Euro 2024

HARRY KANE and Jude Bellingham get special treatment in England’s kit order.The Three Lions face Holland in the semi-final tonight after beating Switzerland 5-3 on penalties in the previous round.Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane made special requests for extra shirtsCredit: RexEngland made this kit order for the Switzerland gameCredit: Sport BildEngland left their dressing room tidily after reaching the semi-finalCredit: Sport BildTwo bottles of white wine were consumedCredit: Sport BildOnce the players left the stadium in Dusseldorf and returned to their luxury base in Blankenhain, a reporter from German newspaper Bild went into the dressing room.And they claim to have found England’s kit order for the match against the Swiss.The leaked document shows that Gareth Southgate’s side ordered 46 shirts for outfield players.It equates to every England ace being given two for the match. READ MORE ON EURO 2024Just four kits were needed in small, 16 in medium, 22 in large and four in extra large, with nine jerseys for goalkeepers added to the order.England also had to specifically request for the match logo and sleeve badges to be applied.And it appears that Kane and Bellingham get the best treatment from the kit man.The document claims that both stars demanded five extra shirts from Nike for the quarter-final clash.Most read in FootballEURO 2024 FREE BETS AND OFFERSIt is unclear what the reason is behind the bonus orders.Bild’s search of the incredibly clean dressing room also revealed that two bottles of £20 white wine were drank – supposedly by Southgate and his coaching team.Pizza boxes and empty beer cans were also spotted in the rubbish bin, which were believed to have been consumed by the squad.England’s five-point penalty shootout planJack Wilshere on Harry KaneSunSport’s Euro 2024 columnist Jack Wilshere gives his verdict on the Harry Kane dilemma…HARRY KANE should start against Holland.But we need to be more pro-active with our substitutions and keep the energy in the team.In the first half against Switzerland, we saw that if you set up in a certain structure, Harry can do it.I hear people say, ‘Harry can’t press’ but of course he can.Can he sustain it for 90 minutes? I’m not sure, he may prove us wrong.But regardless of that, we have to be more front foot with our changes, rather than waiting and reacting to what the opposition are doing.People used to talk about Gareth Southgate not taking Harry off.He did it against the Swiss and it worked.We proved we can win a penalty shootout without him.So play Harry from the start and tell him: “Give me everything until you can no longer.”Harry is OK with that. He’s the captain, he wants what is best for the team.Read more from ex-England and Arsenal star Jack Wilshere. More

ENGLAND fans have descended on Dortmund ahead of the huge semi-final Euros match against the Dutch.Anticipation is rising as pints are drunk, punts are placed, and the nation braces itself for another nerve-wracking night of football.England and Dutch fans face-off in the street ahead of the matchCredit: AFPDortmund is getting rowdy ahead of the 8pm kick-offCredit: PAOne England supporter holds aloft a cutout of coach Gareth Southgate before the matchFans let off flares and hold beers up as they party before the semi-finalCredit: APFans singing on the train to the groundThe Three Lions face Holland tonight at Signal Iduna Park for a place in the final of Euro 2024 which will see the winner facing Spain.Fans enjoyed the warm temperature in Dortmund today as they drunk beer with Dutch fans before the game. Many donned their England shirts with pride as they get ready to will the team to victory.Others had taken their shirts off and sang songs and chanted for England with a beer in hand.Read more on football Supporters headed to the game on trains, buses, and foot and faced off against Dutch supporters in the street.Portsmouth FC fans had a supporters flag with ‘Bognor to Berlin’ written on it.Fans Kate Wilkinson and Amy Dorman from Middlesborough raised the Flag of St George behind them as they posed for a photo.But Three Lions supporters may be swamped by an orange sea of Netherlands fans, with 100,000 Dutch expected to descend on Dortmund.Most read in FootballEngland sneaked through the quarter-final on Sunday against Switzerland in a clinical penalty shootout.That came after ace Bukayo Saka slotted a 90th minute goal to take the game into extra time.At the end of the thriller, Prince William was seen fist pumping the air in celebration.Laura Woods photobombed by ‘naked’ man on top of bus as she hangs out with Netherlands fans before England clashThe Prince of Wales, who is the President of the Football Association met the stars in the tunnel after the side’s victory in the Dusseldorf Arena yesterday.The heir, 42, has hailed the epic win as “nail biting to the very end” after he jetted over to join fans in Germany.Wills shared his thoughts in a tweet after the match: “Nail biting to the very end. Well done @England! Semi-finals here we come! We believe. W.”Gareth Southgate is set to only make one change to the starting team, with defender Luke Shaw also reported to be on the bench.Portsmouth FC fans preparing for the match in DortmundCredit: GettyPlenty of Dutch were preparing for their team to take on the Three LionsCredit: Paul EdwardsKate Wilkinson and Amy Dorman from Middlesborough ahead of the gameCredit: Paul EdwardsThe Netherlands’ preparations were hit by major travel chaos on Tuesday.Ronald Koeman was forced to cancel his press conference after a rail-line blockage forced the Dutch to fly from Wolfsburg to Dortmund.It means they only arrived in the city less than 24 hours before kick-off against England, which could give the Three Lions an advantage.The game is England’s bid to reach a second Euro final in a row after heartbreak against Italy in 2020.The Three Lions haven’t brought a major trophy home to England since they won the World Cup on English soil in 1966.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe Dutch have only won the Euros at the 1988 tournament in West Germany, beating the Soviet Union in the final. They have also played in the 1974, 1978, and 2010 World Cup finals, but have never won the gong. England’s Harry Kane dilemma laid bare as stats show MAJOR problem before Holland clashGARETH SOUTHGATE has a Harry Kane dilemma ahead of the Euro 2024 semi-final, writes Kealan Hughes.England face the Netherlands on Wednesday night as they bid to reach back-to-back Euros finals with their captain the subject of huge scrutiny.Kane, 30, was taken off in extra-time against Switzerland after a lacklustre performance which saw the striker barely involved in play.In 109 minutes, he completed just EIGHT passes – only one of which was in the final third.Kane also made just four touches in the opposition penalty box, with critics lamenting his failure to get into the area to get on the end of one of Bukayo Saka’s many crosses.Alan Shearer has advised Kane to do his work in the box rather than dropping back.In fact his average position against Switzerland was DEEPER than wing-backs Saka and Kieran Trippier.That might be understandable, with the pair bombing on to provide width.But Kane was also, on average BEHIND Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and even holding midfielders Kobbie Mainoo and Declan Rice.Read SunSport’s analysis on Southgate’s Kane dilemma in full.The Flag of St George is making itself felt in the German city todayCredit: Paul EdwardsEngland fans in Dortmund ahead of the clash pose with TV presenter Josie GibsonCredit: Paul EdwardsDutch fans kindly helped one wheelchair-bound English fan down some stairsCredit: Paul EdwardsShirts were off as the sun came out in DortmundCredit: Paul Edwards More

A HILARIOUS video shows England fans chanting “We want our ball back” after killjoy German cops confiscated their football.The Three Lions fans had a playful kickabout with a £25 replica Euro 2024 football in a square in Dortmund, Germany yesterday.England fans fumed as local police in Dortmund confiscated their football on July 9Credit: Jam Press Vid/@follow_englandPesky German cops confiscated a football from England fans they deemed too rowdyCredit: Jam Press Vid/@follow_englandThe video was filmed at Markt 6 – a square littered with bars 10 minutes from the BVB StadionCredit: Jam PressEngland supporters lined up in the boozers on July 9 ahead of the semi-final against the Netherlands tonight and opted to play some football.But unimpressed cops confiscated the ball, cutting their game short.The lighthearted clip shows an army of police, kitted in all-black, descend onto the square, booed by supporters for ending the fun.They chanted: “We want our ball back” as the squadron of cops made their way through the crowd.READ MORE IN SPORTThey are met with cheers from dozens of appalled fans, booing in the 18-second-clip while bar staff emerge with pints at the ready.The boozy scenes took place at Markt 6, a market square littered with bars 10 minutes from the BVB Stadion Dortmund. The Germans have tried to control British boozing throughout the Euros 2024.Local bars have been completely taken over by boozing England fans supporting their nation in Germany.Most read in SportThis comes after the hilarious moment England fans came together to sing a cheerful song at a lookalike of The Chase’s infamous “Beast.”Moment England fans chant ‘he’s got The Chase in the morning’ at ‘The Beast’ lookalike sinking pints at Euros in GermanyThe video shows good-humoured fans gathered outside of a bar in Dusseldorf ahead of the next Euro match.Footie fans can be heard chanting “he’s got The Chase in the morning” at a doppelganger of Mark Labbett.The England supporters appear in high spirits as they gulp down pints and sing in unison while pointing at Mark’s double.The man in question plays along with the lighthearted joke smiling and waving at the crowd as he sips on his beer.The improvised song seems to refer to TV game show the Chase, which has been airing on ITV since 2009.The programme sees contestants play against a quizzer, known as the “chaser” who tries to stop them from scooping the prize.Mark Labbett, dubbed The Beast, has been a reccurring chaser on the popular show.The man in the clip with England fans appears to have an uncanny resemblance to the TV star.The video has since gone viral online with many users also noticing the close likeness of the two and praising British sense of humour.One person wrote: “Baby Beast.”Another one added: “English humour unrivalled.”READ MORE SUN STORIESPeople took part in the fun and supported their fellow England supporters by booing German copsCredit: Jam Press Vid/@follow_england More

ENGLAND fans should be filled with faith – not fear – if Phil Foden and Cole Palmer take penalties against Holland tonight.Manchester City defender Luke Mbete grew up playing around the two Three Lions playmakers so he knew super-sub Palmer would slot home his opening spot-kick against Switzerland.Luke Mbete and Cole Palmer came up through Manchester City youth ranks togetherCredit: GettyAnd the 20-year-old Etihad ace – who has represented England from U15-U21 level – shows no signs of the penalty phobia most fans are riddled with when Gareth Southgate’s wonderkids walk up to the spot.Centre-back Mbete told SunSport: “If the last game taught us anything, it was to teach us to have even more faith in our boys.“All five of them stepped up and executed in an extremely professional manner.“You cannot recreate that sort of pressure in any training ground situation or environment but they are professionals at the peak of their game.Most read in Football“So I trust them and I hope the whole nation trusts them if they are called upon again.”Mbete has just completed a loan to Den Bosch in Holland but the West Londoner returned to his childhood school of St Gregory’s Catholic Science College in Harrow on Tuesday to host an awards evening and donate £5,000.Staying true to his roots is crucial for the centre-back and he revealed it’s a huge part of both Foden and Chelsea hero Palmer’s classy careers so far.He explained: “I played with Cole from a young age and I first played with Phil when I first got called up to play with the first team.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSLuke Mbete (second from left) has played and trained alongside City’s stars like Phil Foden“The best thing about Cole and Phil is that they both do their talking on the pitch and that has helped them both go on to have incredible seasons.“They are really good people and really relaxed too, what people are seeing on TV is what they are like in real life.Gareth Southgate admits England stars gripped by fear of Euro 2024 failure – but reveals huge change in last matchInside 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…“They are both really relaxed people, as well as players, and that allows their talent to just come through on game day.”Mbete, who made FA Cup and Champions League appearances for Pep Guardiola before his most recent loan spell, is aware of the criticisms the England performances have faced.But he’s sure his City colleagues, like John Stones and Kyle Walker  – as well as the rest of the squad – are all desperate to succeed for the nation.“Representing your country, wearing that England shirt, is always a huge honour,” he said. “That brings great pride and you can see the boys feeling that.“There’s been a lot of talk about the quality of the performances but you can’t debate their effort or dedication, to reach the stage they have.”Mbete and Palmer won the FA Youth Cup togetherEngland can’t take their eye off the ball… you’ve NEVER cracked penalties, warns Jurgen KlinsmannTHE key to winning penalty shootouts is to never think you’ve cracked it, writes Jurgen Klinsmann.England were so impressive from the spot against Switzerland on Saturday — all five penalties were exceptional.That will bring confidence to Gareth Southgate’s team but there is no guarantee they will win another one, in the semi-final against Holland or in the final.Do not expect the next shootout to be the same. Thinking like that is very dangerous.If a game goes to extra-time, don’t just believe you can get all the substitutions right and manage the game, then win on penalties — that’s when you take your eye off the ball.And, unless you’re Ivan Toney, that’s usually a bad thing.After so many bad experiences with shootouts over the years, it always plays on your mind.It’s tragic when you keep losing that way and I know the whole English nation used to dread penalties.Gareth and his staff have changed all that, thanks to excellent preparation. They know shootouts are no lottery.The German national team haven’t lost a shootout since 1976 — and, of course, we beat England on penalties in the semi-finals of 1990 World Cup and Euro 96.Here, our approaches were actually very different.In 1990 we were full of players who were extremely confident in moments like that — players like Andreas Brehme, Lothar Matthaus and Rudi Voller, with extremely big personalities.We were so convinced we would win that tournament in Italy, so we didn’t spend much time practising penalties.Six years later, it was very different. We knew we didn’t have the same quality as England and we prepared for penalties methodically.We got through because of an extreme desire to win, a willingness to suffer and, yes, being good at penalties.As a manager, you have to read every player.If he’s totally confident in his approach to taking a spot-kick, then he doesn’t have to shoot five penalties every day. Others need constant repetition.I’ve always prepared my team for  shootouts as if they would be crucial.We never felt embarrassed about saying that. It’s part of preparation for knockout matches.Read all of SunSport columnist Jurgen Klinsmann’s Euro 2024 opinions. More

ENGLAND made sure to celebrate their quarter-final victory over Switzerland.The Three Lions reached the semi-finals of Euro 2024 after beating the Swiss after a penalty shootout.England’s dressing room after the win over SwitzerlandA couple of wine bottles were found in the coaching areaThere was also a document showing England’s kit orderBukayo Saka netted England’s equaliser in the match following Breel Embolo’s opening goal.England then scored all five of their penalties in the shootout, with Trent Alexander-Arnold sealing the victory.After the game, the players returned to the dressing room to celebrate moving on in the tournament.The players were treated to pizza as there was a leftover box found left behindREAD MORE ON EURO 2024There were also two bottles of £20 Pouilly-Fume white wine found in Gareth Southgate’s coaching room.That was not the only alcohol there as there was also some cans of Bitburger beer, according to Bild.And the Three Lions put some effort in to tidy things up at the end of it all – rubbish appeared to be swept into a refuse bag and placed under the table.A document was also discovered which showed how many kits are ordered for the players.Most read in Euro 2024CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThe players spent 90 minutes celebrating before heading to Dusseldorf airport to travel to Erfurt.It shows that captain Harry Kane and star Jude Bellingham are allowed five shirts each.Gareth Southgate admits England stars gripped by fear of Euro 2024 failure – but reveals huge change in last matchThe players have been lucky enough to have some beer before the Switzerland game.England’s Harry Kane dilemma laid bare as stats show MAJOR problem before Holland clashGARETH SOUTHGATE has a Harry Kane dilemma ahead of the Euro 2024 semi-final, writes Kealan Hughes.England face the Netherlands on Wednesday night as they bid to reach back-to-back Euros finals with their captain the subject of huge scrutiny.Kane, 30, was taken off in extra-time against Switzerland after a lacklustre performance which saw the striker barely involved in play.In 109 minutes, he completed just EIGHT passes – only one of which was in the final third.Kane also made just four touches in the opposition penalty box, with critics lamenting his failure to get into the area to get on the end of one of Bukayo Saka’s many crosses.Alan Shearer has advised Kane to do his work in the box rather than dropping back.In fact his average position against Switzerland was DEEPER than wing-backs Saka and Kieran Trippier.That might be understandable, with the pair bombing on to provide width.But Kane was also, on average BEHIND Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and even holding midfielders Kobbie Mainoo and Declan Rice.Read SunSport’s analysis on Southgate’s Kane dilemma in full.Southgate revealed that the players shared a drink when they were visited by popstar Ed Sheeran.He said: “We were lucky that Ed Sheeran sang for us (in the team hotel).”It was great that the players had a few beers before the last game.”They can bond that way.”England are back in action tonight as they take on the Holland in the semi-final at the Signal Iduna Park.Should the Three Lions make it to a successive Euros final, then they will face Spain for the chance to end the nation’s 58-year wait for a trophy.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe Spanish booked their spot in the final with a 2-1 win over France last night.Lamine Yamal stole the headlines in the match as he became the youngest-ever player to score at the Euros.England’s six tournament semi-finalsENGLAND will play their seventh tournament semi-final in Dortmund on Wednesday, writes Martin Lipton.Sun Sport recalls the other six – and remembers where it went right and wrong for the Three Lions1966 Portugal (Wembley) W 2-1This was the big test for Alf Ramsey’s “wingless wonders” and one they passed thanks to a masterclass by Bobby Charlton. Charlton steered home the opener from outside the box after Roger Hunt chased down Ray Wilson’s ball over the top and keeper Jose Pereira blocked.His second was slammed into the bottom corner after Geoff Hurst pushed into his path. Portuguese superstar Eusebio pulled one back from the spot after Jack Charlton handled off the line but England held on.1968 Yugoslavia (Florence) L 1-0Alan Mullery became the first England player to be sent off as this European Championship semi-final descended into a kicking match. A forgettable game saw Alan Ball force one panicky clearance against the Yugoslav bar but few real chances before Dragan Dzajic sneaked in behind Bobby Moore to prod the winner past Gordon Banks with four minutes left.Mullery was then dismissed for kicking out at Dobrivoje Trivic. Goals from Charlton and Hurst earned a 2-0 win over the Soviet Union in the third place game.1990 West Germany (Turin) D 1-1 (West Germany won 4-2 on penalties)Arguably England’s best performance under Bobby Robson ended in heartache and tears. Chances came and went at both ends in a whirlwind game before Andreas Brehme’s free-kick looped off Paul Parker to drop beyond a helpless Peter Shilton.But Gary Lineker then turned Parker’s hopeful ball forward into an assist as he fired past Bodo Illgner. Paul Gascoigne was in bits after the booking that would have ruled him out of the Final and shoot-out misses by Stuart Pearce and Chris Waddle were fatal.1996 Germany (Wembley) D 1-1 (Germany won 6-5 on penalties)Another story of what might have been as Gareth Southgate joined the long list of shoot-out victims. Terry Venables’ side made the perfect start when Gascoigne’s corner was flicked on by Tony Adams for Alan Shearer to score. But Germany soon levelled through Stefan Kuntz and both goals had narrow escapes in normal and extra-time.Penalties again and while Shearer, David Platt, Pearce, Gascoigne and Teddy Sheringham all scored, Germany were equally strong. Southgate’s shocker made Andreas Moller the one to win it.2018 Croatia (Moscow) L 1-2Another near-miss for England, who ran out of legs and smarts just when it mattered most. Kieran Trippier’s sensational free-kick put Southgate’s side in front and they had the chances to put the Croatians away in the first half.But they all went begging and Luka Modric and Co wrested control. Ivan Perisic stole in front of Kyle Walker to nudge the leveller and in extra-time Mario Manduzic ran in behind a slow-reacting defence to beat Jordan Pickford. So near, so far.2021 Denmark (Wembley) W 2-1“Sweet Caroline” has never been sung so loud and so long than after this epic evening. The Danes went in front from a terrific Mikkel Damsgaard free-kick but Simon Kjaer put through his own goal as he tried to prevent Raheem Sterling converting Bukayo Saka’s cross.Extra-time brought the key moment, when Sterling went down in the box under pressure from Mathias Jensen. Skipper Harry Kane’s penalty was saved by Kasper Schmeichel but he knocked home the rebound to earn the first England Final since 1966. More