You can’t start a fire without a spark – and England have no spark.
Yes, there was a slight improvement in performance level but that was only in the second half and it wasn’t enough to inspire any confidence that England are going to win the Euros for the first time this summer.
The first half against Slovenia was just more of the same. At times it was like one of those games from the 1970s before the backpass rule was introduced when players would just pass the ball between themselves at the back. It was all sideways and backwards. There was no movement off the ball and no bravery on the ball. There was no width, no invention and no cutting edge.
Marc Guehi looked assured at the back and Phil Foden tried to make things happen but that was about it and it was no surprise to see England booed off at half-time. Jan Oblak didn’t have a difficult save to make and when he was beaten by Bukayo Saka from close range, the goal was disallowed because Phil Foden was offside in the build-up.
England boss Gareth Southgate believes the changes his side made had a positive affect on the team, with Cole Palmer and Kobbie Mainoo impressing off the bench against Slovenia
If this was the England reset we had been promised then another reset was going to be required. Gareth Southgate and his players had accepted that the performances against Serbia and Denmark had not been good enough. They had honest and frank discussions and the problems had been addressed on the training pitch. Southgate had admitted that the team was not functioning and it was his responsibility to find solutions.
To be fair to Southgate, there were some signs of life in the second half. Kobbie Mainoo made a difference when he came on for Conor Gallagher at half-time and Cole Palmer received the biggest cheer of the night from England fans when he replaced Saka after 70 minutes.
England looked much better balanced and more compact with Mainoo in midfield and Palmer looked at home at this level. Southgate has to be bold and put Mainoo and Palmer in his starting XI for England’s last-16 game on Sunday.
With Mainoo in midfield England managed to pin Slovenia down in their own half for most of the second period. Even though they didn’t create that much more than the first half, England looked more threatening and the increased tempo forced Slovenia to settle for the draw they hoped would get them through to the knockout stages of a major tournament for the first time.
Slovenia were more than the sum of their parts while England continue to be the opposite. A squad with so many exceptional players should not be producing the kind of performances fans have witnessed so far in Germany. It’s pointless to keep looking back but this was a game where an in-form Jack Grealish or Marcus Rashford or Raheem Sterling could have made a real difference.
Rob Dorsett delivers his verdict on England’s goalless draw against Slovenia, saying that Southgate’s side showed signs of ‘desperation’ in their final Group C game
While Slovenia celebrated their progress in front of their fans, England players walked off to boos after finishing top of the group. Southgate also had two plastic glasses thrown at him by disgruntled fans.
Watching Slovenia made your mind drift back to the days when England used to line up in the same 4-4-2 formation, a formation which will surely come back into fashion one day. There is no way an England side with a strike partnership of Harry Kane and Ollie Watkins or Kane and Ivan Toney would so ineffective against Serbia, Denmark and Slovenia. Surely Kane would be much more at home and dangerous linking up with a strike partner rather than dropping deep or leading the press – or closing down as it used to be called in the old days.
Sky Sports News’ Mark McAdam explains England’s potential route to the Euro 2024 final
So, what next for Southgate? Sunday’s game could be his final game as England manager. Even though the FA want him to stay, it is difficult to see how he will continue in the job long-term. Southgate will be asked about his future when he speaks to the media on Saturday. He will say the focus has to be on the crucial game the following day.
That will be the right answer. Southgate never wants to make anything about him. The team always comes first. In the meantime he has to find that missing spark. Otherwise he’ll just be dancing in the dark.
England have safely negotiated a rocky route and a fair bit of rain to reach the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup – but could the weather again be set to scupper Jos Buttler’s side?
After opening their tournament with a rain-off against Scotland in Barbados which, followed up by defeat to Australia, had England on the brink of elimination before the holders turned things around to sneak into the Super 8s and then secure a final four spot.
But the forecast is again poor for their Thursday semi-final date against India in Guyana – live on Sky Sports Cricket from 3pm (first ball, 3.30pm)– and so what would that mean for England’s hopes of defending their title? We attempt to break it all down for you…
Live ICC Men's T20 World Cup
Thursday 27th June 3:00pm
What is the forecast like for England’s semi-final?
According to the Met Office, as of Tuesday, the weather forecast for Thursday in Guyana is currently showing as “thunder showers changing to heavy showers by late morning”, with a 60 per cent chance of rain predicted.
Guyana hosted five matches in the initial group stage of the tournament, none of which were rained off, albeit the last of them came over a fortnight ago on June 8.
As for the first semi-final between South Africa and Afghanistan in Trinidad on Wednesday evening – live on Sky Sports Cricket from 1am Thursday morning (first ball, 1.30am) – the Met Office suggests there will be “light showers changing to clear by early evening”, around the time the match is scheduled for.
Image: Rain washed out England’s opening group game of the tournament against Scotland in Barbados
What are the rules if it were to rain?
There is no reserve day available for the second semi-final between England and India – although an extra 250 minutes is available to look to complete the match on the scheduled day.
It means that if the game cannot be completed due to poor weather, India will advance by virtue of topping their Super 8s pool.
The first semi-final between South Africa – who topped Group 2 – and Afghanistan, on Wednesday evening in Trinidad, does have a reserve day factored in for Thursday.
Highlights from the T20 World Cup Group 1 match as Afghanistan defeated Bangladesh to reach their first-ever semi-final where they’ll play South Africa.
Section 13.6.2.1 of the ICC’s playing conditions for the tournament states: “The Final on 29 June will have a reserve day on 30 June. The semi-finals will each have additional time added in order to complete the match which will total 250 minutes.
“For the first semi-final on 26 June, 60 minutes will be available at the end of the day’s play with the remaining 190 minutes scheduled for 2pm on 27 June. Whilst the additional 250 minutes for the second semi-final scheduled on 27 June will be utilised if needed through extended playing hours on the scheduled day.”
Why are England playing in the second semi-final?
It was pre-determined that if India reached the final four of the tournament, they would play in the second semi-final as it is at a more friendly time for their country’s TV audience (8pm India).
None of India’s matches in the competition have come at the scheduled time of the first semi-final (6am India).
Highlights from St Lucia as Rohit Sharma’s 92 from 41 balls powered India to victory over Australia and into the T20 World Cup semi-finals.
With India finishing as Group 1 winners in the Super 8s and England as runners-up in Group 2, it therefore ensured they’d drop into the second semi.
What do the experts say? – ‘I don’t think it’s ideal at all’
Sky Sports’ Michael Atherton: “England and India’s semi-final doesn’t have a rain day. If there’s rain in that game, whoever finished first in their group goes through.
“The vagaries of the organisation have put pressure on the organising of the tournament, and it’s meant that the two semi-finals are played to slightly different rules and regs.
“Secondly, India knew all along that they were going to be in Guyana for the semi-final and, therefore could plan for it. Their logistics were already in tow for Indian supporters a chance to get to Georgetown… England fans won’t have that chance because it’s so late.
“One team knew that they were going to that semi-final and I don’t think it’s ideal at all.”
Speaking on the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast, Michael Atherton and Nasser Hussain discuss whether England have finally settled on their strongest line-up in time for their semi-final against India.
Sky Sports’ Nasser Hussain: “You can’t have two semi-finals with two different playing conditions, where one has a rain day and the other one doesn’t.
“The first one is made up over two days effectively or a day and a half. The second one, the England-India game, is made up over that whole day – it’s 250 minutes that they can make up.
“We could rock up at 8am in the morning for a 10.30am start (local) and still be there at 10pm at night trying to finish off that game!
“The second semi-final is a 10.30am start because the players, the teams, the officials have to then fly to Barbados for the Saturday final.
“And it’s given to India because of the TV audience in India, the biggest audience for the ICC [International Cricket Council]. Not just India, but Bangladesh, Pakistan and that part of the world.
“My thoughts are that the first part of the tournament seemed to meander along a little bit, with the long gaps… you could have got those games a bit closer together, rather than at the real business end have just one day between a crucial second semi-final and a final.”
Has something similar ever happened before?
Image: Rain forced the abandonment of the 2020 Women’s T20 World Cup semi-final between England and India
England’s Women were dumped out of the 2020 Women’s T20 World Cup after a washout in their semi-final against India due to heavy rain in Sydney.
Again there was no reserve day scheduled, allowing for India to qualify for the final by virtue of finishing top of their group, compared to England who were runners-up in theirs after suffering an opening loss to South Africa.
Image: England captain Heather Knight can only watch on as rain wrecks her side’s semi-final against India in the 2020 Women’s T20 World Cup
Hosts and eventual winners Australia – runners-up to India – appeared to be facing the same fate, with both semi-finals being played at the same venue on the same day on this occasion, until the clouds cleared sufficiently to see them beat South Africa to a place in the final.
How did England reach the semi-finals?
After England’s hopes of progressing through to the Super 8s were hanging by the proverbial thread due to the Scotland rain-off and Australia loss, they then dismantled Oman – skittling the associate nation for 47 before completing the run chase in just 19 balls to, crucially, take their net run rate above Scotland’s.
Highlights of England’s win over Oman at the T20 Cricket World Cup, as they sprinted to a chase of 48 in just 3.1 overs in Antigua.
They then managed to beat the rain and Namibia in Antigua, comfortably winning a 10-over-a-side encounter by 41 runs on DLS after initially fearing a tournament-ending washout.
Even with those back-to-back wins, Buttler’s side were reliant on Australia beating Scotland in their final match and they would have been jittery when the Scots posted 180-5 batting first and even more so when Australia needed 89 runs still from the final seven overs of their chase, before the 2021 champions ultimately romped home two balls to spare.
Highlights of England’s win against the West Indies at the T20 Cricket World Cup.
Having squeezed into the Super 8s, England truly arrived by dismantling hosts West Indies by eight wickets in their best performance of the tournament, chasing down a challenging target of 181 with 15 deliveries to spare thanks to an unbeaten 87 from 47 balls from Phil Salt.
A seven-run defeat to South Africa followed, despite a late revival from Harry Brook (53 off 37) and Liam Livingstone (33 off 17) threatened to see them over the line.
Highlights of England’s thumping 10-wicket win over USA as they cruised into the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup
A thumping win over the USA was therefore required to ensure a semi-final spot and England duly delivered one as Chris Jordan bagged the England men’s team a first T20 international hat-trick before Buttler (83no off 38) hammered his team into the last four as they chased down 116 inside 10 overs and with all 10 wickets in hand.
When are the semi-finals and final?
Thursday June 27
Semi-final #1 – South Africa vs Afghanistan, Tarouba, Trinidad and Tobago (1.30am)
Semi-final #2 – India vs England, Providence, Guyana (3.30pm)
Saturday June 29
Final – Bridgetown, Barbados (3.30pm)
Catch every match from the T20 World Cup, including the final in Barbados on Saturday June 29, live on Sky Sports.
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Gareth Southgate is expected to keep faith with the majority of players who have started England’s first two group games at Euro 2024, with Conor Gallagher looking like the only change to the side to face Slovenia in Cologne.
That would mean Phil Foden keeping his place in the starting XI, and Jude Bellingham likewise – despite both struggling at times in the two games so far.
As Sky Sports News has reported for several days, Southgate has accepted that his experiment with Alexander-Arnold in a central midfield “quarterback” role has not worked, with Gallagher set to replace him as a more orthodox number eight.
The Chelsea player did that from the bench against Denmark in the 54th minute, but he now looks set to make his first start in a major tournament.
Sky Sports’ Gary Neville takes a closer look at where England will need to improve as they bid to with the Euros and admits playing Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield may have to change
There have been calls for Bellingham to be rested, after he showed signs of tiredness in both group games, but Southgate is determined to start with his strongest possible team to try to ensure they top the group, and avoid a last-16 clash with Germany on Saturday.
Foden put in a much-improved performance against Denmark, and it looks like Southgate will resist the temptation to dip into the wide array of wide attacking talent in his squad; Cole Palmer and Anthony Gordon have both yet to get any game-time in Germany.
It’s thought Southgate does plan to make a number of substitutions against Slovenia, in the hope of managing the workload of some of his key players. But much will depend on the circumstances of the game.
All 26 players trained ahead of Tuesday’s encounter, but left-back Luke Shaw will not feature as his rehabilitation from a hamstring issue continues cautiously.
England’s potential Euro 2024 route
Round of 16 – England to face Germany if they finish second in their group
If England finish first in Group C:
Sunday June 30 – England vs third-placed side in Group D/E/F (Arena AufSchalke, Gelsenkirchen – kick-off 5pm UK time)
If England finish second in Group C:
Saturday June 29 – Germany vs England (Westfalenstadion, Dortmund – kick-off 8pm UK time)
If England finish as one of four best third-place teams:
Monday July 1 – Portugal vs third-placed side from Group A/B/C (Waldstadion, Frankfurt)
or:
Tuesday July 2 – Romania/Belgium/Slovakia/Ukraine vs third-placed side from Group A/B/C/D (Allianz Arena, Munich)
How are four best third-placed teams decided?
According to UEFA regulations, the following criteria are applied, in the order given:
– Higher number of points – Superior goal difference – Higher number of goals scored – Higher number of wins – Lower disciplinary points total based on yellow and red cards received by players and team officials in group matches (red card = 3 points, yellow card = 1 point, expulsion for two yellow cards in one match = 3 points) – Position in the overall European Qualifiers rankings
Quarter-finals
If England finish first in Group C and win round-of-16 game:
Saturday July 6 – England vs Winner of 2A vs 2B (Merkur Spiel-Arena, Dusseldorf – kick-off 5pm UK time)
If England finish second in Group C and win round-of-16 game:
Friday July 5 – England vs Winner of 1B vs 3A/D/E/F (MHPArena, Stuttgart – kick-off 5pm UK time)
If England finish as one of four best third-place teams and win round-of-16 game:
Friday July 5 – England vs Winner of 2D vs 2E (Volksparkstadion, Hamburg – kick-off 8pm UK time)
or:
Saturday July 6 – England vs Winner of 1D vs 2F (Olympiastadion, Berlin – kick-off 8pm UK time)
Semi-finals
If England finish first in Group C, win round-of-16 game and win quarter-final:
Wednesday July 10 – Berlin semi-final winner vs Dusseldorf semi-final winner (Westfalenstadion, Dortmund – kick-off 8pm UK time)
If England finish second in Group C, win round-of-16 game and win quarter-final:
Tuesday July 9 – Stuttgart semi-final winner vs Hamburg semi-final winner (Allianz Arena, Munich – kick-off 8pm UK time)
If England finish as one of four best third-place teams, win round-of-16 game and win quarter-final:
Tuesday July 9 – Stuttgart semi-final winner vs Hamburg semi-final winner (Allianz Arena, Munich – kick-off 8pm UK time)
or:
Wednesday July 10 – Berlin semi-final winner vs Dusseldorf semi-final winner (Westfalenstadion, Dortmund – kick-off 8pm UK time)
And finally, the Euro 2024 final…
Sunday July 14 – Munich semi-final winner vs Dortmund semi-final winner (Olympiastadion, Berlin – kick-off 8pm UK time)
“We are not keeping the ball well enough. It is as simple as that. We have to keep the ball better and build with more control. Then we will be defending less and we will have more confidence.”
Some of Gareth Southgate’s comments in the immediate aftermath of England’s disappointing 1-1 draw with Denmark on Thursday caused consternation back home. But surely few would disagree with this particular analysis of his side’s struggles.
The worry is that his tactics are causing this problem.
England’s Eberechi Eze, Jordan Pickford and John Stones remain optimistic
England’s issues are manifold but they are also linked. Southgate suggests that it is fitness problems that are impacting their ability to press effectively but Harry Kane’s comments felt closer to the truth. “In general, we are not sure how to get the pressure on.”
The absence of an effective pressing structure is partly a result of their inability to retain possession. There is a lack of coherence to the team’s playing style. It was a moment in the narrow win over Serbia that illustrated this problem perfectly.
Image: Jordan Pickford goes long to Harry Kane with Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham showing for it
Early in the second half, Phil Foden found himself deep, showing to receive a short-range pass from Jordan Pickford. A little further away, in the left channel, Jude Bellingham came haring towards the ball to provide the goalkeeper with another option.
Instead, Pickford chose neither, ignoring John Stones stood to his right too. He had spotted a long-range pass to Kane out on the left. The striker was outmuscled. Serbia had the ball back. Those passes have become a feature of England’s play at Euro 2024.
Image: Jordan Pickford has attempted to launch the ball upfield more than any other player
The statistics show that Pickford has attempted to launch the ball more than any other player in the competition after two rounds of games. It is not a recipe for ball retention. It is a tactic more suited to unfancied sides than a supposedly ambitious England outfit.
Of course, this is Pickford’s natural game at club level under Sean Dyche at Everton. He hit 968 long passes in the past Premier League season, 77 more than Luton goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski and over 200 more than any other player in the competition. This swarm-plot highlights just what an outlier Pickford is stylistically.
The key difference is that Dyche’s tactics make sense because everybody knows this is the plan. When Everton launch the ball long, it is with a view to getting bodies around the centre-forward, winning possession high up the pitch and playing from there.
Is that the plan when Pickford looks for Kane? Not when Foden is inside his own box and Bellingham is making a similar movement towards his goalkeeper. How could they help press at the other end when Kane lost out? They had anticipated another pass entirely.
There is no chance of pressing from those deep positions, no structure that would make sense of such a disjointed approach. There is a reason why the best possession teams are often the best pressing teams. They have players close to the ball when they lose it.
Any group of players would look tired when attempting to fill the vast spaces that open up when Pickford punches yet another pass deep into opposition territory. It is a tactic that will need to change if England are to progress, if England are to control big games.
Image: Jordan Pickford’s pass map for England in their opening two games at Euro 2024
The frustration is that there are plenty of players within Southgate’s side who should be suited to playing a possession game. The majority of the line-up that has started these two games represent Manchester City, Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.
Kyle Walker and Stones are certainly capable of building from the back. They play their club football for Pep Guardiola, the coach who has practically mastered the tactic, changing the way that many of the world’s top teams play this sport in the process.
For others, it would require an adjustment, but it is still possible. Marc Guehi can keep it simple. Adam Wharton and Kobbie Mainoo have the potential to bring more calm to midfield than Trent Alexander-Arnold, another guilty of looking too long with his passes.
Rob Dorsett on the real concerns for Gareth Southgate after Denmark result
But the fear is that England’s build-up problems begin with their goalkeeper. Southgate might be reluctant to ask Pickford to play a game with which he is uncomfortable, yet he will surely understand that this is undermining their ability to maintain any control.
Uncomfortable in possession and exhausted out of it, these are age-old problems for England at tournaments. This time, there is a twist. Half of this line-up look like they are now used to another way. But until everyone is on the same page, it risks being a mess.
England’s team press ranks as the third-worst at Euro 2024 – so what’s causing the breakdown?
Harry Kane has admitted England are not sure how to press when opponents start dropping deeper after two lacklustre showings at Euro 2024.
One of the many criticisms of England is playing too deep, especially out of possession, and therefore being unable to play out from the back.
Sky Sports Gary Neville admits that Gareth Southgate will have to make changes to his starting XI and possibly his system if they are to progress deep into the competition at the Euros
Kane told BBC Sport: “It’s something we’ve got to try to get better at, not just when we score.
“We’re starting games well, but when the opponents are dropping a few players deeper we’re not quite sure how to get the pressure on and who’s supposed to be going.
Sky Sports’ Gary Neville takes a closer look at where England will need to improve as they bid to win the Euros and admits that playing Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield may have to change
Gareth Southgate added: “We’ve played teams who are quite fluid in back threes, it’s not easy to get pressure on them, but we’ve definitely got to do it better than we have in these two matches.”
“[Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield is] an experiment, we know we don’t have a natural replacement for Kalvin Phillips but we’re trying some different things – and at the moment we’re not flowing as we’d like.”
So, when are England sitting deeper and how is that affecting the press?
Rob Dorsett delivers his verdict on England’s 1-1 draw with Denmark and believes there are real concerns for Gareth Southgate after another underwhelming performance at Euro 2024
How bad is the press?
When it comes to the press, the numbers support Kane’s comments: England rank third-worst at the tournament so far for allowing opponents to make passes freely without intervention.
The metric visualised below measures the average number of opposition passes a team allows before making a defensive action – so, a lower number is better.
Kaveh Solhekol feels England were lucky not to lose their match against Denmark, adding that Trent Alexander-Arnold struggled in his midfield role which could see the end of that particular ‘experiment’ from Gareth Southgate
Ukraine rank top with the most intense press, allowing opponents to make fewer than eight passes before making a defensive action. The Three Lions allow opponents more than three times as many passes – 23.1 to be precise.
Only Romania and Albania have been less effective at Euro 2024 so far.
Southgate’s side also rank third-worst for high turnovers – averaging just four per game.
Another metric supports Kane’s concerning comments about England being unsure when and who presses in the final third, three times fewer than table-topping Portugal.
The graphic below reveals England have impressive defensive solidity in their defensive half, but the ineffective press raises red flags in the opposition half – an area where most England players excel for their domestic clubs
Bukayo Saka has been typically hugging the touchline down his favoured right channel and has also posed the greatest threat, while Phil Foden has been roaming into his more dangerous central areas, resulting in a lopsided attack, which could contribute to pressing problems.
England sitting deep: What does the data say?
The graphic below summarises it perfectly: almost all outfield players averaged in their defensive third while they held their early, one-goal advantage for 16 minutes.
The graphic below elaborates on how England retreated after scoring, revealing the swing of final-third passes during the game – with the Danes hitting a match-high level of dominance before their 34th-minute leveller.
Against Serbia, Southgate’s side started the game wholly dominant, but that control ebbed incrementally after Jude Bellingham broke the deadlock, with the Serbs enjoying the lion’s share of attacking threat after the break.
Additionally, England are playing deeper than at previous tournaments, with four outfield players averaging in their own half at the World Cup in 2022 – rising to six at Euro 2024. The forwards – especially Harry Kane and Phil Foden – are also playing far deeper.
The general message emanating from the England camp is to stay calm, but the comments made by Kane and Southgate are concerning.
The majority of England’s squad players are accustomed to high-press styles at their domestic clubs, so harnessing those qualities and finding an effective balance across midfield and attack appears to be critical if England want to progress… at all.
VOTE: Who should Southgate select against Slovenia?
Gareth Southgate has plenty of problems. So what are the solutions?
Scotland produced the worst team performance of the opening round of games, with their players averaging just 3.8 out of 10 in the player ratings by skysports.com readers.
The miserable opening night thrashing by Germany, which saw Steve Clarke’s side battered 5-1 by the hosts, has left Scotland with it all to do ahead of their second Group A match against Switzerland on Wednesday.
Ryan Porteous was sent off just before half-time against Germany and has been suspended for both that Switzerland game and the final pool match against Hungary. His nightmare Euro 2024 start saw him handed a rating of just 2.9 – the worst mark out of the players to appear so far in the tournament.
It was a painful evening for Sky Sports’ Kris Boyd as he watched Scotland concede five goals to Germany in their Euro 2024 opener
Unsurprisingly Germany’s demolition job saw their players garner a high-ranking average mark of the championships to date, with 6.6 being the average grade given out to their players.
That was a long way off the 7.9 Slovakia’s players averaged for their shock win over Belgium but Germany’s score does include Jamal Musiala’s 8.2 – which is the second-highest individual score from the opening fixtures.
Taking top spot is England’s match-winner against Serbia, Jude Bellingham, who scored 8.3 on average. That put him head and shoulders above his team-mates, who averaged 6.3 for their efforts – the eighth-best team score so far.
Notably in the England team, Phil Foden was the lowest scorer. The Premier League player of the season was given a 4.9 by our readers for his ineffective display from the left side of the attack.
Rob Dorsett looks at the positives and negatives from England’s opening Euro 2024 win over Serbia
Other standout names include Man Utd’s Christian Eriksen, whose super display for Denmark against Slovenia earned him a mark of 8.1, while Newcastle’s Fabian Schar scored an 8 for Switzerland.
Remaining group games
Wednesday June 19 Croatia vs Albania (Hamburg, kick-off 2pm UK time) Germany vs Hungary (Stuttgart, kick-off 5pm UK time) Scotland vs Switzerland (Cologne, kick-off 8pm UK time)
Thursday June 20 Slovenia vs Serbia (Munich, kick-off 2pm UK time) Denmark vs England (Frankfurt, kick-off 5pm UK time) Spain vs Italy (Gelsenkirchen, kick-off 8pm UK time)
Friday June 21 Slovakia vs Ukraine (Dusseldorf, kick-off 2pm UK time) Poland vs Austria (Berlin, kick-off 5pm UK time) Netherlands vs France (Leipzig, kick-off 8pm UK time)
Saturday June 22 Georgia vs Czech Republic (Hamburg, kick-off 2pm UK time) Turkey vs Portugal (Dortmund, kick-off 5pm UK time) Belgium vs Romania (Cologne, kick-off 8pm UK time)
Sunday June 23 Switzerland vs Germany (Frankfurt, kick-off 8pm UK time) Scotland vs Hungary (Stuttgart, kick-off 8pm UK time)
Monday June 24 Croatia vs Italy (Leipzig, kick-off 8pm UK time) Albania vs Spain (Dusseldorf, kick-off 8pm UK time)
Tuesday June 25 Netherlands vs Austria (Berlin, kick-off 5pm UK time) France vs Poland (Dortmund, kick-off 5pm UK time) England vs Slovenia (Cologne, kick-off 8pm UK time) Denmark vs Serbia (Munich, kick-off 8pm UK time)
Wednesday June 26 Slovakia vs Romania (Frankfurt, kick-off 5pm UK time) Ukraine vs Belgium (Stuttgart, kick-off 5pm UK time) Czech Republic vs Turkey (Hamburg, kick-off 8pm UK time) Georgia vs Portugal (Gelsenkirchen, kick-off 8pm UK time)
A man has been detained upon his return to the UK following fan disorder in Gelsenkirchen ahead of England’s opening Euro 2024 match against Serbia.
The 39-year-old from Bolton was returning from Germany when he was detained by officers at Manchester airport on Monday evening under the Football Spectators Act 1989.
His passport has been retained by police and he will appear at Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday June 18 for a Civil Football Banning Order Hearing.
Trouble unfolded in Gelsenkirchen before England faced Serbia in their first Group C fixture on Sunday.
The United Kingdom Football Policing Unit (UKFPU) said an investigation team would review footage of the incident and “if any UK nationals have been involved, football banning orders will be sought”.
Mick Johnson, head of the UKFPU, has now confirmed a fan from the UK has been detained.
He said in a statement: “This action shows the breadth of the Euro 2024 football policing operation and demonstrates there are consequences for supporters who are intent on causing disorder.
“Any UK football supporter causing disorder in Germany which would be deemed an offence in this country could face police action upon their return.
“We are working with the Crown Prosecution Service and the courts, and where appropriate we will seek football banning orders to prevent perpetrators from attending future games both internationally and domestically.”
“German police will also take action against those who break the law, and this can include heavy fines and custodial sentences. We are working closely with our policing colleagues in Germany and have a team of UK officers deployed overseas supporting their operation.
“We want fans who are travelling to Germany to have a good time, but please remember to drink responsibly, respect the local culture and don’t put yourself in danger.”
Marcus Rashford’s omission from the provisional squad was the first clue that Gareth Southgate might be approaching this tournament differently. Now we know it for sure.
There was a perception that young newcomers such as Adam Wharton would be the ones to make way when the squad was cut to 26. Instead, there have been high-profile casualties.
James Maddison’s omission, having been, in his words, a “mainstay” during England’s qualifying campaign was another big call and it was followed by an even bigger one as Jack Grealish, fresh from an impressive cameo against Bosnia and Herzegovina, was axed as well.
In Rashford, the frozen-out Raheem Sterling, Grealish and Maddison, Southgate has chosen to go without an attacking quartet with a combined total of 185 England caps and 39 goals.
There are changes afoot in midfield, too. Gone are Jordan Henderson and Kalvin Phillips, to whom Southgate was criticised for remaining loyal, replaced by the next generation.
Now we are wondering whether Kobbie Mainoo or Wharton might complete the central three alongside Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham. Trent Alexander-Arnold, once shunned for his perceived defensive deficiencies, has been embraced as another midfield option.
Harry Maguire’s omission is not by choice. His calf injury has done for him. But his omission, added to those of so many other big names, adds to the fresh feel of this England squad. Southgate has changed tack. To many, this boldness is overdue. Nick Wright
Southgate rips up England’s left-hand side
Image: Jack Grealish has missed out on a place at Euro 2024
In the 2022 World Cup, Gareth Southgate took four left-wing options: Phil Foden, Marcus Rashford, James Maddison and Jack Grealish. Now just one remains for this summer’s Euros.
Rashford and Grealish both played and scored for England in Qatar. They were key players for the Three Lions at the last Euros which saw them reach the final. But Rashford was left out of the provisional squad due to not having a good enough season, and it appears Grealish has fallen to the same fate.
Now it leaves Foden, the Premier League Player of the Season, as the clear frontrunner to start on that left-hand side in Germany, and Southgate hinted last month that the Manchester City attacker will be allowed to drift inside.
But if England need a natural left-winger then it will be Anthony Gordon and Eberechi Eze that Southgate will call upon. Both made first England starts in that position recently and both impressed.
England have options at left wing and it’s the same at left-back. Luke Shaw reportedly being fit enough is a boost but, just like at Euro 2020, Kieran Trippier may have to start the tournament in that role to allow England’s first-choice left-back to recover. Joe Gomez is the backline defensive utility man as emergency cover.
Will a brand new left flank bring a change in England’s fortunes at major tournaments? Sam Blitz
Who takes final midfield spot?
Image: Is Trent Alexander-Arnold the midfield solution for England?
Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham are expected to be part of a three-man England midfield, but Southgate is overloaded with options for the remaining spot.
Phil Foden’s scintillating season playing in a free role for Manchester City has increased calls for him to be utilised in the same way. Foden, though, has often featured on the left for England, yet with Eberechi Eze and Anthony Gordon on the plane, perhaps he is lined up to play in the middle.
The same applies to Cole Palmer, who likes to drift inside from the right, but may be seen by Southgate as cover for Bukayo Saka along with Jarrod Bowen.
Southgate has experimented with Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield and he shone against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Monday. However, the right-back is untested in major tournaments.
Conor Gallagher can play further forward through the middle, but he appears to be a direct replacement for the energetic No 8 role that Jordan Henderson used to deliver alongside Rice – one that Southgate could always rely on.
Then there are the new kids on the block to consider: Kobbie Mainoo and Adam Wharton. Both bring a calmness in possession. Their inclusions could be a watching brief for future tournaments.
Without doubt, Southgate has a solution for every eventuality. David Richardson
Watkins and Toney a surprise
Image: Ollie Watkins started against Bosnia and Herzegovina
A key question since the turn of the year had been whether there would be space for both Ollie Watkins and Ivan Toney in England’s squad for Euro 2024.
In March, ahead of the friendlies against Brazil and Belgium, even Southgate wasn’t sure. Asked whether there would be space for both this summer, Southgate said: “Maybe, maybe not. I genuinely don’t know the answer to that. That will depend on what kind of profile we need, what the profiles of the rest of the squad [members] are, whether we need a couple of players that are adaptable in a couple of positions and we can pick specialists in certain other positions.”
However, with squads extended to 26 players, both will now feature as understudies to captain Harry Kane, giving England a number of differing options in Germany.
Toney’s goal-scoring performance against Belgium obviously left a big impression on Southgate. After some strong showings for Brentford in the early weeks after his return from an eight-month ban, the goals did dry up for the 28-year-old, who failed to score in his last seven Premier League outings.
He is more of a like-for-like replacement should anything happen to Kane, but he does also provide a physical alternative to the Bayern Munich striker. His quality from the penalty spot is also a good option to have with shootouts potentially around the corner.
In the end, Watkins’ pace and his goal-scoring prowess also made him difficult to leave out. His 19 goals this season helped propel Aston Villa into the Champions League, and that form has rightly been rewarded.
Southgate has gone for variety in attack and that could be crucial with the target a deep, deep run at this tournament. Oliver Yew
Guehi to fill Maguire void?
Sky Sports News’ senior reporter Rob Dorsett provides an update on England’s Euro 2024 squad as Jack Grealish and Harry Maguire are omitted
Harry Maguire’s unavailability for the tournament is a significant blow for Southgate, who has remained loyal to the Manchester United defender even through his toughest periods.
The England boss has avoided the nightmare scenario of not having John Stones available either, with the Manchester City man having returned from a spell out for the FA Cup final.
But he has a major decision to make on who partners him and the leading candidate appears to be Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi, who has already seen off competition from fellow left-sided centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite, the final player to be cut from the provisional list.
Guehi, like Stones, has only recently returned from injury having been sidelined by a knee problem in the second half of the campaign but he got the nod alongside Lewis Dunk against Bosnia and Herzegovina, winning his 10th senior cap under Southgate, a number which reflects his standing.
Dunk, by contrast, only has six caps. Guehi beats Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa (three caps) for experience too. Joe Gomez, meanwhile, although more experienced, with 14 caps, appears more likely to be used as a back-up full-back having played there all season for Liverpool.
Southgate loves Guehi’s understated style and has spoken glowingly of his temperament. “He has played with great maturity,” he said after starts against Ukraine and Scotland in October.
“At times he might not catch the eye in the way some other players do because he’s in the right place, so he’s not having to turn and cover for something that’s gone wrong. He’s a very calm player, positionally excellent, composed with the ball, and with a very good mentality.”
The hope for Southgate is that, in the absence of Maguire, all of those qualities will shine through on the stage of a major tournament. Nick Wright
Bowen hits bullseye after Qatar snub
Jarrod Bowen spoke to Sky Sports after playing in the 3-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina
“Of course [not being selected for the World Cup] makes me want it more.”
You could see the desire in Jarrod Bowen’s eyes when he delivered that statement to Sky Sports News after England’s 3-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Monday.
Bowen was first capped by Gareth Southgate in June 2022, but missed out on selection for that winter’s World Cup in Qatar.
The West Ham forward added: “I don’t know if I’m a better player, but I’m just more mature as a player and I think that comes with age, with the games that you play and confidence you gain from every opportunity you have here [with England].”
But he’s off to Germany – ousting some serious talents in Jack Grealish and James Maddison to get his chance at a major tournament. He deserves it too after kicking on again with West Ham.
Following his winning goal in the Europa Conference League final for the Hammers a year ago, Bowen has scored 20 goals this campaign and grabbed 10 assists. In a very inconsistent team, Bowen has remained consistent. He offers England an alternative option to Bukayo Saka coming from the right flank. Lewis Jones
Daring Wharton deserves his place
“I like the fact he sees pictures early, he plays forward.”
When Gareth Southgate said those words, you had the feeling he would pick Adam Wharton in his final England squad.
The 20-year-old’s England debut against Bosnia and Herzegovina showed exactly what the Crystal Palace midfielder can bring. He completed all 38 of his passes – but crucially, 32 per cent of them were forward.
Wharton is not a player who simply passes and plays it safe. He plays through the lines and unlocks defences. Against Bosnia and Herzegovina, a stunning first-time outside-of-the-boot cross nearly found Jarrod Bowen for a tap-in. This young man dares.
The young midfielder likely won’t start for England in Germany but Southgate knows that if he needs a player to find the missing ingredient when chasing a lead or playing a low-block defence, then Wharton is that player.
And can he handle the pressure? Well recent history shows he can. Wharton excelled as Palace stunned Liverpool 1-0 at Anfield two months ago, provoking Jamie Carragher to call him “outstanding” and a “real standout”.
Wharton is on the brink of a breakout summer. Sam Blitz
James Maddison has been left out of England’s 26-player squad for Euro 2024 and has departed the Three Lions camp.
The Tottenham midfielder is the first name from Gareth Southgate’s 33-player provisional squad to not make the final cut for the tournament in Germany.
Southgate has to cut his extended squad down to 26 names by 11pm on Friday – an hour after England’s final Euro 2024 warm-up friendly against Iceland at Wembley.
England then begin their Euro 2024 campaign on June 16 against Serbia.
Maddison’s wait for a major tournament appearance with England goes on, having made the final 26 2022 World Cup squad in Qatar – but he failed to make an appearance before the Three Lions’ quarter-final exit.
What is England’s current 32-player training squad?
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal), James Trafford (Burnley).
Defenders: Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton), Lewis Dunk (Brighton), Joe Gomez (Liverpool), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Jarell Quansah (Liverpool), Luke Shaw (Man Utd), John Stones (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle), Kyle Walker (Manchester City).
Forwards: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Jarrod Bowen (West Ham), Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ivan Toney (Brentford), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa).
More to follow.
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