Title candidates England against secret favorite Croatia

first european championship top game

LONDON (AP) – World Cup Fourth against Vice World Champions, Harry Kane against Luka Modric, title candidates against secret favorites – England and Croatia on Sunday (3 pm / ARD & Magenta TV) First top game at Football Temple Wembley See you for this European Championship.

Both teams start the tournament with different needs. The controversial gesture on the socio-political issue is mixed with the sporting appeal of the new edition of the World Cup semi-finals.

Knee:Captain Kane and his teammates will do it again shortly before kick-off against the Croatian: by taking a knee to take a stand against racism. As they did before their friendly against Austria and Romania, England players will kneel on one knee for a few seconds, although some of the 22,500 spectators at Wembley Stadium are likely to boo again. “But we are not being stopped,” defense attorney Luke Shaw said at the end. National coach Gareth Southgate expressed his dismay at the boons. The discussion about gestures spoils the EM mood in the country a bit.

According to the association, the Croatian players decided not to show this gesture as a team. During this, you want to present yourself by standing respectfully.

initial situation: The prospect of a title may not have been as great since the World Cup victory in 1966. The England team is very well packed at the moment. The striker is accompanied by highly talented professionals like Phil Foden, Jadon Sancho, Raheem Sterling and Marcus Rashford. In addition, the Three Lions can play six home games in the Pan-European tournament, including the final at Wembley. So if not now then when?

Three years after the World Cup coup, Croatia is looking to reinvent itself as a tournament team, despite one mood or another and the resignations of experienced players. At that time a 2–1 win after extra time in the semi-final against England no longer played Chelsea FC’s Matteo Kovacic. “That was three years ago, it’s a new competition, a new sport,” said the 27-year-old. The first game of the tournament has a special meaning and can bring considerable momentum to the tasks to come. Other group opponents to both are Scotland and the Czech Republic.

England Top Star: At the end of July, Harry Kane will turn 28, the star striker of Tottenham Hotspur has not yet won a major title in his career. This is the reason why he is trying to say goodbye to Spurs after the European Championship. Before that, he aims to win the European Championship with the English. Southgate’s team needs Kane’s goals to achieve great things. “Of course you want to win trophies, but things can conspire against you, like with Harry Kane,” former international Gary Lineker told Internet portal “The Athletic”. What Lineker means: Kane has already tried everything with the Spurs, but often failed shortly before the finish.

Kane should be warned about Croatian goalkeeper Dominic Livakovic. In the Europa League round of 16 against Dinamo Zagreb, Kane scored twice for Tottenham in the first leg, but could not beat the 26-year-old 3–0 in the second leg. “I have a good experience with the English teams and I hope to continue like this,” Livakovic said.

Croatia’s top star: The 2018 World Cup was Luka Modric’s tournament. The Real Madrid midfielder led his team to the final with a stellar performance, and was later named World Footballer of the Year. Even at the age of 35, Modric is still the head of the team and everyone guides him. Modric is playing his last tournament. « To me he is still one of the best players in the world. He is an incredible player, ”said Hoffenheim striker Lady Kremrich of the German Press Agency.

Statistics: England is taking part in the final of the European Championship for the tenth time, Croatia is here for the sixth time. The starting balance is curious: the English have never won on match day, the Croatians are still unbeaten at the start – they also had three victories recently.

Possible lineup:

England: 1 Pickford – 2 Walkers, 5 Stones, 15 Mings, 21 Chilwell – 8 Henderson, 4 Rice, 19 Mounts – 17 Sancho, 9 Kane, 20 Foden

Croatia: 1 Livakovic – 2 Versaljko, 21 Vida, 5 Caleta-Car, 25 Guardiol – 11 Brozovic – 9 Kramaric, 10 Modric, 8 Kovacic, 4 Perisic – 14 Rebi

Referee: Daniele Orsato (Italy)

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