Sports Monday, June 14, 2021 13 Coronavirus crisis won’t stop Today’s Matches Spain from seeking Euro title Scotland vs Czech Republic (4pm) Poland vs Slovakia (7pm) RSpain vs Sweden (10pm) Spain’s defender Jordi Alba gives a press conference at La Cartuja Stadium in Sevilla, on Sunday, the eve of their UEFA EURO 2020 Group E match against Sweden. (AFP) Just a few days ahead of the start of the Euro 2020 tournament, Spain had to deal with positive coronavirus cases among their ranks. But the chaotic situation hasn’t changed their ambitions of silverware. ites, but I hope we can annoy in Spain, “but you just don’t them,” Sweden winger Emil feel good. We think of Chris- Forsberg told dpa in an inter- tian and we think of his fam- Spain’s forward Alvaro Morata (L) is marked by Spain’s forward Pedri (C) during training at La Cartuja Stadium in Sevilla on Sunday, the eve of view. ily. It’s a terrible situation. their UEFA EURO 2020 Group E match against Sweden. (AFP) Despite two positive coro- Football is definitely not the navirus cases, the Swedish most important thing in the DPA how to win in every situation,” team-mate Sergio Busquets, World Cup and in 2018 were squad had a relaxed depar- world.” SEVILLE midfielder Thiago Alcantara had to leave the team’s Euros knocked out in the last 16, ture to Seville, where the game Superstar Zlatan Ibrahi- said. headquarters after his positive where they were also stopped against Spain will take place, movic was supposed to make AFTER some chaotic days The coach also takes risks. test. at Euro 2016. but were faced with the news his comeback to the Sweden with two positive coronavirus He dispensed with record ap- However, he returned at Spanish paper Mundo De- about fellow Scandinavian team after five years, but a Slovakia’s midfielder Marek cases and last-minute vacci- pearance holder Sergio Ramos the end of the week after four portivo has already called the Christian Eriksen once they knee injury stopped him play- Hamsik (L) takes part in a train- nations, Spain enjoyed their and surprisingly called others subsequent negative tests, team the “rookie Spain”. landed. ing at the Euros. ing session at FC Zenit Training first joint training session just into the team. while Busquets had to remain Enrique, however, places Eriksen collapsed during Forsberg said that is was “a Centre in Saint Petersburg on two days before their Group E With a 17-member paral- in isolation. his squad among the “six, sev- Denmark’s Euro 2020 opener hard blow for us,” but he also Sunday, the eve of their UEFA opener against the also Covid- lel squad, he is prepared for After the European titles in en” title candidates. against Finland and received believes the team has already EURO 2020 Group E match 19-hit Sweden on Monday. all eventualities that could still 2008 and 2012 and the World The last meeting between emergency treatment on the “done very well” without the against Poland. (AFP) But the team say this will come in the uncertain pan- Cup triumph in 2010 with the Spain and Sweden was in a pitch. He was then transferred top striker. not stop Luis Enrique’s squad demic. “golden generation”, Spain are Euros qualifiers in 2019 and to hospital where he is stable. “We have to deal with that. from seeking the Euro 2020 “All of this has only made in a bit of a slump. ended in a 1-1 draw. Sweden captain Sebas- We have done very well with- Slovakia star title. us stronger as a team,” empha- They didn’t make it out of “I hope we can achieve tian Larsson said they’re out him and we will try to do “Luis Enrique shows you sized Diego Llorente, who, like the group stage at the 2014 that again. We’re not favour- looking forward to the game the same again.” Hamsik fit for opener with Spain coach Luis Enrique coy on CZECH REPUBLIC VS SCOTLAND Poland DPA keeper, cautious about Forsberg DUSSELDORF SLOVAKIA star Marek Ham- would seem the logical choice sik is fit and will be available despite losing first-pick status for his country’s Euro 2020 with Manchester United. Si- opener with Poland in St. Pe- mon has been brought into the tersburg on Monday. national fold by Luis Enrique, “I feel fit and ready, and playing seven times. hope that I can play 90 min- The coach highlighted the utes,” the 33-year-old attacker “quality player” Sweden pos- said Sunday. sess in RB Leipzig attacker “We can all not wait. You Emil Forsberg but the teams don’t often play a Euros - know all about each other above all if you come from Slo- having met in qualifying for vakia.” This is only Slovakia’s the finals. second appearance at a Euro “The Swedish team plays finals after 2016 when they very direct,” said Luis En- made it to the last 16 where rique, who added his team they lost to Germany. Spain’s coach Luis Enrique at a press conference at La Cartuja had trained during the hot- Hamsik, who made his Stadium in Sevilla on Sunday. (AFP) test point of the day at their name in a 12-year stint with training camp in Madrid to Napoli and will shortly join DPA position cannot be underesti- prepare for the high temper- Trabzonspor in Turkey from SEVILLE mated. atures in Seville. Sweden’s Gothenburg, has “It will be one of the three: Spain are without cap- not played internationally this SPAIN coach Luis Enrique has David de Gea, Unai Simon or tain Sergio Busquets due to year due to a calf problem. declined to state who will play Robert Sanchez,” the 51-year- a coronavirus infection but Poland also have attacking in goals when his team open old coach said when asked Diego Llorente has returned issues ahead of the Group E their Euro 2020 campaign who would be between the to the squad after a spell in encounter as they are without against Sweden in Seville on posts for Spain. isolation following a false Arkadiusz Milik and Krzysztof Monday and warned the op- De Gea, with 45 caps, positive test. Piatek but Hamsik does not see a huge difference. “They still have the biggest star of all in attack, Robert Le- wandowski,” he said. Czech Republic’s defender Vladimir Coufal (C) and midfielder Alex Kral (R) take part in training at Hampden Park in Glasgow on Sunday, on the eve of their UEFA EURO 2020 Group D match against Scotland. (AFP) Scotland relaxed on return to big stage after two-decade absence DPA “We’re looking forward to ing,” the Liverpool full back to empty stadiums,” said Rob- BERLIN it and we’ll give our all to try said. “We’ve not long landed ertson. “We’re getting closer and qualify for the knockout and you can feel the buzz to normality hopefully in life SCOTLAND manager Steve stages for the first time for a around Glasgow and I’m sure in general. Clarke insists his side are in men’s A team.” it’s the same in every town “Having fans makes a a relaxed mood ahead of their Clarke has a fully fit squad across the country. huge difference. I’m sure we return to a major finals after to choose from for their Euro “We want to keep smiles could’ve sold out Hampden 23 years against the Czech Re- opener and said he knew his on people’s faces.” Scotland many times over.” public on Monday. starting eleven, though didn’t retains restrictive measures After taking on the Czechs, “I think when you qualify reveal it. amid the coronavirus pan- Scotland travel to Wembley for the first time in 23 years, One player certain to play demic but 12,000 – almost to meet old rivals England A combination of file pictures created shows Scotland’s coach Steve Clarke (L) and Czech Republic’s you probably feel less pres- at Hampden Park is captain exclusively home fans – will on Friday before conclud- coach Jaroslav Silhavy. Scotland will face Czech Republic in their UEFA EURO 2020 Group D match at sure,” Clarke told reporters Andy Robertson. attend the match. ing Group D back in Glasgow the Hampden Park in Glasgow on Monday. (AFP) Sunday in Glasgow. “It’s been a long time com- “Sadly we’ve become used against Croatia..