Euro 2020 could be hosted by all of Europe

MICHEL Platini has suggested that the entire Continent could share the burden of hosting the European Championships.
Although Turkey wants to take on the tournament in eight years’ time, the country is also hosting the Olympics that year, putting the plan in doubt.
But despite Scotland, Wales and Ireland declaring an interest, UEFA top brass Platini says a plan to have “12 or 13 cities” across different European countries hosting matches will be considered.
He said: “The Euros in 2020 could be held all over Europe.
“It could be either one country and 12 stadiums, or one stadium in 12 or 13 cities.
“This matter will be discussed very seriously.
“It is the political decision that needs to be made. We wouldn’t have to build stadiums or airports. That could be important in an economic crisis.”

Lookalike – Carry On Italy

ITALY went cruising into the finals of Euro 2012 last night after Mario Balotelli didn’t lose his head, striking a brace against Germany.
But regardless of the on field action, last night I couldn’t stop spying at Italian manager Cesare Prandelli – I was loving the fact he’s the spitting image of Carry On star Kenneth Connor!
At your convenience, I have placed the two together for you to see for yourselves.

Team GB Women’s Football Squad announced

THE British Olympic Association (BOA) has announced today the 18 players that will represent Team GB in women’s football at the London 2012 Olympic Games.
The names of the 18 athletes selected to Team GB today are Eniola Aluko, Anita Asante, Karen Bardsley, Sophie Bradley, Rachel Brown, Karen Carney, Ifeoma Dieke, Stephanie Houghton, Kim Little, Claire Rafferty, Alex Scott, Jill Scott, Kelly Smith, Casey Stoney, Fara Williams, Rachel Williams, Ellen White and Rachel Yankey.
Team GB Women’s Football Head Coach Hope Powell said: “Narrowing my squad down to 18 was very, very tough because of the calibre of player we’ve got coming through now.
“But we were very extensive in our scouting and our research and I believe we have got an excellent squad in terms of quality, balance and strength in depth. They are all current internationals with plenty of experience.
“This is a great chance for these players to be involved in something huge and it gives us a great platform to further raise the profile of the women’s game.”

Euro 2012 custard cream replica takes the biscuit

A REPLICA Euro 2012 trophy made entirely from custard cream biscuits is being auctioned for charity.
The biscuit, being auctioned on eBay, took 10 hours to put together by the chefs who previously created the world’s biggest ever custard cream.
Proceeds from the sale will go to homelessness charity Framework.
The eBay listing says: “Feeling like you need a cuppa? Can you make one big enough for this custard cream?”
To see the listing, which ends tomorrow, log on here.

Desert stadium planned

NO, IT’S not a mirage – this is a stadium set to be built in the desert.
The project, called The Rock Stadium, is located in the Al Ain desert of the United Arab Emirates.
It will hold up to 40,000 fans and is being set into the ground to help keep the stadium cool.
The whole project is set to cost around 3.5 billion dirham – which is around a cool £606m.
It’s definitely worth it though.

Naked protest planned for England vs Sweden

ENGLAND’S crunch match with group rivals Sweden could be swamped by up to 300 naked women.
Protest group Femen – which has already staged a handful of topless protests against Euro 2012’s boost to Ukraine’s illegal prostitution industry – have threatened the streaker swarm at the Olympic Stadium in Kiev tonight.
Group leader Inna Shevchenko, 21, said: “We are planning sex attacks, sex diversions, sex sabotage. I cannot give details.
“But what happened with my country during the last two or three months of preparation for Euro 2012 is really terrible.
“Now in Kiev, for example, we have more brothels and strip clubs than pharmacies.”

Top brass unban England Band

THE England band will play on after being given assurances they would be allowed into the remaining games at Euro 2012.
After driving 2,800 miles to Donetsk for Monday’s Group D opener with France and being granted admittance to the Donbass Arena, the band were stunned when security staff confiscated their instruments.
Following representations by the Football Association, UEFA have confirmed the band will be allowed into the Sweden game.
“We are delighted UEFA have seen sense on this matter and the band can carry on banging the drum for England,” said a spokesman for band sponsors Pukka Pies.
Band representative John Hemmingham added: “It’s the best news possible.”

Lookalike – Mario McFly

GERMANY are looking to go back to the future at the Euros by winning their first title since 1996’s tournament – so it’s rather apt that their firing frontman Mario Gomez looks the spitting image of George McFly.
*Insert joke about Mario Gomez not being likely to reach 88mph here*

Wayne Rooney’s latest hairdo…

YIKES, crikey, and jeepers, this is one hair-raising style.
I know the England forward must be proud of his new post-surgery locks, but I think I actually preferred the male pattern baldness look.

England Band were banned

PUKKA Pies will be making an official representation to UEFA following the exclusion of the Pukka Pies England Band for the England versus France match at the European Championship.
The brass band were excluded from the Donbass Arena on Monday evening and were asked to remove their instruments from the stadium – making the game the first the band have missed in 18 years, a run that includes over 300 consecutive appearances.
A spokesman for Pukka Pies, who sponsor the musicians, said: “The way the band have been treated leaves a sour taste in the mouth and is very disappointing and we will be making an official representation to UEFA.
“We will be doing everything that we can to make sure that the band take their rightful place at the England versus Sweden game in Kiev.”