Key events
In England’s summer sport, we have play, in Guyana, and Tim de Lisle describing it.
Whatever else, this tournament has (mostly) showcased the continent’s fan culture at its best – the party vibe, the boisterous bonhomie, the bonds forged between supporters, the booze and, well, the boos. It’s been a tremendous Euros for loud expressions of discontent, the proper football fan’s natural state of mind. England’s fans have of course sounded off loudly, and Belgium’s reacted similarly after their underwhelming draw with Ukraine.
Their full-back Thomas Meunier was quizzed about Belgian fans’ booing after the Ukraine game in today’s presser and said it was “understandable but it was a bit too much for me. We have a game on Monday against France and we can start from scratch with the public”. Big improvements are needed though, but on the plus side France are under pressure too after limping through the group phase in similarly uninspiring fashion.
“Is it the after-effects of Covid that has turned so many people (purportedly England ‘fans’) into mean spirited, bordering on hysterical and irrational online bullies?” wonders Mandy Leeson. “The record is now broken. The criticism of Southgate has to stop. It’s not only ridiculous, it’s damaging and massively unfair as he can’t have a ‘pop’ back. Take a look at yourselves.”
The English culture of vilifying the manager way predates Covid to be fair. What’s interesting now is that the internal culture that Southgate so necessarily changed is now being used against him (“too soft”, “too loyal”, “too woke”) as the old culture strikes back, and indeed cannibalises Southgate himself. Sorting out that midfield and left side would help but old habits die hard.
Jonathan Liew wrote well on this earlier:
Some transfer talk: Wolves have moved closer to confirming a deal for Celta Vigo’s Norwegian striker Jorgen Strand Larsen for €30m. Larsen scored 14 goals for Celta in La Liga last season.
The social documentary photographer Richard Morgan has been in war-ravaged Odesa during Ukraine’s Euro 2024 campaign, and has produced this photo essay charting how the country has followed its team.
It is impossible to escape from the horrors of war in Ukraine, to find relief in the football, because the war is in the very experience of following the football here: it’s in the walk to the game past anti-tank defences, sandbags, covered monuments, and boarded up churches; it’s in the pre-match motivational messages from frontline fighters to the footballers; it’s in the air-raid warnings of rocket attacks flashing across the TV screen as you watch the game in the pub; it’s in the power-cuts before kick-off. Euro 24 is not a convenient distraction from war in Ukraine, but yet another way to live it.
Just picking through some choice first-round stats that PA Media has just pumped through, it brought us 81 goals (down 13 on Euro 2o2o). Blame that turgid Group C, which contributed only seven of them. Groups A and F delivered the most, with 17 each.
Only six players have scored more than once, with Georgia’s Georges Mikautadze ahead on three goals. Germany’s Jamal Musiala and Niclas Füllkrug, Cody Gakpo of the Netherlands, Slovakia’s Ivan Schranz and Razvan Marin of Romania all have two.
The 11 shots seen in Serbia v England is the lowest in any Euros game ever. And
Phil Foden has completed more passes to Jordan Pickford (three) than to Harry Kane.
With 20 saves in Georgia’s three games, Giorgi Mamardashvili is seven clear of any other goalkeeper at the tournament.
Football Daily has dropped … and it has (sorry) Georgia on its mind.
Now, some reaction from the eight Euros participants who really do have something to moan about, those that have been turfed out, some more deservedly than others:
And a bit more on that Anthony Gordon bike mishap, from David Hytner in Blankenhain. Very much a banter-injury, this, by the looks.
Guéhi: we need to stay calm
A fuller report now on the earlier presser with England’s man of the moment (but there’s been so many!), Marc Guéhi, courtesy of PA Media.
Marc Guéhi dismissed talk that England have a “favourable” European Championship draw as Gareth Southgate’s side prepare to kick off the knockout phase against Slovakia … England will take on 45th-ranked Slovakia when they return to Gelsenkirchen this Sunday.
Furthermore, Spain, Germany, Portugal, France and Belgium are in the other half of the draw, adding further expectation to a group who were booed at the end of Tuesday’s 0-0 draw with Slovenia.
“I think everyone has seen in this competition that there is not a favourable side of the draw,” centre-back Guehi said. “Every team, every opponent, is really tough to come up against. I think we need to remain calm.
“We have put pressure on ourselves but we are calm and focused and we need to continue to focus on one thing at a time. I think what builds confidence is togetherness, performances, the fact that we haven’t lost a game yet, which is really important.
“All the other things you can’t really control. I think it’s important we just control what we can control and that’s remaining focused and dealing with whatever obstacles are put in front of us.”
England have won all three of their last-16 matches under Southgate, with their last defeat at this stage of a major tournament coming eight years ago. Everybody had expected Roy Hodgson’s men to beat Iceland at Euro 2016 and the 2-1 loss in Nice went down as one of the most embarrassing defeats in the national team’s history.
There is similar expectation ahead of facing Slovakia in Germany, but little chance of the current England set-up allowing complacency to seep in. “We haven’t done any team analysis on them yet, but we all watch the games and know they are a very good side,” Guehi said.
“Coming out of the group in third, I think. They’ve got some really good players in the team, (Stanislav) Lobotka being one from Napoli. A lot of good players. It will be a another tough match, tough opponent to deal with. But it’s important we just have to be ready for those challenge and match whatever intensity they bring.”
Guehi says the mood inside the camp is far more upbeat and praised under-fire Southgate for the job he has done. “He has been fantastic,” the 23-year-old said. “If you look at his record, it speaks for itself. Everyone is behind the manager, that is for sure. We have got a really close, tight-knit group focused on the next game.
“Everyone is appreciative of him but especially me, giving me my debut for England and showing so much confidence in me. I am really grateful and I am sure the rest of the team is.”
Guehi has stepped into an experienced backline impressively and has arguably been England’s best player at what is his first major tournament. “It is nice to hear,” he said. “I wouldn’t say I have been the best player. I think there have been quite a few really good performances in my opinion. I am just enjoying the tournament, I’m enjoying being here. Just really grateful.”
“I’d like to add to the criticism of Southgate,” dogpiles Ben N, “and in particular his clothing. He wears the same cream coloured M&S zip polo shirt every match (how many did he pack?). I’d like to see him remove the handbrake on his clothing choices (perhaps a grey zip polo shirt?). Rumour has it he is also wearing two right footed shoes, having only packed one broken left shoe. Failing this, just dust off the waistcoat.”
Let’s look ahead to the knockouts, which start with Switzerland v Italy followed by Germany v Denmark, which will stir memories of the 1992 final:. Here’s some more from Reuters:
Denmark will look to invoke the memory of their famous victory over Germany in the Euro 92 final when they take on the same opponents in the last 16 of this year’s tournament, assistant coach Christian Poulsen said on Thursday.
Denmark have not won at Euro 2024 so far, drawing three games to set up their clash with the hosts who have players like young forward Jamal Musiala in sparkling form.
However, the odds were similarly stacked against Denmark in Gothenburg in 1992 when they shocked then-world champions Germany with a 2-0 win for their first major title and Kasper Hjulmand’s side are eyeing another upset on Saturday.
“It’s a strong team we’re going to face and a little bit like the big country against the little country. But we’re going to go into the battle and, hope we can do the same as we did in 92,” Poulsen told reporters at the team’s base in Freudenstadt.
“I remember 92. I was a child, 12-years-old, but that’s one of the biggest moments in Danish football. And, I think, that was a nice memory. So if we could do that again, that would be amazing,” he added.
Curious old tournament, that one. England were awful, as per in Euros in those days, but I remember a fine semi between the Netherlands and Denmark, and of course that final shock, John Jensen’s finest hour:
More niche-fan comment about England: Irish fan of the English team here (yes, I feel dirty admitting it),” writes Patrick Treacy. “From my perspective outside of the rabid bubble, the extent of the criticism of Gareth Southgate is just baffling. How many Euros have England won exactly? How many World Cups in the last 40 years? How many finals and semi finals? Put that next to the records of France, Germany, Portugal, Spain. England are a very good, but not top tier football team. The improvement that Southgate has overseen versus the achievements of fine managers like Cappello and Eriksson was impossible to imagine when he took over. I honestly can’t believe anyone needs reminding of this – he and his team have proven beyond question that they know what they’re doing. But tournament football is hard, and it’s not always going to go right even for the top tier teams.”
Fair up to a point, even it is hard to overlook just how many things England have got wrong this time. But the idea that this England team is uniquely talented, and more so than the squads of, say, Spain, France and Portugal doesn’t stand up.
David Hytner
As easy as riding a bike …
Anthony Gordon has been left with cuts to his chin and arms after a bike-riding accident on Wednesday – during the England squad’s recovery day – but it has mainly been his pride that was damaged. Gordon’s teammate Marc Guehi told reporters that the mishap had become a little bit of a joke in camp but the Newcastle winger was essentially fine.
“He fell off his bike,” Guehi said. “The boys went out on a bike ride. I actually wasn’t there. I heard about it. I was actually talking to Anthony and I wasn’t really paying attention … turned around and then I saw the massive gash on his chin but he’s OK. He’s good.”
Some domestic transfer news: Chelsea are keen on Nottingham Forest’s Murillo and could lob in Trevoh Chalobah in one of those player-swap deals that are currently all the rage and are absolutely definitely nothing to do with PSR rule-based jiggery pokery.
Enough England introspection: let’s take the mood in Slovakia, who provide Sunday’s opposition. And they’ve reasons to be confident, writes Lukas Vrablic: “If we’re honest, we can say that England are miserable at the moment,” says former international Adam Nemec.
England should be learning from … Oxford United, reckons Yellows’ fan Andrew:
Des Buckingham’s Oxford were facing similar problems to England at the start of the year in a similar 4231 system – plenty of the ball but not doing much with it, sluggish build up, lots of talent but no way of making them click. They switched to a 4141 for the run which ultimately ended in promotion, putting two attacking midfielders (one a winger) into central midfield with 2 proper wingers either side and a deep playmaker behind. They went from a 5-0 drubbing at Bolton in March (4231) on a run which ended with a win over the same opponents at Wembley, including a run of 4-0, 4-0, 5-0 wins.
The change of system allowed two attack-minded midfield to press higher and influence the game in more dangerous positions, which could suit Foden and Bellingham. Two touchline-hugging wide men stretched the play and allowed for space to open up inside. Full backs got forward to provide overlaps remained compact out of possession with wingers dropping back to form a 451 behind the ball but ready ready for a quick transition.
All of which seems to fit these England players perfectly.
I saw Stan Collymore advocating a 4-1-4-1 the other day too, and it seemed to make a certain amount of sense. Bellingham as the sole creative central midfield figure is burdening and stressing him, and everyone else, out. Someone else should be in there too.
And Oxford were the best, most progressive side I saw in League One last season. So, letter of the week there Andrew.
Thanks Dominic. Afternoon everyone. And more of your tactics musings are already pouring in, but away from that another nugget transfer news – and an eye-catching one. The Women’s Championship club London City Lionesses have signed the Sweden international Kosovare Asllani. Now owned by the Lyon owner Michelle Kang, the London club are thinking big and have also announced a switch of home base to Bromley.
That’s my stint done. Tom Davies is here to guide you through the rest of this Euros-less afternoon.
Oh no, someone has asked Guehi about France, Germany, Spain et al being on the other side of the draw.
“It’s important we control what we can control,” is the straight-bat riposte from Guehi. He can’t exactly say he’s buzzing with England’s draw, can he?
You can actually watch Guehi live here if you so wish.
Marc Guehi is speaking right now – he’s been talking about his performances in England’s defence and the general displays so far.
“If we’re going to go far in this tournament, your defence has to be strong. It’s a collective effort. The intensity has gone up, we put pressure on ourselves to maintain high standards and that has to keep going throughout the tournament.
“We rely on each other and support one another, that’s the most important thing.”
Listen to Guardian Euro 2024 daily podcast
Today’s Euro 2024 Football Weekly Daily has landed, with Max Rushden joined by Barry Glendenning, Lars Sivertsen and Jonathan Fadugba to round up the end of the group stages.
A couple of bits from elsewhere in the world of football today:
Until then, shall we engage in a bit more England tactics/lineup chat? Yeah, why not.
Shaun Tooze has been in touch on email:
Hi Dominic. I know this is only joining the list of ‘experts who know better’ but the more I think about it, a formation of 3-4-1-2 would suit me.
Stones – Guehi – Walker, with whoever is most comfortable being on the left of that, then (from left to right) Bowen/Foden – Rice – Mainoo/Wharton/Gallagher – Alexander-Arnold … Bellingham/Palmer (I’m leaning towards Palmer) in the 10, with Kane and Watkins/AN Other up top.
I think that would give us solidity when attacked and options going forward with the ball, and also wouldn’t have people tripping over each other like we’ve seen so far, especially in the middle and front-centre. Trippier, Saka and Bellingham have offered very little so I’d seriously consider other options now.
Dunno … just thinking out loud … what do you think ?
I’d take issue with Phil Foden being stuck at left wing-back (Saka would be better there). And not sure two up top is the way forward either.
Marc Guehi – who for me has, comfortably, been England’s best player at this tournament so far – is due speak to the media at 1.30pm BST. We’ll bring you some of his comments later.
Thoughts on this? Three Germans, one Slovenian, a Georgia goalkeeper … und keine Engländer.
It’s been great to see Willy Sagnol front and centre at these Euros. As a player for France in the 2000s, he often played second fiddle to the likes of Liliam Thuram and Bixente Lizarazu. He did once start a 2006 World Cup win over Portugal – the same opponent his Georgia side stunned last night to secure a last 16 berth.
Sagnol could hardly believe what his team has achieved.
“It’s still a bit difficult to realise what we have done,” he told Reuters. “When we go back to our homes and holidays, I think we are going to realise at this time exactly what we have done. Today I don’t have a lot of words … I am so proud of the players. What an image of Georgia they have shown.”
Slovakia are confident they can get a result against England in the last 16. Hey, why wouldn’t they be?
Slovakian sports journalist Lukas Vrablik has been on BBC Radio 5 Live today talking about the Three Lions.
“I’m quite disappointed by England’s performances, especially when you look at their individual quality have at their disposal,” he said. “I thought that England would be more convincing in those games, and Slovenia managed to neutralise the danger so it gives me big hope for Slovakia. I think this England team doesn’t look that strong as it did before the tournament.”
Thanks. Good to be here!
On John Brewin’s piece that Will mentioned earlier, I particularly enjoyed this paragraph about Gary Lineker’s side-project footy podcast:
The use of “shit” by Lineker in summarising England’s Denmark performance was hardly the Sex Pistols meet Bill Grundy but the BBC’s leading men staging their own, vin-rouge-fuelled production threatens to become one of those issues on which Amol Rajan reports for the BBC about the BBC on the BBC, quoting senior BBC sources.
Thank you very much for joining me this morning. Dominic Booth will run you through the lunchtime fun. Enjoy the rest of your football-free day, people.
Keir Starmer has told England fans there is “too much criticism” of Gareth Southgate’s team after their group stage performances in Euro 2024 – and urged supporters to “get behind them”.
Speaking on the campaign trail in Staffordshire, he added: “Get them over the line because this is a really important competition.
“England always do a bit of this at the beginning of competitions … but it’s a brilliant squad of players, all had great seasons for their respective clubs. Just get behind the team. I want less of the criticism, more of the support.”
Spain defender Nacho became the latest big name in European soccer to move to the Saudi Pro League, joining newly-promoted Al-Qadsiah after a 23-year stay at Real Madrid.
Khobar-based Al-Qadsiah, who won the Saudi First Division League in 2023-24 to move up to the top flight, announced Nacho’s signing on Thursday.
The 34-year-old joined Real in 2001 as a youth player and debuted for their first team in 2011. He won six Champions League titles at the Santiago Bernabeu as well as four LaLiga crowns and two Copa del Reys. Nacho will join his new club after Spain’s Euro 2024 campaign.
It is reported that Anthony Gordon fell off a bike at the training camp yesterday, resulting in a grazed chin. Get some stabilisers, lad.
Gareth Vaughan emails: “A lot of people (including me) have said a lot of less than flattering things about Gareth Southgate during this tournament (and long before it frankly). There is a growing noise from some sources that this is somehow vastly unfair and unjust given his previous tournament success. Well the fact is that this is both manifestly true and untrue st the same time.
“Clearly Southgate has brought us a period of consistent general success (without actually winning a trophy) during his tenure. And those who would say anyone could with the players he had, ignore the fact that there have been very talented England squads before this one who also failed to win anything and were far less successful.
“But the fact also remains that watching this England is a form of torture and Southgate has that haunted look on his face so reminiscent of every England manager who has spent too much time staring into the dark abyss. And recently, his decision to make certain players unstoppable no matter how poor their performances and instead select a fantasy football first 11 rather than the best team, suggests he’s cosplaying at England manager, rather than actually BEING the manager.
“I’d have more respect for him if he decided to ignore all the external white noise and pick the team he deep down thinks is the best for a tournament- which is probably a 3-5-1-1 formation similar to his 2018 World Cup team. A starting 11 of Pickford – Guehi, Stones, Walker – Shaw, Bellingham, Mainoo, Rice, Saka – Bellingham/ Foden- Kane will probably enrage most fans initially but would crucially allow us to control midfield and give the team a structure that has been lacking for the past 8 games.
”But it ain’t gonna happen…”
It might …
A few shots from England training.
“Loving today’s blog,” says Simon Klee, “and thinking about the England and Wales situation. Southgate likely to go after this tournament; Wales looking for a new head coach and are prepared to accept a non-Welshmen. Perfect for Gareth to walk from one job to the next.”
I do think Southgate might be more suited to international management that club.
We have the great John Brewin on the battle between ITV and BBC for our hearts and minds.