SATURDAY • 12th JUNE 2021 Italy’s forward Lorenzo Insigne (top) and teammates celebrate an own goal by Turkey defender Merih Demiral during today’s EURO 2020 Group A match at the Olympic Stadium in Rome. – AFPPIX Statement of intent Italy record biggest opening win of European Championships after own goal, Immobile and Insigne down sloppy Turks ‘Devils are WAG OF THE DAY Wales hope Euro 2020 fixtures, great even Jessica Melena to emulate results and whiout boys of 2016 standings De Bruyne page 3 page 4 page 7 page 8 2 SATURDAY 12th JUNE 2021 LET THE GAMES BEGIN … A fireworks display is triggered over the Olympic stadium today in Rome as part of the Euro 2020 opening ceremony, prior to the Turkey vs Italy match. – AFPPIX Impressive Azzurri Hosts sends out statement across Europe in tournament’s first game “We played a good match, even in the first and Immobile nodded a cross wide as the hosts TALY kicked off the European half without being able to score. A great team. stretched the Turkish defence. Championship with a convincing 3-0 There was a lot of help from the crowd.” Insigne curled a shot straight at Cakir from victory over Turkey in Group A at Rome’s Goalscorer Insigne added: “Our strength is the edge of the box and Immobile fired into the Stadio Olimpico this morning with Ciro the group; the coach has created a great group keeper’s arms as Italy headed in at the break IImmobile and Lorenzo Insigne on target. in which there are no starters and bench players with 14 attempts to none from Turkey. Roberto Mancini’s side had been frustrated and each one of us is always ready to sacrifice Italy’s patience was rewarded when Berardi by Turkey’s defensive approach in the first half for our teammates. Winning is the most fired a cross into the six-yard box where but broke through in the 53rd minute when a important thing – if I score, even better. It was a Demiral chested the ball into the net – the first hard-hit cross from Domenico Berardi flew in great night.” time in European Championship history that off defender Merih Demiral for an own goal. After a build-up featuring a spine-tingling the tournament’s opening goal was an own The Azzurri, now unbeaten in 28 matches, performance from opera singer Andrea Bocelli, goal. doubled their lead in the 66th when Leonardo a spectacular fireworks display and a typically Spinazzola had a shot beaten away and Spinazzola’s drive was parried by goalkeeper raucous rendition of Italy’s national anthem, the Manuel Locatelli’s low effort was palmed wide Ugurcan Cakir but Immobile reacted well to slot 16,000-strong crowd was in fine voice by kickoff. before Immobile doubled Italy’s lead by home the loose ball. Italy were determined to make a strong start pouncing on Cakir’s parry from another Insigne made it 3-0 in the 79th minute with a five years on from their last major tournament Spinazzola effort to knock in the rebound. confident, curling finish after some sloppy appearance, having failed to qualify for the 2018 The Azzurri’s dominance was rewarded defending from the disappointing Turks, who World Cup, and they started strongly. again when Immobile threaded a pass to lost their fifth consecutive opening match of a Mancini told Rai. The visitors were happy to sit deep and invite Insigne, who placed a precise finish into the European Championship campaign. “It was a great evening, I hope there will be pressure and rarely ventured into the Italian half bottom corner with 11 minutes remaining. Italy’s third goal made history as it marked many more, but there are still six to go before throughout the opening period, but Mancini’s Mancini told his players in the pre-match the first time they had scored three goals in a Wembley”. side were left frustrated in their efforts to break press conference that they should enjoy match at the Euros in their 39th attempt. Italy failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup through the wall of red shirts. themselves and seek to entertain, and that was “It was important to start well here in Rome but are now on a 28-match unbeaten run under Giorgio Chiellini had a header tipped over exactly what they did for a jubilant home crowd. and it is a joy for us and for all the Italians,” Mancini. with a spectacular one-handed save by Cakir – Reuters/Agencies SATURDAY 3 12th JUNE 2021 shorts Courtois not worried about Covid-19 case in Russia camp Time running out THERE are no concerns in the Belgium camp about a Covid-19 Pressure on Red Devils to make their golden generation count outbreak in the Russia team who they face in St Petersburg █ MELISSA REDDY problem, but it’s a major one given the structure tomorrow at the start of their he offers in midfield. European Championship Bar that worry, it’s pretty much standard campaign, goalkeeper Thibaut HE measurement that most outlines procedure for Martinez’s charges except the Courtois has said. the scale of Belgium’s collective pressure has been escalated. Midfielder Andrei Mostovoy strengths is the shrugging of shoulders Following a third-placed finish at the 2018 tested positive for the novel around Eden Hazard. World Cup, the Euros and next year’s global coronavirus and was replaced in TSure, it would be quite the welcome thing if tournament represent the last opportunity for the squad by defender Roman he rediscovered his unplayable self, sparked the this golden generation to lift major silverware. Yevgenyev on Friday in a blow to team, and scorched the tournament’s defenders. De Bruyne and Lukaku are in their prime, the Russians. But, if he doesn’t, see Kevin De Bruyne and among the undisputed best in their positions They follow the Netherlands, Romelu Lukaku. across the game. Mertens and Vertonghen are Spain and Sweden on the list of They are the headliners, but when a past their peak and the Qatar showpiece might countries who have been hit by supporting act features the likes of Thibaut be too much in the distance for the pair. Covid-19 cases before the Courtois, Dries Mertens, Axel Witsel with Youri Hazard’s most efficient spells look to be in the tournament kicked off earlier Tielemans not even guaranteed a starting spot, rear-view mirror in light of his injury issues, and today. it’s simple to see why opponents view Roberto at 30, the explosiveness is not going to endure. But Belgium’s Courtois shrugged Martinez’s men as such a threat. This doesn’t only feel like a nearing to a off any potential unease at a news They coasted through qualifying, winning all conclusion for a generation, but the manager conference yesterday ahead of 10 of their games while scoring 40 and being too. the Group B clash. breached a paltry three times in a group that He has a year left on his contract and has “It is not something that frightens contained Russia and Scotland. fielded several club approaches this summer – us. It is something that has Shed of the experience of retired trio Vincent three from the Premier League but did not want happened a lot over the last Kompany, Marouane Fellaini and Mousa to commit ahead of the tournament. season in many leagues,” he said. Dembele, Belgium are still a well-balanced unit He has never hidden that the buzz of working “We are kind of used to that. It is that can bank on a clarity of vision and tactical with a group every day still appeals to him and unfortunate for them but I think we execution. having steered Belgium to the world’s No. 1 are protected and I don’t think we They have traditionally lined up in a 3-4-3 ranked team for close to three years, a new have a problem with that.” and the starting line-up is easy to sketch when challenge seems the natural evolution. Belgium face Russia some 18 everyone is available. De Bruyne underwent a The Euros has built into a critical point for the months after handing their hosts a successful operation to the left eye socket he next chapter of the nation’s story: do they crown comprehensive 4-1 beating in the fractured in a tussle with Antonio Rudiger during a proud era with silverware, or will a ridiculous Euro 2020 qualifiers. the Champions League final and may only sit out pool of talent be left looking back with ‘what ifs?’. “When you play against a team tomorrow’s (3am Malaysian time) opening There is an overwhelming confidence that you’ve already played match. stemming from the team, born out of their surety previously, you know them a little “I would say at the moment I’m not counting in roles and approach. better,” added Courtois. on Kevin to be in the first game, but if that It has been interesting to see Martinez “You know their weak points a changes it will be because he adapts well to his reference how much of his team feel at home at little better and that’s always a own programme,” Martinez said. Wembley, which hosts the semifinals and the good thing, although I suppose it “But we’re not going to push any sort of climax of the competition. could also count against you the timeline into Kevin’s recovery. (He) is here, is The thinking is very big and very far, as it other way round.