6 months ago
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PRINCE William has arrived in Germany to cheer on the Three Lions as they take on Denmark in the Euros.
William, who is president of the FA, is watching Gareth Southgate‘s side in their second group stage match at the Frankfurt Arena – the day before his 42nd birthday.
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Reuters
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Twitter/@KensingtonRoyalThe trip is a solo one for William, as the Princess of Wales is away from public duties while she continues her treatment for cancer.
William is one of hundreds of thousands of England fans travelling to Germany throughout the Euro 2024 championship this summer, which kicked off on June 14.
The Prince of Wales was seen emotionally applauding during the national anthem and took a picture with the King of Denmark before kick-off.
And Wills was seen ecstatically punching the air as skipper Harry Kane fired Gareth Southgate’s men into the lead with his 64th goal for his country.
The Prince of Wales jumped out of his seat as he passionately celebrated Kane’s first goal of the tournament.
Unfortunately for England, his strike was cancelled out by Danish midfielder Morten Hjulman’s thunderbolt 10 minutes before half-time.
Gareth Southgate’s men need just a point to guarantee they go through to the knockout stage after Serbia’s draw with Slovenia earlier – and a victory to go through as group winners.
Earlier today, cheering Three Lions fans turned Germany’s bars and fan zones into a sea of red and white for the clash with Denmark.
Fans packed out pubs with time to spare to settle their nerves as Gareth Southgate‘s men hope to secure a last-16 spot.
Supporters were seen cooling off in Romerberg Square’s Fountain of Justice while others draped St George’s flags over themselves.
But it is time for the football to do the talking with the Euros clash now underway.
Wills attended England‘s games in Euro 2020, which took place in Euro 2021 due to Covid, but gave the Qatar World Cup a miss.
It comes after the Prince of Wales, a passionate Aston Villa fan, presented shirts to the England men’s squad before the team left for Germany.
He made a surprise visit to St George’s Park, England’s national football centre in Burton upon Trent.
Wills also shared his youngest son Prince Louis‘ advice, who suggested the players “eat twice the amount” to secure their bid for Euros glory.
He said: “I was on the school run this morning with the children and I asked them what I should say to you today.
“The best bit of advice I got to ask you was to eat twice as much as you normally eat.
“I don’t have visions of all of you running around with massive red tummies and getting stitches on the pitch.
“So I think maybe take my youngest’s kind of advice with a pinch of salt.”
England skipper Harry Kane jokingly said: “I don’t think our nutritionist will be happy with that advice.”
England got off to a positive start in Germany when Jude Bellingham scored a header 13 minutes into their Group C opener.
But it was a lacklustre second half against Serbia with supporters hoping for a more inspired performance against Denmark.
All eyes are once again on the 20-year-old Real Madrid star tonight as England eye a spot at the top of our group table.
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APA first place finish will see the team handed an easier route to the quarter-finals with a last-16 tie against a third-place side.
But Denmark will be sure to come out fighting as failure to beat the Three Lions tonight could leave them on the back foot in third place.
With the likes of Manchester United stars Rasmus Hojlund and Christian Eriksen to contend with, the match could prove tricky.
England have not made any changes from their starting 11 that beat Serbia on Sunday.
Southgate confirmed Luke Shaw is still injured but the rest of the team are reportedly fighting fit.
Marc Guehi’s impressive performance on his major tournament debut silenced his critics.
Meanwhile, all eyes will be on Phil Foden and Trent Alexander-Arnold who had a more subdued start to the competition.
Only 10,000 seats have been made available for England supporters but a mile-long riverside fanzone has been set up for those who don’t make it inside.
Around 30,000 are estimated to have flocked there to watch the action on a 1,500sq ft floating screen.
More than 10 million people tuned in to watch England narrowly overcome Serbia in their first match on June 16.
The BBC‘s coverage of the clash peaking at 15 million views, the corporation said.
The match was also streamed 3.5 million times on BBC iPlayer.
Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace
Andrew Parsons / Kensington PalaceWilliam's pep talk in full
Guys, I was just thinking on the way here what I would say today. Some of you have heard me speak before, some of you are new to the setup.
I thought, what can I offer to all of you and your experienced team here, Gareth – what can I say that could help you in any way?
I was on the school run this morning with the children and I asked them what I should say to you today.
The best bit of advice I got to ask you was to eat twice as much as you normally eat.
I don’t have visions of all of you running around with massive red tummies and getting stitches on the pitch.
So I think maybe take my youngest’s kind of advice with a pinch of salt.
Tournament football, it’s a big deal. All of you have had fantastic seasons.
I’ve seen every single one of you play this season. You’ve all done amazingly well.
As some of you know way better than anyone else in this room, tournament football is brutal.
It requires a lot more than you’ve already given. You’ve had a long, long season as it is, and we’re going to ask you to go again
It’s going to be difficult. It’s going to be fun. It’s going to be challenging.
It’s going to be everything that you’ve ever dreamed of, you know, wearing that English shirt.
I think you’re going to have to draw on all the experience you’ve had playing club football.
I think the biggest thing I’ve learned from coming and seeing you guys over the years in the dressing room I’ve been into is the togetherness.
What Gareth has instilled in all of you over the years, I really feel you’re a unit.
You fight for each other. You play for each other. And you really care about putting that shirt on.
And I just want you guys to know how much it means to everyone back here.
You go out there. Give your all. Play for the shirt. Play for each other. Play for the country.
Because everyone’s behind you. We really care about what you’re going to do.
And I think you need to know also, you know, the England team has a target at the back.
Everyone wants to beat us. So when you step on that pitch, you’re going to be, you’re going to want to be, you know.
And you guys have got all the talent in the world. You’re a great squad, but talent alone won’t win us the tournament.
And so whatever you can do, draw on those experiences in other parts of your life, growing up, other inspirations, other people, family members.
Whatever it is, you know, get that in you right now. Build up on it. Pump yourself up.
Because, you know, you never know when you might need it in the future.
But listen, I’m rambling. I wish you all the best. I really do. I’ve been watching you some games.
I won’t get to say what I do at home, watching some matches. But we get very much into it. We really enjoy it.
And yeah, just best of luck, guys. Bye. Thank you.
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