EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP 2020 FINAL - ENGLAND vs ITALY [SUNDAY 11th JULY 8pm]

Yes we've actually made it to a final of a major tournament again, wow, I know it wasn't the greatest of games on Wednesday night but the lads did it, coming from a goal down (wonderful free kick by the way) to force extra time and a Harry Kane goal after Kasper Schmeichel saved his penalty was enough to bring us back to Wembley to take on Italy.

Likely to be a tight game, probably only one goal in it and I'll likely back 2-1 result either way, wouldn't be surprised if it went all the way to extra time and penalties either, if your nerves can stand it. The media will have hyped it up to the max no question, hopefully the full house at Wembley gets behind them throughout.

ENGLAND

Managed by Gareth Southgate since September 2016, having previously been the U21 manager for three years before that. The last time the two countries met at a major tournament, Italy won 2-1 at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil as the Three Lions finished bottom of their group. Italy also knocked Roy Hodgson's Three Lions out at the quarter-final stage of Euro 2012 on penalties in Kyiv. England have not beaten the Azzurri in the past three meetings. Can Southgate effect another change of fortune after the wonderful wins against Germany and Ukraine. Is constantly changing the side so we'll see who gets the nod to start, hopefully Jack Grealish doesn't get brought on only to be hauled off later, seemed bit harsh.
Latest - England midfielder Phil Foden will miss Sunday's Euro 2020 final against Italy with a foot injury. The 21-year-old is a doubt to face the Azzurri after missing the team's final training session at St George's Park. Mason Mount will start in place of Saka, with Foden not even named amongst the subs.

ITALY

Managed by Roberto Mancini since May 2018, Italy reached the final after an enticing battle against Spain that ended in Roberto Mancini's side winning 4-2 on penalties. It means the Azzurri have now gone an incredible 33 games without defeat. Italy dominated Group A, qualifying with a 100% record, but they did need extra time to beat Austria in the last 16 and Spain in the semi-final. Although they won this tournament in 1968 they've at least won a few World Cups since then to alleviate their pain. Mancini selects an unchanged starting eleven for the final.

The match is Live on BBC / ITV channels with kick off at 8pm. 

England XI  1    [Shaw 2']
Pickford (Gk),  Walker,  Stones,  🟨Maguire,  Trippier,  Shaw,  Phillips,  Rice,  Mount,  Sterling,  Kane (c).

ITALY XI  1    [Bonucci 67']
Donnarumma (Gk), 🟨Chiellini (c), Di Lorenzo, 🟨Bonucci, Emerson, 🟨Barella, 🟨Jorginho, Verratti, Chiesa, Immobile, 🟨Insigne.

F/T 1-1      Extra Time Ended 1-1
Penalties to follow ... Lost 3-2 

Head to Head
Admittedly our record against the Azzurri is not great, 27 previous meetings and England only have 8 wins, compared to 11 for Italy, the remaining 8 have ended in draws. The most recent games ended in a pair of 1-1 draws in friendlies, since the 2-1 defeat in the 2014 World Cup during the reign of Roy Hodgson. Raheem Sterling and Jordan Henderson are the only remaining members of that game still involved in the current campaign.

EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP 2020 - SEMI FINAL ENGLAND vs DENMARK 7th JULY 2021

England will attempt to qualify for the final of the European Championship at Wembley when they take on Denmark this Wednesday. The win last week over Germany was then bettered by the 4-0 battering of Ukraine on Saturday evening in Rome. A return to Wembley where 60,000 fans are expected to be allowed in, should be a great atmosphere. 

Our opponents Denmark secured their spot with a 2-1 win over Czech Republic and having lost their talisman playmaker Christian Eriksen at the start of the tournament against Finland have galvanised themselves as a squad. Naturally we continue to wish him well and a long term recovery after that harrowing incident, with plenty of respect to the medical teams too who no doubt saved his life. It is nearly three decades since Denmark shocked the continent with their victory at Euro '92, taking advantage of a late call-up to the finals to produce their country's greatest sporting moment. They are currently in the process of writing yet another fairy tale in the competition. Their campaign was only 41 minutes old when Eriksen collapsed before receiving CPR on the pitch as his visibly-distressed team-mates surrounded him and fans around the world watched in shock. Now those players are just 90 minutes from the final after another brilliant team display that stands as a testament not only to their ability and tactical intelligence but the renewed bond between them, forged in adversity. 

The winners will play Italy, who beat Spain in Tuesday's first semi-final on penalties after the match ended 1-1. 

Team News
Gareth Southgate has been making subtle changes to his starting eleven with great effect, will he stick with the same side that won against Ukraine? will update here should any news break early, everyone seems fit and ready to do their bit. The only change appears to suggest that Bukayo Saka will now start the semi-final with Denmark in place of Jadon Sancho.

 

The match is Live on ITV with kick off at 8pm. Starting elevens are now confirmed as follows;

England XI  2    [Kjaer (og) 39'   Kane 104']
Pickford (Gk),  Walker,  Stones,  🟨Maguire,  Shaw,  Mount,  Phillips,  Rice,  Saka,  Sterling,  Kane (c).

Denmark XI  1    [Damsgaard 30']
Schmeichel (Gk),  Christensen,  Kjaer (c),  Vestergaard,  Stryger Larsen,  Højbjerg,  Delaney,  Maehle,  Damsgaard,  Braithwaite,  Dolberg.

AET 1-1 after 90 mins

Referee - Danny Makkelie (Netherlands)

Head to Head
According to the stats we've have played against Denmark twenty two times and overall the record is positive, twelve wins for England with four for Denmark and six drawn contests. However the most recent meetings were in the Nations League and a goalless draw at home was followed by a 1-0 defeat in Denmark so we have that to avenge to reach a major final for the first time since 1966.

Not the best game of football by a long way, but for once we got a slice of like to go our way and even a penalty save couldn't stop England from reaching a first final in 55 years. Italy await, the tension will mount, but maybe, just maybe we can do this...

EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP 2020 - ENGLAND vs UKRAINE 3rd JULY 2021

England will attempt to qualify for their first European Championship semi-final for 25 years when they face Ukraine at Euro 2020 on Saturday.  Having ended a 55-year wait for a knockout-tie victory over Germany at an ecstatic Wembley on Tuesday, Gareth Southgate's side will face Denmark at the national stadium if they win in Rome. But let's focus on this important game first before getting too ahead of ourselves ... 

Having won Group D without conceding a goal we have then gone on to beat Germany 2-0 and the route looks good to qualify further with the defeats to France, Portugal and Holland amongst the notable teams to be going home early this summer. Managed by former star striker Andriy Shevchenko, Ukraine managed to qualify to the knockout stages in the European Championship for the first time, as one of the best third-placed teams from Group C. Then took on Sweden on Tuesday evening securing an extra time win 2-1 with a goal in the final few seconds from Artem Dovbyk with everyone (including me) getting ready for penalties. 

Team News
Winger Bukayo Saka suffered a 'slight knock' in training on Friday but other than that the Three Lions have a fully-fit squad. Midfielder Mason Mount was an unused substitute after only just completing self-isolation, and could return to the side, he starts along with an overdue place in the starting eleven for Jadon Sancho. Ukraine will be without forward Artem Besedin for approximately six months after suffering a knee ligament injury in their last-16 win over Sweden. 

The match is Live on BBC One with kick off at 8pm. 

England XI  4    [Kane 4', 50'  Maguire 46'  Henderson 63']
Pickford (Gk),  Walker,  Stones,  Maguire,  Shaw,  Phillips,  Rice,  Sancho,  Mount,  Sterling,  Kane (c).

Ukraine XI  0
Bushchan (Gk),  Zabarnyi,  Kryvtsov,  Matvienko,  Karavaev,  Sydorchuk,  Yaremchuk,  Shaparenko,  Zinchenko (c),  Yarmolenko,  Mykolenko.

Head to Head
According to the stats we've have played against Ukraine just seven times previously, of course they only gained independence from the former USSR in August 1991 but we didn't play a competitive match until May 2000 which ended in a 2-0 home win at Wembley. England have been successful on four occasions, Ukraine have a single win 1-0 in Oct 2009, and there have been two drawn games.

So many jokes, so many sneers
But all those oh-so-nears
Wear you down
Through the years

But I still see that tackle by Moore

And when Linekar scored

Bobby belting the ball

And Nobby Dancing

EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP 2020 - ENGLAND vs GERMANY 29th JUNE 2021

England face Germany at Wembley Stadium on Tuesday in their last 16 tie, after winning Group D there can be no mistakes now. England may not have produced a statement performance in the manner of Germany, Italy and Belgium, or hinted at greater menace to come like France, but they are exactly where they want to be and Southgate will be satisfied with that. It has been nowhere near perfect, but it is hardly a cause for doom and gloom either. The defeats for France yesterday, as well as big names such as Portugal and Holland going out early makes this a wide open tournament now. 

Looking at the positives, three clean sheets is impressive in any tournament and regardless of opposition, Gareth Southgate gave a long-awaited start to Jack Grealish against the Czech's and also brought in Arsenal teenager Bukayo Saka both give attacking options and helped to create the winning goal for Raheem Sterling. Still waiting for Harry Kane to score but there are options around the squad but he'll surely come good soon. An exciting 2-2 draw against Hungary secure the runners up spot in Group F for Germany however they have been very hot and cold so far this tournament, concede plenty of goals, so I hope we go at them. Germany look towards a front target man in Timo Werner with both Kai Havertz and Thomas Müller tucked in behind.

The match is Live on BBC One with kick off at 5pm.

England XI  2    [Sterling 75'  Kane 86']
Pickford (Gk),  Walker,  Stones,  🟨Maguire,  Trippier,  Shaw,  🟨Phillips,  🟨Rice,  Saka,  Sterling,  Kane (c).

Germany XI  0
Neuer (Gk) (c),  🟨Ginter,  Hummels,  Rüdiger,  Kimmich,  Goretzka,  Kroos,  🟨Gosens,  Havertz,  Müller,  Werner.

Head to Head
According to the stats we've have played against our friends Germany (including stats as West Germany) 32 times prior to this. Since 1930 (3-3 draw) we were unbeaten in friendlies up to the famous 1966 World Cup final win since then however the record is slightly less impressive. England have been victorious 13 times, Germany have a slight lead with 15 wins and there have been 4 draws. We've not played them since November 2017 which was a dire 0-0 draw, hopefully we can edge towards another win this afternoon.

England Win !! And will now face Ukraine on Saturday night, the Ukraine having beaten Sweden 2-1 after extra time on Tuesday night.

"But I still see that tackle by Moore

And when Linekar scored

Bobby belting the ball

And Nobby Dancing…"

EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP 2020 - ENGLAND vs CZECH REPUBLIC 22nd JUNE 2021

England will play their final Group D game against the Czech Republic this afternoon, after a narrow win against Croatia in the opener the 0-0 draw with Scotland was very deflating, need to improve rapidly if there's any chance of going deep in this competition now. Changes must be made, I know Gareth Southgate did alter the defence against Scotland but I don't see that the back line is much of a problem for this team is crying out for some creativity so Jack Grealish MUST start, and I think that Raheem Sterling isn't sure of a starting place either as Jadon Sancho must be wondering if/when he'll get an opportunity here. Harry Kane is woefully out of form but there's no chance he'll be dropped, he looks slow, unfit or just not interested with issues on his mind.

England's Ben Chilwell and Mason Mount have to self-isolate as a precaution after coming into close contact with Scotland's Billy Gilmour and will now miss Tuesday's game with the Czech Republic, plus the last 16 game too. The pair were seen interacting with Chelsea team-mate Gilmour after Friday's draw with Scotland at Wembley. Gilmour has since tested positive for Covid-19 and will miss Scotland's final group game against Croatia on Tuesday. In will come Jack Grealish, Harry Maguire and Bukayo Saka

While England face Czech Republic at Wembley Stadium today for the right to win Group D, elsewhere in the group Scotland will fancy their chances to beat an out of sorts Croatia. Both games will kick off at 8pm tonight.

England XI  1    [Sterling 12']
Pickford (Gk),  Walker,  Stones,  Maguire,  Shaw,  Phillips,  Rice,  Saka,  Grealish,  Sterling,  Kane (c).

Czech Republic XI  0
Vaclik (Gk),  Coufal,  Celustka,  Kalas,  Boril,  Holes,  Soucek,  Masopust,  Darida (c),  Jankto,  Schick.

Head to Head
According to the stats we've only played the Czech Republic four times, two friendlies and two Euro Qualifiers. I suspect this is because they don't include games played against them when the country was Czechoslovakia? Okay so looking at those four previous matches England have won twice, one draw and the latest fixture was a 2-1 defeat two years ago as part of the qualifying group.

We will update later with confirmed starting line ups, and will follow the fortunes of the home nations this summer. 

England win 1-0 and take Group D as a result, as yet we do not know who their opponents will be however their game will take place on Tuesday 29th June.

EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP 2020 - ENGLAND vs SCOTLAND 18th JUNE 2021

The delayed 2020 European Championship is underway and we are into the second round of group games, Group D sees the clash of the Auld Enemy as England host Scotland at Wembley on Friday evening kick off is 8pm. England began last Sunday with a 1-0 win against Croatia where Raheem Sterling struck the winner in the second half ... while Scotland opened their first 'finals' campaign for a long time with a disappoint 2-0 defeat at the hands of Czech Republic on Monday afternoon. They played well and created chances but the clinical finishing came from Patrik Schick including a 50 yard lob from the half way line. Form though goes out the window when these two play, passions will run high, and we'll probably see that goal by Paul Gascoigne during Euro '96 at least a 1000 times prior to kick off. I'm sure the areas around Leicester Square, and the major parks in London will be taken over by the visiting Tartan Army and I welcome that, they are great supporters and may the game pass off peacefully.

Team News
Will wait to see if Gareth Southgate changes a winning team after Sundays opening victory, playing Phil Foden and Mason Mount behind Sterling and Kane seemed to work although the England captain was a little subdued. Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has been called up to England's Euro 2020 squad to replace the injured Dean Henderson.

Aaron Ramsdale while at AFC Wimbledon

The Manchester United keeper Henderson has withdrawn from the tournament with a hip issue that would "continue to limit his involvement in training". He will return to his club for further assessment and treatment. Sheffield United's Ramsdale, 23 pictured left, has no senior England caps but was part of Gareth Southgate's provisional 33-man squad before the tournament, a former AFC Wimbledon player Aaron will always have our support. Harry Maguire has also announced his fitness, and so can take his place on the bench where he belongs as the defence is fine as it is with fully fit players.

While England and Scotland battle one another today in Group D, the other sides in the group will face one another Croatia vs Czech Republic kicking off at 5pm.

England XI  0
Pickford (Gk),  James,  Stones,  Mings,  Shaw,  Phillips,  Rice,  Foden,  Mount,  Sterling,  Kane (c).

Scotland XI  0
Marshall (Gk),  McTominay,  Hanley,  Tierney,  O'Donnell,  Gilmore,  McGregor,  McGinn,  Robertson (c),  Dykes,  Adams.

Head to Head
As it's the oldest international fixture in world football we've played against Scotland 114 times before in all competitions. England having 48 wins to Scotland's 25, with 41 draws since the opening contest back in November 1872.

What a terrible game, Scotland had the better of the opportunities and with a half decent forward would have won this. England already look void of ideas. This will probably be the end of Gareth Southgate's tenure as we would need a miracle to progress deep into this competition. 

We will update later with confirmed starting line ups, and will follow the fortunes of the home nations this summer.

EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP 2020 - ENGLAND vs CROATIA 13th JUNE 2021

The delayed European Championship will begin on Friday 11th June 2021 as ITALY kick off against TURKEY the opening game in Group A takes place at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. This championship was always going to see games being played in multiple countries there is no single 'host' nation although Wembley will be used for the semi finals and the final itself. England begin their campaign in Group D with a 'home' fixture at Wembley against world cup finalists Croatia, kick off is 2pm and the game will be shown live in Uk on BBC Tv.
Naturally we are thinking of Christian Eriksen and his family after the disturbing scenes during the Denmark vs Finland game on Saturday, pleased to read he's stable in hospital and responding thanks to the quick action of the medical teams and his teammates, keep well.

Team News
England defender Trent Alexander-Arnold has been ruled out of Euro 2020 with a thigh injury. The Liverpool right-back hurt himself in the closing stages of Wednesday's friendly against Austria and a scan revealed he has suffered a quad tear. The 22-year-old is expected to be side-lined for around six weeks and will return to his club for rehabilitation.

Manager Gareth Southgate has named Brighton and Hove Albion's Ben White as his squad replacement, hopefully we don't lose anymore players, am already worried that we take players who are carrying an injury, Jack Grealish springs to mind although he was one of the better players on show in the game against Austria but will he last the tournament with the amount of kicks he gets.

England will face Croatia today in Group D, which will also contain Czech Republic and the auld enemy Scotland who will be next up on Friday evening, but let's take one game at a time.

England XI  1    [Sterling 57']
Pickford (Gk),  Walker,  Stones,  Mings,  Trippier,  Phillips,  Rice,  Foden,  Mount,  Sterling,  Kane (c).

Croatia XI  0
Livakovic (Gk),  Vrsaljko,  Vida,  Caleta-Car,  Gvardiol,  Modric (c),  Brozovic,  Kovacic,  Kramaric,  Rebic,  Perisic.

Head to Head
We've played against Croatia ten times in all Internationals (including friendlies) winning five, drawing two and losing three. And while the most recent of those wins came in the 'UEFA Nations League' in 2018, it's the 2-1 semi final defeat in the last World Cup in Russia that still really hurts. 

2018 World Cup runners-up Croatia have lost just two of their last 11 Euros games. Elsewhere in the same group Scotland will begin their campaign at Hampden Park against Czech Republic on Monday 14th (2pm). While Wales were in action in Group A on Saturday afternoon (2pm) in the Olympic Stadium in Baku which ended 1 - 1 thanks to a Kieffer Moore header though man of the match was surely goalkeeper Danny Ward for Wales.

We will update later with confirmed starting line ups, and will follow the fortunes of the home nations this summer. A good win for England, even if the result was narrow we had the best of the opportunities and a good finish by Raheem Sterling to give England their first opening game success.

HOME NATIONS ANNOUNCE EURO 2020 SQUADS

With the delayed 2020 European Championships fast approaching, countries are starting to announce their squads for the tournament.  As well as causing a 12-month delay to the event, the impact of Covid-19 means nations are able to select 26 players as opposed to the usual 23. We'll update with the Home Nations confirmed squads as the tournament draws ever nearer (albeit just the 12 months late of course).
ENGLAND

Gareth Southgate will name his final 26-man squad on Tuesday 1st June. England face Croatia (13/6 14:00 BST), Scotland (18/6 20:00) and the Czech Republic (22/6 20:00) in Group D with all those games at Wembley.  Before then, they will play two friendlies at Middlesbrough's Riverside Stadium - against Austria on 2nd June and Romania on 6th June.

Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Man Utd), Sam Johnstone (West Brom), Jordon Pickford (Everton)

Defenders: John Stones (Man City), Luke Shaw (Man Utd), Harry Maguire (Man Utd), Ben White (Brighton), Kyle Walker (Man City), Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa), Reece James (Chelsea), Conor Coady (Wolves), Ben Chilwell (Chelsea), Kieran Trippier (Atletico Madrid)

Midfielders: Mason Mount (Chelsea), Declan Rice (West Ham), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Kalvin Phillips (Leeds)

Forwards: Harry Kane (Tottenham), Marcus Rashford (Man Utd), Raheem Sterling (Man City), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton), Phil Foden (Man City), Jack Grealish (Aston Villa), Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)

Captain - Harry Kane.
Manager - Gareth Southgate.

SCOTLAND

Goalkeepers: David Marshall (Derby), Craig Gordon (Hearts), Jon McLaughlin (Rangers).

Defenders: Liam Cooper (Leeds), Declan Gallagher (Motherwell), Grant Hanley (Norwich), Jack Hendry (Celtic), Scott McKenna (Nottingham Forest), Stephen O'Donnell (Motherwell), Nathan Patterson (Rangers), Andy Robertson (Liverpool), Greg Taylor (Celtic), Kieran Tierney (Arsenal).

Midfielders: Stuart Armstrong (Southampton), Ryan Christie, Callum McGregor, David Turnbull (all Celtic), John Fleck (Sheffield United), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Billy Gilmour (Chelsea), Scott McTominay (Manchester United).

Forwards: Ryan Fraser (Newcastle), James Forrest (Celtic), Kevin Nisbet (Hibernian), Che Adams (Southampton), Lyndon Dykes (QPR).

Captain - Andy Robertson.

Manager - Steve Clarke.

WALES

Goalkeepers: Wayne Hennessey (Crystal Palace), Danny Ward (Leicester City), Adam Davies (Stoke City).

Defenders: Chris Gunter (Charlton Athletic), Ben Davies (Tottenham Hotspur), Connor Roberts (Swansea City), Ethan Ampadu (Chelsea), Chris Mepham (AFC Bournemouth), Joe Rodon (Tottenham Hotspur), James Lawrence (St Pauli), Neco Williams (Liverpool), Rhys Norrington-Davies (Sheffield United), Ben Cabango (Swansea City).

Midfielders: Aaron Ramsey (Juventus), Joe Allen (Stoke City), Jonny Williams (Cardiff City, Harry Wilson (Liverpool), Daniel James (Manchester United), David Brooks (AFC Bournemouth), Joe Morrell (Luton Town), Matt Smith (Manchester City), Dylan Levitt (Manchester United), Rubin Colwill (Cardiff City).

Forwards: Gareth Bale (Real Madrid), Kieffer Moore (Cardiff City), Tyler Roberts (Leeds United).

Captain - Gareth Bale.
Caretaker Manager - Robert Page 

(standing in for Ryan Giggs).

The tournament gets underway on Friday 11th June with the opening match in Rome between Turkey vs Italy.