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      Tottenham’s Europa League clash with Qarabag DELAYED as fans face frantic rush to get to stadium amid travel chaos

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      TOTTENHAM’S Europa League opener against Qarabag was severely delayed due to travel chaos.The Azerbaijani side were staying in Stratford but did not turn up to Spurs’ stadium until 7.45pm due to serious traffic.Spurs’ Europa League clash against Qarabag FK has been delayedCredit: PAThat was only 15 minutes before the planned kick-off – which was then pushed back to 8.35pm.Qarabag’s coach ended up having a police escort for the last mile of their 12-mile journey.While their late arrival could land them in hot water with Uefa, whose regulations state that both teams must be at the stadium at least 75 minutes before kick-off, as per article 54.01.But because this is their first offence this season, the club and their coach Gurban Gurbanov will likely only get a warning from European football’s governing body.READ MORE IN football Travel to Spurs was a nightmare due to a multitude of reasons.Part of the A10, the major road in the area, was closed, while for supporters coming from the south there were major delays on the M25.A person hit by train at Tottenham Hale train station meant many Greater Anglia trains were cancelled between there and Broxbourne.And there were severely limited trains coming in from the Hertfordshire direction.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSGurbanov’s reigning Azerbaijani champions were not the only ones to get caught out by the issues.TNT Sports pundits Peter Crouch and Glenn Hoddle abandoned their car and legged it down the street to make it in time for the start of their coverage.Ex-Spurs striker Crouch, 43, said: “Hopefully (the Qarabag team) ran down the High Road like me and Glenn! We gave up wit the car.”Tottenham legend Hoddle, 66, added: “Peter and I limped.”Qarabag are not the first to be caught out by the congested roads in N17.Spurs’ last European fixture – the last-16 Champions League tie against AC Milan in March 2022 – kicked off ten minutes later than planned due to both sides being held up in traffic.It made Spurs’ fans wait an extra 35 minutes for their first European game in 18 months, who named a strong line-up.Captain Son Heung-min, Dominic Solanke and Brennan Johnson all started up top, the latter two having netted in Saturday’s 3-1 win over Brentford.There were still six changes though, which saw 18-year-old pair Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall make their first European starts of their respective careers.Boss Ange Postecoglou, managing his first Spurs game in Europe, said: “It is going to be a great experience for our young players. It is different to domestic competition and they will learn a lot.”Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall have shown great energy. They want to make a career for themselves and my responsibility is to give them opportunity.READ MORE SUN STORIES”For a club like us, all these competitions are important. We have not had success for a very long time.“For a club our size, not winning becomes a millstone around your neck and you have to win something to release that.”SunSport’s Jordan Davies reacts to Europa League draw as Man Utd face Mourinho More

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      Oleksandr Usyk detained after ‘attempting to defend friend who wasn’t allowed to board plane’, PR team reveals

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      OLEKSANDR USYK was detained at an airport after attempting to defend a friend who was denied boarding, his team revealed. Shock footage surfaced on Tuesday night showing the undefeated boxing champion being led away in cuffs by officers. Oleksandr Usyk was detained at an airport after attempting to defend a friend who was denied boardingCredit: XShock footage showed the boxing star being led away by securityCredit: XBut Usyk, his wife and even Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky spoke out to clarify it was a misunderstanding. Now the boxing star’s head of PR Mykhailo Krasiuk has given their side of the story in full. Krasiuk posted: “Ok Google, that was all about our team member, who brought @usykaafrom Kyiv by car (and it was not Lapin, as reported by some media). “He was very tired after 14h driving and slept standing up, literally. Ryanair employees didn’t let him on the plane.READ MORE ON OLEKSANDR USYK”Usyk, who was already on board, returned to the gate and tried to defend our friend, like always does. “Meanwhile the police appeared, maybe the champ looked so dangerous that should have been handcuffed, “(I don’t know). Anyway, everything was sorted out briefly. Thanks for your support.” Usyk is believed to have been set to travel to London, where he will be a special guest for Anthony Joshua’s Wembley fight with Daniel Dubois.Most read in BoxingAnd he was quick to speak out online after being released by airport security. Usyk wrote: “All is well my friends. There was a misunderstanding that was quickly resolved.Oleksandr Usyk blasts Tyson Fury’s shock career change hint and sends chilling message after starting rematch training”Thank you to everyone who was worried. Thank you Ukrainian diplomats for your support.”And respect to Polish law enforcers, who perform their duties despite height, weight, arm range and regalia.”President Zelensky, on Telegram, added: “Talked on the phone with Oleksandr Usyk when he was detained.”I was outraged by this attitude towards our citizen and champion.”He instructed the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andriy Sibiza and the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Ihor Klymenko to immediately find out all the details of the incident at the Krakow airport.”As soon as I was informed that everything is fine, our champion was released and no one is detaining him anymore.”USYK IN AIRPORT DRAMABy Wally Downes Jr OLEKSANDR USYK was roared on to victory in the Undisputed clash with Tyson Fury by everybody outside Russia and Morecambe.The 37-year-old Ukraine icon has spend time on his nation’s frontline supporting underdog soldiers against Putin’s savagesAnd he only agreed to carrying on professional fighting when his conscripted compatriots begged him to.He beat Daniel Dubois in a Wroclaw stadium full of Ukraineans who had escaped there to safety.And he recently visited London to help the Ukraine embassy send a convoy of vehicles to help his battered brothers and sisters.He is due back in our capital to be ringside for twice-dominated Anthony Joshua taking on Dubois.And he would have gotten a huge cheer from all the 96,000 fans for his courage in and outside of the ring.It seems highly unlikely he has been detained for anything related to his behaviour.And much more likely to go with strict travelling rules enforced around the Eastern European regions.The gap-toothed southpaw genius has hated leaving his four children and his wife so would not have been on a lads’ beano with too many ales at the airport Wetherspoons.So let’s hope a modern-day hero – of Olympic gold and cruiser and heavyweight undisputed glory – is safely in Wembley or back home soon.Usyk, 37, is coming off the biggest win of his career after beating Tyson Fury, 36, to become undisputed champion.But his reign as the heavyweight division’s first four-belt undisputed champion did not last long.Usyk was forced to vacate the IBF belt to proceed with his December 21 rematch against Fury back in Saudi Arabia.Dubois, 27, instead inherited the title after being elevated from interim champ and makes his first defence against Joshua, 34.And Usyk is due into the capital to watch Joshua’s all-British showdown against Dubois on Saturday.READ MORE SUN STORIESAnd the Ukrainian hero was facing an awkward reunion with Fury as both were scheduled at a fan event at BoxPark Wembley.Both men will take part in meet and greets with fans at what has been billed as the “official pre-fight party” just hours before the bout. More

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      Man Utd hit with travel NIGHTMARE as fans face being left stranded in London after Saturday’s late kick-off at Palace

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      MANCHESTER UNITED fans face travel hell for this weekend’s Premier League clash at Crystal Palace.The Old Trafford faithful relying on the train could be stranded in London after Saturday’s 5:30pm kick-off at Selhurst Park.Manchester United fans face travel hell this weekendCredit: GettyThere is only one direct service United fans could realistically catch back to ManchesterUnited fans hoping to take the train to the game face a race against time to get home.That is because there is only one direct service they could realistically catch back to Manchester Piccadilly after the match.The game will finish at 7:30pm and the 2,000 travelling supporters will have just 48 minutes to make the first train from Central London.But the pile out itself will take a while before fans would need to journey 10 miles from Croydon to Euston.read more on man utdThat means the 21:01pm train is the only realistic service that thousands of United fans can take back to the North West via public transport.The next service is at 21:11pm from St Pancras and costs £110.70 – but this does not arrive in Manchester until 10:29am the following morning.Erik ten Hag already called out the Premier League and the TV companies for their “unfair” scheduling multiple times.The Dutchman complained after United beat Southampton last Saturday lunchtime.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSInspired by Jurgen Klopp’s rage at 12:30pm kick-offs, Ten Hag told TNT: “First of all, for the fans it is very unfair to deal with this, with 8pm away games on a Saturday night.”The Red Devils wrote to the Prem last season to outline their frustration after they were given more Saturday 8pm kick-offs than any other team.These included trips to Newcastle and Brentford on Easter Sunday, plus night games at Palace and Chelsea.Ex-Man Utd star Phil Jones opens up on mental health trauma caused by vile trollsIn March, the last train back to Manchester from the capital departed two minutes after kick-off at the Community Stadium.And many United fans were stranded in last season’s mirrored fixture at 8pm on bank holiday Monday, when Palace smashed the Red Devils 4-0 thanks to several howlers from make-shift centre-back Casemiro.It’s been four years since United won away at Palace in the Prem.The Red Devils won 2-0 during the Covid disruption in July 2020 with Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial on the scoresheet.Man Utd ratings vs Southampton as Onana saves a penalty and Rashford finally scoresMARCUS RASHFORD scored his first Premier League goal in 189 days as Manchester United cruised to a 3-0 victory at Southampton.The Red Devils got back to winning ways after suffering defeats in their last two Prem games, with Matthijs de Ligt notching his first Man Utd goal.But United had Andre Onana to thank as the keeper kept out Cameron Archer’s penalty at 0-0.Here’s how SunSport’s Charlie Wyett rated United’s stars…Andre Onana – 7Saved the penalty by Cameron Archer, albeit a poor one from the Southampton forward.But that stop and the stopped rebound proved to be absolutely crucial.Noussair Mazraouri – 7Needed treatment after falling awkwardly in the first half but that did not stop him from delivering a solid performance.Also got forward to good effect before being one of three United defenders to be subbed off.Matthijs De Ligt – 8Shaky start defensively but was unmarked to score from Bruno Fernandes cross to calm United’s nerves with the opener.He was delighted to get his first United goal and dedicated his celebration to his wife’s birthday today.Lisandro Martinez – 7Not been in great form so anything was an improvement – although Saints’ attack was toothless.Diogo Dalot – 5Suffered an absolute shocker of a first half courtesy of Southampton’s tricky wingers.Conceded the penalty after bringing down Tyler Dibling but was also constantly exposed throughout the half.Kobbie Mainoo – 6United continue to lean far too heavily on such a young player. And this defensive role does not really suit him.Christian Eriksen – 7A surprise starter although United’s two goals came from his corners.The system, though, still does not play to his strengths as he is too deep.Bruno Fernandes – 7Cracking corner cross ball from Eriksen who plonked the ball on the head of De Ligt.Amad Diallo – 7Looked lively throughout – really encouraging. Teed up Rashford for the second goal.Joshua Zirkzee – 6Forced a couple of saves by Aaron Ramsdale but does not look like a 25 goal-a-season striker.Marcus Rashford – 7Hopefully the second goal will give him a real confidence boost. Also forced a couple of saves from Aaron Ramsdale.SUBSGarnacho (for Rashford 73 mins) 7Was brutally fouled by Stephens who saw red shortly after coming on. Notched United’s third goal of the game in the final minute.He struck high into Ramsdale’s high corner after a brilliant ball from Casemiro.Manuel Ugarte (for Eriksen 73 mins) 6Harry Maguire (for Mazraouri 74 mins) 6Jonny Evans (for Martinez 77 mins) 6 More

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      Arsenal blocked wearing red vs Tottenham and say North London derby will ‘have a different look than seasons gone by’

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      ARSENAL have been banned from wearing RED when they travel to Tottenham on Sunday.The Gunners will be forced to sport their black away kit as they aim to clinch their third straight victory in Tottenham’s backyard.Arsenal will NOT wear their red colours in the North London derby on SundayThey instead will be forced to wear black at SpursThe PGMOL ruled that Arsenal cannot wear their traditional colours away at Spurs for the first time in recent North London derby history.It was feared that their would be a possible kit clash.The PGMOL and Premier League agreed that Arsenal’s 2024-25 home kit features “too much white”.And would therefore clash with Tottenham’s customary colours.READ MORE ON ARSENAWhile Arsenal’s shirt looks largely similar to last season, Adidas did slightly increase the surface area of white above the sleeves and on the side panels.They also made the Adidas logo white and replaced Arsenal’s crest with a white Gunners cannon.The option of red shorts and socks for the Gunners was discussed, but ultimately denied.Arsenal’s statement read: “We will have a different look than seasons gone by. Our away strip for this season has already got off to a winning start when we wore it for the first time in competitive action against Aston Villa last month.”Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSIn fact, both teams will be forced to wear their away strips in their two Premier League fixtures this season.That means Tottenham supporters will see their side play in blue when they travel to the Emirates in January.Arsenal fans raging as ‘smug’ Norway boss ‘cracks joke’ about Martin Odegaard’s devastating injury on live TVAnd Arsenal fans were left fuming with the decision to refuse the team their red shirts.Taking to X, one wrote: “What are PGMOL on about? Like sorry but who is going to confuse Tottenham and Arsenal, when Arsenal’s kit is literally red other than the sleeves?”A second added: “How does the home kit have too much white on it?So pathetic!”Another said: “It’s been White vs Red for years. This is ridiculous.”While a fourth declared: “Arsenal’s kit is conspicuously red and Spurs is overly white. There’s no conflict at all. Some dark forces must be conspiring against my club for real.”One Tottenham fan said: “Wow. Never thought I’d see the day that Arsenal come to our ground and not wear red 😂😂.”To make matters worse for the Gunners Martin Odegaard is a doubt for Sunday after limping off during Norway’s 2-1 win over Austria.The Arsenal skipper been pictured using crutches to board a private jet back to London to be assessed by Mikel Arteta’s medical staff.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe title chasers will also be without Declan Rice after he picked up his first red card in the 1-1 draw with Brighton before the international break.New signing Mikel Merino is also out after fracturing his shoulder in training, while Riccardo Calafiori left Italy’s camp after coming off injured against France. More

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      Extra flights laid on for Euros final begin selling out in HOURS with Three Lions fans snapping up seats at £600-a-pop

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      EXTRA flights laid on for England fans descending on Berlin for the Euro 2024 final have already started to sell out – despite seats being £600-a-pop.British Airways confirmed two more flights will operate from London to Berlin over the weekend after thousands of fans tried to book a trip to Germany after Wednesday’s historic win.A huge number of extra flights are set to be laid on as thousands of England fans descend on Berlin for the Euro 2024 final on SundayCredit: PAThousands of elated England fans are set to rock up to Berlin for the Euros finalCredit: GettyBA’s website experienced a 1,000 per cent increase in searches for flights to Berlin after Ollie Watkin’s last gasp winnerCredit: RexThe first new BA flight will leave Heathrow at 7.50am on Sunday before arriving in the German capital at 10.40am – just hours before kick-off. All seats on board reportedly sold out in less than two hours of them going on sale.The second flight, via an Airbus A320, has a limited number of tickets left with economy seats selling for a whopping £613 and business class being £781.Fans will leave the UK at 1.50pm and arrive just in time for the mammoth clash.read more in Euro 2024The identical economy ticket in August will cost travellers just £78.BA say the extra flights allows for a whopping 30 per cent more passengers heading to Berlin.The airline’s website experienced a 1,000 per cent increase in searches for flights to Berlin on Wednesday evening.Neil Chernoff, BA’s chief planning and strategy officer said: “It’s a huge game and everyone at British Airways hopes England can get over the line and bring it home.”Most read in Euro 2024Elated England fans spent the night scrambling to join a ‘Berlin Airlift’ heading to the game against Spain.Up to 50,000 supporters are expected to race to the Three Lions’ first ever final on foreign soil.England gets ready for almighty Euro 2024 final party with fans set to spend £800MILLION on beer and pizzaIt comes as desperate England fans have already been priced out of attending with ticket prices soaring since Ollie Watkin’s winner against the Netherlands.Leaving those who couldn’t grab a gold dust ticket already planning to jet off to a sunny location such as Benidorm to enjoy the game.Following England’s last gasp screamer fans were quick to try and snap up tickets, flights and hotels ahead of a historic Sunday 14.Ticket prices for Sunday’s final flew up on the re-sale market with the most expensive seat selling for an incredible £78,000-a-pair.Some of the lowest-priced tickets – known as “Fans First” – are now sat at £4,400 – 25 times more expensive than the £85 face value they’re worth through UEFA.Meaning the cost has soared by 2,456 per cent, according to data from KingCasinoBonus.UEFA have warned fans about buying tickets from outside sellers as they said: “We urge fans not to purchase tickets on the secondary market.”Cost of hotels, flights and tickets to the Euro 2024 finalUP to 50,000 supporters are expected to race to the Three Lions’ first ever final on foreign soil – with the cost quickly adding up for fans.Tickets*Most expensive ticket – £39,000Premium resell ticket – £5,500 to £16,600Category 1 ticket – £3,100 to £6,600Category 2 ticket – £2,200 to £4,400Category 3 ticket – £1,700 to £3,500Fans First ticket – £2,045 to £4,400HotelsHoliday Inn Berlin – £345 for Sunday nightCourtyard Berlin City Centre – £606 for Sunday nightAirbnb – Upwards of £117-a-nightFlightsEasyJet flights, UK airports to Berlin – £918British Airways, Heathrow to Berlin – £613 to £781*Data from KingCasinoBonusNot only do fans need to fork out a small fortune on tickets to the match but they also need to pay for flights and hotels.Joyous England fans have spent the night scrambling to join a ‘Berlin Airlift’ heading to Sunday’s final against Spain – with flights swiftly soaring up in price.With 21 EasyJet flights to Berlin from Birmingham, Bristol, Luton and Gatwick between Friday and the match also being fully booked.The remaining EasyJet flights going from Gatwick to Berlin in the next few days are priced at a whopping £918.The same seat will set back punters just £167 a week later.Hotel prices in Berlin have also rocketed with a one-night stay at a Holiday Inn in Berlin costing £345 on Sunday night.Over £200 more expensive than the same room a week later.The Courtyard Berlin City Centre is also charging £606 for Sunday night in its cheapest room – but just £137 the following Sunday.England face Spain in the Euro 2024 final on Sunday at the Olympiastadion in Berlin.England overcame the Dutch in the semi-final at the Signal Iduna Park on Wednesday in a monumental game for Southgate’s side.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe Spanish reached the final by dumping out France in the first semi-final 2-1.Randal Kolo Muani had given the French the lead before goals from Lamine Yamal and Dani Olmo sent Spain through.England fever has gripped most of the country in recent weeksCredit: RexGareth Southgate is looking to make history on Sunday in England’s first final on foreign soilCredit: RexUp to 50,000 England fans are set to embark on a journey to Berlin airport More

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      Hero BA air hostess ensured passengers could watch England’s penalty shootout win over Switzerland mid-flight

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      A QUICK-thinking air hostess ensured passengers saw England’s penalty shootout win over Switzerland mid-flight.She came to the rescue after Saturday’s BA flight from Heraklion, Greece, to Heathrow was delayed.A quick-thinking BA air hostess ensured passengers saw England’s penalty shootout win over Switzerland by holding up a phoneCredit: XIt meant travellers who had hoped to land in time to see the end of the game were still in the air when extra time ended and penalties approached.Take-off of the Airbus A321 twin-jet was pushed back from 4.50pm to 5.27pm, meaning touchdown in the UK was not until 7.20pm, rather than the scheduled 6.32pm landing.But the flight attendant held up a phone to passengers — who could not use their own — so they could watch the gripping climax streamed live.Impressed flyers looked on in delight as penalty hero Trent Alexander-Arnold secured the 5-3 spot-kick victory following the 1-1 draw.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLPassenger Lee Douglas said: “Well done that crew.” Another described her as “an angel”.BA bosses are set to announce special tech plans to enable passengers to watch the Netherlands game today when flying at 30,000ft.England’s penalty shoot-out secrets More

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

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      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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      Euro 2024 travel chaos with England fans facing massive delays and nightmare train journeys

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      ENGLAND and Scotland fans planning on getting round Euro 2024 by train face a series of nightmare journeys.The once-famously efficient German transport network has become little more than a running joke in the country.Fans are facing transport hell in GermanyCredit: GettyThere are expected to be severe delaysCredit: GettyIt means fans have been warned to factor in at least an hour and maybe double that time for delays caused by a lack of trains, staffing issues and other reasons.UEFA have trumped the green credentials of the tournament, urging teams to use coach travel and supporters to get on the train between the 10 venue cities.Yet significant delays are now recorded on more than a THIRD of journeys across the Government-run Deutsche Bahn network.And that was BEFORE thousands of supporters from across Europe flood the trains seeking to criss-cross the country following their teams.READ MORE ON EURO 2024When a simple three hour journey can take almost twice as long on a bad day, the chaos is likely to cause hot tempers and bad blood.Germany-based UEFA representatives had been privately warning colleagues in Nyon about the looming problems for months leading up to the tournament.And the German media are also laughing publicly about the dreadful serviceTV journalist Chaled Nagar wrote on X: “The idea that Germany is so efficient and great at organizing is now officially considered a myth.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”Almost everyone coming here is surprised that their train service at home is far so much better.”In a group with colleagues from abroad, there has been anger and sarcasm towards the train from day one. Banning England fans from drinking strong lager at Euros is ‘discriminatory’….‘we’re being picked on’, minister says”Many arrived today and yesterday. Now they have found out that there is a refund for delays and are demanding the same principle for the VAR. “Here’s to four wonderful weeks!”England begin their campaign against Serbia in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday.Their next game is in Frankfurt as they take on Denmark four days later.Martin Lipton’s nightmare journeyIt should have been an easy day, a simple journey from Frankfurt to Munich and back to hear UEFA referees’ chief Roberto Rosetti explain how VAR and his team of officials were going to work in Euro 2024.
      But it turned into a 17-and-a-half hour nightmare as all the scare stories about the German railway network came frustratingly true.
      Cancellations, delays, work on the line and a shortage of staff meant I spent as long waiting and going nowhere as being on the move on the 480-mile round trip.
      “Vorsprung durch Technik”, as they USED to say in Germany? Don’t make me laugh… As for the sandwiches and salad at Munich Hauptbahnhof – don’t bother.
      Here’s how my day went….
      08:30 – Leave Frankfurt hotel and walk to main station for 0905 train. Already informed that connecting train in Stuttgart has been cancelled09:20 – Train departs – just 15 minutes late. By the time it arrives in Stuttgart I would have missed the original 1051 train.11:25 – Delayed 1115 leaves Stuttgart, arriving at Munich-Pasing 25 minutes late.15:00 – Finally arrive at Allianz Arena, almost two hours later than scheduled after more issues with local S-Bahn and U-Bahn commuter services.18:20 – Leave Allianz Arena in time for 1923 train to Frankfurt. Initially booked and faster direct service already cancelled.19:53 – Board train, already half an hour late. Discover it is no longer stopping at Frankfurt main station. The everybody told to get off as Deutsche Bahn have run out of train crew.21:03 – Replacement option of 2029 service finally leaves Munich, due to arrive in Frankfurt at 1204.01:25 -Train finally pulls in at Frankfurt, 85 minutes late. Catch last 37 bus to hotel, sparing me a 20 minute walk.

      And the Three Lions close out their Group C campaign in a clash with Slovenia on June 25.If Gareth Southgate’s men reach the last 16 by winning their group, they will be back in Gelsenkirchen on June 30.Finishing second would set up a trip to Dortmund on June 29, while England could also end up in Frankfurt on July 1 if they are one of the four best third-place teams.And it is not just the travel situation set to leave a bad taste in fans’ mouths.Policing Minister Chris Philp says thje decision to give Three Lions followers “watered-down” pints at England’s opening game against Serbia is “discriminatory.”He told The Sun’s Never Mind The Ballots election countdown show: “If England fans have somehow been picked out or singled out and served watered-down beer based on their nationality, that sounds to me completely unfair.“And probably discriminatory – we should not be getting picked on in that way.”READ MORE SUN STORIESRisk ratings have been set to “very high” for Sunday’s clash with Serbia amid fears 500 hardcore yobs will travel to spark clashes with England fans. More