By The day has finally arrived for England to kick off their Euro 2024 campaign with a mouth-watering opening match against Serbia. Gareth Southgate’s ambitious Three Lions side will be looking to make history by going all the way at a major tournament for the first time since 1966, having come tantalizingly close in recent years. The journey begins this evening as they face a formidable Serbia side spearheaded by former Premier League tormentor Aleksandr Mitrovic.
Kick-off time is set for 8 pm BST, and the anticipation is palpable. However, not everyone is convinced of England’s chances. Former Liverpool and Germany midfielder Didi Hamann has singled out Jordan Pickford as a potential weak link, expressing fierce criticism of the goalkeeper. Speaking on the In The Zone podcast, Hamann stated, “My worry would be Jordan Pickford. He’s a good keeper, but I think his temperament lets him down at times. In a tournament when you might play seven games, there will be setbacks – you need a keeper who calms his teammates down. I think Pickford does the opposite and this is where I’ve got my worries and question marks. I don’t think England win a big title with Pickford.”
Despite the doubts, there is one unlikely source of optimism for England fans: a psychic eagle named Honey from Eagle Heights Wildlife Foundation in Kent. According to her trainer, Alex Leonard, Honey has an uncanny ability to predict the future. “Honey is our psychic eagle and she never gets anything wrong,” Leonard claimed. “She correctly predicts if members of staff are going to head off to pastures new by giving them grief. And she knows when members of the crowd don’t like birds by flying low and brushing a wing gently across their head to say ‘Hello’. She even predicts the weather and won’t come out if it’s going to rain heavily. The team here is doing an accumulator based on Honey’s abilities and tonight she says it’s glory for England.”
While the psychic eagle’s prediction may provide a glimmer of hope, England’s 1-0 defeat to Iceland in their final warm-up match has raised concerns. To open their campaign with a morale-boosting win, England must dominate in three key areas, as outlined by Lee Scott.
Firstly, England needs to showcase their creativity on the pitch. They must find ways to unlock the Serbian defense and create scoring opportunities for their forward line. Secondly, Southgate must address the left-back problem, ensuring that the position is adequately covered and does not become a vulnerability for the team. Lastly, England must be wary of Serbia’s dangerous transitions. The Serbian side is known for their ability to quickly turn defense into attack, and England must be prepared to counter this threat effectively.
As the stage is set for an enthralling opening match, all eyes will be on Gareth Southgate’s men to see if they can rise to the occasion and kickstart their Euro 2024 campaign with a resounding victory. The nation’s hopes and dreams rest on their shoulders, and only time will tell if they can deliver the long-awaited success that England fans have been craving for decades.
USSunnews
