{"id":131773,"date":"2021-07-11T00:49:46","date_gmt":"2021-07-11T00:49:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/precoinnews.com\/?p=131773"},"modified":"2021-07-11T00:49:46","modified_gmt":"2021-07-11T00:49:46","slug":"your-vital-guide-to-tonights-euro-2020-final-and-more-talking-points","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/precoinnews.com\/world-news\/your-vital-guide-to-tonights-euro-2020-final-and-more-talking-points\/","title":{"rendered":"Your vital guide to tonight's Euro 2020 final and more talking points"},"content":{"rendered":"
A game of two halves. 55 years of hurt… countless cliches have been aired about tonight\u2019s match but we\u2019ve compiled some much more intriguing insights.\u00a0<\/p>\n
For example, the two Harrys in England\u2019s team (Kane and Maguire) are among 33 players with that name to have represented England \u2013 along with 61 Jacks and 60 Williams.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Auspiciously, Gareth Southgate could today become the first England manager to win 40 matches, surpassing the great Sir Alf Ramsey who won 39.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
A game of two halves. 55 years of hurt… countless cliches have been aired about tonight\u2019s match but we\u2019ve compiled some much more intriguing insights. Pictured: Atomic Kitten, who released a new version of their song Whole Again for Euro 2020<\/p>\n
STATS BACK ENGLAND<\/span><\/p>\n According to the Fink Tank computer model, England have a 57.8 per cent chance of victory compared with Italy\u2019s 42.2 per cent, largely down to the home advantage of playing at Wembley.\u00a0<\/p>\n The boffins also worked out that we have an edge of 0.22 goals… whatever 0.22 of a goal is.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, investment bankers Goldman Sachs analysed 6,000 matches since 1980 and believe England have a 58 per cent chance of becoming Euro champions \u2013 although the bankers previously predicted Belgium, who were knocked out in the quarter-finals, would win the tournament.<\/p>\n England and Italy have played each other 27 times, with Italy winning 11 games to England\u2019s eight victories and eight draws. Worryingly, Italy has never lost against England at a major tournament.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n According to the Fink Tank computer model, England have a 57.8 per cent chance of victory compared with Italy\u2019s 42.2 per cent, largely down to the home advantage of playing at Wembley<\/p>\n England midfielder Kalvin Phillips has run a total of 41.8 miles in the six games he\u2019s played during this tournament<\/p>\n THREE PROUD LIONS<\/span><\/p>\n The Three Lions emblem of the Football Association has its roots in the time of Henry I, whose coat of arms featured a lion rampant on a red background. Proudly adopted by Richard the Lionheart during the Crusades, three lions still fly on the UK\u2019s Royal Standard.<\/p>\n The badge has been worn on England football shirts since 1872. In 1949, there was a minor change when a crown above the lions was removed, to differentiate it from the one used by England\u2019s cricket team.\u00a0<\/p>\n The FA recently came up with a new \u2018inclusive\u2019 logo for the grassroots game that features a lion, lioness and cub.<\/p>\n DODGY TATTOOS<\/span><\/p>\n Scientific research shows that tattoos impede perspiration and can lead to overheating \u2013 with footballers suffering a drop in performance of up to five per cent.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Italy\u2019s Lorenzo Insigne\u2019s many tattoos include a crude drawing on his neck of three stick figures, believed to represent a mother, father and child<\/p>\n While Harry Kane doesn\u2019t have any, team-mate John Stones has a tattoo of his hero, former Barnsley player Norman Rimmington \u2013 and an image of his ex-girlfriend, among others.\u00a0<\/p>\n Italy\u2019s Lorenzo Insigne\u2019s many tattoos include a crude drawing on his neck of three stick figures, believed to represent a mother, father and child.<\/p>\n Where it began, I can\u2019t begin to knowing<\/p>\n But then I know it\u2019s growing strong<\/p>\n Was in the spring<\/p>\n And spring became the summer<\/p>\n Who\u2019d have believed you\u2019d come along<\/p>\n Hands, touching hands<\/p>\n Reaching out, touching me, touching you<\/p>\n Sweet Caroline<\/p>\n Good times never seemed so good<\/p>\n I\u2019ve been inclined<\/p>\n To believe they never would<\/p>\n But now I\u2026<\/p>\n \u2026Look at the night and it don\u2019t<\/p>\n seem so lonely<\/p>\n We filled it up with only two<\/p>\n And when I hurt<\/p>\n Hurting runs off my shoulders<\/p>\n How can I hurt when holding you<\/p>\n One, touching one<\/p>\n Reaching out, touching me, touching you<\/p>\n Sweet Caroline<\/p>\n Good times never seemed so good<\/p>\n I\u2019ve been inclined<\/p>\n To believe they never would<\/p>\n Oh no, no<\/p>\n Sweet Caroline<\/p>\n Good times never seemed so good<\/p>\n Sweet Caroline<\/p>\n I believe they never could<\/p>\n Sweet Caroline<\/p>\n Good times never seemed so good<\/p>\n \u00a9 Universal Music<\/p>\n Team-mate Francesco Acerbi has a leg tattoo of a lion \u2013 having been called \u2018the lion\u2019 of football after recovering from testicular cancer.<\/p>\n ELECTRIC \u2018BALL BUGGY\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n Tonight’s match ball will be delivered to the centre circle by a tiny, remote-controlled Volkswagen mini-ID.4 as the motor giant uses its Euros sponsorship to promote electric vehicles.<\/p>\n PLAYING CATCH-UP?<\/span><\/p>\n Ever wondered why you sometimes hear people down the road cheering a goal when it hasn\u2019t yet happened on your TV?\u00a0<\/p>\n The answer is that there can be delays in transmission, depending on the source.<\/p>\n Comparison site Uswitch says analogue radio coverage is almost instantaneous, delays for digital radio and satellite TV are up to two seconds, cable is five seconds and between ten and 45 seconds for web streaming.<\/p>\n PUNDIT BINGO<\/span><\/p>\n Prepare yourselves for a night of clich\u00e9s from the TV pundits.\u00a0<\/p>\n For fun, you could compile a list of the most often-used and tick them off whenever you hear one from either Gary Lineker\u2019s BBC commentary team or their ITV rivals led by Sam Matterface.\u00a0<\/p>\n Some examples: \u2018\u2026on the edge of your sofa\u2019, \u2018the big Italian\u2019, \u2018Sterling is unplayable\u2019, \u2018It was a great ball in, but there was no one on the end of it\u2019, \u2018engraving their name on the trophy\u2019\u2026<\/p>\n VEXED BY VAR?<\/span><\/p>\n VAR \u2013 the Video Assistant Referee \u2013 is used to help and correct referees.<\/p>\n Officials based in Nyon, Switzerland, have a bank of TV screens to review on-pitch incidents and feed back their judgment to the referee.\u00a0<\/p>\n Other jargon you might hear from pundits include \u2018high line\u2019, a style of play where defenders position themselves high up the pitch, near the halfway line \u2013 and \u2018catenaccio\u2019, the bedrock of Italian football with a strong defence which comes from the Italian word for \u2018door bolt\u2019.<\/p>\n MEGABUCKS REF<\/span><\/p>\n When not officiating, tonight\u2019s referee Bjorn Kuipers, 48, is the multi-millionaire owner of a supermarket in his Dutch hometown of Oldenzaal.\u00a0<\/p>\n He was estimated to be worth \u00a311.5 million in 2016. He\u2019ll wear a garish neon pink kit with a map of Europe on the front with national borders erased to \u2018convey a sense of a community\u2019.<\/p>\n SPARE US HORROR OF PENALTIES!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n England have lost six and won three penalty shootouts at major tournaments.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n When not officiating, tonight\u2019s referee Bjorn Kuipers (pictured), 48, is the multi-millionaire owner of a supermarket in his Dutch hometown of Oldenzaal<\/p>\n One risky technique is a \u2018Panenka\u2019 where the player gives a subtle kick under the ball, causing it to dink over the diving goalkeeper. Named after a Czech who invented it in 1976.<\/p>\n The sterling silver trophy was made by Asprey of London, based on a winged Greek vase from 510BC. It weighs 17lb and is 24in tall<\/p>\n BACK OF THE NETTI?<\/span>\u00a0<\/p>\n Some handy Italian phrases:<\/p>\n SAUCY SANCHO<\/span><\/p>\n England’s Jadon Sachno\u2019s love of Nando\u2019s peri-peri chicken led the firm to ask him to help launch a special \u2018Sancho Sauce\u2019 that\u2019s \u2018fruity and fiery.\u2019\u00a0<\/p>\n Appropriately enough, he plays on the wing.<\/p>\n TO CAP IT ALL<\/span><\/p>\n England players received a cap for every appearance. They\u2019re hand-made by Toye, Kenning & Spencer, of Bedworth, Warwicks.<\/p>\n THE GROUCHO CLUB…<\/span><\/p>\n When TV cameras turn to the Italian coaches\u2019 bench throughout the game, don\u2019t be confused if you think you\u2019ve spotted Groucho Marx.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Three Lions badge has been worn on England football shirts since 1872. In 1949, there was a minor change when a crown above the lions was removed, to differentiate it from the one used by England\u2019s cricket team<\/p>\n For with his manicured moustache, floppy hair and thick-rimmed glasses, Italy\u2019s assistant coach Alberico Evani is a lookalike for the great comedian \u2013 and has been teased on social media during the tournament.<\/p>\n The dapper 58-year-old former AC Milan player has also won a legion of admirers.\u00a0<\/p>\n Men\u2019s style bible Mr Porter said that he looked much better than Gareth Southgate\u2019s right-hand man Steve Holland, who it said, witheringly, looked like a \u2018retired geography teacher\u2019.<\/p>\n When TV cameras turn to the Italian coaches\u2019 bench throughout the game, don\u2019t be confused if you think you\u2019ve spotted Groucho Marx (right). Pictured left:\u00a0Italy\u2019s assistant coach Alberico Evani<\/p>\n Don\u2019t call us WAGS, say this team of brainboxes<\/span><\/p>\n With six of the England squad\u2019s partners being university graduates, \u2018Wag\u2019 is no longer said disparagingly about these footballers\u2019 wives and girlfriends.<\/p>\n \u2018Wags\u2019 was first used in a headline in The Mail on Sunday during the 2006 World Cup in Germany when Victoria Beckham and others went shopping in Baden Baden.<\/p>\n However, it had been coined in 2002 by staff at a Dubai hotel when the England squad visited en route to that year\u2019s World Cup in Japan and South Korea.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n WAGADEMICS: From left: Jordan Pickford\u2019s wife Megan Davison, who has a degree in media studies, Harry Maguire\u2019s mum Zoe, his fiancee Fern Hawkins, who has a first-class degree in science and physiotherapy, and friend Amelia Johnson\u00a0<\/p>\n The Sunday Telegraph reported their activities at the time: \u2018The Wags\u2019 biggest dilemma was whether to baste their backs or their legs in SPF25 sunscreen, to have a manicure or buy a bikini in the resort boutique, or to cruise the sights in one of a fleet of Jaguars laid on for their transport.\u2019<\/p>\n Italy’s (long and scary) national anthem\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Whereas the Wembley version of God Save The Queen lasts just 44 seconds, Italy\u2019s much more strident national anthem \u2013 with references to victory being \u2018created by God\u2019, the Roman general Scipio and the refrain \u2018We are ready to die\u2019 \u2013 is more than twice as long at one minute and 34 seconds.\u00a0<\/p>\n Fratelli d\u2019Italia,<\/span><\/p>\n L\u2019Italia s\u2019\u00e8 desta;<\/span><\/p>\n Dell\u2019elmo di Scipio\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n Chorus:<\/span><\/p>\n Stringiamci a coorte!<\/span><\/p>\n Siam pronti alla morte,<\/span><\/p>\n L\u2019Italia chiam\u00f2.<\/span><\/p>\n Brothers of Italy,<\/span><\/p>\n Italy has awakened;<\/span><\/p>\n Scipio\u2019s helmet\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n Chorus:<\/span><\/p>\n Let us unite!<\/span><\/p>\n We are ready to die;<\/span><\/p>\n Italy called.<\/span><\/p>\n The\u00a0stadium will sing Southgate You\u2019re The One (Football\u2019s Coming Home Again) \u2013 which began as a re-working by fans of the 2001 hit Whole Again by Atomic Kitten.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The stadium will sing Southgate You\u2019re The One (Football\u2019s Coming Home Again) \u2013 which began as a re-working by fans of the 2001 hit Whole Again by Atomic Kitten<\/p>\n If you see me walking down the street<\/span><\/p>\n Staring at the sky<\/span><\/p>\n And dragging my two feet<\/span><\/p>\n You just pass me by<\/span><\/p>\n It still makes me cry<\/span><\/p>\n But football\u2019s coming home again<\/span><\/p>\n And if you see me sitting in the stands<\/span><\/p>\n I\u2019m laughing and I\u2019m joking<\/span><\/p>\n Doing what I can<\/span><\/p>\n I won\u2019t put you down<\/span><\/p>\n \u2019Cause I want you around<\/span><\/p>\n Football\u2019s coming home again<\/span><\/p>\n Looking back on when we first met<\/span><\/p>\n I cannot escape and I cannot forget<\/span><\/p>\n Southgate, you\u2019re the one \u2013 you still turn me on<\/span><\/p>\n Football\u2019s coming home again<\/span><\/p>\n Time is laying heavy on my heart<\/span><\/p>\n Seems I\u2019ve got too much of it<\/span><\/p>\n Since we\u2019ve been apart<\/span><\/p>\n My friends make me smile<\/span><\/p>\n If only for a while<\/span><\/p>\n Football\u2019s coming home again<\/span><\/p>\n Looking back on when we first met<\/span><\/p>\n I cannot escape and I cannot forget<\/span><\/p>\n Southgate, you\u2019re the one \u2013 you still turn me on<\/span><\/p>\n Football\u2019s coming home again<\/span><\/p>\n For now I have to wait<\/span><\/p>\n But this is our time<\/span><\/p>\n It is our fate<\/span><\/p>\n \u2019Cause I just can\u2019t go on<\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s already been too long<\/span><\/p>\n Football\u2019s coming home again<\/span><\/p>\n Oh, oh, oh, oh<\/span><\/p>\n Looking back on when we first met<\/span><\/p>\n I cannot escape and I cannot forget<\/span><\/p>\n Southgate, you\u2019re the one \u2013 you still turn me on<\/span><\/p>\n Football\u2019s coming home again<\/span><\/p>\n Oh, oh, oh<\/span><\/p>\n Looking back on when we first met<\/span><\/p>\n I cannot escape and I cannot forget<\/span><\/p>\n Southgate, you\u2019re the one \u2013 you still turn me on<\/span><\/p>\n Football\u2019s coming home again<\/span><\/p>\n Southgate, you\u2019re the one \u2013 you still turn me on<\/span><\/p>\n Football\u2019s coming home again<\/span><\/p>\nDid you know?\u00a0<\/h3>\n
SWEET CAROLINE (Neil Diamond)\u00a0<\/h3>\n
Did you know?\u00a0<\/h3>\n
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\n<\/p>\nHOME AGAIN (Atomic Kitten)\u00a0<\/h3>\n