Reading the Game ⚽ Euro 2024 edition!

The Independent’s football newsletter ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     [The Independent](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTtIgP0SfaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvP2xpZD1odXd0cGxscjd6ZmImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1SZWFkaW5nIHRoZSBHYW1lIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMTQtMDYtMjAyNCZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfRm9vdGJhbGxfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZlEhTWxmXEtZ7VIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) Friday, June 14, 2024   ~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTtIgP0S0aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvYXV0aG9yL21pZ3VlbC1kZWxhbmV5P2xpZD1ldWltMG54cjI3cm4mdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1SZWFkaW5nIHRoZSBHYW1lIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMTQtMDYtMjAyNCZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfRm9vdGJhbGxfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZlEhTWxmXEtZ7VIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj ~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTtIgP0S0aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvYXV0aG9yL21pZ3VlbC1kZWxhbmV5P2xpZD03YTQ3NnFoYXFtaWcmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1SZWFkaW5nIHRoZSBHYW1lIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMTQtMDYtMjAyNCZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfRm9vdGJhbGxfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZlEhTWxmXEtZ7VIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj ~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTtIgP0SuaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvP2xpZD1vY2V2NGlyZWwzMjMmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1SZWFkaW5nIHRoZSBHYW1lIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMTQtMDYtMjAyNCZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfRm9vdGJhbGxfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZlEhTWxmXEtZ7VIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj Southgate maybe expects more than most If there has been some doubt about England’s campaign and how they’re going to going, you wouldn’t get that sense from Gareth Southgate. This is as excited as he’s looked and spoken before any tournament so far. It’s striking. It’s as if [a lot of inhibitions have been removed, in a few senses](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTtIgP0TmaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvZW5nbGFuZC1ldXJvLTIwMjQtcHJldmlldy1nYXJldGgtc291dGhnYXRlLWIyNTYxNzU3Lmh0bWw_bGlkPXRxMWl6ajc4Zm1meSZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVJlYWRpbmcgdGhlIEdhbWUgTmV3c2xldHRlciAxNC0wNi0yMDI0JnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9Gb290YmFsbF9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgpmUSFNbGZcS1ntUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~). Many will put that into the context of his future, and how this is likely to be his last tournament. That isn’t yet fully decided. One of the reasons he’s so enthused is the very youth of this group. There’s a good chemistry around England’s Blankenhain base, too. That may yet be enough to convince Southgate to stay, in the same way the good outlook of the group persuaded him after the 2022 World Cup. Much depends on performance, of course. England do [actually want to win this tournament](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTtIgP0TYaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvaGFycnkta2FuZS1lbmdsYW5kLWV1cm8tMjAyNC1iMjU2MTE1MS5odG1sP2xpZD16cWxteXFiczd3dzcmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1SZWFkaW5nIHRoZSBHYW1lIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMTQtMDYtMjAyNCZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfRm9vdGJhbGxfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZlEhTWxmXEtZ7VIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj). There is little appetite now for hard-luck stories. That’s where the youth can itself be an inhibition as much as a positive. Is there enough experience in this squad? The Serbia game on Sunday will start to offer some clarity. Southgate is feeling a bit more sure on his midfield, where it now looks like Trent Alexander-Arnold could start alongside Declan Rice. There is still consideration for Adam Wharton. Mbappe as primed and ready as the hosts One player who very much isn’t feeling any club-influenced fatigue about this European Championship is the biggest star here: Kylian Mbappe. It’s been said in this newsletter before that the French star is probably more obsessed with the game’s history and legacy than any other modern player. [He very much sees these Euros in that context](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTtIgP0TiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwva3lsaWFuLW1iYXBwZS1mcmFuY2UtZ2VybWFueS1ldXJvLTIwMjQtYjI1MTg2NzIuaHRtbD9saWQ9cm5mMDFkZ241d2Z5JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249UmVhZGluZyB0aGUgR2FtZSBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDE0LTA2LTIwMjQmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX0Zvb3RiYWxsX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmZRIU1sZlxLWe1SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~). He wants to become one of the first to win all three international trophies in the Euros, World Cup and Nations League. Just 34 so far have won both the World Cup and Euros. Mbappe is also relatively refreshed from what was an undemanding final few months at Paris Saint-Germain. That could make a huge difference. There’s a similar spirit to the German and Portuguese camps, who both feel[they have enjoyed sharp rises as the tournament got closer](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTtIgP0TeaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvZ2VybWFueS1ldXJvLTIwMjQtc3F1YWQtbmFnZWxzbWFubi1iMjU1NzExMC5odG1sP2xpZD05anl2ZjVuMWN4Y3AmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1SZWFkaW5nIHRoZSBHYW1lIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMTQtMDYtMjAyNCZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfRm9vdGJhbGxfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZlEhTWxmXEtZ7VIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj). Julian Nagelsmann caught the spirit when he spoke about a “nervous buzz” in the host camp. It’s the right kind of energy. Scotland, however, [feel they have a plan to disrupt that](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTtIgP0TlaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvc2NvdGxhbmQtZXVyby0yMDI0LWFuZHktcm9iZXJ0c29uLWdlcm1hbnktYjI1NjIyNjkuaHRtbD9saWQ9NG8zMWR1bHlxMXdsJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249UmVhZGluZyB0aGUgR2FtZSBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDE0LTA2LTIwMjQmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX0Zvb3RiYWxsX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmZRIU1sZlxLWe1SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~). Euros player fatigue fires legal move against calendar For all that enthusiasm, and the way just being in Germany among hundreds of thousands of fans reminds you what football and tournaments are supposed to be about, there are a number of players who aren’t that excited about being here. Many of them also resent that they feel that way. It isn’t really their fault. They know this is big and want to be ready for it, but many are just hanging on in terms of fatigue, both physical and psychological. The great frustration is that, [rather than this feeling “special” in the way it’s supposed to](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTtIgP0TsaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvZXVyby0yMDI0LWVuZ2xhbmQtZnJhbmNlLWdlcm1hbnktcG9ydHVnYWwtd2lubmVyLWIyNTYyMjg4Lmh0bWw_bGlkPWZvMDlhZHB5anBjcSZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVJlYWRpbmcgdGhlIEdhbWUgTmV3c2xldHRlciAxNC0wNi0yMDI0JnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9Gb290YmFsbF9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgpmUSFNbGZcS1ntUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~), it’s just become the next part in the non-stop rolling football calendar. This is the shortest ever break between the Champions League final and start of the Euros, which is all the more remarkable given they’re both Uefa events. It’s consequently symbolic and hugely significant that the eve of the tournament saw the Professional Footballers’ Association join the legal action against Fifa over the international match calendar. The strong belief from numerous stakeholders is that there’s no way the expanded Club World Cup that is due to take place in summer 2025 in the US can fit into the calendar, but nobody has admitted it yet. Fifa can’t even confirm stadiums only a year out. The big clubs are similarly agitating for prize money. This all might be when things start to give. Ten Hag makes enough of a case but Frank has impact Of course, with the modern game, there can’t even be a few days building up to the Euros without major club news. Manchester United on Tuesday confirmed that Erik ten Hag would be staying, just when everyone else switched focus.[It was of course huge news for one of the world’s biggest clubs](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTtIgP0TiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvZXJpay10ZW4taGFnLW1hbmNoZXN0ZXItdW5pdGVkLW1hbmFnZXItYjI1NjEyNDMuaHRtbD9saWQ9NnQzYTA4ZnRrc3N5JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249UmVhZGluZyB0aGUgR2FtZSBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDE0LTA2LTIwMjQmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX0Zvb3RiYWxsX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmZRIU1sZlxLWe1SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) but less surprising than it would have been three weeks ago. The FA Cup final did change things. INEOS were highly conscious of the fan response but also how Ten Hag approached and won the game, which bolstered the argument that he deserved more of a chance [under a new structure](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTtIgP0TkaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvbWFuY2hlc3Rlci11bml0ZWQtZXJpay10ZW4taGFnLXRyYW5zZmVycy1iMjU2MTI2MC5odG1sP2xpZD1zZXkzY3R1dnc2aGMmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1SZWFkaW5nIHRoZSBHYW1lIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMTQtMDYtMjAyNCZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfRm9vdGJhbGxfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZlEhTWxmXEtZ7VIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj). More persuasive still was probably the reality that no other candidate yet convinced United of the need for change. That’s why the eventual decision actually became less surprising as the weeks went on. Thomas Frank actually gave one of the most convincing interviews, but the feeling was it was a huge step from Brentford to United. It is still of course a somewhat absurd situation that the club were speaking to other managers while deciding on the current manager’s future. He was essentially being interviewed for his own job. He has succeeded, although there was of course one figure United greatly admire they didn’t get to speak to: Gareth Southgate.   Key Euro 2024 bookmarks ~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTtIgP0TjaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvZXVyby0yMDI0LWZpeHR1cmVzLXNjaGVkdWxlLWRhdGVzLXRpbWVzLWIyNTYxOTc5Lmh0bWw_bGlkPWU4aXVsOGNqNzQ4NyZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVJlYWRpbmcgdGhlIEdhbWUgTmV3c2xldHRlciAxNC0wNi0yMDI0JnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9Gb290YmFsbF9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgpmUSFNbGZcS1ntUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~ [Euro 2024 fixtures: TV schedule, dates and kick-off times at Euro 2024](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTtIgP0TjaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvZXVyby0yMDI0LWZpeHR1cmVzLXNjaGVkdWxlLWRhdGVzLXRpbWVzLWIyNTYxOTc5Lmh0bWw_bGlkPTN4OWw2YzQ0ZnVlNCZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVJlYWRpbmcgdGhlIEdhbWUgTmV3c2xldHRlciAxNC0wNi0yMDI0JnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9Gb290YmFsbF9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgpmUSFNbGZcS1ntUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) ~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTtIgP0TnaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvZmFudGFzeS1ldXJvLTIwMjQtdGlwcy1zY29yaW5nLWJlc3QtcGxheWVycy1iMjU2MTk1NC5odG1sP2xpZD1lZnQwZHB2aThrNWkmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1SZWFkaW5nIHRoZSBHYW1lIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMTQtMDYtMjAyNCZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfRm9vdGJhbGxfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZlEhTWxmXEtZ7VIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj [Fantasy Euro 2024 guide and tips: Best players, how to score and bargain signings to consider](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTtIgP0TnaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvZmFudGFzeS1ldXJvLTIwMjQtdGlwcy1zY29yaW5nLWJlc3QtcGxheWVycy1iMjU2MTk1NC5odG1sP2xpZD0ycXdlYmI4eDA3dm8mdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1SZWFkaW5nIHRoZSBHYW1lIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMTQtMDYtMjAyNCZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfRm9vdGJhbGxfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZlEhTWxmXEtZ7VIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj)   Miguel's Dispatches To walk around Munich on Thursday was to be reminded what international tournaments - and just football - are supposed to be about. There were tens of thousands of good-spirited fans clamoured in Marienplatz and beyond, with some Scottish fans singing alongside bagpipe groups and others kicking a ball around with local Germans. These are scenes we haven’t properly seen for some time, since virtually every major tournament since 2016 has seen various reasons that fewer supporters travelled. To be walk around it is to be immediately snapped out of the feeling these Euros haven’t had much of a build-up. Germany is going to be vibrant this month. The hope is it isn’t also seething about trains because that has already brought concerns. This has been billed as the eco-friendly “rail Euros” but that might run into issues if breakdowns and delays continue. There are stories from all over Germany already - not least this newsletter. Every train I have been has been significantly delayed so far. The train from Munich to Erfurt, near England’s base, is supposed to only take just over two hours. For me, it was four hours both journeys. With one, the train conductor announced it would no longer be going to Munich and stopping at Nuremburg - with that one of the last of the night - only to announce 10 minutes later it would actually go to Munich after all, albeit by a much slower route around Augsburg. It has been a huge theme of criticism within Germany in the build-up.   QUOTE OF THE WEEK     “Let’s rock.” Julian Nagelsmann offers the key line from his press conference as German manager on the eve of the Euros   Reading the game quiz Since the Euros went to a full self-contained tournament in 1980, there have been eight different players who scored England’s opening goal in an edition. Name them. ([You can find out the answers here](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTtIgP0TiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvbWlndWVsLWRlbGFuZXktbmV3c2xldHRlci1xdWl6LWFuc3dlcnMtYjIwNzc5NjguaHRtbD9saWQ9bzV3eXJkNGh6cXJkJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249UmVhZGluZyB0aGUgR2FtZSBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDE0LTA2LTIwMjQmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX0Zvb3RiYWxsX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmZRIU1sZlxLWe1SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~). The answer page will be updated weekly and contains answers from previous newsletters, too) [INDYBEST](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTtIgP0SuaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvZXh0cmFzL2luZHliZXN0P2xpZD15dHV5MjNxbXJyaTQmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1SZWFkaW5nIHRoZSBHYW1lIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMTQtMDYtMjAyNCZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfRm9vdGJhbGxfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZlEhTWxmXEtZ7VIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) / [BEST BUYS](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTtIgP0S_aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvZXh0cmFzL2luZHliZXN0L291dGRvb3ItYWN0aXZpdHk_bGlkPWsyb3poZmgwYXB1aSZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVJlYWRpbmcgdGhlIEdhbWUgTmV3c2xldHRlciAxNC0wNi0yMDI0JnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9Gb290YmFsbF9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgpmUSFNbGZcS1ntUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) [Where to buy England shirt ](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTtIgP0T4aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvZXh0cmFzL2luZHliZXN0L291dGRvb3ItYWN0aXZpdHkvZm9vdGJhbGwvZW5nbGFuZC1zaGlydC13aGVyZS1idXktZXVyby0yMDI0LWIyNTYxMzkzLmh0bWw_bGlkPXFhbnpoOWRmMjgzOCZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVJlYWRpbmcgdGhlIEdhbWUgTmV3c2xldHRlciAxNC0wNi0yMDI0JnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9Gb290YmFsbF9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgpmUSFNbGZcS1ntUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) Where to [buy the England Euro 2024](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTtIgP0T4aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvZXh0cmFzL2luZHliZXN0L291dGRvb3ItYWN0aXZpdHkvZm9vdGJhbGwvZW5nbGFuZC1zaGlydC13aGVyZS1idXktZXVyby0yMDI0LWIyNTYxMzkzLmh0bWw_bGlkPXo2azhwM3lxcmlqbiZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVJlYWRpbmcgdGhlIEdhbWUgTmV3c2xldHRlciAxNC0wNi0yMDI0JnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9Gb290YmFsbF9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgpmUSFNbGZcS1ntUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) home and away shirts so you can roar on the Lions.   [myprotein headband](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTtIgP4QGAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmluZGVwZW5kZW50LmNvLnVrL2V4dHJhcy9pbmR5YmVzdC9vdXRkb29yLWFjdGl2aXR5L3Nwb3J0cy1lcXVpcG1lbnQtYWNjZXNzb3JpZXMvbXlwcm90ZWluLXZlbG9jaXR5LWhlYWRiYW5kLWIyNTYxMzA5Lmh0bWw_bGlkPWRtbnZ1Ym9uenJ4cSZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVJlYWRpbmcgdGhlIEdhbWUgTmV3c2xldHRlciAxNC0wNi0yMDI0JnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9Gb290YmFsbF9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgpmUSFNbGZcS1ntUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) This [workout headband from Myprotein](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTtIgP4QGAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmluZGVwZW5kZW50LmNvLnVrL2V4dHJhcy9pbmR5YmVzdC9vdXRkb29yLWFjdGl2aXR5L3Nwb3J0cy1lcXVpcG1lbnQtYWNjZXNzb3JpZXMvbXlwcm90ZWluLXZlbG9jaXR5LWhlYWRiYW5kLWIyNTYxMzA5Lmh0bWw_bGlkPWUwcWFlbTlneHRiMSZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVJlYWRpbmcgdGhlIEdhbWUgTmV3c2xldHRlciAxNC0wNi0yMDI0JnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9Gb290YmFsbF9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgpmUSFNbGZcS1ntUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) is designed to wick away sweat in an instant. ~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTtIgP0SsaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3Vic2NyaWJlL2FwcD9saWQ9ODhjanJnOWd2YXdnJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249UmVhZGluZyB0aGUgR2FtZSBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDE0LTA2LTIwMjQmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX0Zvb3RiYWxsX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmZRIU1sZlxLWe1SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~ ~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTtIgP0StaHR0cHM6Ly9pbmRlcGVuZGVudC5vbmVsaW5rLm1lL25vNXgvZDI1ZTc0Y2M_bGlkPTduczVodWFjYndldiZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVJlYWRpbmcgdGhlIEdhbWUgTmV3c2xldHRlciAxNC0wNi0yMDI0JnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9Gb290YmFsbF9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgpmUSFNbGZcS1ntUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~ Further Euros reading ~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTtIgP0TsaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvZXVyby0yMDI0LWVuZ2xhbmQtZnJhbmNlLWdlcm1hbnktcG9ydHVnYWwtd2lubmVyLWIyNTYyMjg4Lmh0bWw_bGlkPThyeHJiaGl2OWplbiZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVJlYWRpbmcgdGhlIEdhbWUgTmV3c2xldHRlciAxNC0wNi0yMDI0JnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9Gb290YmFsbF9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgpmUSFNbGZcS1ntUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~ [Euro 2024 has the power to save football from itself – for a month at least](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTtIgP0TsaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvZXVyby0yMDI0LWVuZ2xhbmQtZnJhbmNlLWdlcm1hbnktcG9ydHVnYWwtd2lubmVyLWIyNTYyMjg4Lmh0bWw_bGlkPWZzeHI4cDg4MzEyMCZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVJlYWRpbmcgdGhlIEdhbWUgTmV3c2xldHRlciAxNC0wNi0yMDI0JnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9Gb290YmFsbF9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgpmUSFNbGZcS1ntUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) ~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTtIgP0TkaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvZXVyby0yMDI0LXByZWRpY3Rpb25zLXdpbm5lci1nb2xkZW4tYm9vdC1iMjU2MjU2Mi5odG1sP2xpZD00aWdqY2xraWJkOHMmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1SZWFkaW5nIHRoZSBHYW1lIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMTQtMDYtMjAyNCZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfRm9vdGJhbGxfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZlEhTWxmXEtZ7VIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj [Euro 2024 predictions: Winner, Golden Boot, breakout star and more](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTtIgP0TkaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvZXVyby0yMDI0LXByZWRpY3Rpb25zLXdpbm5lci1nb2xkZW4tYm9vdC1iMjU2MjU2Mi5odG1sP2xpZD13OHl6aWQyMHMxaGomdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1SZWFkaW5nIHRoZSBHYW1lIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMTQtMDYtMjAyNCZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfRm9vdGJhbGxfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZlEhTWxmXEtZ7VIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) The Independent proudly partners with [Refuge](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTtIgP4SfAWh0dHBzOi8vZXVyMDIuc2FmZWxpbmtzLnByb3RlY3Rpb24ub3V0bG9vay5jb20vP3VybD1odHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRnJlZnVnZS5vcmcudWslMkYmZGF0YT0wNSU3QzAxJTdDTmlhbWguTWVlaGFuQGluZGVwZW5kZW50LmNvLnVrJTdDMjdlNTZjZGQ3YjAwNDhhYjRhOTcwOGRiNGJlOTYyNDglN0MwZjNhNGM2NDRkYzU0YTc2OGQ0MTUyZDg1Y2ExNThhNSU3QzAlN0MwJTdDNjM4MTg3MjM3OTY1MzA5MTY4JTdDVW5rbm93biU3Q1RXRnBiR1pzYjNkOGV5SldJam9pTUM0d0xqQXdNREFpTENKUUlqb2lWMmx1TXpJaUxDSkJUaUk2SWsxaGFXd2lMQ0pYVkNJNk1uMCUzRCU3QzMwMDAlN0MlN0MlN0Mmc2RhdGE9cXRuNENramFFOWF0Y0lvcjFjbnZiSDZKcGhGZjN2eWl2VjFkTGV1R0RTQSUzRCZyZXNlcnZlZD0wJmxpZD11Mm1neHllNWVnbDNXBXNwY2V1QgpmUSFNbGZcS1ntUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) and the [National Domestic Abuse Helpline](~/AAAHagA~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): 0808 2000 247 [The Independent](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTtIgP0SfaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvP2xpZD02NzRwZDlsaXJiOGMmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1SZWFkaW5nIHRoZSBHYW1lIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMTQtMDYtMjAyNCZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfRm9vdGJhbGxfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZlEhTWxmXEtZ7VIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) Join the conversation or follow us [Twitter](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTtIgP0SgaHR0cHM6Ly90d2l0dGVyLmNvbS9JbmRlcGVuZGVudD9saWQ9MGUzeXA2MnF4eXB3JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249UmVhZGluZyB0aGUgR2FtZSBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDE0LTA2LTIwMjQmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX0Zvb3RiYWxsX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmZRIU1sZlxLWe1SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) [Instagram](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTtIgP0SmaHR0cHM6Ly9pbnN0YWdyYW0uY29tL3RoZS5pbmRlcGVuZGVudD9saWQ9OHo4MjNjY3VxYW82JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249UmVhZGluZyB0aGUgR2FtZSBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDE0LTA2LTIwMjQmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX0Zvb3RiYWxsX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmZRIU1sZlxLWe1SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) [Facebook](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTtIgP0SvaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZmFjZWJvb2suY29tL1RoZUluZGVwZW5kZW50T25saW5lLz9saWQ9M2p6OXNwMWFvOXhiJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249UmVhZGluZyB0aGUgR2FtZSBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDE0LTA2LTIwMjQmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX0Zvb3RiYWxsX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmZRIU1sZlxLWe1SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) Download the free Independent app [Google Play](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTtIgP0StaHR0cHM6Ly9pbmRlcGVuZGVudC5vbmVsaW5rLm1lL3dnaUEvaGdvaG9veno_bGlkPXpvNjRzc2R4Nzk2eSZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVJlYWRpbmcgdGhlIEdhbWUgTmV3c2xldHRlciAxNC0wNi0yMDI0JnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9Gb290YmFsbF9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgpmUSFNbGZcS1ntUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) [Apple App Store](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTtIgP0StaHR0cHM6Ly9pbmRlcGVuZGVudC5vbmVsaW5rLm1lL3dnaUEvaGdvaG9veno_bGlkPWJrYzMxMWxkeTMwOSZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVJlYWRpbmcgdGhlIEdhbWUgTmV3c2xldHRlciAxNC0wNi0yMDI0JnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9Gb290YmFsbF9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgpmUSFNbGZcS1ntUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) [Google Play](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTtIgP0StaHR0cHM6Ly9pbmRlcGVuZGVudC5vbmVsaW5rLm1lL3dnaUEvaGdvaG9veno_bGlkPTdjYjNnOGwyNmE2YiZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVJlYWRpbmcgdGhlIEdhbWUgTmV3c2xldHRlciAxNC0wNi0yMDI0JnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9Gb290YmFsbF9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgpmUSFNbGZcS1ntUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) [Google Play](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTtIgP0StaHR0cHM6Ly9pbmRlcGVuZGVudC5vbmVsaW5rLm1lL3dnaUEvaGdvaG9veno_bGlkPTRtMmk2cXhvYnlpeCZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVJlYWRpbmcgdGhlIEdhbWUgTmV3c2xldHRlciAxNC0wNi0yMDI0JnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9Gb290YmFsbF9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgpmUSFNbGZcS1ntUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) Please do not reply directly to this email You are currently registered to receive The Independent's Football newsletter. To unsubscribe from The Independent's Football newsletter, or to manage your email preferences please [click here](~/AAAHagA~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~). This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 14-18 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1AH. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345 Read our [privacy notice](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTtIgP0TDaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc2VydmljZS9wcml2YWN5LXBvbGljeS1hNjE4NDE4MS5odG1sP2xpZD16bTJ6aDJhODVwcXEmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1SZWFkaW5nIHRoZSBHYW1lIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMTQtMDYtMjAyNCZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfRm9vdGJhbGxfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZlEhTWxmXEtZ7VIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) and [cookie policy](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoTtIgP0TCaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc2VydmljZS9jb29raWUtcG9saWN5LWE2MTg0MTg2Lmh0bWw_bGlkPWlzcDlxeHJsYzhydSZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVJlYWRpbmcgdGhlIEdhbWUgTmV3c2xldHRlciAxNC0wNi0yMDI0JnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9Gb290YmFsbF9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgpmUSFNbGZcS1ntUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~)