The Sun Newspaper

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

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

ENGLAND skipper Harry Kane called a players’ summit after the dismal display against Denmark to try to rally his troops.The Bayern Munich ace put England ahead against the Danes only to see it cancelled out as England limped to a disappointing 1-1 draw.Harry Kane and Gareth Southgate in training yesterdayCredit: Paul EdwardsKyle Walker seems to row with Kieran TrippierCredit: Paul EdwardsPhil Foden steps in as peacemaker to calm down TrippierCredit: Paul EdwardsTrippier sees the funny side and peace is restored in trainingCredit: Paul EdwardsAnd he later decided that his teammates needed a rousing call to arms to lift them for their next match on Tuesday.Kane summoned the rest of the 26-man squad to a private meeting with no coaches present.He wanted them to thrash out any differences and bring the squad closer — as well as reminding them that they had the class to win the Euros.And it appeared from the players’ training session yesterday that more team bonding might well be in order.Read More on SportAt one stage, fellow full-backs Kieran Trippier, 33, and Kyle Walker, 34, had an exchange of words. They stood a few feet away from each other, both with their arms spread — clearly disagreeing about something.They had been laughing and joking moments earlier until Newcastle’s Trippier appeared to take exception to something Manchester City defender Walker said.Walker’s club teammate Phil Foden, 24, appeared to step in as peacemaker, putting his hands on Trippier’s shoulders in an apparent bid to calm him down. Most read in Euro 2024The players were all smiles again soon after.The exchange followed Kane’s attempts to rouse the squad, thought to have taken place on Thursday morning at the team’s camp in Blankenhain.Awkward moment when BBC commentator pulls up pal for shoehorning England scenario into match commentaryA source said: “Harry is a natural leader and wanted to gee the lads up after Denmark.“That game left the whole country feeling a bit flat, never mind just the players. Harry wanted to remind them how good they are. He urged them to pull together, to bond more, to express themselves.“They are world-class players. They don’t really need reminding of that but everyone needs a pick- me-up now and then. It was a really rousing speech from Harry.”All but Luke Shaw took part in training at the team’s camp yesterday — the first full session since the Denmark clash. Manchester United defender Shaw is still battling to regain fitness.The pitch was watered throughout the session. There had been complaints about the state of the surface on Thursday after match organisers insisted on watering it before kick-off — against the advice of Frankfurt’s specialist grass technicians.Kane said after the game: “It was tough out there with the heat and the pitch.”Three Lions fans will hope his speech to the players worked and Gareth Southgate’s men can improve for the last Group C game against Slovenia in Cologne.Meanwhile, Jarrod Bowen, 27, hailed his family, including partner Dani Dyer, for supporting him at the Euros — but said she does not give him tactical advice.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe said her actor dad, Danny Dyer, had sent good luck ­messages, also telling him to “always play with a smile on your face”.Jarrod’s dad Sam, brother Harry and two mates are travelling to games in Sam’s campervan — and “just kind of park up somewhere”.Cab flag ban
TAXI drivers have hit out at a ban on flying England flags during the Euros.
The capital’s 125,000 cabbies and private hire drivers have been told they risk losing their licences if they show their support.
Transport for London bosses say the St George’s Cross could distract other drivers.
Cabbie Fred Perkins, 60, said: “Our society’s really gone woke when we can’t fly a little flag for England for the Euros.”
David Lawrie, director of the National Private Hire Association, said: “Common sense should allow mini England flags. The ban should be overturned.” More