Exclusives

FOOTIE-mad Belle McNally loved almost all last night’s final despite England’s defeat — after becoming a global sensation in a whirlwind week.The superfan, ten, bagged two free tickets after a video went viral of her crying with joy at ­receiving Mason Mount’s semi-final shirt.
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Belle McNally with her dad outside Wembley stadium before the Euro 2020 finalCredit: Louis Wood News Group Newspapers Ltd
Belle, from Bromley, Kent, joined 60,000 fans to see Gareth Southgate’s men lose on penalties to Italy after the game ended 1-1.
She said: “I’ll never forget this night. 
“I can’t believe it’s all happened because Mason Mount kindly gave me his shirt.
“I’m over the moon to be here. We all are.” 

Belle’s wonder week   began when   Chelsea ace   Mount, 22,   picked her out   of the crowd, after   England beat   Denmark and   gave her his   shirt. Sobbing Arsenal fan Belle, who is Mason Mount mad, embraced her dad Tommy, 36. 
Belle, given the tickets by tournament sponsor   Hisense, was    with her dad,   mum Laura  and brothers  Mason, seven,   and Cameron,   13.
Tommy   said: “It’s our   first match   together. So   memorable.”
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Ten-year-old Belle with brother Mason and dad Tommy at Wembley
England hero Mason Mount gives his shirt to Belle after Three Lions make the Euros final
Schoolgirl who cried tears of joy after Mason Mount gave her his England shirt tells The Sun, ‘It was the best moment of my life’ More

MUCH-loved ex-England boss Terry Venables today sends an open letter to Gareth Southgate — telling him: “You and your team are writing your own moment in history.”El Tel — manager 25 years ago when the Three Lions reached the Euros semi-finals with Southgate in the team — urges him and the players to show “courage”.
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Terry Venables has urged on the Three Lions in an open letterCredit: Paddy Power
He wrote to Gareth Southgate, who he managed in the Euro ’96Credit: BBC
And, addressing Southgate via The Sun on Sunday, he adds: “I will be with you in spirit on that touchline.”
The 78-year-old former Crystal Palace, Spurs and Barcelona coach led England at Euro ’96 — until now the closest the men’s team has come to football glory since 1966.
His team recorded a stunning 4-1 win over Holland en route to the semi-final as well as a memorable 2-0 victory over Scotland featuring a brilliant Paul Gascoigne goal.
Gazza also came within inches of converting an Alan Shearer cross-shot in the semi against Germany and Darren Anderton hit the post from inside the six-yard box during extra time when a “golden goal” would have sealed victory.
Venables, dubbed the “People’s choice” before taking over the England job in 1994, was then left comforting Southgate after his sudden-death penalty was saved.
El Tel told Southgate ‘I will be with you in spirit on that touchline’Credit: The Sun

The Germans went on to lift the trophy after beating the Czech Republic in the final.
Now he hopes Southgate’s team — led by captain Harry Kane, 27, and winger Raheem Sterling, 26 — can finally end England’s 55-year silverware drought.
In his letter, he says of England’s march to the final: “I knew exactly how, and what you were feeling as those incredible days which brought the country together back in ’96 came flooding back to me, feelings which cannot be fully appreciated unless you are standing on that spot.
“As you know, sport teaches us so many lessons about life and the saying, ‘What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger’ is so true.
El Tel hopes Southgate can finally end England’s 55-year silverware droughtCredit: Alamy
“Having watched all of the games, I have to say that your team are a credit to you as mine were to me, and I know that to achieve a connection like that is a luxury many managers could never accomplish.
“Enjoy every moment of your day on Sunday, knowing that our wonderful country are all behind you and your team cheering you on, willing you the success which you all deserve.”
Having watched all of the games, I have to say that your team are a credit to you as mine were to me,Terry Venables
El Tel will be watching the final tonight on TV with his wife of 40 years, Yvette.
England will be roared on by a 60,000-strong crowd at Wembley, set to include PM Boris Johnson and wife Carrie, Prince William, and David Beckham. Another 35million will watch on TVs at home, in pubs and in fanzones.
A source said: “Terry is looking forward to watching the lads and thinks they have a great chance.
“Let’s hope the boys see his words and they inspire them on to great things.”
Former SunSport columnist Venables fiercely defended stars including talisman Gazza after they were snapped boozing heavily in Hong Kong before Euro ’96.
Mason: My Belle of ballBy Dan King
THREE Lions ace Mason Mount says a girl’s tears after he gave her his shirt shows the Euros are about “more than just football”.
Belle McNally, ten, cried when he picked her out in the Wembley crowd following England’s 2-1 ­semi-final victory over Denmark.
Her tears were captured in video footage and Belle told The Sun: “It was the best night of my life.”
Chelsea star Mount, 22, said yesterday: “Many people see us as footballers and don’t see the personalities we have away from it. Belle’s reaction was so special.
“Sometimes, it’s more than football, what happens.”
But he admitted he won’t be giving away his shirt after tonight’s final . . . 

Venables had announced in January 1996 that he would be quitting his post at the end of the tournament due to ongoing legal battles.
After England, he coached Australia, returned to Crystal Palace, and also bossed Middlesbrough plus Leeds in the early 2000s.
In 2014, he opened a hotel and restaurant in Spain with Yvette. They sold it in 2019 after they decided to retire.
Do it for our kids
YOUNG lions up and down the country will roar on Gareth Southgate’s England this evening.
Many schools are allowing a later start to the day tomorrow so kids can stay up to watch the historic clash against Italy on TV.
Fred and Lola Leslie said ‘we won’t eat pizza for a month if they beat Italy’
We asked under-10s to send in their messages. Here are some of their words of motivation to inspire the Three Lions.
“I love England, they are like me, I wear my shirt like them” – Jessie Huie, 3.
“Mum has promised us a week of no cabbage if England do it” – Poppie and Pixie, 8.
“Please win this for us because we have faith in you” – Pinner brothers.
“If England win, daddy says we can have lollies for breakfast” – Jack and Oliver Bird.
The Pinner brothers pleaded for them to ‘win for us because we have faith in you’
Anna Roberts, aged six, says her Arsenal-supporting dad has to cheer on Harry Kane
Wags get silk PJs in final treat
ENGLAND’s Wags got ready for the final in matching pyjamas.
The players’ partners were each given a special set of PJs with the date 11/07/21 embroidered on the sleeve and their loved one’s name on the pocket.
Harry Maguire’s fiancée Fern Hawkins, 26, Luke Shaw’s girlfriend Anouska Santos, 25, and Harry Kane’s wife Kate, 27, shared pictures of the nightwear on social media. And Anouska said: “This is the cutest.”
The £60 sets, from HA Designs, came in white silk with black trimming and red embroidery.
Last night, some of the girls were due to travel to stay at a hotel near Wembley Stadium.

The Queen sends ‘best wishes’ to Gareth Southgate and England in open letter ahead of Euro 2020 final against Italy More

AN ENGLAND megafan took to the skies to scrawl the iconic message “It’s Coming Home” on flight radar ahead of the historic Euro 2020 final on Sunday.Pilot Ben Davis, 41, plugged in the coordinates on his GPS after the Three Lions 2-1 semi-final victory over Denmark on Wednesday.
Ben flew his plane to write It’s Coming Home on the flight tracker
Ben Davis said the flight was his unique way of paying tribute to EnglandCredit: Hyde News & Pictures
He created the masterpiece which shows up on FlightRadar24 in an hour-and-a-half after taking off from Finmere airfield in Oxfordshire on Thursday evening.
Ben said: “It was just to express my support for the country. I thought rather than watching the telly, I said to the wife I had an idea and I was off out.
“I put all the points in my GPS and then headed off. My son was watching online and texted me about halfway around to say it was going well.
“Really it is just a little thing for nerds like me.
“It is best done in the early morning or the evening so the air is calmer, otherwise you end up drifting and it looks like you are drunk.
“It can be quite difficult as some of the turns are really tight to get around, I was worried it might all go wrong and I would have to start again.”

The aviator who lives in Buckingham hit the headlines in 2016 for welcoming in the New Year with a “Happy NY” message in the skies above Buckinghamshire.
He said of his love of flying: “It is a privilege to be able to get away from it all and head to the seaside or the Welsh mountains.
Harry Kane scored to sent England into the Euro 2020 finalCredit: Getty
Boris Johnson decks out No10 with England flags for Euro 2020 final – as Brits push for Bank Holiday if we win More

AN ENGLAND fan has had the iconic image of Gareth Southgate celebrating after reaching the Euro 2020 final tattooed on his body in tribute to our Three Lions heroes.Teddy Allen, 33, splashed out £500 on an inking of the boss on his calf in tribute to the manager’s heroics.
Teddy Allen paid £500 to get a tattoo of Gareth SouthgateCredit: Matthew Pover
And the 33-year-old joked he has plenty of space left should any of England’s star players score the winner in the final against Italy on Sunday.
Stoke City fan Teddy said: “The team have been fantastic the whole tournament. They were a bit off against Scotland but they have been on a different level since then.
“The tactics from Southgate have been unbelievable.
“I just want the team to keep on going and bring it home for us.
“There are so many young players in the team.
Teddy went too early and predicted Harry Kane would win England the 2018 World CupCredit: Matthew Pover
Teddy, of Biddulph, Staffs, booked in the £500 inking two weeks with the tattoo artist pal who previously designed another England-related tattoo in 2018.
The dad of two previously had an image of Harry Kane and “World Cup winners 2018” tattooed on his thigh prior to England’s semi-final loss against Croatia.
He said: “He said he could fit me on either Monday or Thursday this week so I thought I’d wait for the game.
“I loved seeing Southgate so passionate on the pitch afterwards. It was brilliant to see and really iconic. The passion really came through at the end – he couldn’t hold it back.”
Teddy said he had no regrets over his Kane tattoo given England’s improved performances under Southgate.
He said: “I don’t regret having it down. It’s given my mates and the lads at work a good laugh over the years and it still gets talked about now.
“I’ve not had anything done to alter it and I think this team are so good I might get some more use out of it in 2022 for the next World Cup.”
Teddy says he has left space for England’s scorer in the Euro 2020 finalCredit: Matthew Pover

Teddy, who works for Bentley Motors, added that he still thinks Kane is England’s main man, but said Raheem Sterling was running him close as the Three Lions’ star man.
He joked: “It was a toss up between Southgate and Sterling, but there’s plenty of room left if Sterling pops up with the winner in the final.”
Harry Redknapp makes his EastEnders’ cameo in Albert Square More

THE Sun’s lion mascot Harry Mane roared into Rome and defeated a gladiator in battle ahead of the Euro final.He showed England’s Italian rivals just what they will be up against in Sunday night’s Wembley showdown.
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Sun Mascot Harry Mane took on a Roman gladiator ahead of the Euro 2020 finalCredit: Dan Charity / The Sun
Harry Mane was victorious in a positive omen for EnglandCredit: Dan Charity / The Sun
Harry marked his victory by placing his foot on the vanquished foe as another Roman was shown looking on in horror.
And in another bad omen for the Italians, their training camp was disrupted by a Covid outbreak yesterday.
As the gods appeared to be smiling on England, Harry posed behind enemy lines at some of the capital’s iconic landmarks including the Colosseum.
Despite the warning of their looming conquest by Three Lions captain Harry Kane and his warriors, our mascot was mobbed by cheerful Italians who loved the mascot.
But a showdown dating back centuries kicked off during a visit to the Rome Gladiator School.
After emerging triumphant from the sword duel, our lion said: “It was a great victory and shows we can go all the way.
“It’s definitely coming home! This is a terrific sign we’re going to win. We have the passion, fight and desire and I can see us going all the way.
“Beating a gladiator is a great start.”
Defeated gladiator Asticus said: “I was no match for Harry Mane. He was too good. It was good fun though.
“I’m not sure about the final now. I’m very worried. I think we’re in trouble!”
Italy were hit by the last minute Covid scare when three of the media pack following hardman skipper Giorgio Chiellini and co tested positive.
Italy were rocked with a Covid scare ahead of Sunday’s finalCredit: AFP
Officials immediately strengthened the bubble around the team and carried out tests to make sure none of the players or immediate staff were affected.
Their training camp on the outskirts of Florence was immediately shut and a specialist cleaning team was brought in.
An Italian FA source said: “It’s not the ideal preparation for the team and we are making sure that none of them are infected but we are taking no chances and tests are being carried out.
“The chance of infection with any of the team is small but we want to be sure — it means that training sessions with the media in attendance have all been cancelled and we are having to make other arrangements.”
Sources also said coach Roberto Mancini and the entire squad had all had their vaccinations.
Journalist Alberto Remedio and two technicians, all from state TV firm RAI, tested positive.
Two, including Remedio, are thought to have picked up the bug in London during their trip to cover their team’s semi-final.
Remedio described last week how 60,000 fans would be gathering in the stadium with little prospect of social distancing.
Boris Johnson stood firm and kept the final at WembleyCredit: Reuters
The episode rekindled the debate on Uefa’s controversial decision to hold the game in London, despite the increase in infections in the UK.
Last month, Italian prime minister Mario Draghi said he wanted to bring the final to Rome and clashed with Boris Johnson.
BoJo was not going to let anyone stand in the way of football coming home and has now even had 10 Downing Street decorated with England flags outside.

Meanwhile, ministers here have grounded planes from Italy to stop Covid regulations being breached by a Roman invasion.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has ordered airlines to cancel flights to stop thousands of ticketless Italians turning up.
But around 1,000 fans from Italy will be allowed to skip isolation rules under an agreement with Uefa. Italy’s epic Wembley semi-final clash with Spain was packed with their fans – but only those who live in the UK.
England captain Harry Kane has hit form with four goals in the knockout roundsCredit: Getty
England defender John Stones tells Three Lions’ fans ‘to make a lot of noise for us’ ahead of Euro 2020 final with Italy More

ENGLAND stars will celebrate in style if they win tomorrow’s Euro 2020 Final — with a Wild West trip to Las Vegas.Party animal Jack Grealish and goalie Jordan Pickford plan to lead a posse of players to the glitzy gambling mecca.
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Party animal Jack Grealish will be heading to Las Vegas with the Three Lions if they win the Euro 2020 final
Pals set to join in the knees-up include Three Lions teammates Mason Mount, Declan Rice and Ben Chilwell.
Jack’s close pal, Leicester City’s James Maddison, is also likely to join in after whooping it up in Dubai with him and Chilwell earlier this year.
Asked how he would celebrate England’s first final victory since 1966, Aston Villa star Jack, 25, said: “Go to Las Vegas for ten days. I’d be straight on a plane to Vegas and wouldn’t be coming back — completed it!”
Everton keeper Jordan, 27, added: “Three weeks in Vegas with Jack . . . it would be a great experience and I’d be definitely getting the rave on for a good spell!”
Three Lions stars have bonded by skylarking in their swimming pool, playing practical jokes on each other and watching Love Island at their St George’s Park base camp.
Gareth Southgate has encouraged close friendships as his young lions fine-tune their push for glory in front of a 60,000-strong crowd at Wembley.
Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford is set to join the knees-up in the glitzy gambling meccaCredit: The Mega Agency
England are pushing for glory at the Euro 2020 final in front of a 60,000-strong crowd at WembleyCredit: Getty
Las Vegas will be a well deserved trip for the Three LionsCredit: Alamy

Bookies Ladbrokes cut odds to 4/5 that the final will be the UK’s most watched TV event ever — with 33million set to tune in.
The biggest audiences were for the 1966 World Cup Final (32.3m) and Princess Diana’s funeral in 1997 (32.1m).
Alex Apati, of Ladbrokes, said: “Football is coming home — and so is a record TV audience.”
England train ahead of their massive Euro 2020 final game against Italy More