GAMES THAT CHANGED MY LIFE FRANK DE BOER

WELCOME

If good things really do come to those

WELCOME

It may be kicking off 364 days later

FABIO CAPELLO

“There’s a kind of fear that blocks  England in big moments – they  carry a burden of expectations.  I hope it changes this summer”

MEANWHILE IN…

…Spain, even the tightest of security couldn’t stop the Naked Man of Granada. At least it wasn’t Ken Barlow

THE STICKERS KING

Meet the man with 4,017 albums – Euro 2020 is just the latest

CHELCEE ‘PENSiONER’ GRIMES

The footballer-cum-songwriter discusses driveway dreams, trashing hotels and bashing The Beatles

THE ULTIMATE QUIZ

Dip into this mixed bag of delights for posers on award winners, departing gaffers and fresh internationals

AKADEMIJA PANDEV

One Euro 2020 star already has his own top-flight club – CR7 is green with envy

WHOSE GAME IS IT ANYWAY?

Football, Life, Love & Loss

JACQUI OATLEY

The pioneering commentator, presenter, journalist and Molineux View podcaster talks Steve Bull, Ruben Neves and carrot-wielding pitch invaders

THE OTHER EUROS

Eight sides will battle for U21 glory, but will Camavinga & Co be there?

EMERSON PALMIERI

The Brazil-born defender has faced a real battle for selection at Chelsea, but he’s been a regular for Italy since pledging his allegiance to the Azzurri

THE VIEW FROM THE STANDS

Is there an issue you feel strongly about?

EURO 2020 SPECIAL

“IF YOU HAVEN’T GOT BELIEF, DON’T BOTHER COMING”

“CAN HARRY KANE EMULATE ME THIS YEAR? YES, HE CAN”

Sir Geoff Hurst fired the Three Lions to glory on home soil in 1966, and says England’s latest star striker can have similar success

23 YEARS, 8 MANAGERS, 198 MATCHES SCOTLAND. ARE. BACK.

Since 1998, the Tartan Army have suffered through heartache, humpings and humiliation, watching their country try to reach a major tournament. Now the wait is finally over, and boy do they want to make the most of it

“I’M NOT EVEN MY SON’S FAVOURITE SCOTLAND PLAYER”

From starting out with Queen’s Park to making history with his nation, it’s been a remarkable ride for Andy Robertson. He’ll never take what he has achieved for granted – even if it still isn’t enough for his wee man

“I SOMETIMES WATCH OUR NATIONAL ANTHEM AGAINST ENGLAND FROM 2017 – IT WAS SO LOUD”

Kieran Tierney played the last time Scotland faced their Auld Enemy, and hasn’t forgotten the angst from letting in a last-gasp equaliser. But you don’t keep a man who wears T-shirts in the snow down for long

“I THINK I’VE GOT ABOUT 150 SCOTT MCTOMINAY STICKERS NOW – I’VE SEEN ENOUGH OF HIS FACE ALREADY!”

Try telling John McGinn that international football has lost some importance. As a boy, he frequently watched his beloved Scotland at Hampden – and now he’s the one representing his country. He even has the Panini album to prove it…

HOW DO YOU FOLLOW THAT?

Sunshine, the Super Furry Animals and a joyous run to the semi-finals made Euro 2016 a sensational tournament for Wales, the rewards of which are still being reaped. Replicating that magic won’t be easy, but the good times may be here to stay

“‘WALES, CHICKENS, STOKE’ AT 3 AM... I DID ENJOY THAT”

Joe Allen boogied with Welsh fans on the streets of Cardiff after his country bagged qualification for Euro 2020 – then almost missed the tournament through injury one year ago. As you might imagine, then, he’s rather grateful for the second chance…

“HOW ABOUT THE FINAL THIS TIME?! STRANGER THINGS HAVE HAPPENED…”

Aaron Ramsey experienced the greatest summer of his life five years ago, playing an integral role as Wales stunned the continent. As they prepare to go again, their ambitions remain limitless – though radical hairstyles may be off this time

“I THINK I WAS IN MAGALUF DURING EURO 2016! QUALIFYING AGAIN SHOWS WHAT WE’RE ABOUT”

Bournemouth’s David Brooks is among a vibrant generation of new Welsh talent looking to ensure a bright future, and will head to his first major tournament this summer. But long gone are his teenage party days: now it’s the serious stuff

ALBANIA: BETTER THAN ENGLAND

A total of 38 European teams have taken part in the continent’s biggest international competition. FFT has crunched the numbers and worked out each country’s win percentage. The results may not be quite as expected

THE BLEUS PRINT

Didier Deschamps skippered France to World Cup triumph in 1998 – then did it all over again at Euro 2000. Now, he’s on the verge of history: having steered Les Bleus to glory as a coach in 2018, ‘Dédé’ can close a perfect circle this summer. Fate is calling

"JORGE MENDES ALWAYS SAYS, ‘YOU SEE? I WAS RIGHT ALL ALONG...',,

After a dazzling debut season at Liverpool, Diogo Jota is ready to shine for Portugal this summer. As he tells FFT, though, even he took some convincing from his super agent when it came to his unconventional journey to the top

BEFORE WE PLAYED ENGLAND , WE SAID THAT VICTORY WOULD CHANGE OUR PLAYERS’ LIVES. IT DID

In 2016, Heimir Hallgrimsson was still working as a part-time dentist when he helped to mastermind one of the greatest shocks of all time, as joint manager of Iceland. He tells FFT how his tiny nation stunned the Three Lions

THE HANGOVER, PART I

Cocktails and high jinks were hardly textbook prep for Chelsea’s 1971 Cup Winners’ Cup Final against Real Madrid – but their sozzled stars made sure the party didn’t stop. Sadly, the headache would strike with a vengeance

MY PERFECT XI CRAIG BURLEY

The former Chelsea, Celtic and Derby midfielder selects a trio of team-mates from Scotland’s Euro 96 campaign, combining steel with stardust in this stellar line-up

AROUND THE GROUNDS

EFL • NON-LEAGUE • SCOTLAND

FORZA, FORT WILLIAM

The Highland League side were once Britain’s worst team, but not any more – after the weirdest of curtailed seasons, they’ve avoided bottom spot yet again

BEST & WORST ABERDEEN

Chris Crighton of The Re d Final fanzine remembers Gothenburg glory and the turning circle of Dave Bus

BOY’S A BIT SPECIAL

LOWDOWN Although Barnsley’s frontmen have caught the eye

WHO ARE YA? | NEW SALAMIS

COULD BE Your replacement order at Domino’s. Don’t

THE UNLIKELY LADS

PORTSMOUTH (2001-02) CREDENTIALS The chain-smoking Croatian was a

IAN HOLLOWAY

As football prepares to welcome fans back for good ahead of its summer extravaganza, there aren’t many happier than FFT’s columnist. Watching games behind closed doors has got ‘Ollie’ at the end of his tether

EI-EI-EI-O: TO THE EUROS WE GO

More lower-league stars than ever will represent their nations in the tournament

CLAIMS TO FAME

BOLTON WANDERERS

“AFTER I SAVED ALL OF THOSE PENALTIES, PEOPLE IN ENGLAND PROBABLY WEREN ’T SO HAPPY WITH ME”

The Portuguese goalkeeper denied the Three Lions at Euro 2004 – then did it again at the World Cup two years later

“SUNDERLAND TOLD ME THERE WAS NO CHANCE OF TAKING TIME OFF TO FLY TO THE MOON. I’D HAVE LOVED TO DO THAT”

The Swede may have been unable to jet away for some lunar exploration, but he did play a crucial role at Euro 92

“IN 2008 I DID THE DEFENSIVE WORK IN SPAIN ’S MIDFIELD. THAT WASN’T HARD – WE ALWAYS HAD THE BALL”

The Brazil-born enforcer bagged Euros success with La Roja after shining for Villarreal – and nearly signing for Manchester United

“IT WAS THE BEST FEELING EVER TO GET THE WINNER IN THE FA CUP FINAL. I HAD FIVE GREAT YEARS AT EVERTON”

After falling victim to an odd substitution in the 1995 semi with Spurs, the striker headed home the Wembley clincher

20 REASONS EURO 2020 WILL BE WORTH THE WAIT

Never have we needed an international tournament more. Bring on superstar strikers, upsets and the Tartan Army

HISTORY OF THE EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS

Images Getty Images (1960, 1964, 1984, 1988, 1992,

ALLY McCOIST’S HISTORY LESSONS PART TWO

A major tournament can mean only one thing – it’s time for everyone’s favourite co-commentator to delve into the archives again

50 MOMENTS THAT ROCKED THE EUROS

From tear gas to turnips, spoon-bending to bum-wiping, FFT celebrates the good, the bad and the mad from six decades of UEFA’s continental carve-up. Hold on tight

THE YOUTH OF TODAY

This summer’s jamboree will showcase new Zlatans, new Pirlos – even an English Iniesta. Where better than here for Europe’s top up-and-coming talents to announce themselves?

BATTLE FOR THE GOLDEN BOOT

Europe’s deadliest men go toe-to-toe for their nations this summer, but which lethal gunslinger will emerge with a shiny trophy of their own to show for it? The main contenders are all locked and loaded…

OFFICIAL BUSINESS

Who says no Brits have ever featured in a Euros final? The teams might have floundered, but three Englishmen have repped their nation in the competition’s last game

LET’S GET READY TO RRRRUMBLE!!!

Auld enemies, heavyweight clashes and an ageing superstar facing off against the second coming – thanks to an exciting group stage, you don’t even have to wait for the knockouts to tuck into some bangers

FFT PREDICTS… URI GELLER’S TARTAN CONVERSION

France to win? England to go out on penalties? Cristiano Ronaldo to hitch his shorts higher than a volleyball net? Forget what you think you know, and marvel instead at FFT’s bold forecasts that’ll absolutely, definitely happen

THE GROUP OF DEATH

Every tournament has one – this year, it’s Group F – but are they still scary at a European Championship? FFT looks at the history of the fearsome foursome... and why they’re probably over for good

“HERE COMES HURST, HE’S GOT… SOME PEOPLE ARE ON THE PITCH… THEY THINK IT’S ALL OVER… IT IS NOW!”

Whether under the famous Twin Towers or the now-iconic arch, Wembley has witnessed some of the best games in international football history. From Gazza’s celebrations to the Wally with the Brolly, FFT counts down the old ground’s most memorable moments

THE FIRST TIME?

DO YOU  REMEMBER

EURO 2020 QUIZ

Whet your appetite for Europe’s summer party with this collection of cracking posers

THE A -Z OF EURO 2020

F is for… finally, this poor old tournament is here! Now brush up on the remainder of your A-B-Cs with FFT’s alphabetical guide to this summer’s showpiece event

26 THINGS WE LEARNED FROM QUALIFYING

With 262 matches completed over the course of 18 months while a pandemic raged, FFT kept note of the best facts, stats and titbits as 55 teams were whittled down to 24  Euro 2020 finalists

GROUP A: ITALY/SWITZERLAND/TURKEY/WALES

ITA LY SWITZERLAND TURKEY WALES Images Getty Images

GROUP B BELGIUM/RUSSIA/DENMARK/FINLAND

BELGIUM RUSSIA DENMARK FINLAND BELGIUM Words Samindra Kunt

GROUP C UKRAINE / NETHERLANDS / AUSTRIA / NORTH MACEDONIA

UKRAINE NETHERLANDS AUSTRIA NORTH MACEDONIA Images Getty Images

GROUP D: ENGLAND/CROATIA/CZECHREPUBLIC/SCOTLAND

ENGLAND CROATIA CZECH REPUBLIC SCOTLAND Images Getty Images ENGLAND

GROUP E: SPAIN/POLAND/SWEDEN/SLOVAKIA

Images Getty Images SPAIN Words Andrew Murra Words

GROUP F: GERMANY/FRANCE/PORTUGAL/HUNGARY

GERMANY FRANCE PORTUGAL HUNGARY Images Getty Images GERMANY