Euro 2020
The Celtic and Rangers stars hoping to make an impact at Euro 2020
With the postponed European Championships just around the corner, we look at the Celtic and Rangers players participating in the tournament. Most of the Glasgow contingent will represent Scotland at Euro 2020, but several Rangers stars will play for other countries. Here is the list of all Ibrox and Celtic Park stars that will take part in Euro 2020. Rangers Borna Barisic – Croatia The 28-year-old has been a permanent fixture in Steven Gerrard’s team this season, making 50 appearances in all competitions. Barisic is Croatia’s first-choice left-back and will play a prominent role in the upcoming tournament. After finishing runners-up to France at the 2018 World Cup, the Blazers are not among the favourites. A competitive group that pits them against England, the Czech Republic and Sco...
Euro 2020 Group F Preview: Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappe look to steal the show
The phrase ‘Group of Death’ gets used a lot, but it has never been more appropriate than this instance. Group F at Euro 2020 is without a doubt the one to look out for, with no fewer than three major contenders competing up against each other. 2014 World Cup winners – Germany. Euro 2016 winners – Portugal. 2018 World Cup winners – France. All three of these were drawn in the same group, along with Hungary. It’s a group stuffed full of world-class talent and one that we can’t wait to watch. Here is one player from each Group F side to keep an eye on this summer. France – Kylian Mbappe Mbappe could be one of the stars of the tournament Three years ago, Kylian Mbappe lit up the World Cup with several exceptional performances, including a goal in the final. The youngster could be back for more...
Gareth Southgate reveals Trent Alexander-Arnold replacement in England Euro 2020 squad
Ben White has been called up to England’s final squad for Euro 2020. The Brighton and Hove Albion man was included in Gareth Southgate’s provisional 33-man squad back in May, earning his first ever call up. However, he was one of seven players to be cut from the squad. White in action against Romania In England’s warm up fixture against Austria, Trent Alexander-Arnold picked up a hamstring injury, and it was later confirmed that he would be sidelined for four to six weeks, keeping him out of the tournament. This left one space in the squad, which has since been given to Ben White. White is primarily a centre-back, although he has been praised for his versatility. He is able to cover at right-back and central midfield if necessary. White’s selection could be an indicator of the fitness of H...
Euro 2020: Manchester City and Bayern Munich forwards could decide fate of Group E
We’re now less than a week away from the first whistle of Euro 2020, and the excitement is getting difficult to contain. Group E is one of the more open groups in the tournament. Spain will be the favourites but come into the competition following three early exits in a row. Hoping to cause an upset are Poland, Sweden, and Slovakia, who have some secret weapons of their own. Here is one player from each of those nations who could make an impact this summer. Poland – Robert Lewandowski Lewandowski enters the tournament in the form of his life It’s no secret who Poland’s main man is. Robert Lewandowski is one of the most prolific forwards of the modern era and has elevated himself to new heights in the last two seasons, scoring 103 goals in 87 appearances. The 32-year-old is one of the front...
Marcus Rashford penalty gives England win over Romania in Euro warm-up
Marcus Rashford’s penalty earned England an unconvincing 1-0 win over Romania in their final warm-up friendly ahead of Euro 2020 in Middlesbrough on Sunday. However, victory for Gareth Southgate’s men was again overshadowed by booing from supporters as the players took the knee before kick-off. Southgate’s selection will also be questioned as he named an experimental line-up with five players who are not part of his final squad making an appearance at some point in the game. There is still one place up for grabs in Southgate’s 26-man squad, though, due to an injury to Trent Alexander-Arnold. James Ward-Prowse, Ben Godfrey and Ben White were all given the chance to further their case from the start, while Jesse Lingard and Ollie Watkins came off the bench in the second-half. An inexperience...
West Ham and Tottenham stars in line to shine in tough Euro 2020 group
Of all the Euro 2020 groups, Group D is perhaps the one with the fieriest rivalries. England begin their campaign with a clash against Croatia. The Three Lions will still be hurting from the World Cup semi-final defeat back in 2018, and will be hungry for revenge. They follow this up with a fixture against neighbours Scotland, who qualified for their first major tournament since 1998. England vs Scotland at Wembley? Yes please! The final team in the group is Czech Republic. Despite being underdogs, they boast the best finish in European Championship history in their group, finishing second in 1996. It’s shaping up to be a group worth watching. Croatia – Mislav Orsic Orsic destroyed one English team – can he do it again? The man who gives Tottenham Hotspur fans nightmares. Mislav Orsic has ...
Real Madrid and Inter Milan stars on a mission to restore their reputations at Euro 2020
Group B kicks off at Euro 2020 next week, and it’s shaping up to be an exciting set. Belgium head into the tournament as favourites, boasting several world-class players. However, they cannot afford to underestimate their opposition. Denmark have been tipped by many as possible dark horses for the tournament, while Belgians remember what Wales did to them five years ago. And then there’s Finland, who enter their first-ever major tournament this summer. Here’s one player from each Group B side to look out for this tournament. Belgium – Eden Hazard Can Hazard get back to his best with Belgium? Belgium enter the tournament with some of the world’s most in-form players. Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, Thibaut Courtois – all among some of the best in the world in their positions. And, up until ...
Bukayo Saka wins Arsenal Player of the Season award
Bukayo Saka has capped a dream week by being named Arsenal’s Player of the Season. Saka began the week by being named in England’s Euro 2020 squad on Tuesday, making the final 26-man cut for this summer’s tournament despite stiff competition. On the same day, Saka was also nominated for Premier League Young Player of the Season following an impressive 2020/21 campaign with Arsenal. On Wednesday, it got even better for Saka as he started for England in their Euro 2020 warm-up friendly against Austria, scoring his first senior international goal to earn a 1-0 victory at the Riverside Stadium. Saka was also nominated for the PFA’s Young Player of the Season award the same day, while on Friday the 19-year-old was named Arsenal’s Player of the Season. Arsenal fans voted for the award, with 51 p...
Barcelona transfer target has chance to shine in relatively easy Euro 2020 group
With the European Championships just days away, we’re having a look at the best players to watch from each nation. Perhaps the least glamorous group of the tournament is Group C. A faltering Netherlands side will be the headline act, while Ukraine, Austria, and North Macedonia will be there to cause an upset. While the superstar power might not quite be there, the group is wide open, with plenty of underdog potential. It should be an interesting watch. Austria – Sasa Kalajdzic Kalajdzic will be Austria’s main source of goals The Austrian squad has a strong Bundesliga contingent, and Sasa Kalajdzic is a part of that. The 23-year-old has just enjoyed the best season of his career, netting 17 in all competitions for a mid-table Stuttgart side. On top of this, he has been in good form on the i...
Norwich City star expected to shine for national team at Euro 2020
Finland’s Euro 2020 squad features Norwich City talisman Teemu Pukki as the Nordic country set to make their inaugural appearance at the final tournament. After Euro qualification eluded them for 60 years, the Huuhkajat will be making their tournament debut on the back of a decent qualifying campaign. Finland finished runners-up to Italy in Group J, winning six of their ten qualifying fixtures while losing the other four. Russia and Denmark will be challenging tasks to join group favourites Belgium, though the Finnish side are confident they are not there to make up the numbers. Head coach Markku Kanerva has Pukki to thank his team has successfully negotiated qualifiers, with the 31-year-old forward notching up ten goals to lead his country to the pan-continental tournament. A true h...
Inter Milan star in his final international tournament at Euro 2020
Slovakia’s Euro 2020 squad was released by head coach Stefan Tarkovic as the Falcons managed to qualify for back-to-back European Championship for the first time in their history. Sought-after Inter Milan centre-back Milan Skriniar has soaked up the limelight as his country’s most trusted defender. After a memorable Serie A campaign, the 26-year-old will be hoping the league title with the Nerazzurri was the start of a great summer. Skriniar will share defensive duties with experienced international members, Peter Pekarik of Hertha BSC and former Zenit St Petersburg star Tomas Hubocan. Once regarded as one of the most exciting young prospects in European football, Vladimir Weiss has matured into one of his countries best players. After a six-year stint in Asia, the 29-year-old returned to ...
Highly-rated Bundesliga forward out of national team squad for Euro 2020
Hungary’s Euro 2020 squad was named in the wake of Dominik Szoboszlai’s withdrawal because of an injury as the Hungarians face a stern test this summer. Hungary are underdogs in Group E as they come up against continental juggernauts, France, Germany and Portugal in a ‘Group of Death.’ This is only the second time in the 21st century the Magyars have qualified for the European Championship. But making it out of the group will be almost impossible given the quality of the opposition. RB Leipzig forward Szoboszlai, who scored a last-gasp winner to propel Hungary past Iceland in the UEFA Nations League play-off final, has failed to recover in time for the tournament. The 20-year-old’s absence comes as a massive blow to the country’s hopes of defying the role of group whipping boys as he...
