Summary

  • Gareth Southgate & Harry Kane news conference (19:15)

  • England v Denmark (Wed, 20:00)

  • Get Involved: #bbcfootball or text 81111 (UK only - texts will be charged at your standard message rate)

  1. Archive - Spain blow Italy away in Euro 2012 finalpublished at 11:32 British Summer Time 6 July 2021

    Italy v Spain (20:00 BST)

    Today's semi-final at Wembley is a repeat of the 2012 final, when David Silva's opener helped Spain retain their status of European champions with a 4-0 victory in Kyiv.

    Media caption,

    Archive: Spain v Italy - Euro 2012

  2. England training - live streampublished at 11:24 British Summer Time 6 July 2021

    England v Denmark (Wed, 20:00 BST)

    England

    If you click on the play icon above now, you can watch England's final training session at St George's Park before Wednesday's semi-final... live!!

    Gareth Southgate and Martyn MargetsonImage source, Reuters
  3. Old guard impress - but how much will Italy miss Spinazzola?published at 11:17 British Summer Time 6 July 2021

    Italy v Spain (20:00 BST)

    The low point of Italy's night was left-back Leonardo Spinazzola going off in tears after suffering an Achilles tendon injury.

    The 28-year-old Roma defender pulled up chasing the ball before leaving on a stretcher and is expected to be out for months.

    In the BBC Sport player rater, he has averaged 7.9, the third most of any player at Euro 2020.

    Italy coach Roberto Mancini said: "He was playing extraordinarily well. He was even one of the best in the Euro."

    Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, Chris Sutton said: "He has had an unbelievable tournament. He is an absolute machine, a flyer. Sometimes finely tuned machines break down. This is so sad.

    "A huge player - arguably in the form of his life. He is going to be a massive, massive loss. He's irreplaceable. They're some boots to fill. He has been my player of the tournament."

    Italy's Leonardo Spinazzola leaves the field on a stretcher against BelgiumImage source, Reuters
  4. The latest version of Spain needs to turn up - Mendietapublished at 11:05 British Summer Time 6 July 2021

    Italy v Spain (20:00 BST)

    Gaizka Mendieta
    Former Spain midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live

    "I'm hoping that the Spain that played in the last game turns up tonight, in terms of the improvement from the early game against Sweden.

    "The thing that they need to improve on is being more clinical in both areas, taking their chances because against Italy there won't be many, and be more ruthless and strong in defence because the Italians are really strong in both of those areas."

    On whether the people of Spain are starting to believe: "Yes, I think they are. They were sceptical in the beginning about Luis Enrique, his squad and his style of football, but now after the quarter-final he has finally convinced a lot of people."

    Spain players celebrateImage source, Getty Images
  5. Pizza or paella?published at 10:47 British Summer Time 6 July 2021

    Italy v Spain (20:00 BST)

    BBC Radio 5 Live

    Now then, here's a chat to be had today.

    Ahead of the first semi-final between Italy and Spain, on BBC Radio 5 Live they've been discussing which nation has the better cuisine?

    That got me thinking, it's a tough one, isn't it? Each country does have a strong selection of dishes.

    If you're not sure who is going to win the game, why not let us know who has the best grub instead via #bbcfootball

    Pizza and paellaImage source, Getty Images
  6. Pick your Three Lions starting XIpublished at 10:43 British Summer Time 6 July 2021

    England v Denmark (Wed, 20:00 BST)

    Gareth Southgate's England stand just two victories away from winning the European Championship on home soil after they thrashed Ukraine in Rome on Saturday.

    Next, they come up against Denmark in the semi-finals at Wembley - but who would you pick for Wednesday's game?

    Click here to select your team and formation, then share it on social media using #bbcfootball

    England players celebrate Raheem Sterling's goal against GermanyImage source, Reuters
  7. So, who are you supporting again?published at 10:32 British Summer Time 6 July 2021

    England v Denmark (Wed, 20:00 BST)

    A football fan who covered his house in 64 England flags to celebrate the Euros said the response had been "brilliant".

    Father-of-three Lee Johnson, 35, plastered his terraced house on a main road in Basildon, Essex, and admitted he had "gone a bit over the top".

    The display has prompted beeping horns and shouts of approval from passing traffic, and donations to the Brain Tumour Charity.

    "My kids are loving it, especially after the year we've had," he said. "It's completely covered from top to bottom - I didn't plan to do that much."

    It took several hours to complete over four "excruciatingly hot" days, with a friend helping out with some of the loftier perches, as Mr Johnson is "not the best with heights".

    Lee Johnson's house covered in England flags
  8. England at major tournaments: Your fan experiencespublished at 10:22 British Summer Time 6 July 2021

    England v Denmark (Wed, 20:00 BST)

    After England's 4-0 thrashing of Ukraine in the quarter-finals of Euro 2020 on Saturday, John from Lincolnshire was moved to message into our live text:

    "I was at Wembley in 1966 when England beat Argentina in the quarter-final. Tonight I've seen them play as well as they have in many a year."

    So, England supporters, as the national side bids to make history this week, get in touch like John and tell us your experiences from following them at major tournaments over the years - and what a successful England team would mean to you. Click here to send your message. We'd love to hear from you!

    England fans chant during the team's win over Germany at WembleyImage source, PA Media
  9. Euro 2020 semi-final a 'very special opportunity' for Englandpublished at 10:14 British Summer Time 6 July 2021

    England v Denmark (Wed, 20:00 BST)

    England

    England have a "very special opportunity" to make the country happy when they face Denmark in their Euro 2020 semi-final on Wednesday, says manager Gareth Southgate.

    A 4-0 quarter-final win against Ukraine in Rome on Saturday sent Southgate's side through to the last four. They now return to Wembley - the site of their last semi-final appearance in the men's Euros 25 years ago.

    "England matches bring families and communities together," said Southgate.

    Speaking to BBC sports editor Dan Roan, he added: "The opportunity to bring happiness and create brilliant nights for our fans, our nation, is a very special one that you have when you play with England.

    "They are matches that you remember where you were and some of the nicest messages you get are that people appreciate how the players have been - that they feel they can connect with them - they should be very proud of that."

    Steve Holland and Gareth Southgate at England trainingImage source, Reuters
  10. I speak to my son on FaceTime every day, it's a joy - Sterlingpublished at 10:06 British Summer Time 6 July 2021

    England v Denmark (Wed, 20:00 BST)

    Raheem Sterling was pictured with his son Thiago while England players and fans celebrated their win over Germany in the last 16.

    You may also have seen them together in a certain television advertisement over the last few weeks.

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  11. It's not been an easy road with the national team - Sterlingpublished at 09:58 British Summer Time 6 July 2021

    England v Denmark (Wed, 20:00 BST)

    England

    England forward Raheem Sterling has also spoken to BBC Sport about growing up next to Wembley Stadium, answering his critics and why family is so important to him.

    Media caption,

    Euro 2020 'It's not been an easy road with the national team' - Raheem Sterling

  12. 'It's great to see Sterling doing it on the other side of the wall'published at 09:52 British Summer Time 6 July 2021

    England v Denmark (Wed, 20:00 BST)

    BBC Radio 5 Live

    One of Raheem Sterling's former teachers, Dave Thorpe, was speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast earlier about his former pupil.

    "I'm quietly nervous - I'm 61 years old so I've seen a lot of England over the years," he said.

    "Raheem's been superb. I taught him PE when he was between eight and 10, at a small primary school in Brent, which backs onto Wembley Stadium.

    "He used to run rings round all of the staff members when he was eight so it's great to see him doing that now the other side of the wall, in the stadium itself."

  13. Sterling enjoying some rest and recovery with Rashfordpublished at 09:46 British Summer Time 6 July 2021

    England v Denmark (Wed, 20:00 BST)

    Some of the England players have been relaxing by playing keepy-uppies with their heads in the team pool and jumping onto inflatable unicorns (see 7:50).

    Raheem Sterling and Marcus Rashford, meanwhile, have indulged in a far more sedate form of hydro therapy.

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  14. Wembley crowd increased to 60,000published at 09:28 British Summer Time 6 July 2021

    Italy v Spain (20:00 BST)

    The attendance permitted at Wembley has been increased to 60,000 for the Euro 2020 semi-finals, beginning with the Italy-Spain clash later. How good is that gonna be?!

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  15. New PFA chief gets to workpublished at 09:19 British Summer Time 6 July 2021

    Simon Stone
    BBC Sport

    In other news in the domestic game, Maheta Molango’s first address to players since replacing Gordon Taylor as the Professional Footballers' Association's chief executive has been translated into different languages as the first step towards making the organisation more inclusive.

    Taylor stood down at the beginning of the month after 40 years in charge. His presence had been the subject of increasing amounts of criticism, especially over the PFA’s perceived lack of response to members who were suffering from dementia and the amounts given towards research.

    Molango, a Swiss national and legally qualified former Brighton player and Real Mallorca chief executive, has vowed to do things differently, starting with helping players to understand the messages he wants to get out in their native language, something that wasn’t previously the case.

    “I will be speaking more in the coming weeks about my priorities and how I want us, collectively, to move forward," he said. “But leadership is also about listening. I have begun my time at the PFA by speaking to members, our internal teams and a wide-range of people from across football.

    “I’ve been hearing about the issues that matter to them – asking what role the PFA can play and where we can do more. Most importantly, I have been making clear my desire to ensure that we work together. I’m looking forward to continuing those conversations.”

    PFA chief executive Maheta MolangoImage source, BBC Sport
  16. EFL 'confident all clubs can successfully manage large scale events'published at 09:09 British Summer Time 6 July 2021

    The English Football League echoed those sentiments. In a statement, their chief executive Trevor Birch said: “The EFL welcomes today’s positive announcement by the Prime Minister that capacity restrictions are expected to be lifted later this month, which will allow us to finally press forward with our plans to see a full return of fans to EFL stadiums from the start of the new EFL season in just four weeks’ time.

    “Football has been planning for this outcome since the outset of the pandemic and having been forced to endure empty stadiums since March 2020, the message from EFL clubs is that we are ready to re-open and welcome fans back in numbers.

    “From the EFL’s own participation in the Events Research Programme and our clubs’ extensive experience built up over many years, we are confident that all our clubs can successfully manage large scale events and we will continue to work with the Government on the guidance that will help support their matchday operations.

    “Today’s developments, of course, have been made possible by the staff at the NHS and countless medical experts and scientists who have helped develop and roll-out the vaccines. On behalf of the League and its membership, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for you playing such an important role in helping re-open our sport and wider society.”

  17. Premier League welcome government announcementpublished at 09:05 British Summer Time 6 July 2021

    The Premier League responded to that news with this statement on Monday: "Fans have been hugely missed so we welcome today's announcement by the Government, and are looking forward to full stadiums in the 2021-22 season.

    "As we move towards a Government decision on step four of the roadmap and beyond, we will continue to work with football stakeholders and relevant public authorities to ensure that the return to full capacity is done in a way that keeps everyone safe."

  18. 'Joy for clubs as capacity crowds return'published at 09:03 British Summer Time 6 July 2021

    The Times

    I lied, here's one more back page for you. Besides more of the 'carpe diem' vibe from Harry Kane, the Times leads on the story that crowds will be returning to football stadiums from the start of the new season following the government's announcement to lift many of the remaining restrictions in England on 19 July.

    Back page of the Times on 6 July 2021Image source, Times