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.
Andrew Robertson admitted Scotland didn’t turn up as they lost 5-1 to Germany in their first game of Euro 2024.
The Tartan Army failed to lay a glove on the hosts throughout the encounter at the Allianz Arena, with Ryan Porteous’ first-half red card only adding to the misery.
Florian Wirtz, Jamal Musiala and Kai Havertz put Germany 3-0 up at half-time as Niclas Fullkrug and Emre Can netted after the break, with Antonio Rudiger’s own goal the only consolation for Steve Clarke’s men.
Scotland’s captain told ITV Sport: “First half we just got it all wrong really.
We didn’t really show up, we weren’t aggressive enough, we allowed good players too much time on the ball.
“We obviously had a game plan and we did and their game plan worked and ours didn’t. But it wasn’t because of the [lack of] practice, we just didn’t put it together on the pitch.
It’s a reminder of how tough this tournament is. You’re playing against world-class teams and they showed that today.
“Their big players showed up and they were excellent all over the park and made it really difficult for us. They had an answer for pretty much everything we had.
“But I don’t think we’ve played to our maximum and you have to against the top teams.”
‘We have to sort it quick’
The Liverpool left-back could not hide his disappointment in Munich but insisted he and his team-mates must pick themselves up quickly ahead of facing Switzerland on Tuesday.
Robertson knows they will still be backed by supporters, who played their part generating a brilliant atmosphere in the German capital.
He added: “We’re well backed at this tournament, we know that. We’ve got so many good supporters and today was hugely disappointing.
“But you’re playing against the host nation and it’s the first game and it doesn’t get much tougher than that.
“We have to bounce back quickly because there was a lot that was wrong today and we have to sort it because we have a quick turnaround on Tuesday [vs Switzerland].”
‘I was surprised by Scotland’
Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann said he did not expect his side to win so comfortably after talking up Scotland’s threat before the game.
He said: “I’m happy, I’m satfisifed, it’s not easy to have the first game in our own country.
“We were brilliant in the first 20 minutes, I was happy with the performance.
“We conceded but at the end it’s okay, it’s a good sign that our players complained about conceding.
“I was kind of surprised that Scotland weren’t that aggressive in first 20 minutes. I think they were surprised by our ball possession, it was very concentrated.
“They then defended deeper and didn’t high press as they have in the qualifying games at times.”
Scotland were soundly beaten by Germany in the first game of Euro 2024 as the hosts claimed a dominant 5-1 win at the Allianz Arena.
Florian Wirtz, Jamal Musiala, Kai Havertz were all on target for the brilliant Germans during a first half which saw Scotland reduced to 10 men after Ryan Porteous was sent off.
Substitutes Niclas Fullkrug and Emre Can got in on the act in the second half either side of an own goal by Antonio Rudiger, which gave Scotland something to cheer about on what was a poor start to their European Championship campaign.
Hosts run riot in tournament opener
You could have been forgiven for not knowing which side were the hosts before kick-off, with the Allianz Arena packed with Scottish fans generating a fantastic atsmosphere.
But less than 10 minutes in, Germany fans were the only ones singing as Wirtz got Die Mannschaft’s Euro 2024 off to the perfect start.
Florian Wirtz carries his club form into #Euro2024! 🔥
Joshua Kimmich drove forward on the right before laying into Wirtz’s path and the Bundesliga winner’s finish found the bottom left corner despite Angus Gunn getting a hand to it.
Scotland were 2-0 down minutes later Ilkay Gundogan found Havertz inside the box before teeing up Musiala. The Bayern Munich starlet jinked inside before firing a finish into the roof of the net.
The awareness from Jamal Musiala here is incredible 👀
As if it couldn’t get any worse for Steve Clarke’s men, the Germans were 3-0 and a man up just before half-time.
Havertz converted from the penalty spot after a hefty last-ditch challenge by Portueous on Ilkay Gundogan was adjudged to be a serious foul after a VAR check.
A horror tackle from Ryan Porteous sees him red carded 🔴
There was unsurprisingly a feeling of damage limitation after the break for Scotland, who battled to restrict the hosts to few chances early on in the second half.
Germany’s superiority quickly became clear though, with Wirtz unable to keep a shot down to make it four before a last-ditch Callum McGregor block prevented Gundogan from finding the net from close range.
Havertz and Wirtz were withdrawn on the hour mark but in their place came Fullkrug and Leroy Sane.
Bayrn Munich winger Sane immediately stretched the Scottish defence on the break but he could only muster a soft finish which Gunn easily saved.
But his fellow substitute did find the net moments later, with the Borussia Dortmund picking up a loose ball in the box before cutting in and smashing a fantastic finish into the top corner.
But their joy was short-lived as Can, a late call up to Germany’s squad, found the corner from the edge of the box to cap off a brilliant performance by the hosts.
Clarke described the opener as a “side-act” before kick-off with the bigger games in the group to come, but he will face a task instilling confidence into a side who were well beaten.
Germany will feel they are in an excellent position to top the group now and will undoubtedly be one of the favourites to go all the way on home soil.
Both are next in action on Wednesday as Germany take on Hungary before Scotland face Switzerland.
Germany and Scotland’s line-ups for their Euro 2024 opener have been revealed.
The majority of Scotland’s big names are fit to start, with Andy Robertson, Scott McTominay, John McGinn and Kieran Tierney all present in the XI selected by Steve Clarke.
Southampton striker Che Adams starts up front, with Lyndon Dykes missing the tournament due to injury.
Callum McGregor and Ryan Christie are selected as the Tartan Army’s deeper midfielders, with Billy Gilmour starting in the bench.
Jack Hendry and Ryan Porteuous partner Tierney at centre-back, with Angus Gunn in goal.
— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) June 14, 2024
Hosts Germany’s XI is packed with stars, with an exciting front three of Jamal Musiala, Kai Havertz and Florian Wirtz kicking the tournament off.
Boss Julian Nagelsmann is not short of experience, however, with Toni Kroos in midfield at his final tournament while Ilkay Gundogan, Joshua Kimmich and Maunel Neuer also feature.
The game at the Allianz Arena kicks off in less than an hour’s time at 8pm BST.
‘Respect everyone, fear no one’
Ahead of the game, Clarke urged his Scotland side to ignore the noise while suggesting their bigger games will come later in the group stage.
He said:“It’s the opening game of a four-team section, three matches, we know what we have to do to qualify and that’s all we focus on.
“Everyone is fully fit, flying, desperate to be selected and ready to go.
“The enormity of the opener, however, is a bit of a sideshow and hopefully we don’t get too involved in that.
“It’s a difficult game. One of the mantras I’ve always had is respect everyone and fear no one.
“We have respect for the host nation, we know they’re a good team but hopefully we can show everyone we’re a good team as well.”
Germany ‘nervous’ of Scotland threat
Meanwhile, Germany boss Nagelsmann is under no illusions of the threat their underdog opponents pose.
“We’ve used the days well to train well. The boys seem in good form,” he said ahead of the game. “We are a bit nervous but that’s an important point. We have to have a certain nervousness.”
“Scotland are a very good team that have four or five important players in their group,” he said.
“They put in lots of crosses. They have made big progress in the way they play football. Their mentality is certainly extraordinary.
“We are under more pressure than the Scots. We want to win the opening game. I also demand that we believe in ourselves.
“We have good players and have shown mentality in recent games. We have everything we need and want to bring it onto the pitch.”
Borussia Dortmund have appointed Edin Terzic’s former assistant Nuri Sahin as their new head coach today.
Sahin moved back to Dortmund at the start of the year, having been boss at Antalyaspor, to work under Terzic and helped Dortmund reach the Champions League final only to lose to Real Madrid.
The 35-year-old made 274 appearances for the club as a player in a career that also included spells at Real Madrid and Liverpool.
He takes over from Terzic who resigned yesterday after two years in charge.
“It is a great honour for me to be the coach of Borussia Dortmund,” said Sahin, who has signed a three-year contract at Signal Iduna Park.
“I would like to thank all those responsible at the club for the trust they have placed in me. I am very much looking forward to my job at BVB. We will do everything possible from day one with a lot of energy and great passion to have the maximum possible success.”
Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl added: “Nuri Sahin helped last season to lead our team to the final of the Champions League. He knows from his own experience as a player and as an assistant coach how BVB works – and above all how success works.
“Thanks to his natural authority and expertise, he has very good access to our team and knows what we have to work on together.
“Nuri enjoys our absolute trust, he has our full support.”
Sahin will inherit a squad short on experience with both Mats Hummels and Marco Reus leaving the club this summer.
Mitch is a freelance sports journalist with experience working for LiveScore, GOAL and Colchester United. He has experience working from both his desk at home and in the press box at games covering the Champions League and international football.
Seamus Coleman has signed a new 12-month contract at Everton.
The right-back, who joined Everton in 2009 for a bargain £60,000 from Sligo Rovers, is now tied to the Merseyside club until June 2025.
Coleman has made a record 364 Premier League appearances for Everton and is delighted to be staying for the club’s final season at Goodison Park.
The Republic of Ireland defender told evertontv: “Everyone knows what Everton means to me, and I’m very proud and honoured to sign a new contract and to keep playing for this special club in the best league in the world.
“I give it my all for the football club and I’m just really happy to extend my time here. I’m going to cherish and enjoy every moment.
“It’s hard to believe it’s going to be our last season at Goodison, such a special place to me and every Evertonian. Of course, I want to be part of that.
“I still feel I can do a job for this football club on and off the pitch. This being our last season at Goodison is a nice way to go into the campaign but I wouldn’t have signed the contract if I didn’t feel capable of contributing to the team.
“I’ve just played two matches for my country. I feel good and I want to help the lads on the pitch. I’m still enjoying it so what better place to do that than at the club you love?
“I think the manager steadied that ship massively last season with our performances. I just want to be part of that and to continue to be a part of this football club.”
The 35-year-old played just 12 games last season due to injury but manager Sean Dyche was quick to highlight Coleman’s leadership qualities and what he brings off the field.
He said: “From the day I became Everton manager, Seamus has been a great example to his team-mates and staff on what it means to play for the club.
“He is a model professional and helps set standards, and his leadership is rightly admired by everyone.
“His vast experience and know-how on the pitch will continue to be valuable qualities for us in the season ahead.”
There will be plenty of Sky Bet Euro 2024 Free Bets offers over the next couple of weeks as the tournament is set to kick off this evening with the opening match between Germany and Scotland. Sky Bet already went in with this unusual enhanced odds offer where new customers can get odds of 50/1, […]
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