EURO 2024

England Squad: Bowen In, Sterling Out for Australia & Italy

England Squad for upcoming matches against Australia and Italy sees the return of Ollie Watkins and Jarrod Bowen, but Raheem Sterling remains excluded from the lineup.

Published

12 months ago

October 5, 2023

Caca Anttunes

England Squad: Bowen In, Sterling Out for Australia & Italy

Jarrod Bowen and West HAM

Contents hide

1 Southgate Names England Squad for Australia and Italy Matches

1.1 Bowen’s Form Rewarded

1.2 Surprises and Omissions

1.3 Notable Inclusions

2 October Double-Header Squad Announced

2.1 Watkins and Bowen Return

2.2 Sterling Left Out

2.3 Southgate’s England Squad Challenges

Southgate Names England Squad for Australia and Italy Matches

West Ham midfielder Jarrod Bowen’s impressive early-season form has been rewarded as the 26-year-old has been included in Gareth Southgate’s squad for England’s Squad forthcoming matches against Australia and Italy. There are also spots for Harry Maguire and Jordan Henderson, while in-form Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins is also handed a place in the squad.

Bowen’s Form Rewarded

Jarrod Bowen has been called up by Gareth Southgate to England’s latest international squad but fellow West Ham midfielder James Ward-Prowse is not included. Bowen has five goals in seven league games so far this campaign as he looks on course to beat last season’s tally in all competitions of 13 goals. The 26-year-old will be given the chance to fight for caps in the friendly with Australia and Euro 2024 qualifier against Italy.

Surprises and Omissions

However, there is no spot in the squad for Ward-Prowse despite his impressive displays for his new team. The 28-year-old has three assists and two goals for David Moyes’ side since his move from Southampton in the summer. Defender Levi Colwill is called up after being a rare shining light for Chelsea amid a difficult start to the season under Mauricio Pochettino, while Ollie Watkins is selected after bagging a hat-trick in Aston Villa’s 6-1 win over Brighton last week.

Notable Inclusions

Aaron Ramsdale keeps his place in the squad despite signs he may lose his first-team role at Arsenal to David Raya, and he is joined by team-mate Eddie Nketiah. Similarly, Harry Maguire retains the faith of Southgate despite being on the fringes of Manchester United, and Kalvin Phillips is included while playing rarely for Manchester City. There are few surprises in the selection with Jadon Sancho left out after his problems with Erik ten Hag, while Jordan Henderson is in the squad after his controversial move to the Saudi Pro League.

October Double-Header Squad Announced

Ollie Watkins and Jarrod Bowen have returned to the England Squad set-up but there is no place for Raheem Sterling once again. The penultimate camp of 2023 kicks off with a Wembley friendly against Australia before hosting Italy under the arch in a European Championship qualifier. Gareth Southgate named a 26-man squad for the October double-header, with uncapped Levi Colwill and Eddie Nketiah again getting the nod as a pair of in-form forwards made their long-awaited returns.

Watkins and Bowen Return

Ollie Watkins and Aston Villa

Watkins has not been called up since March 2022 and returned days after Southgate watched the striker score a hat-trick in Aston Villa’s 6-1 win against Brighton. Bowen returns to the England Squad for the first time since September 2022, having scored five goals in seven league games for West Ham.

Sterling Left Out

Sterling was another conspicuous by his absence after Southgate overlooked the 82-cap Chelsea forward for September’s fixtures. Mason Mount is also out despite returning to action with Manchester United. John Stones returned from injury, and Bukayo Saka was selected despite fitness concerns, while Ben Chilwell, Eberechi Eze, and Callum Wilson were ruled out.

Southgate’s England Squad Challenges

Southgate’s squad is light on left-backs, with Chelsea’s Colwill the only player with any real experience of playing there. He said of the 20-year-old: “We are conscious that most of his football has been as a centre-back and it’s his preference and strongest position, but we are without a lot of experience at left-back, and he is playing there regularly.

“We have some other centre-backs that can fill in at full-back, it’s an area we need to find out about a few players because depth in that area in the league is not that strong.

“He was good in the Euros for the Under-21s and is adapting well to life back at Chelsea and has a real maturity about his game – we are very hopeful about his future.”

News

Wales To Face Finland in Semi-Finals; Euro 2024 Play-Offs Unveil Path to Glory

As dragons prepare to clash with the resilient Nordic force in the semi-finals, Wales seeks to script a triumphant tale through the twists and turns of the Euro 2024 Play-Offs, unveiling a path destined for glory.

Published

10 months ago

November 24, 2023

Caca Anttunes

Wales To Face Finland in Semi-Finals; Euro 2024 Play-Offs Unveil Path to Glory

Wales Squad celebrates

Road to Redemption

In a thrilling revelation on Thursday, Wales discovered their Euro 2024 play-off destiny, setting the stage for an intense battle towards the championship. Rob Page’s squad is geared up for a face-off against Finland in the semi-finals, scheduled to unfold in Cardiff. The stakes are high, as victory in this clash will pave the way for a home encounter against either Poland or Estonia in the play-off final.

March Madness Beckons

The pivotal matches are slated for March 2024, as Wales endeavors to secure a spot in the European Championship for the third consecutive time. Despite stumbling in the standard qualification route, finishing third in their group, the Welsh team remains undeterred. Having garnered just one point in their last two games against Armenia and Turkey, they are now banking on the play-offs to reignite their Euro 2024 aspirations.

Familiar Territory for Wales

Wales is no stranger to the play-off drama, having successfully navigated the route to the 2022 World Cup. The team triumphed over Scotland and Ukraine, clinching a qualification that marked their return to the global stage after a hiatus since 1958. Now, they stand on the precipice of another remarkable feat – a third consecutive appearance in the European Championship.

PLAY-OFF PATH A:
Wales vs Finland
Poland vs Estonia#EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/J2qabW6etw
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) November 23, 2023

Euro 2024 Play-Off Draw

Path A

Wales vs. Finland Winner hosts play-off final
Poland vs. Estonia

Path B

Israel vs. Iceland
Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Ukraine Winner hosts play-off final

Path C

Georgia vs. Luxembourg Winner hosts play-off final
Greece vs. Kazakhstan

Countdown to the Group-Stage Draw

While Wales eagerly awaits the outcome of their play-off journey, the broader Euro 2024 landscape is taking shape. England and Scotland are on the brink of unveiling their fate, with the group-stage draw scheduled for December 2. The pots are set, with England in Pot 1, Scotland in Pot 3, and the eventual victor of Wales’ play-off route in Pot 4.

Germany Set to Kick Off

As anticipation builds, host nation Germany is poised to kick off Euro 2024 in a thrilling opener on June 14, 2024, in Munich’s Group A. The group stage promises football fervor from June 14 to 26, with the knockout stage intensifying from June 29 to July 14, culminating in the grand finale in Berlin. The stage is set, and the countdown to Euro 2024 is well and truly underway.

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News

UEFA Euro 2024: Group-Stage Draw Preview and Play-Off Update

Amidst the anticipation of the UEFA Euro 2024 draw, the football world holds its breath, eager to witness the clash of titans and underdogs in what promises to be a riveting tournament across the diverse landscapes of Europe.

Published

10 months ago

November 22, 2023

Caca Anttunes

Countdown to the Draw

With the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifiers concluded, the excitement is building for the upcoming group-stage draw. Scheduled for Saturday, December 2, in Hamburg, this event will unveil the matchups for 21 of the 24 confirmed teams. England and Scotland are set to represent the home nations, while Wales eagerly anticipates the play-offs as a potential gateway to Germany.

Pots and Potential “Groups of Death”

The draw carries the promise of thrilling encounters, with the pots shaping the landscape. Defending champions Italy find themselves in Pot 4, and World Cup semi-finalists Croatia join the fray in Pot 3 alongside the Netherlands. The allocation of pots reflects UEFA’s innovative approach, considering teams’ Euro 2024 qualifiers performance and FIFA ranking.

Heading to Germany for #EURO2024 👊 pic.twitter.com/ZItEgcPzbi
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) November 21, 2023

UEFA Euro 2024 Group-Stage Draw Pots

Pot 1:

Germany
Portugal
France
Spain
Belgium
England

Pot 2:

Hungary
Turkey
Romania
Denmark
Albania
Austria

Pot 3:

Netherlands
Scotland
Croatia
Slovenia
Slovakia
Czech Republic

Pot 4:

Italy
Serbia
Switzerland
Play-off winner A
Play-off winner B
Play-off winner C

Play-Off Drama Unfolding

While the group-stage draw buzz intensifies, attention also turns to the Euro 2024 play-offs scheduled for March 21 and 26. Twelve teams will battle it out across three brackets (Paths A, B, and C), with the final configurations set to be unveiled on November 23 in Nyon.

UEFA Euro 2024 Play-Off Semi-Finals Lineup

Path A Semi-Finals:

Poland vs. Estonia
Wales vs. Finland/Ukraine/Iceland

Path B Semi-Finals:

Israel vs. Ukraine/Iceland
Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Finland/Ukraine

Path C Semi-Finals:

Georgia vs. Luxembourg
Greece vs. Kazakhstan

The intrigue continues, with the draw potentially altering matchups based on team allocations.

Save the Dates

Mark your calendars for the UEFA Euro 2024, set to kick off with Germany’s curtain-raiser in Munich on June 14, 2024. The group stage spans from June 14-26, followed by the knockout stage from June 29-July 14. Berlin awaits the final showdown on July 14, concluding what promises to be a football spectacle in the heart of Europe.

Also Read:

Top 4 EURO 2024 Qualifiers: Europe’s Best Players

News

England Faces Personnel Setback Ahead of Euro 2024 Qualifier

England’s Euro 2024 journey takes an unexpected turn with Kieran Trippier’s withdrawal and Jarrod Bowen’s injury, raising concerns ahead of the North Macedonia clash. In Group C, Italy and Ukraine intensify their battle for the second qualification spot, heightening the stakes in European football.

Published

10 months ago

November 20, 2023

Caca Anttunes

Kieran Trippier Withdraws from England Squad

In a surprising turn of events, Kieran Trippier has withdrawn from the England squad for the upcoming Euro 2024 qualifier against North Macedonia. The Newcastle defender, who played a full 90 minutes in England’s recent 2-0 win over Malta, cited a ‘personal matter‘ as the reason for his absence. Trippier’s departure adds to the challenges faced by manager Gareth Southgate, who has already confirmed that West Ham forward Jarrod Bowen will also miss the match due to a minor injury.

Trippier’s Personal Matter and Newcastle’s Clash

Trippier’s decision to leave the England camp comes amidst speculations surrounding a ‘personal matter.’ As a result, he will not be part of the squad flying out to North Macedonia for the final Euro 2024 qualifier. Instead, he has returned to his club, Newcastle, to prepare for their upcoming clash with Chelsea on November 25. The England manager, Southgate, expressed the need to prioritize Trippier’s well-being, emphasizing a cautious approach and avoiding unnecessary risks.

Varied Outcomes for England and North Macedonia

The Euro 2024 qualifier holds little significance for both England and North Macedonia. With England already securing their place in next summer’s finals in Germany, the match serves as a formality. North Macedonia, on the other hand, cannot qualify for the finals and is guaranteed to finish fourth in the group.

Other Group C Showdown: Ukraine vs. Italy

While England’s match may lack crucial stakes, the other fixture in Group C promises intense competition. Ukraine and Italy are set to battle it out for the second qualification berth. Both teams are tied on 13 points from seven games, with Italy holding the advantage after winning the reverse fixture 2-1 in Milan. Even with a potential defeat, Italy remains in contention for qualification and has a backup route through the play-offs, thanks to their performance in the Nations League.

As the Euro 2024 draws near, the dynamics of Group C unfold with unexpected developments and heightened competition. The football world awaits the results that will shape the teams advancing to the finals in Germany next year.

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