https://www.scmp.com/rss/510000/feed The 2020 European Championship is an international football tournament delayed until 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic, featuring 24 national teams from Europe in six groups of four, with 16 teams to qualify for the knockout stages. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Hong Kong police have detained more than 800 people and seized records detailing over HK$3.6 billion (US$463 million) worth of bets in a series of operations against illegal bookmaking activities involving this year’s Euro 2020 football tournament. A police spokesman said on Monday that the operations had racked up the highest number of arrests and resulted in the largest amount of money confiscated in relation to illegal gambling in at least a decade. Officers staged 137 raids and rounded up... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3143566/hong-kong-police-arrest-824-seize-records-detailing?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3143566/hong-kong-police-arrest-824-seize-records-detailing?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 02 Aug 2021 15:57:12 +0000 Tennis star Naomi Osaka has showed her support for the three England players to miss penalties in the Euro 2020 final defeat to Italy after they received vile racist abuse online. Osaka tweeted her support for Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka alongside teammate Raheem Sterling, who did not take a penalty in the shoot-out, on Twitter. All four of the players had been given golden crowns in the image, which also shows an England football crest, as the Tokyo 2020 gold medal hope... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3140936/euro-2020-naomi-osaka-shows-support-englands-marcus-rashford-jadon?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3140936/euro-2020-naomi-osaka-shows-support-englands-marcus-rashford-jadon?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 13 Jul 2021 09:05:41 +0000 British police have so far arrested a total of 86 people during and following Sunday’s Euro 2020 soccer final between Italy and England, they said on Monday. The Metropolitan Police said offences ranged from public order offences to actual bodily harm (ABH), drunk and disorderly behaviour and criminal damage. Some 53 of the arrests were at Wembley Stadium, where supporters clashed with each other and officials, breached security cordons and charged into the perimeter area before the start of the... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3140845/london-police-say-86-people-arrested-around-euro-2020-football?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3140845/london-police-say-86-people-arrested-around-euro-2020-football?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 12 Jul 2021 19:21:46 +0000 It may be all tears and recriminations in the England football camp today, after the national team were heartbreakingly denied the Euro 2020 trophy, losing to Italy on penalties at Wembley Stadium late on Sunday night. It marked the team’s first major tournament final in 55 years, and a well-deserved result for a squad that is likely to go down in the history books. But there’s one title no one can take away – the most expensive team in the tournament. According to pre-kick-off estimates, the... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3140828/euro-2020-who-englands-highest-paid-player-harry-kane?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3140828/euro-2020-who-englands-highest-paid-player-harry-kane?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 12 Jul 2021 12:52:27 +0000 Italy have won the European Championship for the first time since 1968 with a 3-2 victory on penalties over England in the 2020 final at Wembley in London. It is heartbreak for England, seeking to end a title drought from 1966, and for manager Gareth Southgate who missed a crucial spot-kick in the 1996 semi-final shoot-out loss against Germany. His selection of kickers will be long questioned now. Nearly two full hours previously his judgment looked perfect as the recalled Kieran Trippier... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3140711/euro-2020-italy-fight-back-penalties-beat-england-3-2-wembley-london?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3140711/euro-2020-italy-fight-back-penalties-beat-england-3-2-wembley-london?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 11 Jul 2021 22:40:24 +0000 England manager Gareth Southgate said the team’s fans can try to intimidate Italy but should remain respectful and not boo their national anthem ahead of the European Championship final at Wembley Stadium on Sunday. A section of England fans booed when Denmark’s national anthem was played before their semi-final meeting. Jeers were also heard when the German anthem was played at Wembley when England beat Joachim Loew’s side in the round of 16. European football’s governing body Uefa fined... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3140672/euro-2020-southgate-says-england-fans-can-intimidate-italy-not-boo?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3140672/euro-2020-southgate-says-england-fans-can-intimidate-italy-not-boo?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 11 Jul 2021 07:08:29 +0000 After a year’s delay, the Euro 2020 tournament has become a showcase for the best footballers and a festival for fans to cheer on their favourite teams. However, the tournament is also becoming a carnival for gamblers and bookies. Fans, especially young people, should say no to illegal football gambling. It was good to see the authorities take steps to deal with an illegal gambling surge ahead of Euro 2020 all across Asia. Hong Kong police launched raids to stop illegal gambling operators who... https://www.scmp.com/comment/letters/article/3140291/getting-hooked-illegal-football-betting-can-be-costly-own-goal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/letters/article/3140291/getting-hooked-illegal-football-betting-can-be-costly-own-goal?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 10 Jul 2021 23:00:12 +0000 “Football’s coming home”. It is a phrase that has been almost impossible to avoid during the Uefa European Championships. The words, of course, come from the Euro 96 hit “Three Lions”, with the Baddiel & Skinner song captivating England during that run to the semi-final. Since then the words have been used at every tournament by England fans – more often in hope than expectation. It has only got harder to avoid football’s potential homecoming since Gareth Southgate’s England team reached the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3140607/euro-2020-footballs-coming-home-england-italy-or-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3140607/euro-2020-footballs-coming-home-england-italy-or-china?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 10 Jul 2021 05:56:14 +0000 All the years of hurt, England fans sing about it. All that sense of entitlement, rival fans are irritated by it. After decades of embarrassment and moaning at tournaments, the English have a chance to finally back up the bravado – just listen to the team anthem, “Football’s Coming Home” – with a trophy. The nation that lays claim to being the inventor of soccer, but is more fittingly one of the sport’s great underachievers, is back in a final – against Italy in the European Championships. The... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3140246/euro-2020-final-england-now-one-game-finally-ending-55-years-misery?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3140246/euro-2020-final-england-now-one-game-finally-ending-55-years-misery?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 08 Jul 2021 01:39:19 +0000 FC Barcelona have broken their silence over the controversial videos starring star players Antoine Griezmann and Ousmane Dembele from their 2019 Japan tour that have seen accusations of racism and classism laid against the footballers. The Spanish giants have apologised to all fans and partners, including Japanese sponsors Rakuten and Konami. Both companies filed complaints with the club over the videos and the La Liga side may yet take action against the players. “FC Barcelona deeply regret the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3140236/barcelona-apologise-over-antoine-griezmann-and-ousmane-dembele-japan?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3140236/barcelona-apologise-over-antoine-griezmann-and-ousmane-dembele-japan?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 07 Jul 2021 16:18:53 +0000 Italy beat Spain 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in a magnificent Euro 2020 semi-final at Wembley on Tuesday, as Jorginho converted the decisive kick to take the Azzurri through to the final where they will face either England or Denmark. Roberto Mancini’s side were not always on top though, with Spain the better team for long spells of an epic contest before Federico Chiesa, the Juventus forward, gave Italy the lead with a fabulous finish an hour into a match watched by a crowd of almost... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3140116/euro-2020-italy-beat-spain-penalties-set-final-england-or-denmark?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3140116/euro-2020-italy-beat-spain-penalties-set-final-england-or-denmark?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 07 Jul 2021 03:30:56 +0000 France star Antoine Griezmann has found himself in hot water over a second video that has seen the footballer face accusations of racism towards Asians, with the video widely shared following a statement where he apologised if he offended his “Japanese friends”. The video, which shows World Cup winner Griezmann in a hot tub as he appears to mock Asian languages by saying “ching chong” among other words, follows on from another leaked clip late last week. France winger Ousmane Dembele is again in... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3139971/barcelonas-antoine-griezmann-racism-hot-water-over-second-asian-tour?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3139971/barcelonas-antoine-griezmann-racism-hot-water-over-second-asian-tour?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 06 Jul 2021 04:55:08 +0000 England return to Wembley two wins from a first European Championship title after recording their biggest ever victory at the tournament with a 4-0 demolition of Ukraine in the quarter-finals in Rome. Having successfully negotiated a trip to the Stadio Olimpico with a flourish, Gareth Southgate’s team will have the support of some 60,000 fans when they take on Denmark for a place in the final on Wednesday. Three years on from a bitter World Cup semi-final loss to Croatia, England have the chance... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3139746/euro-2020-rampant-england-fire-warning-they-thrash-ukraine-ahead?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3139746/euro-2020-rampant-england-fire-warning-they-thrash-ukraine-ahead?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 04 Jul 2021 03:45:29 +0000 Barcelona and France star Ousmane Dembele has been caught up in a racism controversy after appearing to mock Asian workers in a leaked video that has been widely shared on social media. Dembele and his Uefa Euro 2020 teammate Antoine Griezmann are shown in the video making comments as Asian technicians fix a television in a hotel room, with the clip being circulated on social media on Friday. The 24-year-old has been criticised for racism and classism over the content of the video with some... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3139698/euro-2020-star-ousmane-dembele-race-storm-mocking-asian-hotel?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3139698/euro-2020-star-ousmane-dembele-race-storm-mocking-asian-hotel?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 03 Jul 2021 05:39:54 +0000 Italy and Spain are going to meet at the fourth tournament in a row, and this time a place in the Euro 2020 final will be on the line. Both won their quarter-finals and both were made to work for a place in the last four. Nicolo Barella and Lorenzo Insigne scored a goal each while Leonardo Spinazzola make a key second-half block to give Italy a 2-1 win over Belgium and a spot in the European Championship semi-finals. “Everyone, myself included, is really playing with a smile on their faces,”... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3139691/euro-2020-italy-and-spain-meet-again-semi-finals?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3139691/euro-2020-italy-and-spain-meet-again-semi-finals?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 03 Jul 2021 04:07:57 +0000 It took a year of counselling and a lot of determination for Chris to beat his gambling habit a decade ago. The Hongkonger had to sell his flat to clear a mountain of debt, and almost lost his marriage too. Then the Covid-19 pandemic struck and the 37-year-old owner of a tourism company watched his income dry up with global restrictions on travel. The financial pressure triggered his old urge to try and make easy money. Unable to travel to the casinos in Macau, he started going to an illegal... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3139571/more-illegal-gambling-hong-kong-people-stuck-home-during?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3139571/more-illegal-gambling-hong-kong-people-stuck-home-during?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 03 Jul 2021 02:00:12 +0000 England beat Germany 2-0 in the last 16 of Euro 2020 on Tuesday to end 55 years of agony against their old foes, and the tenure of German coach Joachim Loew as well. Manchester City winger Raheem Sterling scored in the 75th and captain Harry Kane finally found the net as well in the 86th in front of 45,000 ecstatic fans at Wembley Stadium in London with the Three Lions song Football's Coming Home echoing around the arena after the final whistle. It was England's first win over Germany at a big... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3139246/euro-2020-england-beat-germany-get-through-quarter-finals-and-end?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3139246/euro-2020-england-beat-germany-get-through-quarter-finals-and-end?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 29 Jun 2021 23:43:43 +0000 Spain coach Luis Enrique hailed his players’ character as the three-times European champions recovered from a nightmare start then let slip a two-goal lead before finally beating Croatia 5-3 in extra time to reach the Euro 2020 quarter-finals. “It was a very intense game today that really had everything. Everyone saw our true team spirit today,” Luis Enrique told a news conference. “When the word ‘ego’ disappears and the word ‘team’ appears, of course, it’s fantastic to be part of a group like... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3139169/euro-2020-luis-enrique-hails-spain-team-spirit-after-crazy-5-3-win?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3139169/euro-2020-luis-enrique-hails-spain-team-spirit-after-crazy-5-3-win?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 29 Jun 2021 08:46:16 +0000 Striker Kylian Mbappe will bounce back from missing the decisive penalty in France’s shoot-out loss to Switzerland on Monday that saw the world champions exit Euro 2020 at the last-16 stage, coach Didier Deschamps said. The French threw away a two-goal lead to draw 3-3 in normal time, and after a goalless extra-time, they crashed out when Mbappe’s penalty was saved by Swiss keeper Yann Sommer. Deschamps said the striker and the rest of the team would learn from their tournament... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3139127/euro-2020-kylian-mbappe-will-bounce-back-after-penalty-miss-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3139127/euro-2020-kylian-mbappe-will-bounce-back-after-penalty-miss-says?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 29 Jun 2021 05:37:38 +0000 Portugal set out to defend their European Championship title with a far better squad than five years ago in France but this time they ultimately proved less adept at chasing games than grinding out results. Fernando Santos’ side bowed out of the tournament earlier than they would have liked in losing 1-0 to Belgium in the last-16 but they did not go out quietly, peppering Thibaut Courtois’ goal with shots until the end and hitting the post. Yet they lacked a cutting edge which might have... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3138990/euro-2020-early-exit-portugal-netherlands-are-dumped-out-czech?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3138990/euro-2020-early-exit-portugal-netherlands-are-dumped-out-czech?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 28 Jun 2021 04:26:37 +0000 Italy overcame stubborn Austria 2-1 in extra-time at Wembley on Saturday to reach the Euro 2020 quarter-finals as Denmark breezed through by hammering Wales 4-0. Roberto Mancini’s side, who earned rave reviews after their cruise through the group phase, were made to work hard for their win and had super subs Federico Chiesa and Matteo Pessina to thank. The victory means Italy have now set a record of 31 matches unbeaten, surpassing the mark set under two-time World Cup-winning coach Vittorio... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3138903/euro-2020-italy-see-battling-austria-join-denmark-quarter-finals?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3138903/euro-2020-italy-see-battling-austria-join-denmark-quarter-finals?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 27 Jun 2021 04:09:34 +0000 The Union of European Football Associations (Uefa) has ruled that Munich’s stadium cannot be illuminated in rainbow colours for Wednesday's Euro 2020 match between Germany and Hungary, a decision dismissed as “shameful” by the city's mayor. Uefa said on Tuesday it has rejected an according motion from Munich's city council because it would represent a political message in response to a Hungarian law. The Uefa decision drew wide-ranging criticism in Germany while it was welcomed in Hungary. Last... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3138373/uefa-vetoes-illuminating-munich-stadium-rainbow-colours-euro-2020?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3138373/uefa-vetoes-illuminating-munich-stadium-rainbow-colours-euro-2020?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 22 Jun 2021 19:25:18 +0000 Chelsea midfielder Billy Gilmour tested positive for coronavirus on Monday, dealing a huge blow to Scotland’s hopes of making it beyond the group stages of a major tournament for the first time at Euro 2020. Gilmour picked up the man-of-the-match award in Friday’s 0-0 draw against England at Wembley in his first international start. But he will miss Tuesday’s clash against Croatia at Hampden with Scotland needing to win to have any chance of progressing to the last-16. “The Scottish FA can... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3138188/euro-2020-scotlands-billy-gilmour-tests-positive-coronavirus-misses?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3138188/euro-2020-scotlands-billy-gilmour-tests-positive-coronavirus-misses?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 21 Jun 2021 10:03:57 +0000 Germany breathed life into their Euro 2020 campaign with a stunning 4-2 win over holders Portugal in Munich on Saturday despite Cristiano Ronaldo moving closer to the all-time international goals record, after world champions France were forced to settle for a draw with Hungary. Saturday also saw Spain stumble to a 1-1 draw with Poland in Seville as the second round of group games at the tournament drew to a close. Germany knew a defeat against Portugal at the Allianz Arena would leave them on... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3138051/euro-2020-germany-thump-portugal-france-and-spain-are-held?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3138051/euro-2020-germany-thump-portugal-france-and-spain-are-held?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 20 Jun 2021 06:31:00 +0000 Spain coach Luis Enrique said he is not worried about his side’s chances of reaching the knockout stages of Euro 2020 following a 1-1 draw with Poland on Saturday, and backed the team to get the job done with a win over Slovakia in their final group E game. Alvaro Morata put Spain ahead in the 25th minute but Poland equalised through Robert Lewandowski. Luis Enrique’s side were awarded a penalty soon after but Gerard Moreno hit the post. It was another frustrating night for Spain, who drew their... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3138046/euro-2020-luis-enrique-not-worried-about-spains-chances-despite?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3138046/euro-2020-luis-enrique-not-worried-about-spains-chances-despite?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 20 Jun 2021 05:27:34 +0000 Move over Paul the Octopus, Thailand has a new claimant to the football forecasting crown: Boy the “psychic” lion, who has so far correctly called four Euro 2020 matches. Boy, a five-year-old white lion who lives at a zoo in northeast Thailand, makes his predictions by grabbing meat marked with national flags from a wire above his pen. His oracular exploits recall cephalopod Paul, the salty seer who achieved global fame by correctly predicting eight 2010 World Cup matches from his aquarium in... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3137973/roaring-success-boy-psychic-thai-lion-successfully?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3137973/roaring-success-boy-psychic-thai-lion-successfully?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 18 Jun 2021 19:39:21 +0000 An early Memphis Depay penalty and a Denzel Dumfries goal gave the Netherlands a convincing 2-0 victory over Austria on Thursday and a place in the Euro 2020 last-16 as group C winners. The Dutch cannot be overtaken at the head of the standings after a second win while Austria’s hopes rest on the result of their last match against Ukraine. The 11th-minute spot-kick provided an early platform for the home side and flying full back Dumfries proved a popular scorer at the Johan Cruyff Arena as he... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3137768/euro-2020-netherlands-beat-austria-top-group-c-denmark-and-belgium?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3137768/euro-2020-netherlands-beat-austria-top-group-c-denmark-and-belgium?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 18 Jun 2021 02:57:58 +0000 England meet Scotland at Euro 2020 on Friday night at Wembley and it is hard to look past the last time the teams met at the European Championships, not least because Phil Foden seems to have dyed his hair to look like Euro 96 hero Paul Gascoigne. It was June 15, 1996 and hosts England welcomed the Auld Enemy to London for the second group stage game. Alan Shearer put England ahead in the first half but Scotland were given a lifeline with a second-half penalty. England keeper David Seaman saved... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3137703/england-vs-scotland-paul-gascoigne-euro-96-and-hong-kong-dentists?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3137703/england-vs-scotland-paul-gascoigne-euro-96-and-hong-kong-dentists?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 17 Jun 2021 23:45:00 +0000 Italy became the first team to reach the knockout stage of Euro 2020 as midfielder Manuel Locatelli scored twice in a 3-0 win over Switzerland in Rome on Wednesday, while Wales moved to the brink of joining them by beating Turkey. The Azzurri, now unbeaten in 29 matches and having won their last 10 games without conceding a goal, sit first in group A and are guaranteed a top-two finish and last-16 berth. “We played well, we wanted to win at all costs,” Italy coach Roberto Mancini told RAI. “They... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3137607/euro-2020-round-manuel-locatelli-ciro-immobile-fire-italy-last-16?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3137607/euro-2020-round-manuel-locatelli-ciro-immobile-fire-italy-last-16?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 17 Jun 2021 03:27:19 +0000 Greenpeace has apologised and Munich police are investigating after a protester parachuted into the stadium and injured two people before Germany’s game against France at the European Championship on Tuesday. The protester used a powered paraglider with a motor attached to his back but lost control and hit overhead camera wires attached to the stadium roof, careering over spectators’ heads before he landed on the field ahead of the match. Debris fell on the field and main grandstand, narrowly... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3137586/greenpeace-apologises-after-protester-parachutes-pitch-germany?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3137586/greenpeace-apologises-after-protester-parachutes-pitch-germany?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 16 Jun 2021 22:33:16 +0000 Cristiano Ronaldo became the all-time top European Championship goal-scorer with a brace as reigning champions Portugal got their Uefa Euro 2020 campaign off to a winning start on Tuesday, beating Hungary 3-0 in Budapest before world champions France faced Germany in a heavyweight clash. Ronaldo netted his 10th and 11th goals at European Championship to surpass the previous record of nine held by France legend Michel Platini. The holders, who appear to have a much stronger squad than when they... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3137437/euro-2020-cristiano-ronaldo-breaks-goal-record-france-edge-germany?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3137437/euro-2020-cristiano-ronaldo-breaks-goal-record-france-edge-germany?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 16 Jun 2021 01:21:46 +0000 It is matchday two of the group stage of Euro 2020 and that means matchday two of the Euro 2020 Fantasy Football game too. All of you budding bosses have until the kick-off of Finland and Russia on Wednesday (9pm Hong Kong time) to ring the changes. It might be a marathon not a sprint – the 24-team tournament runs until July 11, after all – but there are already big questions that need to be answered. Who is injured, who is ready to make a comeback and who should be your captain? That’s not to... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3137318/euro-2020-fantasy-football-tips-matchday-two-changes-injuries-who?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3137318/euro-2020-fantasy-football-tips-matchday-two-changes-injuries-who?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 15 Jun 2021 05:28:06 +0000 The Euro 2020 semi-finals and final will be played in front of 40,000 fans at Wembley, while a capacity crowd will witness the Wimbledon finals as part of a series of new pilot events in England. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday announced a four-week delay in England to the full lifting of coronavirus restrictions – which were due to end on June 21 – because of a surge in infections caused by the Delta variant. However, the final four matches at Wembley of the European Championship... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3137312/wembley-capacity-euro-2020-finale-raised-40000?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3137312/wembley-capacity-euro-2020-finale-raised-40000?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 15 Jun 2021 04:53:56 +0000 Spain tried to pass Sweden into oblivion in their Euro 2020 opener on Monday but had to settle for a 0-0 draw as they were let down by poor finishing and might have even lost had it not been for a glaring miss by opposing striker Marcus Berg. Alvaro Morata spurned Spain’s best opportunity in a dominant first half display from Luis Enrique’s side on a scorching evening at Seville’s La Cartuja stadium in group E when he missed the target from inside the area after a defensive slip. But Sweden’s... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3137305/euro-2020-spain-stifled-sweden-grind-out-grim-0-0-draw?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3137305/euro-2020-spain-stifled-sweden-grind-out-grim-0-0-draw?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 15 Jun 2021 04:00:42 +0000 Poland star Robert Lewandowski said the team was facing an uphill task to qualify for the last-16 at Euro 2020 after losing 2-1 to Slovakia in their opening game on Monday. The Bayern Munich striker was kept quiet by a Slovakia defence led by Milan Skriniar, the Inter Milan centre-back who scored the winning goal in Saint Petersburg. “It’s a shame we weren’t able to at least get a draw,” Lewandowski told Polish state broadcaster TVP. “We weren’t good enough in defence to create clear situations... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3137303/euro-2020-poland-difficult-situation-after-slovakia-defeat-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3137303/euro-2020-poland-difficult-situation-after-slovakia-defeat-says?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 15 Jun 2021 03:49:46 +0000 Shanghai Port striker Marko Arnautovic made history with his matchwinner for Austria in their 3-1 Euro 2020 opening match win over North Macedonia The former West Ham United and Stoke City attacker became the second player from a Chinese Super League club to score at a European Championships. Buruk Yilmaz of Turkey was the first to do so when he netted against the Czech Republic at Euro 2016. Arnautovic’s goal means that the CSL has become the highest scoring non-European league in the 60-year... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3137219/euro-2020-marko-arnautovic-goal-makes-history-chinese-super-league?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3137219/euro-2020-marko-arnautovic-goal-makes-history-chinese-super-league?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 15 Jun 2021 00:00:00 +0000 Belgium star Yannick Carrasco was lauded for his performance in the Red Devils’ 3-0 win over Russia in their Euro 2020 opener on Saturday but not in China by some of his former teammates. The former Dalian Pro player was described as “the most dangerous player on the pitch” by The Independent after starring for Belgium, the same day he was called a “skunk” by former teammate Yang Shanping on social media after comments he made on China made in a press conference last week. The Atletico Madrid... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3137199/euro-2020-star-yannick-carrasco-called-skunk-over-china-comments?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3137199/euro-2020-star-yannick-carrasco-called-skunk-over-china-comments?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 14 Jun 2021 05:35:42 +0000 South Korea captain Son Heung-min sent a message to former Spurs teammate Christian Eriksen after scoring in the country’s 2-1 win over Lebanon on Sunday. Son scored from the spot to put South Korea 2-1 up in Goyang in the final match of their Fifa World Cup Qatar 2022 second round qualifying group before running to the camera. The 28-year-old held up his fingers to mark “23”, Eriksen’s shirt number, before running to the broadcast camera. “Chris, stay strong, I love you,” Son said, with the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3137182/son-heung-min-sends-christian-eriksen-message-after-scoring-south?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3137182/son-heung-min-sends-christian-eriksen-message-after-scoring-south?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 14 Jun 2021 03:25:03 +0000 Denmark’s team doctor said on Sunday that Christian Eriksen’s heart stopped and that “he was gone” before being resuscitated with a defibrillator at the European Championship. Eriksen collapsed during Denmark’s opening Euro 2020 group game against Finland on Saturday and was given lengthy medical treatment before regaining consciousness. “He was gone. And we did cardiac resuscitation. And it was cardiac arrest,” said team doctor Morten Boesen, who led the work in giving Eriksen treatment on the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3137167/euro-2020-christian-eriksens-heart-stopped-and-he-was-gone-being?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3137167/euro-2020-christian-eriksens-heart-stopped-and-he-was-gone-being?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 13 Jun 2021 16:59:30 +0000 Scotland’s first match at a major tournament for 23 years is laced with acrimony for the Czech Republic, who travel to Hampden on Monday having been forced into a last-minute change of training camp and without suspended defender Ondrej Kudela. Kudela was hit with a 10-match ban for racially abusing Rangers midfielder Glen Kamara when Slavia Prague visited Scotland in the Europa League last 16 in March. The widespread condemnation of Kudela in Britain has not been reflected in his homeland,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3137129/euro-2020-czech-republic-seek-revenge-scotland-covid-race-rows?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3137129/euro-2020-czech-republic-seek-revenge-scotland-covid-race-rows?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 13 Jun 2021 05:45:21 +0000 Russia will look to turn the page and forget about a stinging 3-0 loss to Belgium in a tepid performance on home turf, manager Stanislav Cherchesov said after Saturday’s opening Euro 2020 match. Russia face long odds to progress from group B, with inexperienced goalkeeper Anton Shunin and a lack of depth that often renders the team powerless against strong opposition. “We are still in the tournament,” Cherchesov told reporters “We chose our system, which worked partially but then started to... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3137123/euro-2020-russia-look-turn-page-after-belgium-rout-says-manager?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3137123/euro-2020-russia-look-turn-page-after-belgium-rout-says-manager?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 13 Jun 2021 03:43:33 +0000 Denmark’s team doctor described the harrowing moment he realised Christian Eriksen’s pulse had stopped as medics worked desperately to save him in front of traumatised players and a stunned crowd on Saturday. Medics gave the Inter Milan midfielder CPR on the pitch after he collapsed during the Euro 2020 match against Finland in Copenhagen and he was later said to be “awake” in hospital and his condition had stabilised. “We were called on the pitch when Christian fell down, I didn’t see myself... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3137118/euro-2020-we-got-christian-back-says-denmark-doctor-after-eriksen?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3137118/euro-2020-we-got-christian-back-says-denmark-doctor-after-eriksen?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 13 Jun 2021 02:31:41 +0000 Denmark midfielder Christian Eriksen collapsed while playing and was given CPR by medical staff during his side’s Euro 2020 soccer match with Finland in Copenhagen, Denmark on Saturday. The game was suspended. A Reuters photographer at the match saw Eriksen raise his hand as he was carried from the pitch on a stretcher. Eriksen collapsed suddenly in the 42nd minute of the match while running near the left touchline. Teammates Martin Braithwaite and Thomas Delaney rushed to assist him, with... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3137107/denmarks-christian-eriksen-given-cpr-medial-staff-after-collapsing?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3137107/denmarks-christian-eriksen-given-cpr-medial-staff-after-collapsing?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 12 Jun 2021 17:45:20 +0000 Former Spurs boss Jose Mourinho says that England need their own Son Heung-min to get the best out of skipper Harry Kane in the Uefa European Championships this summer. Mourinho, who was sacked by Spurs in April, was speaking to TalkSport radio ahead of the start of Euro 2020 on Friday. England begin their campaign against the 2018 Fifa World Cup finalists Croatia at Wembley on Sunday. “What’s needed is what we tried at Tottenham,” the incoming Roma manager told the radio station in an interview... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3137075/euro-2020-england-need-son-heung-min-get-best-out-harry-kane-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3137075/euro-2020-england-need-son-heung-min-get-best-out-harry-kane-says?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 12 Jun 2021 08:50:27 +0000 Postponed by a year, the biggest sporting event since the coronavirus brought the world to a halt kicked off Friday at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome – a milestone both for European and world sports. The opening match of soccer’s European Championship was played in the capital of Italy, the first country outside Asia to be struck by the pandemic and the first in the world to implement a nationwide lockdown. The tournament represents a major step forward on the path toward recovery after one of the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3137043/start-euro-2020-football-championship-rome-italy-kicks-return-large?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3137043/start-euro-2020-football-championship-rome-italy-kicks-return-large?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 11 Jun 2021 20:44:18 +0000 They are called the Uefa European Football Championships by name but when Euro 2020 kicks off on Friday night in Rome there will be plenty of interest from outside the continent. Interestingly for a tournament where the kick-off times fast become unwatchable for those on Beijing time – only the first two rounds of group stage fixtures start before midnight in China –there is a strong presence of Chinese sponsors. This is not unusual. Chinese interest in major football tournaments tends to be off... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3136965/china-firms-aiming-win-big-euro-2020-just-fifa-world-cup?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3136965/china-firms-aiming-win-big-euro-2020-just-fifa-world-cup?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 11 Jun 2021 09:18:18 +0000 With just two days to go until kick-off on June 11, it’s probably about time you had your Euro 2020 fantasy football squad completely sorted. If you haven’t, don’t worry – the Post has had you covered over the last week, with our picks for forwards, midfielders and defenders. And now it’s time for the final piece of the puzzle, when it comes to spending your 100 million budget on Uefa’s official fantasy game. Here are our picks for goalkeepers, of which you’ll need two, going into match day one... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3136650/euro-2020-fantasy-football-tips-which-goalkeepers-should-i-pick?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3136650/euro-2020-fantasy-football-tips-which-goalkeepers-should-i-pick?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 09 Jun 2021 09:38:22 +0000 We’re just over three days out from the big kick-off at Euro 2020, and that means you’re running out of time to nail down your fantasy football squad. By now, you should have a good idea of roughly how you want to spend your 100 million budget, with a four-week feast of football set to get under way on Friday, June 11. The Post has already brought you our tips for which forwards and midfielders to pick, and now it’s time to turn our attentions to that backline – the bedrock of any international... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3136531/euro-2020-fantasy-football-tips-which-defenders-should-i-pick-safe?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3136531/euro-2020-fantasy-football-tips-which-defenders-should-i-pick-safe?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 08 Jun 2021 12:16:37 +0000 We’re under a week away until kick-off for the 2020 Uefa European Championship, and that means the clock is ticking for you to get your fantasy football team sorted. The Post kicked off our series of fantasy tips for the international tournament with our suggestions for which forwards you should pick earlier this week. But now it’s time to choose perhaps the most important part of your squad, with Uefa’s official Euro 2020 fantasy game requiring you to pick five midfield players among your €100... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3136253/euro-2020-fantasy-football-tips-which-midfielders-should-i-pick?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3136253/euro-2020-fantasy-football-tips-which-midfielders-should-i-pick?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 06 Jun 2021 10:21:51 +0000 After a year’s wait, though it feels like much longer, Euro 2020 is almost upon us. The 24-team, 51-game festival of football played across 11 European cities has been hampered by Covid-19 but even a 12-month wait can derail the Euros. With the squads picked, bets made and final tune-ups played, it’s time to get the show on the road to see who will follow holders Portugal to get their name on the trophy. It kicks off with Turkey playing Italy in Rome’s Stadio Olimpico on June 11 (2am, June 12 in... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3136195/how-watch-euro-2020-hong-kong-nowtv-nowe-app-and-viutv-channel-99?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3136195/how-watch-euro-2020-hong-kong-nowtv-nowe-app-and-viutv-channel-99?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 06 Jun 2021 01:00:27 +0000