Benidorm’

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      ENGLAND fans have jokingly vowed to turn Benidorm into a battleground as they flock to the popular island for the Euros final.The Three Lions’ supporters who have been priced out of grabbing tickets to Germany are now racing to Spain instead.Fans of England after the semi-final match between Netherlands and England at Football Stadium DortmundCredit: GettyAround 50,000 fans are expected to fly to Berlin for the final matchCredit: EURO 2024 News Pool (ENP)England supporters celebrating the Three Lions’ victory in Benidorm yesterdayCredit: ReutersFootie fans who can’t get to Berlin plan to take over the Spanish resortCredit: GettyEngland progressed to the final of Euro 2024 on after a phenomenal last-minute goal from Ollie Watkins on Wednesday night.But as up to 50,000 fans scramble to make it to Berlin ahead of Sunday’s match, flights have swiftly soared up in price.EasyJet and Ryanair flights from UK airports to Berlin between Thursday and Sunday are already sold out.The remaining EasyJet flights going from Gatwick to Berlin in the next few days are priced at a whopping £918.read more on Euro 2024However, sharp-witted England fans who want to watch the game in a more serene setting have devised a new strategy.England supporters are planning to head to Benidorm to turn the final match night into a “derby”.Hundreds of England supporters are expected to spill on the streets of the resort despite Spain’s draconian alcohol regulations.EasyJet is currently offering flights to the well-known Suntrap for as little as £179.Most read in Euro 2024Fans took to social media to share their enthusiasm about “retaking” Benidorm after the final whistle, should England win.One person wrote on X, former Twitter: “England vs. Spain. The winner keeps Benidorm.”From agony to ecstasy – England fans go wild as Three Lions advance to Euro 2024 final with victory over NetherlandsAnother said: “Benidorm will look like the last days of Rome on Sunday.”One man joked: “A sensible country would airlift British citizens out of Benidorm before Sunday. “Either result guarantees a reasonable amount of rioting.”Someone else wrote: “Battle of Benidorm on Sunday.”England 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.Fans unable to travel to Germany have increasingly turned their attention to the hotspot popular amongst British holidaymakers.Videos of England supporters dancing on the streets of Benidorm have gone viral online following matches throughout the tournament.However, some celebrations have been less peaceful with a raging driver going on a punching rampage attacking rowdy England fans last week.And yesterday hordes of police – in a protective gear and equipped with shields – could be seen surrounding the areas where England fans gathered.One video posted online showed the throng of cops and police cars fill the streets in a bid to prevent brawls between fans.One person wrote on X: “Witnessed first hand exactly what happened.”Police were parked in side streets, as soon as final whistle went white helmets on, shields came out, blue lights switched on, and they drove into the crowds of supporters leaving the bars!”Everyone was in good spirits up to that point!”Meanwhile, after casting their ballots, members of the England Supporters Travel Club now endure a torturous wait to find out if they are chosen later today.A few hundred gold dust tickets are due to go on sale on the UEFA website this week, with the FA having just 10,000 tickets to sell.Many expect the 40,000 fans from Wednesday’s game in Dortmund to be after tickets once more as well 10,000 extras looking to be part of history.However, even for those who do obtain legal tickets, Berlin has been ramping up hotel rates and flight tickets.Accommodation prices in Berlin have rocketed with a one-night stay at a Holiday Inn in the German capital costing £345 on Sunday night.British Airways is also charging £782 to fly from Heathrow to Berlin on Saturday night.Fans desperate to watch England potentially get their hands on international silverware for the first time since 1966 will also be forced to stump up enough cash for re-sale tickets.Ticket prices for Sunday’s final flew up on the re-sale market with the best seat selling for an incredible £78,000-a-pair as others hit £32,852-a-pair.England overcame the Dutch in the semi-final at the Signal Iduna Park on Wednesday in a monumental game for Southgate’s side.The Dutch had started the match the better of the two as Simons gave them the lead in the 7th minute.Harry Kane levelled the match 11 minutes later from the spot after he won a controversial penalty.And it was Watkins who was the hero as he fired in the winner in the final moments of the match.The winning goal sent fans, players and coaching staff into wild celebrations.Even England’s Dutch coach Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink was swept up in the moment before realising it came against his native country.Pundits Gary Neville and Ian Wright went wild in the ITV studio while Roy Keane remained his composed self.England will face Spain in the Euro 2024 final on Sunday at the Olympiastadion in Berlin.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe Spanish reached the final by dumping out France in the first semi-final 2-1.Randal Kolo Muani had given the French the lead before goals from Lamine Yamal and Dani Olmo sent Spain through.Thousands are expected to spill on the streets of Benidorm ahead of the finalCredit: ReutersFans gathered outside bars in the island to celebrate England’s winCredit: Reuters More

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      England fans spot what Bukayo Saka did after Ollie Watkins’ winning goal against Netherlands as new footage emerges

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      ENGLAND fans have spotted Bukayo Saka brilliantly booting a ball away while celebrating Ollie Watkins’ dramatic 90th-minute winner against Netherlands.Gareth Southgate’s men booked their place in Sunday’s final against Spain as a last-gasp Watkins strike clinched a 2-1 win in Dortmund.Ollie Watkins scored England’s 90th-minute winner against NetherlandsCredit: AFPEngland players and substitutes swarmed Watkins in celebrationCredit: GettyBukayo Saka was spotted pumping a ball away during the jubilant scenesCredit: ITVThe late goal sparked scenes of jubilation among the England players and fans as a number of the substitutes stormed onto the pitch to join in the celebrations.But eagle-eyed supporters have identified what Arsenal man Saka did as he sprinted around the field.As Watkins ran towards the bench to meet several of his team-mates, Saka followed in hot pursuit.But he ended up nearer the touchline than the rest of the England squad, before he proceeded to smash a ball that had bounced onto the pitch.READ MORE ON ENGLANDAnd fans were loving the burst of passion from the forward – who left Arsenal team-mate Aaron Ramsdale hanging as the keeper waited to hug him.One social media user said: “We’ve got our game back, no rehearsed celebration, Saka walloping it as hard as he can into the stands, knee slides, all just unreal… 😍”While another added: “Ramsdale waiting to hug Saka, but Saka just wallops the ball into the stands, HAVE IT! 🤣🤣.”A third replied: “I did see someone at the station last night with a ball I wonder if it’s the same one.”Most read in Euro 2024CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSSaka impressed again for England during the semi-finalAnd a fourth responded: “Look what Saka did.”Saka thought he had scored the winner 10 minutes earlier when he buried Kyle Walker’s cutback.England vs Netherlands Player RatingsBut his celebrations were short-lived as it was ruled out for Walker straying offside.Saka has enjoyed a superb tournament for England and was his country’s talisman in the quarter-final against Switzerland.He scored in normal time and dispatched his penalty with aplomb as Southgate’s side marched into the last four.And he was a constant threat against Netherlands on Wednesday night, a run of form England fans will be hoping he can continue against Spain in Berlin this weekend.England ratings vs HollandENGLAND stormed into the final against Spain thanks to Ollie Watkins’ last-minute strike in the 2-1 win over Holland.It was a brilliant team performance, but how did each player rate?SunSport’s Tom Barclay ran the rule over Southgate’s boys, and here’s how he rated them.Jordan Pickford: 7Bigger goalkeepers may have got a stronger hand to Xavi Simons’ early stunner – though that was being hypercritical. Solid stop to deny Virgil van Dijk after the hour.Kyle Walker: 7Looked re-energised after some lumbering displays and bombed on at times in the first half, despite his role on the right of a back three. Last-ditch tackle on Cody Gakpo was spot on.John Stones: 7Strong in possession. He looks to have benefited from regular game-time after rarely featuring for Manchester City in the last few months.Marc Guehi: 6Came back into the side after suspension ruled him out of the Switzerland game. Had an unenviable task of making the big man Wout Weghorst after the break.Bukayo Saka: 7Razor-sharp in the first half, winning tackles, making runs and dribbling the ball proficiently. Less of an impact after the break, had a goal ruled out for offside and was booked.Declan Rice: 6Lost possession for Simons’ thunderous opener but grew into the game, mopping up where necessary. Poor pass when Kane was open midway through the second half.Kobbie Mainoo: 8Was England’s youngest-ever player to play in a major-tournament semi-final, aged 19years 82 days, and had a stormer in the first half. Great bursts forward, vital tackles, and his interplay with Foden was a joy.Kieran Trippier: 6We all know by now that he is playing out of position, so again he was limited going forward and reliable defensively. Subbed at half-time for the more natural Shaw.Phil Foden: 7The first 45 minutes was by far and away his best half of the tournament. Thought he’d scored when his shot was cleared off the line by Denzel Dumfries, and cracked the post with a cracker. But was then surprisingly subbed.Jude Bellingham: 5Back at the ground where he made his name but struggled to make much of an impact on his old stomping ground. Fortunate it was not he that was subbed.Harry Kane: 6Won and dispatched the penalty to go joint top-scorer in the tournament with three goals. Had looked more mobile initially but still tired badly after the break and was taken off.SUBSLuke Shaw (for Kieran Trippier, half-time): 6Looked assured for a man who has been out for so long.Ollie Watkins (for Harry Kane, 81): 9 and STAR MAN Surprisingly given the nod over Ivan Toney as striker sub as Southgate looked for more pace in behind. Brilliant finish into the corner to win the game – you could not ask more from him.Cole Palmer (for Phil Foden, 81): 7Had his big chance in the final minutes but shanked it horribly wide – but then fed Watkins for his wonderful winner.Gareth Southgate: 8His switch to a back three against Switzerland helped dig out the win there, and here it had his team finally playing some great football in the first half. The team went into their shells again as the game wore on and you feared the worst – but you have to say his decision to bring on Ollie Watkins was a masterstroke.  More