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      From football shirts to wigs and even pyjamas – how to bag bargain England merch ahead of Euro 2024 final

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      SHOW your support for England tomorrow night by decking the halls in red, white and blue.You might have got this far in the Euros without investing in footie tat – but the final  is the time to go all out.These pyjamas, were £9.80, now £4.20, Tu at Sainsbury’s – find out below where you can get the rest of the merchGoogle says searches for “football shirts” are up 798 per cent since England’s win against the Netherlands on Wednesday, while the shops are awash with Euros paraphernalia.You can score a shirt that doesn’t cost a fortune and have a ball at home with bargain paper plates, cups, decorations, wigs and hats. So you don’t miss a sitter, Abby McHale reveals where to get Eur own party favourites for the footie – come on England! Adult T-shirt, was £19.99, now £17.99, DecathlonCredit: SuppliedSunglasses, £7.99, AmazonCredit: SuppliedCake, £13, TescoCredit: Oliver DixonBabygrow, £12, George at AsdaCredit: SuppliedBlow up hammer, £5.99, AmazonCredit: SuppliedWig, £9.99, AmazonCredit: SuppliedStraws, £1.50, B&MCredit: SuppliedBunting, £1.50, B&MCredit: SuppliedHat, £13.99, AmazonCredit: SuppliedHat, £1.25, PoundlandCredit: SuppliedHead boppers, £2.50, PeacocksPlates, £2 for 20, all B&MCredit: SuppliedScarf, £11.99, AmazonCredit: SuppliedCups, £2 for 20, B&MCredit: SuppliedTablecloth, £1.25, PoundlandCredit: SuppliedEuros final weather forecast revealed by Met Office – with Brits to bask in 24C sunshine as they cheer on Three Lions More

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      Euro 2024 final blow for Spain as teen goal sensation Lamine Yamal BARRED from playing should game go to extra-time

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      SPAIN’S teenage goal sensation Lamine Yamal is barred under German child labour laws from playing during extra-time in tomorrow’s final, The Sun can reveal.Under-18s cannot work after 11pm on a Sunday so if the game is not over in normal time Spain would have to sub him, or face a fine of €30,000 (£25,000).Spain’s teenage goal sensation Lamine Yamal could be kicked off the field if the Euro final against England goes into extra-timeCredit: AFPEngland fans are hoping the authorities make an example of the dangerous Barcelona star, 17 today.His left-foot curler against France helped his country clinch their final spot as well as making him the youngest player to score in the Euros. Bradley Richardson, 26, of Gosforth, Newcastle, said: “He’s excellent but the law’s the law. “I think we can beat Spain regardless but there’s no harm in asking the Germans to do us a favour.”READ MORE ON SPAIN V ENGLANDAnd Jack Nicholson, 17, of Bishop Auckland, Co Durham, added: “The Germans need to enforce their law. It’s only fair.”A German trade union and a legal expert confirmed Yamal should be subbed after 90 minutes of the game, which starts at 9pm local time — 8pm in UK.Lukas Frew, from German union Verdi, said: “There are exceptions for 16 and 17-year-olds but, theoretically, even then they wouldn’t be allowed to work after 11pm.” Lawyer Jonas Warnken said: “Yamal may only play until 11pm.” He added that a fine for violations was possible, but unlikely.Most read in Euro 2024Lamine Yamal explains cheeky message he did in Spain v France Euro 2024 match More

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      Inside the incredible worlds of teen sensations Kobbie Mainoo and Lamine Yamal, as they go head to head for Euros glory

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      WHEN Cristiano Ronaldo made his Euros debut in 2004 neither Spaniard Lamine Yamal nor Englishman Kobbie Mainoo had been born.Tomorrow the two exciting teenagers will face each other in the final of Euro 2024 in Berlin.Stats show Mainoo has the best pass accuracy for a midfielder in the history of the European Championship, at 96 per cent – making him key to England’s hopesCredit: GettyEven before Lamine Yamal’s wonder goal for Spain in the semi-finals, Barcelona had already set a billion-euro price tag on the talented youngsterCredit: GettyBoth have set the football world alight with a string of dazzling displays for their countries. Here we take a look at the teens playing for kicks . . . KOBBIE MAINOO, 19ALL dressed in replica England shirts bearing the number 26, Kobbie Mainoo’s family beamed with pride after England’s semi-final victory.Just a year ago Mainoo still had not made a league start for his club side Manchester UnitedCredit: GettyAnd so they should — at the beginning of the Euros the 19-year-old central midfielder was not in manager Gareth Southgate’s starting XI.Yet, he is going to be key to England’s hopes of lifting the trophy for the first time tomorrow night having become the team’s most reliable passer.READ MORE ON ENGLAND V SPAINWaiting for debutStats from Opta show Mainoo has the best pass accuracy for a midfielder in the history of the European Championship, at 96 per cent.But just a year ago Mainoo still had not made a league start for his club side Manchester United.At the time, the most famous Mainoo was his half-brother Jordan Mainoo-Hames, who appeared on the ITV reality show Love Island.But in the past year, Mainoo made a name for himself by winning the FA Cup, scoring a wonder goal against United’s rivals Liverpool and getting called up by Southgate.Most read in Euro 2024After his debut for England in March, the manager said: “You cannot believe he has taken everything in his stride like he has.”Lamine Yamal explains cheeky message he did in Spain v France Euro 2024 match But even Mainoo could not contain his excitement on Wednesday after winning in Dortmund against the Dutch, joining his mum and dad in the crowd after the match.Like Spain’s Lamine Yamal, Mainoo’s talents were spotted at an early age.Born in Stockport, Gtr Manchester, in April 2005, he moved to the town’s Cheadle Hulme suburb.There he played for Cheadle and Gatley Junior Football Club aged four, before being scouted by Man United and Man City aged six.Steve Vare, his first coach at Cheadle and Gatley, told The Sun: “He came from a lovely family. I used to have regular chats with his dad.”A lifelong Red, young Kobbie opted for United.Normally, youth players join the scholarship scheme aged 13 or 14, but Mainoo came in at 11 years old.Injuries hampered his progression to the first team, but once Mainoo got over them he starred in manager Erik ten Hag’s starting line-up.His level-headed parents have made sure the youngster does not go off the rails.Mainoo said: “At home with the family I have around me, they very much keep me grounded and nothing changes at home.”Dad Felix, who is divorced from Kobbie’s mum Abena Herold, has guided much of his career.A young Kobbie relaxes in a Manchester United shirtCredit: https://www.instagram.com/kobbie/The star’s family and friends rush to support the talented teenCredit: GettyLives in £370k homeHe could not hide his pride when he saw a young United fan wearing a replica Mainoo shirt at Wembley Stadium before the FA Cup final. Felix asked the boy: “Is that your favourite player? He’s my son.”Mainoo lives with his dad in a £370,000 semi-detached home in Cheadle Hulme, despite earning £20,000 a week.He also spends time with his mum and sisters Ama and Efia. Mainoo is believed to be single and unlike his teammates was not sharing any kisses in the stands in Dortmund after the semi-final. Instead he is focusing on his football and keeping in touch with his old pals.I do know Kobbie is still in contact with his old school friends. He hasn’t lost sight of the fact he is very groundedSteve Vare, Kobbie’s first coach at Cheadle and GatleyCoach Steve added: “I do know Kobbie is still in contact with his old school friends. He hasn’t lost sight of the fact he is very grounded.”Fans will be grateful that Mainoo chose to play for the country of his birth, rather than that of his parents, who are originally from Ghana.The African nation tried to encourage him to join their team, but Mainoo said: “As a kid you always dream of playing for England.” Kobbie’s rise has been so rapid that he has not had time to take in his enormous progress. He said: “It happened quick. But I’ve been taking it day by day, game by game. And now we’re in the final.”That will all change if England defeat Spain in Berlin tomorrow night — after that he will be a hero forever.LAMINE YAMAL, 17EVEN before Lamine Yamal scored a wonder goal for Spain in the semi-finals, his club Barcelona had placed a billion-euro price tag on the youngster.Barcelona have been nurturing Yamal’s talents for more than a decade and he made his senior debut for the club aged just 15Credit: GettyThe winger was still 16 when he curled a shot into the top corner to knock out France on Tuesday.And he is celebrating his 17th birthday today by preparing to play in tomorrow night’s European Championship final against England.It is an incredible rise for the youngster, who was bathed as a baby by Argentina and Barcelona legend Lionel Messi for a charity calendar.The Spanish giants have been nurturing Yamal’s talents for more than a decade and he made his senior debut for the club aged 15 years, nine months and 16 days.A star is bornHe is so young that he has had to take exams online during the Euros. His dad Mounir Nasraoui is 35 — three years younger than Yamal’s Spanish team-mate Jesus Navas.Mounir’s Instagram account is filled with images of his son, including the one of Messi with the baby Yamal, with the caption: “The beginning of two legends.”But Yamal’s family have not had it easy. His parents used to share his grandmother’s apartment with Yamal, an uncle and four cousins in the city of Mataró on the outskirts of Barcelona.England will be hoping to undermine those Messi comparisons by restricting his goal-scoring opportunities in BerlinDad Mounir split from Yamal’s mum Sheila Ebana, who worked in a fast food outlet, when their son was three.His dad stayed in Mataro and his mum moved to the nearby city of Granollers. Yamal split his time between their homes.With Mounir having been born in Morocco and Sheila in Equatorial Guinea, they had faced hostility in Spain.Standing up to the bigotry got Mounir into trouble when he confronted activists from the anti-immigrant far-right party Vox earlier this year.He was fined £450 in June after allegedly getting into a scuffle with a group who were handing out leaflets in Mataró.But Yamal is a hero in the deprived part of Mataro, called Rocafonda, where he grew up — an area he celebrates when he scores.He draws the number 304 with his hand. They are the final three digits of the suburb’s postcode. Half the population there faces poverty.But for Yamal, it all started on the streets of that suburb.Yamal was bathed as a baby by Argentina and Barcelona legend Lionel Messi for a charity calendarCredit: APYamal pictured with his proud dad earlier in the Euros tournamentCredit: Instagram/hustle_hard_304In an interview with GQ magazine in Spain, Yamal said: “I was always there, I spent the whole day playing, and without picking up my mobile phone. I didn’t stop.“I arrived home dripping with sweat.” The teenager has become a symbol for diversity and he celebrates his African roots by displaying the flags of both Morocco and Equatorial Guinea on his boots.He said: “I’ve visited both countries. In the end my families are my roots. It’s something very important for me.”The contract he signed with Adidas to promote that footwear bought a new house for his grandmother.But even though Yamal is earning a reported £120,000 a month, he still lives at Barcelona’s La Masia youth academy. The club is trying its best to protect him, restricting interviews and disciplining him if he steps out of line.When he played for the national side’s under-17s, he and some team-mates reportedly made prank calls to the team’s psychologist in March 2023.As a result, Barcelona banned him for four games. But according to the Spanish Press, he has found time for romance and has been linked to Spanish influencer Alex Padilla.In the press one day they put you as the new Messi and the next day they say that you have to stop playingLamine YamalYamal’s skill has led many to call him the “new Messi”. But it is a title the youngster himself is wary of, given how many former prodigies have failed to live up to that lofty billing.Yamal said: “In the Press one day they put you as the new Messi and the next day they say that you have to stop playing.”Clearly, though, Barcelona sees him as Lionel’s heir.Yamal signed a three-year contract with them last year, the longest allowed for minors under Spanish law.There is an agreement that the deal will automatically renew until 2030.READ MORE SUN STORIESBut England will be hoping to undermine those Messi comparisons by restricting his goal-scoring opportunities in Berlin tomorrow night. More

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      ‘England can win, believe it!’ – terminally ill ex-boss Sven-Goran Eriksson gives emotional rallying cry to Three Lions

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      SKIPPER Harry Kane can fire England to Euros glory tomorrow, insists Sven-Göran Eriksson.The ex-Three Lions boss says Gareth Southgate’s heroes have the talent to smash Spain in Berlin.Harry Kane can fire England to Euros glory tomorrow, insists terminally ill ex-England boss Sven-Göran ErikssonCredit: APEriksson bossed England from 2001-6 and never took us past the quarter-finals of a major tournament, but believes they can win under Kane and his team-matesCredit: GettyThe Swede, battling pancreatic cancer, urged Gareth Southgate to end 58 years of hurtCredit: GettyPubs can stay open until 1am to toast a first major title on foreign soil, and Sven, 76, told The Sun: “Yes of course England can do it!The Swede, diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, urged Gareth Southgate to end 58 years of hurt and win for ex-Three Lions bosses like himself who never got as close.Speaking exclusively to The Sun Sven, 76, also hailed midfield ace Jude Bellingham as the key to beating Spain and lifting our first major title on foreign soil.Sven bossed England from 2001 to 2006 and never took us past the quarter-finals of a tournament.READ MORE ON ENGLAND V SPAINBut he said: “Gareth has learned from the mistakes we made — handling the mental block of penalties, in particular — and has gone further than any of us ever did.“Now he, his players and the entire nation must know England can win. If you believe in something it can happen, and that includes beating Spain in the final.”Sven believes Southgate’s achievement will trump even that of 1966 World Cup winning boss Sir Alf Ramsey should we triumph at Berlin’s Olympiastadion. We saw the real EnglandSven, who will cheer us on from his home in Sweden, added: “The job of England manager brings with it a beautiful pressure.Most read in Euro 2024“I felt it. Sir Bobby Robson felt it. Every one of the 13 managers since Sir Alf will have felt it.England fans gush ‘my manager’ as incredible footage emerges of Southgate going wild after reaching Euro 2024 final “None of us succeeded, but no one has come closer than Gareth Southgate.“By reaching a World Cup semi-final in 2018, the World Cup ­quarter-final and now a second successive Euros final, Gareth is certainly the best English coach since Sir Alf.“Win in Berlin on Sunday and I believe he should be considered better.”Spain and their wonderkid Lamine Yamal, who turns 17 today, have wowed at the tournament and go into tomorrow night’s final as firm favourites.England are very, very good and they won fairly because they were the better team. Everything looks very possible nowSven-Göran ErikssonBut England’s stars finally began to shine in the 2-1 win against the Netherlands and Sven said: “Last game against Holland they played very, very well especially the first half.“I think we saw the real England in the first half.“If they can repeat that — and I am sure they can — they have a very good chance against Spain.Shoot out boost“But they have to play like that for 90 minutes, 45 minutes as against Holland won’t be enough.“England are very, very good and they won fairly because they were the better team. Everything looks very possible now.” Asked which player would decide the final, Sven said without hesitation: “Jude Bellingham of course — he’d have played in my team.”Sven’s England record was defined by penalty shoot-outs as he was twice beaten by Portugal — in quarter-finals on spot-kicks at Euro 2004, and World Cup 2006.But Southgate’s teams have won three shoot-outs from four — most recently in the Euros quarter-final against Switzerland.Sven, who managed Manchester City from 2007 to 2008, revealed in January he has been suffering pancreatic cancer and was given “about a year” to live.He enjoyed a five-year spell in charge of the Three Lions from 2001 while Southgate was still a player at Aston Villa then Middlesbrough.In his first major tournament, the 2002 World Cup in Japan, Sven’s England lost 2-1 in the quarter-final to ten-man Brazil, the eventual winners.Englan hero Ollie Watkins poses with a group of young fans — and called on them and supporters everywhere to roar us on to glory on SundayCredit: ReutersHarry Kane meets fans ahead of Sunday’s final against SpainCredit: GettyThen came the double exits to Portugal, and he left the role after the 2006 World Cup.In contrast, Southgate, who won 16 of his 57 caps under the Swede, tomorrow leads England to a second major final in three years. Sven predicted: “It will be an open game and I think England have a big, big chance.“And while I have not been feeling well in the past week or so, I will be watching the game from home.READ MORE SUN STORIES“I’d love to see England win. So would every one of the managers who has tried and failed to win a major trophy since 1966.“Come on, Gareth. Do what we never could.”OLLIE’S CALL TO ROAR ON THE LIONSBy Nick Parker and Robin PerrieENGLAND hero Ollie Watkins poses with a group of young fans — and called on them and supporters everywhere to roar us on to glory tomorrow.His last minute goal against the Netherlands in the Euro 2024 semi-final sent England to the final against Spain in Berlin.Ollie, 28, said he had had a premonition about it — and has had another about tomorrow, but would not say what it was.But he is feeling confident and said: “I’ve got that fire in my belly ready whenever I’m called upon to come on to the pitch again.”Ollie praised the fans and said: “Their support is everything and they’ve been supporting us so well so far and hopefully they can keep going and be loud for us on Sunday.”He also revealed that every member of the 26-man England squad is planning to have an identical commemorative tattoo inked if they win the trophy. ᐧPubs can stay open until 1am to toast a first major title on foreign soilCredit: Getty More

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      This is your moment, Lions! When the Euros started I predicted we’d win – there are three signs I’ll be proved RIGHT

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      SO, here we are again.Three years ago, I slumped out of Wembley Stadium sick to the pit of my stomach after England choked the last Euros final against Italy. England finally kicked into top gear against the Netherlands, especially in the first halfCredit: GettyPiers expects England to meet Spain head-on and overwhelm them with a scintillating display of attacking flair and powerI say choked because we should have won it; we were the better team but played with far too much defensive timidity as the game wore on.The penalty shoot-out that night was one of the most agonising things I’ve ever endured, with the possible exception of breaking five ribs and collapsing a lung after falling off a Segway in LA – or facing Australian fast bowler Brett Lee in a cricket net which turned into another rib-crunching nightmare.Watch Piers’ explosive interviews on his Uncensored YouTube channel hereAnd my sick stomach turned out to be the least of my health problems as I also got infected with covid at the stadium, which led to long covid and seven months of no taste and smell.READ MORE FROM PIERS MORGANLosing a big football match is one thing, but losing my ability to enjoy fine wine was a catastrophe!I therefore have very profound personal reasons for wanting a different result this time round.But if that’s how I’m feeling, imagine what emotions the England players who lost that day are experiencing?Actually, we don’t need to imagine.Most read in Euro 2024Declan Rice admitted: ‘Seeing Italy lift that trophy will haunt me forever.’However, he added: ‘We know now what we have to do, compared to last time, in terms of how to control the game, not to sit back. We know how we can win this final which I think is a positive.’England gets ready for almighty Euro 2024 final party with fans set to spend £800MILLION on beer and pizzaYes, it is.As Frank Sinatra once said, the best revenge is massive success.And I’m convinced the pain and torment of the way the last final ended will now drive us to triumph and joy. One month ago, I wrote a Sun column right before the Euros began that predicted England could win because we have ‘pace, power, several genius ballers, a top goalkeeper, and a goal-scoring machine upfront.’But I cautioned that we would only do it if manager Gareth Southgate found his bottle and ordered his men to attack, attack, attack.Tomorrow night, I confidently predict that I’ll be proven right.First, because after an explicably dull, plodding, snail-like first few matches of the tournament, we finally kicked into top gear against the Netherlands, especially in the first half.  Carpe diem, lads!Second, because Safety-first Southgate has at last found his bottle, ripping the restrictive reins off his team, and making bold, daring, courageous late substitutions that led to a thrilling last-minute victory.And third, because after 58 years of bloody hurt, this is surely our time again?Yes, yes, I know Spain have played the best football in this year’s Euros.And they have brilliant young players like 16-year-old Lamine Yamal, who Gary Lineker says is better than Pele and Messi at the same age.And the record of Spanish teams in international and club finals is ridiculous, with 26 straight wins since 2002.But this England team is man-for-man the best we’ve had since Bobby Moore’s 1966 World Cup winning heroes.And they’re hitting their best collective form right when it matters, at the business end of the tournament.They also, from Harry Kane to Jude Bellingham, have a steely glint in their eyes, fuelled by intense irritation at fully justified media criticism of their woeful early performances, that tells me coming second again simply isn’t an option.That’s why I confidently expect England to meet the rampaging Spanish footballing Armada head-on and overwhelm them with a scintillating display of attacking flair and power. To Gareth’s glory-hunters, I simply say this:This is your moment.READ MORE SUN STORIES This is England’s moment. Carpe diem, lads!Gareth Southgate has been making bold, daring, courageous late substitutionsCredit: APThe England team is the best we’ve had since Bobby Moore’s 1966 World Cup winning heroesCredit: Getty More

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      Football WAG Jessica Aidi shows off her stunning figure in skimpy bikini on beach

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      MODEL Jessica Aidi is not quite in her birthday suit as she celebrates turning 33 at the beach.The French beauty posted party pics in Ibiza this week.Jessica Aidi is not quite in her birthday suit as she celebrates turning 33 at the beachCredit: https://www.instagram.com/jessicaaidi/?hl=enJessica is wed to footballer Marco VerrattiShe’s wed to footballer Marco Verratti who was left out of Italy’s Euros squad. The former Sports Illustrated pin-up and Verratti wed just a week after he helped Italy to victory over England at the 2020 Euros Wembley final.Former PSG team-mate Zlatan Ibrahimovic and France superstar Kylian Mbappe all attended the lavish ceremony.Marco wished Jessica a happy birthday on Instagram writing: “Happy birthday my love. read more on Jessica Aidi “I will always love you.”Jessica has over 700,000 followers on Instagram, where she regularly posts snaps from her various photoshoots.Hailing from Montpellier, Jessica works as a highly successful model.She has featured on several magazine covers, and took part in Paris Fashion Week last year.Most read in FootballMarco Verratti’s wife Jessica Aidi soaks in the sun on pair’s loved-up honeymoon More

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      England gets ready for almighty Euro 2024 final party with fans set to spend £800MILLION on beer and pizza

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      ENGLAND legend Sir Geoff Hurst has told how proud he is of our Euros heroes — as the nation prepares for an almighty party for Sunday’s final.The last survivor of our 1966 win cannot wait for the showdown with the Spanish, and neither can our hospitality sector which is heading for an estimated £800million boost.An estimated £120million worth of booze will be sunk on Sunday alone, with pubs expected to sell 10million more pints than usualHarry Kane and his team of heroes reaching the Euro 2024 final is set to trigger an £800million boost for the nation’s hospitality sectorSir Geoff Hurst – England’s last surviving hero of the 1966 World Cup winning squad – is supporting the idea of a bank holiday if we win ‘to allow the fans to celebrate together’Credit: GettyWorld Cup hat-trick hero Sir Geoff is hoping Gareth Southgate’s men will finally end 58 years of trophyless hurt — and he is backing growing calls for a bank holiday if football does comes home.The 82-year-old said: “With England so close to achieving greatness on Sunday, I couldn’t be prouder of the team, and I know the nation feels the same.“As the last surviving member of the ’66 starting eleven, I can’t tell you how incredible it would be to see England win again.“But this moment isn’t just about the team. It’s about England fans across the nation.”READ MORE ON EURO 2024Sir Geoff — a brand ambassador for Official England Beer Budweiser — is supporting the idea of a bank holiday if we win “to allow the fans to celebrate together”.As the last surviving member of the ’66 starting eleven, I can’t tell you how incredible it would be to see England win again.Sir Geoff HurstWith warm weather forecast, packed boozers around the country will be allowed to stay open extra late on Sunday night — as they were for Wednesday’s semi-final triumph.Experts reckon Ollie Watkins’ dramatic 90th-minute winner against the Netherlands has triggered a £405million spending bonanza in pubs and supermarkets.’I don’t want to jinx it’An estimated £120million worth of booze will be sunk on Sunday alone, with pubs expected to sell ten million more pints than usual.Most read in Euro 2024But many fans will likely shun Spanish lagers such as Estrella and San Miguel to show their support for the Three Lions — who will be the underdogs in Berlin.From agony to ecstasy – England fans go wild as Three Lions advance to Euro 2024 final with victory over NetherlandsEmma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, said: “As with the semi-finals, pubs will be licensed to stay open until 1am.“That gives fans even more time to enjoy the game, support our pubs and hopefully celebrate football finally coming home.”Tesco, Britain’s biggest supermarket, reckons it will sell four million packs of beer and cider, plus 1.2 million cans and bottles of low and zero-alcohol beer.Nearly 2.5 million bottles of wine will be bought — and a similar amount of champagne will be snapped up by the more optimistic England supporters.Tesco also reckons it will shift more than one million pizzas and pies while nearly 800,000 packs of sausages and 180,000 burgers will be bought for the barbecue.Andrew Rennie, chief executive of Domino’s, said the takeaway chain expects to be making 20 to 25 pizzas a second during the game.I went to the last Euros final, I don’t want to go through that again.Sir Keir StarmerHe said: “We’ll be pulling out all the stops that no matter how busy it gets, everyone will get their piping-hot pizza on time.”Sunday’s final will be the climax to a hugely successful Euros for our hospitality sector, which analysts say has enjoyed a staggering £800million sales boost during the four-week tournament. Meanwhile, new PM Sir Keir Starmer — a fanatical Arsenal supporter who still plays in five-a-side games – has told how he is desperate for England to succeed against Spain. He dropped hints last night that he would give government backing to a bank holiday — although he doesn’t want to tempt fate.Sir Keir, who watched England’s last Euros final heartbreak when we lost to Italy on penalties, said: “We should certainly mark the occasion. I went to the last Euros final so I don’t want to jinx it. I don’t want to go through that again.” Sir Keir watched parts of the semi-final despite being at the Nato defence and security summit in Washington DC.Monster hangover warning He said: “It was fantastic. I managed to pop out from one of my sessions for just five minutes, which is when I saw Harry Kane (above) get the first goal. I missed the second one but it was brilliant.“So on we go now, great chance. I’ve always said this team were going to go all the way so I’m really, really pleased and just good luck for Sunday.”Employers should be prepared to be inundated with leave requests for staff scheduled to work on Sunday evening.The money-spinning footie shindig will also trigger monster hangovers across the nation — and a surge of staff requesting Monday off or ringing in sick.Alan Price, CEO at BrightHR, which monitors absence among more than a million employees at 50,000-plus UK companies, said: “Everyone wants to watch the final, staff included. Employers should be prepared to be inundated with leave requests for staff scheduled to work on Sunday evening.”Sickness absence rocketed 232 per cent the day after England’s Euro 2020 final. Sunday’s final in Berlin is set to be watched by a record 32 million-strong TV audience — half the nation. And bosses at England’s supermarkets, petrol stations and delivery services were coming under pressure to give staff the evening off so they can see it too.Tesco said it would close 1,800 Express stores early for the 8pm kick-off so workers could watchNearly 2.5million bottles of wine will be bought — and a similar amount of champagne will be snapped up by the more optimistic England supportersCredit: Andy Stenning/Daily MirrorSunday’s money-spinning soccer shindig will also trigger monster hangovers across the nation – and a surge of staff requesting Monday off or ringing in sickCredit: GettySunday’s final will be the climax to a hugely successful Euros for our hospitality sectorEngland supporters celebrating the Three Lions’ victory in Benidorm yesterdayCredit: ReutersSainsbury’s, Morrisons and Waitrose are considering a shutdown.Brits can look forward to enjoying a glorious weekend scorcher as temperatures hit 23C for the final.The Met Office has forecast a brighter outlook on the horizon following dismal drizzles and below-average temperatures. The Met Office’s Aidan McGivern said: “On Sunday, temperatures are closer to average. It’s warming up”.READ MORE SUN STORIESFA PRESIDENT Prince William yesterday revealed he had a “hoarse” voice after screaming at England’s last-minute winner againt the Netherlands.ᐧ The Aston Villa fan told guests in Brixton, South London that the club’s striker Ollie Watkins scored a “hell of a goal”. More

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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