Sunday's briefing: Just another game for Greenwood while Gyokeres faces sanction
Andy Carroll has completed a surprise move to join Dagenham and Redbridge, while Sweden finished top of Group C at the Euros with a resounding 4-1 defeat of Germany.
Greenwood not fazed by Wales test
🗣️ "What do we have to fear?"
Wales head coach Rhian Wilkinson is 'excited' for their clash with England at the Euros 🏴🏴 pic.twitter.com/KGpu7NRStu
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) July 12, 2025
Alex Greenwood admitted the big rivalry billing for England's final Euro 2025 group-stage encounter might hold more weight for their Welsh opponents than it does for her.
A win against Wales – the lowest-ranked team in the tournament – would be enough to book England a place in the quarter-finals. Wales need a victory of four goals or more, as well as France beating the Netherlands, to progress.
Wales captain Angharad James, who was asked if she wanted to knock England out, said: 'Of course you do. It's in our blood. It's in our DNA.'
But quizzed as to whether or not she felt the same sense of rivalry, Greenwood conceded: 'Maybe not as much. I think, for me personally, it's another game.'
Sporting sanction Gyokeres amid Arsenal interest
Arsenal's bid to sign Viktor Gyokeres has taken a fresh twist after Sporting Lisbon confirmed he is facing disciplinary action for failing to turn up to pre-season training.
Gyokeres, who scored 39 league goals to fire Sporting to the Portuguese title last season, is understood to be at the top of Arsenal's wish list. However, the two clubs are yet to agree a transfer fee.
Sporting president Frederico Varandas told Portuguese news agency LUSA: 'If they don't want to pay Viktor's fair market value, we'll be very comfortable with that for the next three years.
'If the geniuses who are devising this strategy think that this puts pressure on me to make it easier for him to leave, not only are they completely wrong, but they are also making it more complicated for the player to leave. No one is above the interests of the club. Whoever they are.'
Carroll completes surprise Dagenham move
It's not every day… ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/wkgK9q1QGG
— Dagenham & Redbridge (@Dag_RedFC) July 12, 2025
Former Liverpool and Newcastle striker Andy Carroll has agreed a deal to join Dagenham and Redbridge.
The 36-year-old, who played nine times for England, has made the switch to the National League South side on a three-year deal. Dagenham announced earlier on Saturday that they had been taken over by a Qatari consortium.
Carroll left Bordeaux last month following one season in the fourth tier of French football.
Sweden humble Germany with four-star triumph
Sweden secured an emphatic 4-1 win over 10-woman Germany to finish top of Group C – and line up a possible quarter-final against England.
Jule Brand fired Germany ahead after just seven minutes before Arsenal's Stina Blackstenius hauled Sweden back on level terms.
Smilla Holmberg then gave Sweden the lead with Carlotta Wamser dismissed for handball and Fridolina Rolfo scoring the resulting penalty.
Lina Hurtig completed the rout with 10 minutes remaining as Sweden claimed their first-ever victory against the eight-time champions at the Euros. It also marked Germany's biggest ever loss in the competition.
Poland beat Denmark 3-2 in the other game in the group.
What's on today?
Defending European champions England will look to avoid an early exit in their clash with Wales.
England know a win will secure their place in the quarter-finals while Wales need a big victory and help from France. The Group D fixtures kick off at 8pm BST.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
36 minutes ago
- BBC News
Gossip: Ipswich's Hutchinson could replace Mbeumo
Brentford are considering a move for Ipswich Town and England Under-21 winger Omari Hutchinson, 21, as a possible replacement for Bryan Mbeumo. (Standard), externalThat is because the Bees have now have reached an agreement with Manchester United over forward more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip columnFollow the gossip column on BBC Sport
Telegraph
38 minutes ago
- Telegraph
The secret behind Ella Toone's Euros form? Gruelling holiday work-outs
Ella Toone stood in an open field, boots on, sun baring down. The England midfielder was in Cyprus on holiday with her boyfriend Joe Bunney, but there was work to do. The pair took to a local football pitch to perform sprint after sprint in gruelling heat. This was Toone's preparation for a big summer. The Lionesses had 12 days off between their Nations League game with Spain on June 4 and the beginning of their pre-camp for the Women's European Championship. Toone used it wisely, maximising time with family as well as pushing herself to her limits. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Joe Bunney (@joebunney) The Manchester United player knew she would have to be in the best physical shape to force her way into Sarina Wiegman's starting XI. There would have been disappointment when she was not picked to start the opening game against France, but those who know Toone well know she is more dangerous after a setback. Those hard yards in Cyprus paid dividends when Toone started against the Netherlands. She was all over the pitch, pressing and harrying the Dutch defenders, her second-half goal a reward for the tenacity she had shown – but her best was yet to come. Back in the team and back with a goal ⚽️ Ella Toone made it FOUR for England 👏🏴 — ITV Football (@itvfootball) July 9, 2025 Against Wales, Toone scored, assisted and completed 100 per cent of her passes. But it has been her work off the ball that has caught the eye most of all. Toone's inclusion in the team has led to the redeployment of Lauren James from No 10 to the right wing. The switch has allowed James to get on the ball more while Toone has provided balance to the midfield – something which the two players sitting behind her, Keira Walsh and Georgia Stanway, have appreciated. 'She's come in and done an incredible job,' Walsh said after England's victory over Wales. 'People speak about her offensively, but the defensive work she does for me and Georgia when she's in there is incredible. She covers a lot of spaces that we can't. 'That's probably been the main thing that's stopped other teams from playing as well. Obviously, with LJ on the wing, we've managed to get both of them on the pitch at the same time and they are two world-class players.' This is not the first time we have seen Toone overcome adversity. The midfielder's father, Nick, died in September having been diagnosed with testicular cancer the day after he had watched his daughter score in the Euro 2022 final at Wembley. Toone is extremely close with her family, who attend all of her matches for club and country. The midfielder struggled for form at the start of the season before picking up a calf injury that kept her out for six weeks. Toone told Telegraph Sport earlier this year that the injury was a blessing in disguise and allowed her time to grieve. Her return from injury coincided with an excellent run of form. She scored a hat-trick in the Manchester derby in her first game back and went on to win United's player of the season award. It was a surprise to see the midfielder left out of United's starting XI for the FA Cup final in May, but Toone is a player who thrives off bouncing back – much like England have done in this tournament. Toone has been able to lean on Beth Mead, whose mum died of ovarian cancer in 2023, for support in the past year. Both players have celebrated their goals at this tournament by pointing to the sky in a tribute to their late parents. 'I think we've both said the first game we really struggled a little bit,' Mead said. 'You look to the stands for your person who is standing there and they're not there anymore. 'So I obviously understand what Ella felt in that moment. And it's a special to be able to have that moment and think about them and dedicate to them.' Toone has been watched from the stands by boyfriend Joe and mum Karen for each game in Switzerland and the pair play a vital role in supporting her through tough times. Her team-mate and best friend Alessia Russo is also key. The two players have a bond on and off the pitch and have linked up for multiple goals in the last two games. Russo assisted Toone against the Netherlands and was also involved in the build-up for her goal against Wales. Toone then repaid the favour by teeing up Russo in the same match. 😫 Mistakes galore at the back for Wales 🏴 Ella Toone adds a second for England — ITV Football (@itvfootball) July 13, 2025 The pair are chalk and cheese when it comes to personalities but have an incredible understanding on the pitch. 'She's been working so hard on lots of different things,' Russo said of Toone. 'As a best mate, to see someone go on a journey like that, especially after the tough year she's had, it's really nice to see her flourish on the big stage.' With Toone playing behind Russo and James out wide, Wiegman has found the perfect attacking formula. The midfielder was taken off at half-time against Wales because she is carrying a yellow card from the first game and Wiegman knows how valuable she will be in the knockouts. Pick up a booking in the quarter-final against Sweden and she would miss a potential semi-final. Toone has proven herself to be an indispensable member of this team. 'I've been working really hard,' she said after the game against Wales. 'I'm my own worst critic when it comes to me playing in games and training and I've been quite hard on myself. 'I wanted to make sure that for this tournament I was at my best so I've worked hard. The rewards are really paying off and I'm really enjoying it.'
BBC News
41 minutes ago
- BBC News
Gossip: Arsenal reluctant to pay £68m Eze release clause
Arsenal are set to approach Crystal Palace to discuss whether they can do a deal for Eberechi Eze without triggering the attacking midfielder's £68m release clause. (Talksport), externalLiverpool have held talks with Jean-Philippe Mateta, with the Eagles striker meeting the Anfield club's representatives in Paris. (Footmercato - in French), externalWant more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip columnFollow the gossip column on BBC Sport
