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      Euro 2020: Millions to dash home early from work to watch England’s showdown with arch foes Germany

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      MILLIONS will slope off from work early today for England’s Euros showdown with arch foes Germany.The Great English Bunk-Off will see staff take early cuts to be in front of a screen in time for the 5pm kick-off.
      ⚽Get ALL of the latest England news and updates from Euro 2020
      The Great English Bunk-Off will see millions take an early cut tonight to watch England’s Euros showdown with GermanyCredit: Getty
      After 18 months of Covid misery, the vast majority of bosses will turn a blind eye or allow employees to make up work time later.
      TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said: “Bosses should talk to staff and try to let people who want to watch games do so — either at work, or at home — and claim back working time afterwards.”
      Business chiefs were on side with the idea. A spokesman for the Confederation of British Industry said: “Many businesses will show flexibility and common sense to let staff finish early or make up hours. But if it goes to penalties, that could be a good moment to catch up on your email.”
      Capacity at Wembley Stadium will double to 45,000 tonight as Covid restrictions ease. But with quarantine rules keeping German fans away, Gareth Southgate’s side has a huge home advantage.
      England line-up for tonight’s showdown as favourites to win after topping their qualifying group without conceding a goal.
      The Germans finished runners-up in their group and have already been beaten.

      A spokesman for the Confederation of British Industry said ‘Many businesses will show flexibility and common sense to let staff finish early or make up hours’Credit: Alamy
      Capacity at Wembley Stadium will double to 45,000 tonight as restrictions easeCredit: AFP
      A quarter-final place against either Sweden or Ukraine in Rome is the prize for tonight’s winners — with the dreaded prospect of a penalty shoot-out if the knockout game stays deadlocked.
      England were favourites to win through to the last eight at 3/4 last night with Germany at 21/20.
      A late flood of English punters backed Germany to win — while praying for a Three Lions triumph. Bookies said fans were betting on the enemy to ease their pain should England crash out.
      A Paddy Power spokeswoman said: “This is one of the clearest cases of emotional hedging we’ve seen.” Miss England is leading the cheers for the Three Lions.
      Dr Bhasha Mukherjee, 25, who has been working at an NHS hospital on the Covid frontline, posed with an England flag. A 27 million-strong army of England fans will watch the game across the country hoping for more goals from Raheem Sterling who has already scored two.
      It will be the biggest TV sport audience since England’s 2018 World Cup semi-final defeat to Croatia. Motoring groups warned tonight’s rush hour could start as early as 3pm — and warned of jams. RAC spokesman Simon Williams said: “It could be the busiest early-afternoon weekday this year.”
      England were favourites to win through to the last eight at 3/4 last night with Germany at 21/20Credit: AFP
      Tickets for the clash with a face value of £43 to £159 hit £4,500-a-pair on the black market yesterday. The game will be shown on big screens at Trafalgar Square, London, and venues around the country.
      Thirteen Showcase cinemas will show the match for free.
      But All England Club tennis chiefs are refusing to screen it at Wimbledon — disappointing thousands who hoped to follow the football too.
      The ban applies to the Murray Mound big screen and dozens of concourse TVs in show courts and around the grounds.
      A Wimbledon spokesperson said: “We’re a tennis event.”
      An extra 17,000 face-value tickets were sold to England fans yesterday.
      A Paddy Power spokeswoman said: ‘This is one of the clearest cases of emotional hedging we’ve seen’Credit: AFP

      Only a few hundred Germans are expected because most were unable to do five-day Covid quarantine in time.
      England Supporters Travel Club member Simon Harris, 63, managed to secure tickets with wife Anna-Marie, 56, and son George, 25.
      Simon, of Shropshire, said: “The extra tickets are fantastic news for England fans and will make it like a proper home game. I’m backing us to win.”
      Gareth Southgate tells England stars to show no fear against Germany… and go and become Three Lions LEGENDS More

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      Euro 2020: The English are secretly quite fond of Germany but let’s stuff them right up the Wembley way

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      DEAR continental cousins — please don’t tell anyone, but the English are secretly quite fond of the Germans.Your cars. Your washing machines. Your world-famous sense of humour. Your pop music . . . well, maybe not so much.
      ⚽Get ALL of the latest England news and updates from Euro 2020
      Dear continental cousins, please don’t tell anyone but the English are secretly quite fond of the GermansCredit: Rex
      But Jurgen Klopp’s smile. And Frau Merkel’s style. And what red-blooded Englishman could dislike a country where they eat sausages for breakfast?
      We are even trying to be understanding about Merkel’s wish to ban all Brits from all European beaches this summer when the Germans were part of the great EU vaccination cock-up.
      But we get it. We left your precious European Union. You’re hurt. Nobody likes getting dumped. True, England and Germany have some previous. We spent some torrid times in the last century kicking lumps out of each other.
      But in the end, there was grudging respect in England for the fine country that Germany became after the last war. A place of peace and prosperity and democracy — at least the part of Germany that didn’t have a Russian jackboot on its throat.
      My father had German shrapnel in his legs on the day he died. But I honestly can’t remember Dad ever having a bad word to say about Deutschland — even when I brought home a German girlfriend. Forgive and forget, eh?
      And despite what Basil Fawlty said, we did not even need to pretend. As someone once said, you do not make peace with your friend. You make peace with your enemy. The exception is on a football pitch. Because it rankles.
      The English invented football but Germany perfected it.
      We came up with a sport and a pastime where flair, creativity and joy could run amok. And Germans turned football into a machine of frightening efficiency.
      The English invented football but Germany perfected itCredit: AP
      We need a defining moment like 1966
      As dull as a VW Beetle, perhaps. As boring as a Miele washing machine in full spin cycle, possibly. As dreary as Frau Merkel’s face when Boris Johnson is attempting to do one of his elbow bumps. But German football — like any German product — works. The proof is on the respective shirts.
      One tiny star twinkles on the England shirt, representing that golden day in 1966. The Germans have four.
      They have also won the Euros a couple of times, although not for a while. That’s why they like to talk about “seven years of hurt” — that German sense of humour again — since they won a major title.
      While England has other football rivalries — Argentina, Portugal and Scotland — it is true that the agony and the ecstasy of English football has largely revolved around games versus Germany.
      With all that silverware back in the Fatherland, these dates might not mean much to the German football fan. But to the Englishman, they are sacred.1966 at Wembley. 1990 in Italy. The Euros of 1996. And tonight.
      After all our people have endured over the last 15 months, it could truly mean as much as any of those sacred dates. But this is more than a chance to avenge penalty shoot-outs.
      One tiny star twinkles on the England shirt, representing that golden day in 1966 but the Germans have four, here pictured Harry KaneCredit: Getty
      Around 20 million of us will watch England v Germany tonight, Raheem Sterling poses during the official UEFA Euro 2020Credit: Getty
      This is a chance to feel good about ourselves again.
      Around 20 million of us will watch England v Germany tonight.
      The fate of the nation does not rest on the result of the match, but the mood of the nation certainly does. Beating the real old enemy would be the shot in the arm our country so desperately craves and so badly needs.
      Because right now the prevailing mood here is less than glorious. Because right now it feels like the UK is a nation suffering from long Covid. The shaming of Health Secretary Matt Hancock has revealed a stinking hypocrisy at the heart of our government.
      When he was caught with his metaphorical pants down, it proved that our rulers truly do think there is one set of rules for them and another for the rest of us.
      The frustration and the fury in the country is palpable.
      This is a chance to feel good about ourselves again, pictured is Jordan PickfordCredit: Getty
      There is something undeniably perfect about this mood-defining match being against GermanyCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Something perfect about this match
      The English are not a docile people like the Germans. It would be impossible to imagine, for example, the Germans ever voting to leave the European Union.
      Even now, they are really good at obeying orders. It’s a bit different for the English. And our mood is sour.
      Anger with Boris Johnson’s timidity — and hypocrisy — is palpable.
      Frustration is everywhere. Tonight can set us free. It’s time to stuff Die Mannschaft — the German national team — right up the Wembley Way, just like we did in ’66. It’s nothing personal.
      The Germans can quote our footballing national anthem — Football’s Coming Home — but it’s already home for us, here in Wembley at five o’clock tonight.
      There is something undeniably perfect about this mood-defining match being against Germany.
      It’s time to stuff Die Mannschaft — the German national team — right up the Wembley Way, just like we did in ’66Credit: AFP
      For in the soul of every England football fan, no matter their generation, there is a secret chamber where it is always a rainy summer’s day in 1966, and Bobby Moore is smiling, Bobby Charlton is crying, and Nobby Stiles is dancing.
      The 1966 World Cup Final was just a football match.
      But I vividly remember what it did to the mood of a people who — 21 years on — still seemed to be recovering from the wounds, trauma and sacrifice of war. ­People like my mum and dad, my aunts and uncles.
      Ordinary, working people. Good people. Worthy of love. Something in them came alive that day.
      It was when the Sixties started.
      Tonight’s match can be like that — a moment of national unity and collective euphoria, the chance for a battered, weary people to begin again.
      The Germans can quote our footballing national anthem, Football’s Coming Home, but it’s already home for usCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      We need a defining moment like 1966 — to lift our spirits, to remind us of who we are, to wipe away the gloom that hangs like a shroud over our battered nation.
      From the local primary school sports day to the green fields of Glastonbury, this should be the height of English summer.
      Yet the summer feels like it is already slipping away. But what if the Three Lions run rampant against the Germans tonight? Then it will feel like all our summer days arrived at once.
      Gareth Southgate tells England stars to show no fear against Germany… and go and become Three Lions LEGENDS More

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      Wembley is our living room England… so WE are the ones coming home

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      DEAR island snowflakes — don’t whine just because we dare to quote your title song Football’s Coming Home when we return to Wembley Stadium — aka “unser Wohnzimmer” (our living room).It was you, who chose this song for Euro ’96, that we won. So, get over it! Please believe me — we’re not really being serious here. Well, almost not.
      Wembley is our living room England… so WE are the ones coming home, says Peter TiedeCredit: AFP
      But seriously — our team is coming home. Wembley is a place full of beautiful, good ­German history.
      A bitter moment with the stolen victory in 1966 — almost every German knows the “Wembley-Goal”. And many sweet victories, like in 1972 or 1996.
      We cherish this sacred space with respect and secret glee. Wembley is part of our collective German football heritage.
      With us it’s always the same story — we just love to tease each other. Just a tiny bit. We Germans call this “love-hate”. A little bit of both.
      We tell each other these stories, lounging on the sunbeds we took from you early in the morning on Majorca or the Costa del Sol.
      But seriously — our team is coming home. Wembley is a place full of beautiful, good ­German history, says Peter TiedeCredit: Getty – Contributor
      And we attest to the fact that we cannot find a decent meal in Portugal or Andalusia, because all menus everywhere are occupied with your “food”.
      You are in our thoughts, when we need to binge drink as of 18:00 with warm, foamless beer in your (great) pubs, because of early closing hours, instead of enjoying our sacred Pils and Helles.
      While not only watching our own football league, but your league (with our own coaches and players).
      Every year there is a feeling of amazement when I look at English people in an Andalusian trailer park eating fish and chips in 35 degree or more heat. Then there’s the beachside search game — “find a Brit without tattoos”.
      As much as we feud with each other on vacation, we are united in the fact we are great football nations and that others are mystified by our rivalry.
      Paul Gascoigne of England argues with Stefan Kuntz of Germany during the England v Germany semi-final of Euro 96Credit: Allsport
      Your delegates burned bright red — and ours in socks and sandals. And our kids: one part drunk in Magaluf, the others at the “Ballermann” in Majorca.
      We look upon England, that for us always seems to waver between stiff upper lip and drunkenly uninhibited, with respect.
      Here’s hoping for tonight because if nothing major changes we will show up basically without a defence.
      This was obvious during both games against Hungary and Portugal. We had to force Portugal to shoot two own goals so we could have half a chance. We almost failed against Hungary due to harmlessness.
      But we do know we Germans stumble through preliminary and middle rounds and at the end we are victorious . . . at least against England.
      England’s captain Alan Shearer punches the air as he celebrates his goal against GermanyCredit: Reuters

      So, no worries. We would love to celebrate our victory at Wembley, but — too bad our fans can’t be there. We’ll see you next time — at Wembley or anywhere else.
      You have the better football songs. We have more football titles. So, don’t be sad when we Germans sing “Football’s coming home” tonight. And just in case you do manage to grab the title, just sing our song: “So ein Tag, so wunderschön wie heute . . . ”*
      *Such a day, as beautiful as today . . .
      Willow the Cockapoo predicts the result of Euros clash between England and Germany More

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      Euro 2020: Hope and dreams, horror and tears… I can plot my life in England matches against Germany

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      I CAN plot my life in England matches against Germany.I was around for the World Cup Final of 1966, even though I was yet to be born.
      England’s Kieran Trippier in action with Germany’s Marcel Halstenberg at WembleyCredit: HANNAH MCKAY
      I’ve worked out I was conceived during the tournament.
      I’ve asked my mum and dad for some specifics regarding this event but, mercifully, none have been forthcoming.
      The important point is that I know my mum watched it, so I was certainly in the room, or rather the womb, to be part of that triumph.
      Yes, I was only a foetus, but these things matter.
      So, I lived my toddler years with England as world champions — I thought those days would last for ever
      I think I might have given the 3-2 defeat in the Mexico World Cup a miss, as I have no recollection of it.
      You can’t blame me for that, I was only three after all.
      And I must have got into a sulk then and given up on football because I don’t recall either of the two qualifying games for the 1972 Euros, a defeat and another goalless draw.
      It was ten years until we played another competitive game against our old foes.
      In that time, I’d started school, had my heart broken several times by West Brom and a succession of girls, and turned into a typically sullen teenager.
      Just like England in the ’82 World Cup, I showed bits of promise in various areas but was generally found wanting.
      England 0 West Germany 0 felt about right.
      Before the next serious meeting, eight formative years later, I’d left school, worked as a scaffolder and gone on to earn a very mediocre degree in English at university.
      The Gazza’s tears semi-final of Italia ’90 was truly a pivotal moment in my life.
      Having just done final exams, my student days were now over.
      Around 20 of my college friends came to my flat to watch the match and die a thousand deaths between us.
      It wasn’t until the following morning that I realised I’d somehow channelled all my hopes and ambitions for the future into England’s performance at that World Cup.

      The Gazza’s tears semi-final of Italia ’90 was truly a pivotal moment in my lifeCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      I wandered around, dazed, wondering what on earth I was going to do with the rest of my life.
      The only thing I knew for sure was that I’d surely never again feel this bad about an England v Germany match.
      Wrong again.
      By Euro ’96, I had some success in my non-football life as I’d somehow carved out a career in broadcasting.
      And in football, with Croatia coming into being as a footballing nation, I even had two teams to support.
      Things were good
      At least they were until the Germans had other ideas.
      First, they despatched Croatia in the quarter-finals, and then, to my lasting horror, England, on penalties again, in the semis.
      Four years later, the new millennium dawned.
      Surely things would look up on the England-Germany front.
      Well, up to a point.
      At last, in the Euros of 2000, we beat them. But then lost in a qualifier at Wembley later in the year.
      They couldn’t even let us have more than a few short months to savour our victory, could they?
      Scintillating win
      And then, a year later, it came at last: A proper, scintillating win against them.
      Thirty-five years since our last scintillating win, which I experienced only from inside my mother’s womb, I finally got another one.
      Coming from behind to win 5-1, in Germany.
      Now this was special.
      I watched it with a big Scotland fan I know, in a hotel room in Glasgow, where I’d just covered Croatia’s 0-0 draw with Scotland at Hampden. “Aye,” he conceded grumpily. “Brilliant, I must admit.”
      In that decade, my career went from strength to strength.
      Nine years later, I was covering the World Cup in South Africa for ITV.
      The 4-1 ball-over-the-line demolition at the hands of Germany was, mercifully, not our game.
      The BBC covered it. I actually watched it with some of my colleagues in the ITV office in Johannesburg.
      The chap I was sitting next to that day shook his head in horror at what unfolded.
      That, I now recall, was none other than Gareth Southgate.
      Please God I don’t get to see him in a similar state tonight.
      I have every faith that we won’t.
      Brit hope
      I LOVE Wimbledon, but every year when it comes around I get a little bit more irritated by one thing – hearing journalists refer to the tournament by the post-code in which it is held?
      Why do we do this?
      Why do journalists refer to Wimbledon by the postcode? Pictured Brit hopeful Kaie SwanCredit: Getty
      I’ve done it myself this year already. SW19. Aaaarrgh.
      Let’s just stop.
      To even things up, I’d like to congratulate Harlequins on winning the Premiership Final in TW2 on Saturday and wish England all the best in HA9 this afternoon.
      What a miss for me
      THERE’S nothing so tedious as a parent boasting about their child’s achievements, but I simply have to share with you that my daughter has won her school’s history and politics prize
      Naturally, I was most delighted when she told me, and very much looking forward to seeing her receive it at 6.30pm on Tuesday, June 29.
      And please don’t tell me it won’t go to penalties – we all know it will, pictured Gareth Southgate with David Seaman after a shoot-out in 1996Credit: PA:Press Association
      Hmm. Gradually, the awful truth started to dawn that this could clash with a football match.
      Then, a week ago, it became clear it would be an England match and, the day after, it turned out the opponents would be Germany.
      Wunderbar.
      The ceremony has been timed with cruel precision to ensure I’ll miss the three critical phases of the match: The end of normal time, all of extra time and the penalties.
      And please don’t tell me it won’t go to penalties – we all know it will.
      Her school is only a few goal kicks away from Wembley, I may even hear the roars of joy or despair through the open windows.
      I don’t think I’ll even be able to sneak looks at my mobile phone as, given social distancing, we’ll be so spread out.
      I’ve tried everything to get out of this.
      I’ve cited Covid worries, I’ve claimed I’m working, I’ve even tried saying I’d find it much more meaningful to be watching on Zoom and then I’d be able to record the moment for posterity
      “Tough s**t,” said my daughter (pardon her language). “You’re coming.”
      Quite right, too.
      Can’t help falling in Love with bad telly
      THE return of Love Island reminds me that one of the advantages of having teenage children is that you can keep across elements of popular culture without having to directly engage in it yourself.
      There are countless TV shows I’ve been able to bluff away talking and writing about, even though I’ve never sat down to watch them.
      Keeping Up With The Kardashians’ Kendall JennerCredit: Getty – Contributor
      The list is long.
      Keeping Up With The Kardashians; Pretty Little Liars; Made In Chelsea; Grey’s Anatomy; Selling Sunset; and, not least, Love Island.
      All of these have been on in the background of my life for several years now.
      I’m sure there are some characters who have popped up in all of the above shows, so similar-looking are the types you get on them.
      As you can imagine, I’ve got on my kids’ nerves no end with all my hilarious droll comments as to how bad these shows are, but the truth is I’ve grown quite attached to them.
      I’ll miss them when I haven’t got an excuse to half-watch them any more.
      I spy? Not a hope
      EVERY time a comedy cock-up regarding national security reaches the headlines, a shiver goes down my spine.
      Many years ago, having failed my civil service entrance exam, I was called to an interview regarding other, unspecified, work in the Ministry of Defence.
      Rowan Atkinson as spy Johnny EnglishCredit: Alamy
      To cut a long story short, this turned out to be an interview for MI5.
      At least, that’s what the woman told me at the end of this three-hour interview and a steely look in her eye told me she wasn’t mucking about.
      I’m happy to report that the intelligence services’ recruitment procedures turned out to be sound, as I got a rejection letter a couple of weeks later.
      Good decision.
      I would have made a terrible spy, like Rowan Atkinson’s Johnny English character.
      And leaving a pile of classified documents about military matters at a bus stop is precisely the kind of blitheringly careless calamity I would have done.
      Britain has been a safer place without my services.
      Kissing kiss off
      I MAKE no comment on the Matt Hancock affair other than this: While he undoubtedly looks a bit of a plum in the photos, I wonder if it’s ever possible for us to look anything other than plums when we’re snogging.
      I certainly wouldn’t care to catch sight of myself doing it.
      Matt Hancock’s secret affair with aide Gina Coladangelo is exposed as the pair snogCredit: THE SUN
      Then again, I’ve always had a problem watching anyone kissing.
      Whenever it comes on the telly, I have to cover my eyes.
      No, for me, snogging, like life itself, is not a spectator sport.

      Harry Kane dismisses his bad form and says all that matters is that we beat Germany More

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      Former football ace Jamie Redknapp tries his hand at rugby

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      FORMER soccer star Jamie Redknapp gets to grips with an odd-shaped ball — as he tries his hand at rugby.The Sky Sports pundit, 48, took part in some half-time entertainment during the match between the British & Irish Lions and Japan at Murrayfield in Edinburgh.
      Former footie star Jamie Redknapp was spotted with an odd-shaped ball as he played rugbyCredit: Getty
      The Sky Sports pundit enjoyed some half-time entertainment in EdinburghCredit: Getty
      Jamie drop-kicked the ball before wheeling away in celebration.
      Also there were his A League of Their Own co-stars Tom Davis, 42, and host Romesh Ranganathan, 43.
      Earlier this month, Jamie’s pregnant girlfriend Frida Andersson made her first public appearance since The Sun revealed their baby news.
      The 37-year-old star was glowing as she attended the opening of Kensington Garden’s immersive Van Gogh exhibition.
      The blonde beauty was not joined by Jamie, with the pair confirming their relationship nine months ago.
      Frida looked sensational in a pretty patterned dress with puff sleeves and polka dot detailing.
      Jamie, 48, booted the ball into action before wheeling off in celebrationCredit: Getty
      He was there with Tom Davis and Romesh RanganathanCredit: Getty
      Earlier this month, Jamie’s girlfriend Frida was glowing as she made her first public appearance since her pregnancy news

      Ally McCoist, Jamie Redknapp and Ashley Williams celebrate Greene King’s Euro campaign and a summer of international football More

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      Three Lions show off their all-round sports skills at training camp

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      THREE Lions heroes showed off their all-round sports skills at their training camp over the weekend.Raheem Sterling, 26, was seen effortlessly spinning a basketball on one finger while Jude Bellingham, 17, leapt for one in mid-air.
      Dominic Calvert-Lewin plays darts at the England training campCredit: PA
      Meanwhile, smiling striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, 24, kept his eye in with a game of darts at St George’s Park in Burton upon Trent. Keiran Trippier and Jordan Pickford played table tennis.
      Most of Gareth Southgate’s squad have been training on the Sir Bobby Charlton pitch ahead of tomorrow’s showdown with Germany.
      Ben Chilwell, 24, and Mason Mount, 22, have been away from the main group after coming into contact with Chelsea team-mate Billy Gilmour who tested positive.
      Their isolation period ends today.
      Three Lions stars Keiran Trippier and Jordan Pickford play table tennisCredit: Getty
      Raheem Sterling spins a basketball on his fingerCredit: Getty
      Jude Bellingham of England plays basketball at St George’s ParkCredit: Getty

      Southgate says England are well prepared for a penalty with a process that works for them More

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      England legend Sir Geoff Hurst believes glory beckons for Gareth Southgate’s young lions

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      ENGLAND legend Sir Geoff Hurst told Gareth Southgate’s young lions: “Beat Germany and you’ll go on and win it!”The hero, whose hat-trick conquered our old foe in 1966, lined up with The Sun’s mascot Harry Mane — and also had advice for England’s star striker.
      Sir Geoff Hurst rallied the nation behind Gareth Southgate’s young lions saying: ‘Beat Germany and you’ll go on and win it!’Credit: The Sun
      He said: “There’s nothing quite like an England versus Germany game at Wembley and the hairs still stand up on the back of my neck every time it happens.
      “It’s a massive, massive game — one of those do-or-die occasions which will produce moments we’ll never forget.
      “German teams never give up and we have a hell of a fight on our hands. But this time it’s a fight we can win — and once we clear this obstacle it’ll take a hell of a team to stop us.”
      A win tomorrow will send England to Rome for a quarter-final with Sweden or Ukraine. Another victory would tee up a semi-final back at Wembley against either Denmark or Czech Republic.
      Sir Geoff, 79, believes glory beckons for our young side — and he is unconcerned at striker Harry Kane’s lack of goals so far. Sir Geoff was a sub for the 1966 group games and did not score.
      But he got the only goal against Argentina, laid on another against Portugal before his epic hat-trick in the final against West Germany.
      The England legend gave advice to England’s star striker Harry KaneCredit: Reuters
      He said: ‘I would love to see him score a hat-trick in the final like I did’Credit: The Sun
      He said: “I got off to a much slower start than Harry Kane in 1966. I didn’t even get a kick in the first three games. But I took my chances in the knockout stages just like I believe Harry will.
      “He has the class, power and skill to come alive at the business end of the tournament and I would love to see him score a hat-trick in the final like I did.”
      The old foes have not clashed at the Euros since 2000, when England won 1-0.
      But the Germans hit back with a 4-1 hiding the last time they met in a major tournament — at the 2010 World Cup. England also famously crashed out on penalties to them twice — at the 1990 World Cup then again at Euro 96.
      But if tomorrow’s game ends in a shootout, Sir Geoff is confident they can get revenge. He said: “We hopefully shook off that hoodoo when we beat Colombia on penalties at the last World Cup.
      “No England fan likes the prospect of a shoot-out — least of all against the Germans given our track record. But I’m sure England now practise hard at spot-kicks and study video of their opponents before games to make it less of an ordeal. It’s going to be tough and tight.
      A win against Germany tomorrow will send England to Rome for a quarter-final with Sweden or UkraineCredit: The Sun
      Sir Geoff, 79, confident in a win added: ‘I’m sure England have the grit and talent to win — even if it goes to penalties’Credit: The Sun
      England’s captain Bobby Moore is carried by teammates including Geoff Hurst after England defeated Germany 4-2 in the final at WembleyCredit: AP

      “I’m sure England have the grit and talent to win — even if it goes to penalties.”
      He also said the 45,000-strong crowd will sound like there’s double there, and called on them to roar like our mascot.
      He said: “I love The Sun’s Harry. We had a lion mascot called World Cup Willie in ’66 – and he roared us all the way to the final. Everyone should get behind this lion — and our lions on the pitch.”

      FAKE replica England shirts are shifting in their thousands after fans refused to pay £69.95 for the official Nike tops.

      England World Cup winner Sir Geoff Hurst backs Boris Johnson’s offer to host Euros in the UK More

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      England fans set to scoop 17k extra tickets for game against Germany at Wembley

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      ENGLAND fans are set to scoop up 17,000 extra ­tickets as Germans were forced to stay away from Tuesday’s Wembley clash.It will mean almost all the 45,000 Covid-reduced capacity will be cheering on Gareth Southgate’s side.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      England fans are set to scoop up 17,000 extra ­tickets as Germans were forced to stay away from Tuesday’s Wembley clashCredit: Rex
      UK quarantine rules mean Germans needed five days’ isolation before the game, so could not travel.
      Around 5,000 tickets earmarked for the German FA will be sold to UK residents via UEFA.com in the next 48 hours.
      Up to 11,000 more are already being offered there, and are selling out in minutes.
      Up to 1,000 additional tickets are also set to be sold by the FA to its England Supporters Travel Club members from today.
      Tickets for the game cost between £43 and £159.
      Mark Knapper, 62, of Hertfordshire, who has watched almost every England game for 20 years, said: “It’s great there are a lot more tickets available for England supporters.

      “We’ve got a great chance to beat Germany.
      “We’re capable of stepping up a gear, but I don’t think they are.”
      The FA said yesterday: “We will attempt to secure as many additional tickets as possible.”
      Our England Euro aces face Germany on TuesdayCredit: AFP
      England’s Euro 2020 stars have a water balloon fight as they relax ahead of Germany game More