Adidas has provided a new match ball for the Euro 2020 semi-finals and final, which will all be played at Wembley.

Extra details have been added to the Uniforia Finale to celebrate the location and the importance of the final three matches in the tournament, while also ensuring that the ball stands out on the field.

These include watermark details of Wembley Stadium, as well as an extra white print for a light appearance. These features are contrasted with signal green, red, cyan and pink brushstrokes, inspired by iconic London symbols and traditional colours, that sit against a dark background representing the London sky at night.

Image source, adidas

BBC Monitoring
The world through its media

Italian newspaper Il Sole 24 Ore, external encourages the Azzurri to “keep calm” and stay humble: “We have a hurdle ahead of us that won’t tolerate any distractions. Victory against Spain isn’t guaranteed in the slightest.

"We better not let the splendid win against Belgium go to our heads…too many cheers, too much applause could eventually be detrimental.”

Online magazine l'Ultimo Uomo, external adds: “In this tournament we’ve realised that a young, cohesive and brave national team is appreciated much more than a team full of champions that don’t know how to play together.”

The Athletic

According to former Arsenal, Paris St-Germain and Real Madrid striker Nicolas Anelka,, external fellow Frenchman Kylian Mbappe needs to leave PSG to win the Ballon d’Or.

Guillem Balague explains how "aggressive" and "obsessed" manager Luis Enrique has remodelled the Spain team after the departure from the international scene of most of its golden generation, who won it all between 2008 and 2012.

Gerald

BBC Monitoring
The world through its media

“Italy vs Spain never lies,” reads Italian newspaper Il Post., external “Germany and France may be Italy’s greatest football rivals, but Spain is the opponent with which we’ve clashed more often – and perhaps the one we’ve learned the most from… In 2008, the penalties victory against Italy was what kickstarted Spain’s memorable period of international success.

"At the time, Italy was world champion and the victory gave the Spanish the knowledge they could do big things,” says the article.

"Roberto Mancini’s stated objective for today’s match is to win the tournament as redemption for the failure to qualify for the last World Cup. Meanwhile, Luis Enrique’s team has just started to rebuild after the disappointing World Cup in Russia.”

Simon Gleave, head of sports analysis, Gracenote
Simon Gleave, head of sports analysis, Gracenote

"Italy were ranked seventh in the world by Gracenote at the beginning of Euro 2020 but their results have moved them up to third going into this semi-final. The team's chance of becoming European champions for the first time since 1968 was estimated at 9.1% by Gracenote's forecast before the tournament started, which made them fifth favourites. This has risen to 28.7% with only England regarded as more likely to win Euro 2020.

"Prior to Euro 2020 beginning, Spain were the second most likely team to reach this stage according to Gracenote's simulations. Spain's draw with Sweden in the group phase moved them off a schedule which would have had them meet England in Rome in the quarter-finals - a likely 50/50 game on neutral ground. Instead, easier knockout matches have now given them a tough semi-final against Italy. Spain's chance of winning the competition has increased from 10.8% before the tournament started to 16.7% now.

"Italy are the favourites to go through to the final from this first semi-final, with Gracenote estimating their chance of doing so at 59%. Spain's chance of a third European Championship final in the last four is 41%."

JBL, Cambridge

Simon Stone
BBC Sport

It says a lot about the career trajectory of Luke Shaw that when I asked someone who knows him well whether they thought in January the Manchester United defender would make Gareth Southgate's Euro 2020 squad, the answer came back: 'I was still nervous for him in June'.

The comment was semi-light-hearted. The 25-year-old had already been selected in an expanded 33-man squad as Southgate wrestled with the demands of European finals - one of which Shaw played in - and injuries.

And while the example of Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold's injury proved not even making the 26-man cut on 1 June could guarantee a ride on the joy-filled bus that threatens to transport England to their first tournament triumph since 1966, by that time Shaw had done enough.

What has happened since has been a testament to the volte-face Shaw's career has undergone.

Here's more from Simon on how Shaw has managed to revive his career.

The Actual Tim

Now, now Tim's. Paella and risotto are both glorious in their own special way.

Image source, Getty Images

If you are a left-back, what higher praise can you get than that from one of the greats in that position.

After a great season with Manchester United, Luke Shaw is having a very good Euros with England, and it hasn't gone unnoticed by Brazil legend Roberto Carlos.

"You can see he's very motivated," he said. "He's really improving, his performance against Ukraine was very good. He's been an important part of this English team, along with all the others.

"He's been improving each game and I think he's got everything to get to the top. He's the left-back for England, that in itself says a lot."

On similarities between his game and Shaw's: "I don't like comparing, it's two completely different periods in football.

"I had my time and now he's having his. Similarities I think could be that he has strength and the desire to win, just like I did."

Angelo

Hmm, is that allowed Angelo?

Good news for any of you planning to watch Sunday's Euro 2020 final in your 'local'... Boris Johnson has granted pubs special permission to open until 23:15 - 15 minutes after normal closing time - in case the showpiece goes to extra time and penalties.

The game at Wembley will kick off at 20:00 BST so normal time would finish at about 22:00. If the score is level, it will be followed by 30 minutes extra time.

The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: "The entire nation has been gripped by the Euros and this will ensure people can come together to enjoy the final in pubs, should they wish to do so."

If England beat Denmark in Wednesday's semi-final they will reach the final of a major tournament for the first time since winning the World Cup at Wembley in 1966.

About 60,000 supporters are expected to Sunday's final, including Prince William, who is president of the Football Association and was at the last-16 win over Germany with the Duchess of Cambridge and their son Prince George.

However, Kate is currently self-isolating after coming into contact with someone who later tested positive for coronavirus. She was informed on Friday and is staying at home at Kensington Palace.

Leeds United

One done deal from earlier today... Leeds fans, you have a new full-back.

Junior Firpo has joined from Barcelona for about £13m. The former Spain Under-21 international, 24, has signed a four-year deal.

Read more on this here.

Image source, Getty Images

The Daily Mail

According to the Mail,, externalTottenham have held talks over a move for Southampton's Denmark defender Jannik Vestergaard.

The 28-year-old could join his compatriot Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, who joined Spurs from the Saints last year.

Catch up with all of today's transfer rumours here.

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Radio 5 Live

Jan Laursen, executive chairman of FC Nordsjaelland, has been speaking about Denmark manager Kasper Hjulmand, who had two stints in charge of the Danish club before taking over as national team boss in 2020.

"He is a very dedicated man - a coach that brought in a clear playing philosophy and who is focused on how the group is brought together, how we work together and how we treat each other," Laursen told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"He has a lot of qualities and I'm very happy that he's having this success at the moment."

Laursen also offered a little bit of insight into the Danish football model and their "David and Goliath thinking".

"We have a clear model of how we want to play, which was also inspired by Kasper, and we have a big belief in youth so for the past three years we (Nordsjaelland) have had, on average, the youngest first team in Europe. So we try to do it our way and be a little bit innovative, but basically believe a lot that the young players can make it.

"I think as a Dane, you are maybe used to this David and Goliath thinking, that you have to beat the bigger ones, so that is part of the motivation of this team - that we have the chance to beat the bigger countries."

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Sounds

Steve Crossman, Chris Waddle, Izzy Christiansen and Don Hutchison preview the Euro 2020 semi-finals in the latest episode of the Daily Euros podcast.

They look at how England might line up against Denmark and hear from Harry Kane, who talks about his upturn in form after scoring three times in two matches.

Jump on it here.

Anon.

Wow, talk about where does your allegiance lie. Sunday could be a dilemma for you then.

Back to the Italian papers now, and today's Corriere dello Sport reads 'who knows if it goes'.

Spain have three European titles to Italy's solitary success in 1968, but it's clear you see Italy as favourites for this one. Just look at the entry at 12:02 to see how many of you are backing the Azzurri.

Image source, Corriere dello Sport