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    England’s WAGs so confident their boys will beat minnows Slovakia they have booked jets for quarter finals

    ENGLAND’S WAGs are so confident their men will beat Slovakia today they have booked private jets to visit them after the game.Some are flying from Manchester to the match in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, and have then chartered the plane for Tuesday to take them to the team hotel in Blankenhain.England’s WAGs have chartered the plane to take them to the team hotel the day after the gameCredit: BackGridThe WAGs travel plans suggest they do not expect to see the England team loseCredit: InstagramA source told the Sun on Sunday: “They are flying out to Germany for the match, but as it’s a knockout stage there’s obviously no guarantee England will still be in the Euros after the final whistle.“But they are confident their men can do the business. “The onward flight has already been booked to take them to the England camp. “They are not expecting the team to lose today.READ MORE ON WAGS“It’s been a long haul already, with all the travelling, but they are hugely supportive and love spending what time they can with players.”While the WAGs fly across Germany to the team camp at the luxury Weimarer Land hotel and spa, it is thought England star Phil Foden could be heading in the opposite direction, back to England.The 24-year-old flew home on Wednesday to be at partner Rebecca Cooke’s side as she gave birth to a baby boy, their third child.He then returned to the camp to resume training ahead of today’s game, but is thought to be planning another brief visit home if England make it to Saturday’s quarter finals.Most read in Euro 2024Foden — the Premier League’s player of the Year — already has children Ronnie, four, and True, one, with childhood sweetheart Rebecca, 22.’Super spiritual’ England star Phil Foden and his Wag Rebecca Cooke visit PSYCHIC in bid to help England win Euro 2024Players’ families have had the opportunity to visit the team camp after each match so far.But the remote setting of the five-star hotel complex in Blankenhain means the total distance they travelled through the group stage was around 3,200 miles.The FA laid on a family fun day after the second game, with bouncy castles and burger trucks.An FA source confirmed any families who want to visit after today’s game — should England win — are welcome. Jarrod Bowen’s partner Dani Dyer has been seen watching the England gamesCredit: GettyBukayo Saka’s girlfriend Tolami Benson was snapped watching the teamCredit: GettyIt comes as fans are set for a beer and barbecue celebration today as they pray the Three Lions finally get the Euros party started after a dull start to the tournament.Supermarkets have seen a huge boost in sales of booze, barbecues and burgers ahead of the match.Fans will knock back around 32million pints today — six million more than a normal Sunday — giving a £28.8million boost to pubs.At home, an expected TV audience of around 16million will tune in, with thousands more watching in bars and in fan zones.Asda has seen the sale of barbecues rocket by 44 per cent and have sold nearly 400,000 burgers. Tesco is expecting this weekend to be its best for barbecue sales all year.Tens of thousands of England fans are in Gelsenkirchen for today’s game. Only 6,500 tickets have been made available to England by UEFA, but Three Lions fans are expected to take up around three-quarters of the ground.READ MORE SUN STORIESTesco worker Alan Pearcy, 51, of Newcastle, said: “If you look at the last Euros it was very similar.“We started off playing poorly, but then we got better as it went on.”Captain Harry Kane embraced partner Katie Goodland after England’s openerCredit: EURO 2024 News Pool (ENP) England vs Slovenia More

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    England Wags vow to protect Kyle Walker’s wife Annie from any meeting with his mistress Lauryn Goodman at last 16 clash

    ENGLAND’S Wags have united behind Kyle Walker’s wife Annie amid fears his ex- mistress Lauryn Goodman will also be at tomorrow’s last-16 game against Slovakia.Megan Pickford, wife of goalie Jordan, Anouska Santos, girlfriend of Luke Shaw, and Tolami Benson, partner of Bukayo Saka, have vowed to protect Annie, 32. Wags have united behind Annie Kilner amid fears Lauryn will again be at the last 16 clash, above Dani far right, with Tolami, Ellie, Megan, and AnouskaCredit: InstagramKyle Walker with wife Annie and their children after England’s 1-1 draw with DenmarkCredit: EURO 2024 News Pool (ENP) – Denmark vs EnglandLauryn and her son Kairo also attended the Denmark matchCredit: SplashA source said: “They have her back.”Annie and three of her four sons with Man City ace Kyle are taking a private jet to tomorrow’s match against Slovakia.Lauryn may also be in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, with Kairo, her four-year-old son with the defender. The pair also have a daughter, who is ten months old.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnnie narrowly missed her rival at the 1-1 draw with Denmark in Frankfurt on June 20.Pal Megan Pickford, wife of goalie Jordan, was said to have been appalled by Lauryn’s attendance at that game.Also in Annie’s corner are Anouska Santos, girlfriend of Luke Shaw, and Bukayo Saka’s partner Tolami Benson.A Wag source said: “They have all known Annie for a long time. Most read in Euro 2024“They stick together and want Annie to know she is not alone. “They have her back.” Kyle Walker and wife Annie Kilner celebrate in the stands with kids after England win on Father’s DayAnnie has kept a dignified silence since discovering in January that Kyle had fathered Lauryn’s second child.She kicked him out of their home, and the player has been trying to repair the damage ever since.The source added: “Meghan, Anouska and the other Wags can’t begin to imagine what Annie is going through.“It must be so hard, but even more so because it’s so public.“Annie is dealing with what Kyle has done and wants to do that privately.“But she’s also put her feelings to one side to take their boys to the matches.“Yet, all the while, she has no idea if Lauryn will be there. “It’s a terrible situation and made worse by Lauryn who appears to be trying to promote herself as a Wag. “She’s deluded.”Another source said: “There’s a sense of bewilderment about why Lauryn would go to the match.“Kyle has nothing to do with the children and no emotional relationship with them. “They’ve never been to any of his previous matches.“I’m sure they support England and no one would begrudge them going. “But why do it so publicly?”Influencer Lauryn, 33, stunned Kyle and Annie after taking Kairo to the 1-1 draw with Denmark in Frankfurt on June 20. Kairo wore an England shirt with No2 and “Daddy” on the back.They flew out with a journalist and Lauryn posed for photos before kick-off, insisting: “There was no way I wasn’t going to take Kairo to the Euros.“I wanted it to be something he could remember for ever. We are not here to please other people.“It’s about Kairo and what is best for him and what is going to make him happy. “I won’t be scapegoated or bullied and made to feel like a villain.”Lauryn said she had not even given a chance meeting with Annie a second thought. She added: “I wasn’t fearful at all that I was going to bump into her.“It doesn’t cross my mind. “I couldn’t care less. “I just get on with things.“I was there for Kairo, no one else, and if anyone has an issue with it, that’s their problem, not mine.”READ MORE SUN STORIESThree of Team Annie — Tolami, Anouska and Megan — featured in a picture posted yesterday by Jarrod Bowen’s partner Dani Dyer. It also included Ollie Watkins’ girlfriend Ellie Alderson and was taken before Tuesday’s 0-0 draw against Slovenia.Annie and three of her four sons with Man City ace Kyle are taking a private jet to the clash against SlovakiaCredit: Refer to CaptionAnnie narrowly missed Lauryn at the match against Denmark in FrankfurtCredit: EURO 2024 News Pool (ENP) – Denmark vs EnglandThe ace has been trying to repair his relationship with Annie after he fathered a second child with LaurynCredit: BackGrid More

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    England’s Wags fly across Germany to lift spirits of squad following woeful 0-0 draw against Slovenia

    ENGLAND’S glamorous WAGs flew across Germany yesterday to try and lift their fellas’ spirits after the woeful 0-0 score bore against Slovenia sent fans to sleep.The players left the pitch in Cologne with boos ringing in their ears and drinks cups being hurled at Gareth Southgate after the team limped into the knockout stage.Anthony Gordon’s girlfriend Annie Keating at the Slovenia gameCredit: ReutersBukayo Saka’s girlfriend Tolami Benson was snapped at the Euros matchCredit: GettyJarrod Bowen’s partner Dani Dyer at Tuesday’s group gameCredit: GettyAfter the final whistle their families gave them reassuring hugs and words of comfort in the stand.Harry Kane’s wife Katie Goodland, Bukayo Saka’s girlfriend Tolami Benson and Jarrod Bowen’s partner Dani Dyer were in the stands for the match.And some of them yesterday flew 170 miles on private jets to spend a few hours with the team at their five-star hotel.Conor Gallagher’s girlfriend Aine May Kennedy, 25, and Anthony Gordon’s partner Annie Keating flew into Erfurt airport in a Cessna 525 jet with other family members.READ MORE ON EURO 2024And John Stones’ girlfriend Olivia Naylor, 34, landed moments later in a Cessna 560 after a 36-minute flight from Cologne.Olivia, wearing a white dress, walked down the plane’s steps holding the couple’s six-month-old son in a baby carrier.Aine was wearing a white vest top and was holding a red leather jacket which she put on as she walked the short distance across the tarmac to a waiting people carrier.Annie was wearing a white crop top and denim shorts.Most read in Euro 2024They were driven the 28 miles to the team’s base at the 350-acre Weimarer Golf Hotel and Spa at Blankenhain.The families got to spend a few hours with the players, who had themselves travelled back to base camp after the match by charter jet, before flying home to England yesterday evening.An onlooker said: “It must be exhausting for them to be doing all this travelling around Germany but they obviously want to spend valuable time together.Five reasons for England to be positive after Slovenia draw“You can tell from the pictures you see in the stands after the games when the players chat with families how much they appreciate their support.”Yesterday’s visit was a lot shorter than the family fun day held after the 1-1 draw with Denmark.FA staff laid on a whole range of activities including burger trucks and bouncy castles as the players’ kids spent seven hours enjoying themselves at the luxury resort.But skipper Harry Kane, 30, later joked that seven hours with the kids was more than enough.He said: “It was a fun day, just maybe a little too long.”READ MORE SUN STORIESThe families have had the opportunity to visit the players after each of the group games.But their remote camp in the old East Germany is hundreds of miles from where the Group C matches have been staged, meaning those who have done the trip each time have travelled a total of 3,200 miles including flights from England.Gordon and partner Annie embrace after the matchCredit: Paul EdwardsJohn Stones pictured playing with his young sonCredit: EURO 2024 News Pool (ENP) England vs SloveniaEngland’s Gallagher with partner Aine after the drawCredit: PACaptain Harry Kane with partner Katie GoodlandCredit: EURO 2024 News Pool (ENP) England vs Slovenia More

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    Joey Barton set for another legal battle as ITV footie pundit Eni Aluko files defamation case against him

    JOEY Barton is set for another legal battle after football pundit Eni Aluko filed a new defamation case against him.The controversial former player, 41, was recently ordered to pay telly host Jeremy Vine £75,000 for calling him a “bike nonce”.Joey Barton is set for another legal battle after calling Eni Aluko and Lucy Ward ‘the Fred and Rose West of football commentary’Credit: AlamyThe ITV football pundit said it had led to a torrent of online abuseCredit: GettyThe Sun can reveal Ms Aluko has lodged another claim over Barton’s social media tirade after a match in January, in which he called her and Lucy Ward “the Fred and Rose West of football commentary”.Ms Aluko, 37, who was capped 102 times for England, said it had led to a torrent of online abuse, which left her scared to leave the house.At the time, Barton revealed he had received a legal letter from “jokers”. And Ms Aluko has now lodged documents at the High Court using the same solicitors as Vine.READ MORE ON JOEY BARTONEx-Bristol Rovers boss Barton was forced to apologise to Vine this month over a string of vile posts, including calling him a “paedo defender”. He said: “I have agreed not to make the same allegations again about Mr Vine and I apologise to him for the distress he’s suffered.”Joey Barton and Jeremy Vine in court showdown More

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    Basketball star Shaquille O’Neal in talks over stake in legendary Premier League club

    BASKETBALL star Shaquille O’Neal is in talks about taking a stake in West Ham United.The LA Lakers legend, 52, got the Hammers bug after watching a game last season and has said he is interested in becoming a shareholder.Shaquille O’Neal, who played for the Los Angeles Lakers in 2002, is looking to invest in West HamCredit: LUCY NICHOLSON/AFP via Getty ImagesShaq is said to have got the Hammers bug when he went to watch West Ham playCredit: GETTYA source told The Sun: “Shaq loves British football and he has been talking about putting some serious cash into the club. “He went to a game at the end of the season and loved it. It’s now a case of whether the financials stack up for him. “Shaq is really interested in what deal he could strike.”The Hammers finished ninth in the Premier League last year, a year after winning the Europa Conference League.MORE ON SHAQUILLE O’NEALFans will likely be delighted with some investment after making a £18.3million loss in the 2022/23 season.New boss Julen Lopetegui took over from David Moyes last month. Shaq retired in 2011 and was regarded as one of the best centres in the world.The 7ft 1in ace played for six teams during his 19-year career and is a four-time NBA champion.Most read in FootballOff the field he turned to commentary and previously revealed he harboured a secret passion for British football.In 2016 he backed Northampton Town when they were pushing from promotion from League Two.Shaq, who co-owned a radio show with the Cobblers’ chairman Kelvin Thomas, recorded  a video for the players  urging them to secure  first place.‘I’m jealous of them,’ Shaq says about Victor Wembanyama and Nikola Jokic as he discusses evolution of NBA centersIf Shaq invests in the Hammers he would be the latest US star to put their fortunes into British clubs.Actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney own Wrexham FC, Anchorman star Will Ferrell is involved at Leeds, and NFL star Tom Brady at Birmingham City. More

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    Kyle Walker’s wife Annie Kilner delighted after nemesis Lauryn Goodman’s show about dating footballers is axed by ITV

    KYLE Walker’s wife Annie has chalked up a win after Lauryn Goodman’s reality show about dating footballers was axed.ITV had signed Kyle’s former mistress Lauryn, 33, for the series, as we revealed earlier this year.Kyle Walker’s wife Annie Kilner scored a win over Lauryn Goodman after learning her reality show about dating footballers was axedCredit: BackGridKyle with Annie and their family after the Denmark game last weekCredit: PALauryn with son Kairo at the Denmark gameCredit: SplashBut the show — also featuring Rita Mahrez, ex-wife of former Man City ace Riyad — has been scrapped due to pending legal matters involving Lauryn.A source told The Sun last night: “The show’s cancellation is a win for Annie.“The last thing she wants is Lauryn being able to parade her dirty laundry on TV. Annie is elated and relieved.“The wives and girlfriends had all started filming but with the legal issues, the team working on the show said it would be better to axe it totally because they thought it might be stopped — leaving them with a big bill and nothing to show for it.”READ MORE IN FOOTABLLLauryn, who has two children with defender Kyle, took their son Kairo to England’s Euro 2024 1-1 against Denmark last week.Model Annie, 31, has also been at matches with three of the couple’s four young sons.Both women’s kids have been photographed in England No2 shirts personalised “Dad”.Last night Annie could not make it to Cologne to watch her husband play against Slovenia in the final Group C game due to family commitments.Most read in FootballShe has chosen to charter a private jet to each game rather than stay with other Wags.The source added: “Annie has hated every moment of Lauryn parading herself around and talking about their family.Lauryn Goodman shares messages of support from taking Kyle Walker’s son to Euros“It has been incredibly difficult for her and she has always maintained a dignified silence.“She leaves the matches almost immediately and doesn’t want to be part of the circus.” At the start of the year we revealed how Kyle had fathered a second love child with Lauryn.And in an exclusive interview with The Sun in January, Kyle told how he was sorry for betraying Annie, who he described as his “soul mate”.Before yesterday’s game, Jordan Pickford’s wife Megan Pickford and Luke Shaw’s other half Anouska Santos were spotted out for a stroll.The pair met a mate for lunch and ordered salads.A friend of Annie’s said she was elated to hear Lauryn would not get the air time she craved, above the Walkers at the EurosCredit: EURO 2024 News Pool (ENP) – Denmark vs EnglandLauryn’s show has been canned for legal reasonsCredit: GettyEarlier this year, it was revealed that Kyle had fathered a second child with Lauryn and apologised to wife AnnieCredit: Refer to Caption More

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    ‘World’s hardest geezer’ tells England heroes they can win Euros in rallying cry as he runs to every Three Lions game

    ENGLAND’S self-styled Hardest Geezer issued a rallying cry to the Three Lions stars while he jogged to tonight’s match: “Keep going boys and you’ll reach the finish line.”Russ Cook, 27, made history by completing the equivalent of 377 marathons in Africa as he ran 9,891 miles from Cape Town to Tunisia over 352 days.England’s self-proclaimed Hardest Geezer rallied the Three Lions stars while running to today’s match, saying: ‘Keep going, boys, and you’ll reach the finish line’Credit: Paul Edwards’Hardest Geezer’ Russ Cook is now running to every England game in Germany after setting off from Wembley Stadium a fortnight agoCredit: Paul EdwardsRuss previously set himself the ultimate test — running the length of Africa, aboveCredit: GiveStarHe is now running to every England game in Germany after setting off from Wembley Stadium a fortnight ago.As he headed to Cologne for tonight’s final group game against Slovenia, the long-distance specialist took a brief rest to give skipper Harry Kane and co a lift after their painful draw against Denmark.Russ, who was joined by Sun mascot Harry Mane when he set off, said: “Tournament football is tough.“It’s a long hard slog, just like an ultra marathon, and you’ve got to stay focused. The team have got to keep putting one foot in front of the other and just keep going.READ MORE ON ENGLAND EURO 2024“They can make it. We’ve got the stamina and dedication — we can win the Euros. Come on England!”Former boozer and gambler Russ, who once dubbed himself the hardest geezer in his home town of Worthing, Sussex, turned his life around at 19 after a pal challenged him to run ­the Brighton Half Marathon.He said: “I was in a bad place, I was unfit and drinking and blowing money in the bookies, so I agreed.“Through training, I learnt the values of running and discipline and self-belief, which empowered me, and I applied it to other things in life.”Most read in Euro 2024After completing a series of endurance challenges, he set himself the ultimate test — running the length of Africa. He completed it in April, taking 19million steps in 20 pairs of trainers to cross 16 countries.He battled injuries, food poisoning, extreme heat, a kidnapping and robbery to become the first to do it.Chesney Hawkes trains on the beach with Harry Mane before England’s crunch World Cup clash with FranceHis magnificent efforts raised ­£1million for charities which help the homeless and refugees.The huge red beard and ponytail he grew during the trek earned him the nickname “Africa’s Forrest Gump”, in a nod to the Tom Hanks movie.Brighton fan Russ was looking forward to watching the Euros on TV until he was offered the chance of going to games — by running to them.Russ, sponsored on the run by Sports Direct, said: “I ran from ­Wembley Stadium to Harwich, got the ferry over to the Netherlands, then ran from the Hook of Holland to ­Gelsenkirchen for the first game.“Then I went from there to Frankfurt and now to Cologne.”England are top of their group with four points and are almost guaranteed a place in the knockout stage.But it feels as if the team has hit the wall early. Critics such as Gary Lineker blasted their display in the 1-1 draw against Denmark and a row blew up between players and ex-internationals working as TV pundits.But Russ is confident England can keep going and cross the finishing line first. He said: “I’m fine with how things have gone. We’ve got four points from two games, we’re top of the group.”READ MORE SUN STORIESAnd he is hoping he is still running when the final takes place in Berlin on July 14.ENGLAND fans arriving in Cologne were relieved last night after brewery bosses rushed in extra beer supplies. A crisis was feared after Scotland fans drank bars dry. Back home, up to 25 million pints will be downed today in pubs and homes.MEDIUM IN PLEA TO TAKE RISKSTHE Sun’s medium Chloe Smith yesterday urged England boss Gareth Southgate to “take risks and don’t overthink”.
    She pulled a “fool” tarot card ahead of tonight’s clash with Slovenia.
    But she said the “strong card of energy is actually a good omen — as long as the fans keep the faith in the team”.
    Chloe, 26, of Uttoxeter, Staffs, said: “Stay open and embrace the unknown. Football is bringing the nation together, it’s time to take this new path of love, take risks and don’t overthink. What will be will be.”
    Meanwhile, The Sun’s druid, King Arthur Pendragon, backed England to win 1-0 tonight.
    And he cast a spell from Stonehenge “using our nation’s natural energy to fire up the lads to beat Slovenia and top the group”. More

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    England players in air con nightmare at luxury hotel which cost £800,000 as stars wake up ‘boiling hot’

    ENGLAND players have been struggling with the air conditioning at their luxury hotel.Some of the stars have been waking up boiling hot – others freezing cold.The FA spent £800,000 booking out all 94 rooms at the 350-acre Weimarer Golf Hotel and Spa at BlankenhainCredit: Cover ImagesEngland players have been struggling with the air conditioning at the luxury hotelCredit: GettyIt raises worries that not all of them have been getting a perfect night’s sleep at the five-star luxury golf resort where the England squad is based.A source said: “The air con seems to have a mind of its own and keeps disturbing players’ sleep. “They are waking up baltic or boiling.”The FA spent £800,000 booking out all 94 rooms at the 350-acre Weimarer Golf Hotel and Spa at Blankenhain where 160 staff are attending to the players’ every need.Read More on SportThe hotel complex is the most luxurious in that region of Germany, but players have been struggling to get the temperature right in their rooms.It is not known if the problem is down to a fault with the AC system or user error.Another problem with some hotel residents has been hay fever. The grass pollen count has been ‘very high’ and some FA staff have been suffering due to grass cutting on the resort’s three golf courses.Most read in Euro 2024An FA spokesman said the issues had not been raised as a major concerns.The hotel has been contacted for comment. More