Tag: Euro 2024

Serbia flew Novak Djokovic in for Euro 2024 as a good-luck charm against Denmark

Novak Djokovic found time for his country during a tough moment of his career.

A torn meniscus at this year’s French Open might threaten the end of Novak Djokovic’s legendary tennis career. However, as Wimbledon nears at the start of next month, Djokovic’s status is still in question, and he doesn’t appear to be stressed about it.

How could he be if he was in attendance at Euro 2024 all the way in Munich?

With Serbia’s tournament chances on the line against Denmark on Tuesday, the country flew in Djokovic, arguably the greatest athlete in the small nation’s history, to try and rally the troops. After Djokovic practiced earlier in the day, further addressing his health for Wimbledon will have to wait for now.

Given Djokovic’s legendary status amongst his countrypeople, having him around is not a bad bet at all:

Barring a win over Denmark with impossible on-paper odds, the Serbians will likely be done in Euro 2024. Having Djokovic around as a good-luck charm really might swing those odds.

Daniel Sturridge is going through it sitting next to Alexi Lalas

Welcome to American television!

Daniel Sturridge is getting quite the introduction to the world of American punditry.

The ex-England international is making his debut with Fox Sports this summer, serving as a studio analyst for the network’s coverage of Euro 2024.

Also serving as a studio analyst is notorious pot-stirrer Alexi Lalas, who continues to grace the airwaves with his unabashed style of punditry.

Lalas provided another example of his freeform commentary during a segment on Thursday, taking aim at England in a rant featuring a Justin Timberlake reference, a pointed mention of the very British term “whinging” and, of course, lots of yelling.

Sitting next to the ex-U.S. international, Sturridge could hardly contain himself, burying his head in his hand at one point while offering plenty of side-eyes to his colleague.

At the end of his diatribe, Lalas turned to Sturridge and demanded to know where he would play Phil Foden if he were in charge of England.

“Don’t put this on me Alexi,” was all could Sturridge could muster before breaking out in exasperated laughter.

Welcome to American television, Studge!

Watch Lalas go on England rant

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Kylian Mbappe’s mask is here, and it is very French

The France star will have a new look going forward at Euro 2024

Kylian Mbappé has introduced his first mask, but it doesn’t look like it will be one he’ll be able to use in a game.

The France star suffered a broken nose in his side’s Euro 2024 opener against Austria, colliding with defender Kevin Danso near the end of France’s 1-0 win.

It was immediately apparent that Mbappé had broken his nose, which appeared to be out of place as blood poured out onto the striker’s jersey.

It was also quickly apparent that the Real Madrid forward would be sporting a new look whenever he appeared on the pitch next.

Just hours after the injury, Mbappé was on social media asking his followers if they had any mask ideas.

In France’s training on Thursday, one day before a marquee matchup against the Netherlands, Mbappé debuted his first effort — and it was not the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle mask he was once gifted. 

Mbappé showed up on the training pitch in a patriotic mask that featured the colors and pattern of the French flag. On one side was his initials “KM” while on the other, his number 10 featured in between two stars.

In the middle was the Gallic rooster — a national symbol of France that also appears on the French team’s crest.

(Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)

Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear that the striker will actually be able to wear his mask during a game. According to UEFA rules, masks have to be just one color and free of team and sponsor logos.

As for when the superstar will actually debut a mask in a game, France coach Didier Deschamps sounded optimistic it could be against the Netherlands.

“Everything is going well, after the shock we had. He was able to take part in some light exercises yesterday, and that will be the same this evening. Everything is evolving in the right direction,” Deschamps said Thursday in his pre-match press conference.

“We’ll do all we can to ensure that he’ll be available tomorrow.”

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Kylian Mbappe’s facemask for his broken nose makes him look like a French superhero

Captain France is here!

What would Kylian Mbappe wear for a mask at Euro 2024 after he broke his nose?

That’s what so many soccer fans wanted to know after the French superstar asked on social media for suggestions. The choices ranged from Bane’s iconic look to LeBron James’ mask.

But Mbappe went with something that’s more country-appropriate: a blue, white and red mask that covers most of the upper part of his face, and it looks like it says “KM” on it.

He looks like Captain France if there was such a thing in the MCU, and some folks liked it a lot (although there were Ninja Turtle jokes):

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Amadou Onana, who is very much not Andre Onana, brushes off reporter’s gaffe

Amadou Onana’s English accent is perfect, while a reporter’s ability to tell people apart is not

Belgium has a soccer player named Amadou Onana, while André Onana (no relation) plays for Cameroon.

These two simple facts are important to keep in mind, particularly if you’re seeking a quote at Euro 2024.

Amadou Onana had to endure a reporter’s inability to keep those concepts in mind as the midfielder took questions following Belgium’s 1-0 loss to Slovakia on Monday.

After concluding an answer in French for one reporter, Onana’s attention was requested by another journalist in English. In the world of international soccer — particularly in a country like Belgium, which has three official languages — that sort of flexibility is the norm.

Sadly for the reporter, he couldn’t show the same ability to adapt to the information that, as was discussed earlier, this was Amadou Onana, the Belgium midfielder.

“André, just one question,” began the journalist, apparently mistaking a player at Euro 2024 for the Manchester United goalkeeper, who again does not play for a European country.

Onana, displaying some linguistic nimbleness, pivoted to a perfect English accent to cut him off.

“André is not even my name, mate,” said the 22-year-old. “Do you know what I mean?”

Before the reporter could correct himself, Onana gestured to a different member of the press corps and said “go on,” taking that journalist’s question.

It’s not hard to sort why Onana would be irritated. The stereotype that Black people all look alike is persistent, and in fact the Everton man doesn’t bear any particular resemblance to Cameroon’s No. 1.

On top of that, it implies that one Onana merits remembering while the other does not, which is especially strange when you’re reporting on Euro 2024, a competition André Onana literally cannot play in.

Amadou Onana: ‘André is not even my name’

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Spain vs. Italy: How to watch Euro 2024, TV channel, live stream

Two European powers clash at Euro 2024

Spain and Italy will clash in a high-profile Euro 2024 group-stage match on Thursday in Gelsenkirchen.

Both teams began their tournaments with a win, as Spain cruised past Croatia 3-0 and Italy defeated Albania 2-1.

After Albania’s draw with Croatia on Wednesday, both teams will be able to lock up a spot in the round of 16 with a victory in this match.

Spain dominated Croatia in its opener after goals from Fabián Ruiz, Álvaro Morata and Dani Carvajal, as well as a star performance from the youngest player in Euros history, 16-year-old Lamine Yamal.

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Italy fell behind within 23 seconds against Albania, but quickly recovered for a win thanks to goals from Alessandro Bastoni and Nicolò Barella.

Spain will be looking to win the Euros for a record fourth time, most recently securing the title on back-to-back occasions in 2008 and 2012.

This game will be a rematch of the 2012 final, which saw Spain dominate Italy in a 4-0 victory.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the match.

Spain vs. Italy (Euro 2024)

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Denmark vs. England: How to watch Euro 2024, TV channel, live stream

The Three Lions look to seal a spot in the knockout stage with a win over the Danes

England will look to lock up a spot in the knockout stage when it faces Denmark in a Euro 2024 match on Thursday.

The Three Lions began the tournament with a 1-0 win over Serbia, as Jude Bellingham’s first-half goal was enough to secure victory. The team’s performance has been criticized by fans and media alike, and Gareth Southgate’s side will look for an improved display against the Danish.

Denmark began its tournament with a 1-1 draw against Slovenia, as Christian Eriksen’s goal provided a true feel-good moment following his cardiac arrest at Euro 2020.

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That result left England fully in control atop Group C, sitting two points above Denmark and Slovenia and three points ahead of Serbia after one match.

England and Denmark last met in the semifinal of Euro 2020, as Harry Kane’s extra-time goal sent the Three Lions into the final with a 1-0 win.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the match.

Denmark vs. England (Euro 2024)

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Landon Donovan had a hilarious explanation for his wild hairstyle at Euro 2024 in text to former teammate

The explanation we all waited for.

Former U.S. men’s national team star and current Fox Sports analyst Landon Donovan had soccer fans utterly confused on Monday when he appeared on the network’s Euro 2024 pregame coverage for France-Austria with a hairstyle that looked like a lost bet.

The USMNT legend was apparently well aware of the internet’s reaction to the haircut, but he also wanted to clear it all up with an explanation.

In a text message exchange shared by former Los Angeles Galaxy teammate Mike Magee, Donovan said he recently had a hair transplant procedure done, which involved harvesting the hair on the back of his head, leaving a noticeable bald spot beyond his sideburns.

I particularly love how Donovan decided to get the procedure just a couple weeks before he was due to be on TV for a month. Elite scheduling.

Donovan was evidently told that it wouldn’t show up on camera, but he couldn’t even make it through the first week of Euro 2024 without Fox’s viewers clearly seeing the hairstyle. Magee had the best reaction to that excuse, asking if former Mexico captain Rafael Márquez told him it wouldn’t be visible on TV.

Well played, Mike.

Donovan also seemed to be a good sport about the internet’s reaction, saying he deserved to be roasted for the look. And, trust me, he absolutely was.

This was how Twitter/X reacted

We now have an explanation for Landon Donovan’s avant-garde haircut

The USMNT legend’s bizarre hairstyle quickly went viral

When Landon Donovan appeared on TV on Monday and turned slightly to the side, every Fox viewer was immediately left with the same question: What on earth is going on with his hair?

The U.S. men’s national team legend, who now serves as the lead match analyst for Fox Sports’ coverage of Euro 2024, had a bizarre gap in the side of his hair. It was as if his barber picked up and left mid-haircut.

This being social media we’re talking about here, the general reaction was bemusement and ridicule, though there was also some genuine concern about Donovan’s wellbeing.

This is, after all, not exactly the kind of look one typically goes for intentionally.

Thankfully for all of us, Mike Magee was on the case.

The former MLS star and Donovan’s longtime teammate with the LA Galaxy texted his former running mate: “LD check Twitter ASAP and prob fire your barber.”

Donovan responded: “Where were you 7 hours ago??? Had a hair transplant procedure two weeks ago and was told it wouldn’t show up on camera.”

Magee later asked Donovan if he would give his blessing to post the text exchange publicly, to which the all-time leading USMNT goalscorer replied magnanimously: “Whatever, I deserve it.”

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Kylian Mbappe got so many hilarious mask ideas after he broke his nose at Euro 2024

Some of these Kylian Mbappe mask ideas are a little on the nose.

The presumed favorite at Euro 2024 is France, a finalist during the last two men’s World Cups. But it might have just encountered a massive obstacle on its road to hopefully win these Euros next month.

According to Fabrizio Romano, superstar Kylian Mbappe broke his nose on a header during the late stages of Les Bleus’ 1-0 win over Austria on Monday.

The good news for France is that early tests don’t seem to have ruled out the best player in these Euros for the country’s remaining Group D games. The bad news is that France still has to determine how it will appropriately manage Mbappe’s injury while ensuring that he can be as dynamic as possible. Because, you know, he’s a human being who has to breathe through his nose while also striking the balance of not letting it get hit again.

Mbappe seems to otherwise be OK, but this is not an insignificant development. At all.

Oh, by the way: Mbappe received a weird yellow card for coming back onto the field without every referee’s approval after his nose injury. If he picks up another yellow card before the quarterfinals (should France reach that stage), he will be suspended for the ensuing game.

That is another potentially fraught situation to monitor over the next week or so.

One of the ways France will apparently try to manage Mbappe’s broken nose is by having him wear a protective mask moving forward. This assertion was implied by Mbappe taking to his Twitter account to jokingly ask for mask ideas, seemingly right after his post-game medical evaluation:

If Mbappe is in such a joyful mood, perhaps France will be totally fine! Nonetheless, his health after his nose injury is something the team will have to be extremely careful with to win its first Euros tournament since 2000.

Soccer fans had so many amusing mask ideas for Kylian Mbappe after he broke his nose