(Credit: AFP via Getty Images)
UEFA EURO 2020
Football’s coming home Wembley Stadium will be at the centre of the sporting universe this summer as the 24 competing nations aim for a place in the final of UEFA EURO 2020 on July 11. Club Football looks at the three teams who will be carrying British hopes in the tournament.
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t’s a fair bet that Skinner and Baddiel’s seminal football anthem Three Lions is going to be getting some serious airplay on the nation’s radio stations this summer with football very much set to come home as the delayed 2020 European Championships kick off on June 11 and reaches its climax a month later under the iconic arch of Wembley Stadium. Clubs across England, Scotland and Wales will be expecting a major boost to trade as their national sides take part in the 24-team tournament which will play out in venues across 11 countries. At the time of writing, it is England who are among the bookies’ favourites to lift the trophy on July 11 and secure a major title for the first time since 1966, a scenario which seems all the more likely given that they will be playing the majority of their games at Wembley.
Gareth Southgate’s men enjoyed a near-perfect record qualifying for the tournament – their only defeat coming in October 2019 when they slumped to a 2-1 loss against Czech Republic – and they look to have a very effective blend of talent at their disposal. Their top scorer in the qualifiers was Tottenham’s Harry Kane and England fans will be hoping that the talismanic Spurs striker and national captain will remain fit throughout the tournament and build on his inspirational showing at the 2018 World Cup. The man himself is certainly looking forward to leading the Three Lions in the Euros and believes that the team will receive a major boost from the form shown by English teams in Europe this season. “We have a lot of English players playing at the top of their game,” said Kane. “That should only help us as a national side. You want them getting exposed
to the biggest games around the world.” “Our group has grown stronger year by year. We’ve got a good mix of experience and young talent and it’s important to have that, especially in a tournament environment. “I’m sure Gareth has got a bit of a headache of who to pick but that’s what we want. We want competition for places and that’s the only way we’re going to be one of the best teams in the world. “We had a great World Cup in 2018. We didn’t quite get over the line, so with the players we’ve got and the manager and the group of staff it’s a great opportunity for us and we’re excited for the challenge. We know it will be difficult but we’ve got enough ability to try and take it all the way.” England – who face Croatia, Czech Republic and Scotland in Group D – will be on familiar territory for much of the tournament. The Three Lions are
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