A police operation is underway in Hamburg ahead of this afternoon’s Euro 2024 game between Poland and the Netherlands after a man threatened officers with a pickaxe and an incendiary device.
The incident took place in the St Pauli area of the city, close to a fan park housing thousands of football fans.
A statement from Hamburg police read: “At St Pauli there is currently a major police operation.
“According to initial findings, a person threatened police officers with a pickaxe and an incendiary device. The police then used their firearms. The attacker was injured and is currently receiving medical treatment.”
Auf #StPauli kommt es aktuell zu einem größeren Polizeieinsatz. Nach ersten Erkenntnissen hat eine Person Polizeikräfte mit einer Spitzhacke und einem Brandsatz bedroht. Die Einsatzkräfte machten in der Folge von ihrer Schusswaffe Gebrauch. Der Angreifer wurde dabei verletzt und… pic.twitter.com/gSCVwbq2NH
Bayern Munich midfielder Aleksandar Pavlovic has signed a new five-year deal at the Allianz Arena.
The 20-year-old, who was called up to the Germany squad for Euro 2024 only to be forced out through tonsillitis, was one of the few bright spots in a disappointing season for Bayern as they relinquished their Bundesliga title to Bayer Leverkusen.
Pavlovic came through the Bayern academy and is thrilled to be extending his stay at his hometown club.
He told the club’s official website: “Unfortunately, this tonsillitis has denied me my dream of playing in the European Championship on home turf, which is very disappointing – but I’m thrilled that my contract with FC Bayern has been extended until 2029.
“It shows the club has trust in me, which I’m eager to repay. FC Bayern is my home. I’m proud, happy and grateful, want to win trophies with the team and continue my personal development.”
Bayern sporting director Christoph Freund added: “It’s been wonderful following Aleksandar Pavlović’s incredible development over the last few months.
“He immediately established himself as a core member of the first team from his very first season and even went on to play for his national team.
“He may be young, but he radiates calm and gives the team a sense of security. He carries FC Bayern in his heart and we’re looking forward to the years ahead.”
Italy head coach Luciano Spalletti says he cares most about playing good football after his side got over the line against Albania at Euro 2024.
The defending champions had a nightmare start, conceding within 30 seconds and putting their qualification from Group B at immediate risk.
With Croatia and Spain the other teams competing with the Azzurri, it was a must-win game for Spalletti’s men.
And they regrouped to comeback against the Eastern Europeans, scoring through Alessandro Bastoni who found himself unmarked in the box 10 minutes after conceding.
Nicolo Barella then gave his side the lead five minutes later, striking the sweet spot and putting Italy in the driving seat.
It was a messy second half but the Italians did enough to get over the line, easing the pressure on them ahead of their two tough upcoming matches.
Defending champions Italy got their Euro 2024 campaign off to a great start by beating Albania 2-1 in Dortmund.
Before Luciano Spalletti’s side could even get to grips with the game, they were 1-0 down.
Albania were 1-0 up inside 23 seconds, a new record that smashed the previous fastest goal in the European Championships.
Nedim Bajrami was on hand to fire a close range effort past Italy captain Gianluigi Donnarumma and stun almost everyone inside the stadium, including the 50,000 Albania fans.
The game plan for the underdogs was playing out to perfection and they had plenty more chances on the counter-attack in the opening 15 minutes of the game.
However, the Azzurri found a way back into the game before the nerves had really started to heighten.
A short corner was taken before being delivered into box towards an unmarked Alessandro Bastoni.
Italy were tasked with committing players forward and trying to break them down, but things had started to settle down as we approached the half-time whistle.
Italy hit the post just before the break and while they would have liked to have head down the tunnel with a two-goal advantage, they will still have been happy with their efforts.
Euro fever has swept the continent, but the second-half of the match was a struggle to watch.
There were a very limited number of chances for either side, although Albania had a great opportunity from a free kick but there was a brave Italian body in the way.
Although Albania’s defence was standing firm, there was little in terms of attacking threat.
The reigning champions looked comfortable and it never felt like an equaliser was coming.
However there was a huge chance in the dying minutes that was kept out by Donnarumma, who can put his hand up for playing a huge part in picking up three points.
The win was essential for Italy as they look towards two tough games in the remaining group stage rounds.
What next?
There is still plenty of football to be played in Group B and while it is important to get off, it does not have to make or break your tournament.
Italy are next in action against Spain on 20 June, where a win could take them through to the knockout stages.
Their final match will pit them against Croatia on 24 June.
For Albania, things do not get any easier.
First up is Croatia on 19 June before Spain on 24 June.
Unfortunately for Albania, they are likely going to need a win somewhere if they are to make it through to the knockouts.
Dean Carr is a big sports fan with a keen interest in football and major US sports, in particular. Dean keeps a close eye on all things sports betting, looking at recent betting trends, news, and offers from both sides of the pond for readers.
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) June 15, 2024
“After speaking to Tony [Bloom], Paul [Barber] and David [Weir] it was clear they are highly ambitious. Brighton have a unique history and a bold vision for the future so I am truly excited to be part of the project.
“The club has made incredible progress over the last few seasons and the aim is to continue building on that success.”
Brighton chairman Bloom added: “From the start of the process to appoint our new head coach, Fabian was always a standout candidate and one who had caught our attention with his exceptional work at St Pauli over the past eighteen months.
“He has a style of play that aligns with how we want a Brighton & Hove Albion team to play, and I’m confident it is one our supporters will appreciate and enjoy.
“Fabian also has an excellent coaching pedigree and has worked with the German federation at various age group levels. We are really excited to start working with Fabian to prepare for the upcoming season.”
Lionel Messi has warned “nothing will be easy” for Argentina as they prepare to defend their Copa America crown.
Messi was at his sparkling best as Lionel Scaroni’s men won their final warm-up game 4-1 against Guatemala in Washington, scoring twice to add to a brace from Inter striker Lautaro Martinez.
Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez’s own goal had given Guatemala a surprise lead before Messi took control of the game.
Argentina are not just continental champions but also world champions following their triumph in Qatar in 2022 but Messi was preaching caution ahead of the Copa, which gets under way on June 20 when they take on Canada in Atlanta.
The Inter Miami star said: “We will continue to give the maximum and we are eager to keep trying to continue achieving things as we say all the time.
“It’s going to be more and more difficult, it’s not going to be easy at all because the games are getting harder and harder. Winning is becoming more difficult but we are going to try again.”
Former Arsenal and Everton striker Kevin Campbell has died. He was 54.
Campbell was admitted to hospital last month after falling ill and his death was announced this morning by his former clubs.
Campbell broke through at Arsenal in 1988 and, after series of loans, played a key part in the run-in as the Gunners claimed the First Division title in the 1990-91 season.
He went on to win the FA Cup, the League Cup and the European Cup Winners’ Cup before joining Nottingham Forest in 1995.
A short spell at Trabzonspor was followed by six years at Everton, where he established himself as a fans’ favourite.
Stints at West Brom and Cardiff City came next before he hung up his boots in 2007, after which he carved out a career in the media.
An Arsenal statement read: “We are devastated to learn that our former striker Kevin Campbell has died after a short illness.
“Kevin was adored by everyone at the club. All of us are thinking of his friends and family at this difficult time.
“Rest in peace, Kevin.”
We are devastated to learn that our former striker Kevin Campbell has died after a short illness.
Kevin was adored by everyone at the club. All of us are thinking of his friends and family at this difficult time.
The flag’s in the window, the fridge is stocked, you’ve saved up your annual leave and a mad month of dreams and despair is finally upon us. Euro 2024 is here.
It’s been 58 years since the last and only time England’s men lifted a major trophy. Too long. The wait is over, surely?
We won’t know for sure until bedtime on Sunday, July 14, but should you book the Monday off now and beat the rush?
You can’t set off on a journey into the unknown without some kind of a map, so let’s have a look at the path upon which England will embark this weekend.
What do we know for sure?
England face Serbia in their opening Group C game in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday (8pm BST) before taking on Denmark in Frankfurt four days later and finishing the group stage with a game against Slovenia in Cologne on June 25.
Well that’s dangerous talk, but the bookies certainly think so.
Should England indeed finish top of Group C they would then play their Round of 16 game back in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday, June 30, against a third-placed side from Groups D, E or F – potentially Poland, Czech Republic or Ukraine.
The winner of that encounter would then face a trip to Dusseldorf for the quarter-final on July 6, where they might expect to come up against defending champions Italy, should they finish as runners-up behind Spain in Group B.
The side who progresses to the semi-final in Dortmund on July 10 would be likely to find France waiting for them in the last-four.
Whichever side prevails on that side of the draw can expect to take on Portugal, Spain or, gulp, Germany, in the final in Berlin’s Olympiastadion on July 14.
Sounds hard. What if England finish as runners-up?
It’s potentially even harder! Should England finish second in their group they will head to Dortmund on June 29 for the Round of 16 where they would face the winners of Group A – you’d expect that to be Germany.
England did oust their old foes at that same stage at Wembley in the previous tournament but could they repeat the feat with the tables turned on German soil in a Saturday night game? Imagine the hype on that one for a second. Shivers.
The winner of that tie would, after they finish celebrating, go through to a quarter-final in Stuttgart on July 5, with Spain or Italy the potential opposition at that stage.
Whoever gets through that tie can expect to line-up against Portugal in the semi-final in Munich on July 9.
The final, in Berlin, would pit the winner of that encounter against, in all likelihood, France – on Bastille Day, July 14. What a prospect.
Actually no. There is also a way of progressing, even if disaster strikes in the group stage and England do not finish in the top two in Group C.
The four best third-placed finishers across the six groups will join the 12 teams who finish first and second in their groups in going through to the next stage.
At Euro 2016, the first expanded tournament where this 24-team format was used, Portugal qualified from Group F despite only earning three draws, while Northern Ireland also progressed with three points and a goal difference of zero after winning one and losing two games in Group C.
At Euro 2020 Ukraine actually qualified from Group C with three points from three games and a goal difference of minus one, having lost two of their three group games.
Should England find themselves in third place then their ‘reward’ would be a last-16 clash with Portugal or Belgium, though should they manage to get through that then things might actually open up from there with the Netherlands the most daunting potential quarter-final opposition before the truly big-guns reconvene in the last-four.
So in conclusion…
Runners-up seems to be the very definition of doing things the hard way. It’s almost preferable to finish third and take the short-term pain for long-term gain option.
There are no easy games and to be the best you have to beat the best, but you also have to grow into a tournament and peak at the right time. England’s best chance of doing that would seem to be by topping Group C and building-up for a potentially decisive encounter with France in the semi-final.
Whoever wins that, you’d think, would be strong favourites to go on and lift the trophy in Berlin – though surely nobody can ever write off the Germans, especially on home soil.
Whatever happens, it’s going to be a month of memories which will last a lifetime, one way or another.
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
Cookie
Duration
Description
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional
11 months
The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy
11 months
The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
