Club Mirror Football Special

clubmirror AT THE HEART OF THE COMM UNITY

Football Special UEFA EURO 2020 – all you need to know BT Sport – calling all club footballers S PO R TING FIXTU R E S • F OO TB A L L’S B E S T K E PT SE C R E T • SU P PLI E R SHO W C AS E

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Contents 6 Discover the best kept secret in football You don’t have to be a football fan to have heard of Manchester United, Manchester City or Liverpool.

Not so Bowers & Pitney, Hornchurch, Witton Albion and the thousand-plus others from Hadrian’s Wall to Land’s End that make up one of the best kept secrets in sport. Mark Harris Chairman, Northern Premier League, explains.

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9 Wembley calling!

Wembley Stadium will be at the centre of the sporting universe this summer as the 24 competing nations aim for a place in the final of UEFA EURO 2020 on July 11. Club Mirror looks at the three teams charged with carrying British hopes in the tournament. Could football be coming home?

11 Top performers at the top of their game One of the pleasures of major tournaments is the chance to spot Premier League players performing for their national sides. Club Mirror throws a spotlight on six players we expect to play a prominent part in the UEFA EURO tournament.

14 UEFA EURO 2020 fixtures

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One for the club bulletin board. The low down on fixtures – who’s playing when and where? All the dates you’ll need for a packed club.

16 Contenders ready Will there be a new name on the UEFA EURO 2020 trophy come July 11? We profile the 24 teams who will be competing hard for the title this summer.

20 Sports Fixtures – June June is rammed with top sporting action, from UEFA EURO 2020 and the British Lions tour to the more sedate Wimbledon and Ascot.

22 Sports Fixtures – July What’s coming up? Top picks and latest listings for some dramatic viewing.

24 Dreams can come true

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Research from amongst 2000 consumers reveals just how much the great British public has missed a pint in their favourite local venue. With a fantastic season of sport underway and UEFA EURO 2020 hitting the screens, now is the time for sports-crazy members to get back into the club and enjoy some big screen action.

30 Supplier showcase Showcasing products, services and businessbuilding advice from club-supporting suppliers.

CLUB MIRROR FOOTBALL SPECIAL 3

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WELCOME

Contributors

Let battle commence As we go to press, Skinner and Baddiel’s never-to-be-beaten football anthem Three Lions is already hitting the airwaves as the delayed 2020 European Championships get underway in earnest.

Clubland has been busy gearing up for a major boost to trade as our national sides take part in the UEFA EURO 2020 tournament, with 24 teams playing out the drama in venues across 11 countries. Given the advent of lockdown liftoff, the nation’s obsession with all things football and the fact that the 2018 World Cup saw a 39% increase in incremental spend by fans, there’s every reason to be optimistic about the extra revenue that the tournament can bring in.

So could England’s ‘three lions on a shirt’ roar their way to victory and win it at Wembley? Whether any British teams lift the trophy or not, there’s no doubt that sport once again will prove a unifier, and members will want to share the excitement at their favourite sporting venue, the club.

In another Wembley shout-out, the home of football is proving a beacon for other parts of the licensed trade. BT Sport is inviting grassroots club footballers to join up with their local pub for the 2021 Pub Cup, securing the chance to head towards a final at the hallowed turf of Wembley.

Anyone can enter. It could be a few of your members who like a kick about, your own football team, or maybe your club is used as a ‘home’ by a local side.

You just need a squad of 12 and to link up with a local BT Sport Pub. (The deadline is June 18, 2021. Sign up at https://www.bt.com/sport/pubcup.html).

So here’s to Wembley bringing us all good luck, good business and good cheer.

One way or another, football truly is coming home.

SEAN FERRIS Guest Editor MD Club Mirror

Ashley Cairns

Chris Colverd

Sean Ferris

Karen Foreman

David Foster

Larry Hardcastle

Mark Harris

Toby Johansson

Hamish Maclean

Justin O’Regan

Nick Sellens

Jill Slingsby

Guest Editor Sean Ferris Design David Foster Editorial Chris Colverd, Caroline Scoular Events Karen Foreman, Jill Slingsby Display Advertising Margaret Doherty Sales & Marketing Leigh-Ann Ogilvie Circulation Jon Hardy Accounts Andrew Soles Publishing Director Sean Ferris

Club Mirror is published by Alchemy Contract Publishing Ltd, Gainsborough House, 59/60 Thames Street, Windsor SW4 1TX. Tel: 01753 272022. Fax: 01753 272 021 Email: caroline@clubmirror.com; sean@clubmirror.com; leigh-ann@alchemymedia.co.uk; info@clubmirror.com ACP Gainsborough House 59/60 Thames Street Windsor Berkshire SL4 1TX UK t. +44 (0)1753 272022 f. +44 (0)1753 272021 e.info@alchemycontractpublishing.co.uk www.alchemycontractpublishing.co.uk The views expressed in this journal are not necessarily those of the publisher. Club Mirror does not verify the claims made by advertisers regarding their products.

CLUB MIRROR FOOTBALL SPECIAL 5

NATIONAL LEAGUE SYSTEM

Discover the best kept secret in UK football You don’t have to be a football fan to have heard of Manchester United, Manchester City or Liverpool. Not so Bowers & Pitney, Hornchurch, Witton Albion and the thousand-plus others from Hadrian’s Wall to Land’s End that make up one of the best kept secrets in sport. Mark Harris Chairman, Northern Premier League, explains.

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arely written about and often unknown outside of their own villages, towns and cities, clubs in the National League System (NLS) nevertheless play an essential role in their local communities.

The NLS is the umbrella term for the six levels of the English football pyramid below the English Football League (EFL), often dubbed ‘non-league’, despite every club belonging to one of 57 leagues across the country.

The NLS pyramid The NLS pyramid is unique in the world of football.

It enables any ambitious team to progress from parks football to the Premier League if they have the drive, facilities, and finance to do so.

There is a single division at the apex of the pyramid, with the number of divisions doubling at each level downwards to Step 6. Promotion and relegation between the different steps are mandatory, with two clubs being promoted and relegated between Step 1 and League 2 every year.

Different leagues manage the levels of the NLS. Each is autonomous but sanctioned by, and under the auspices of the Football Association (FA), supervised by the FA’s Alliance Committee (for Steps 1 – 4) and Leagues Committee (for Steps 5 – 6). For example, Steps 1 and 2 are managed by the National League, whilst Steps 3 and 4 comprise regional competitions – the Northern Premier, Isthmian and Southern leagues, known collectively as the Trident Leagues.

The different levels of the English football pyramid can be confusing. The Premier League is the top tier of English football, so Step 1 of the NLS is the fifth tier; Step 2 is the sixth, and so on. We should probably standardise, but it sounds a lot better to say your club is playing at Step 3 than in the seventh tier!

Non-league myths Most clubs who fall through the EFL trap door into the NLS look at their predecessors and shudder.

After all, it took Barrow almost half a century to regain Football League status after dropping out in 1972. Southport, Workington, Bradford Park Avenue

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and, more recently, York City, are still trying.

A spell in non-league can help turn clubs’ fortunes around. Bristol Rovers, Colchester United, Lincoln City and Shrewsbury Town are examples of clubs who accepted they were playing at a lower level, brushed themselves down, got on with the business of winning promotion – and succeeded.

In times past, the main difference between professional football and non-league was that professionals got paid and no-league plays did it for the love of the game. This was always a fallacy but nowadays the distinction is even more blurred.

Most National League clubs are full-time, and whilst all players at Steps 2 and below are part-time, some clubs like York City (National League North), South Shields (Northern Premier League and others have also gone full time in search of promotion to the higher levels of the pyramid.

Laying solid foundations Although, sadly, money plays a big part in foot-

balling success at all levels, there is more to professionalism than money.

The majority of NLS clubs may only get 100 fans attending games but they are often vibrant businesses. All clubs at Steps 1 – 4 are licensed to operate annually by the FA. They are required to demonstrate their viability via regular financial up-dates.

They also have to up-grade stadium facilities as they progress upwards through the leagues.

Thanks to financial support from the FA via the Football Foundation, hundreds of clubs have invested heavily in their facilities, up-grading spectator areas, installing 4G pitches and supporting infrastructure to generate additional income.

In the NLS, twice-weekly games are just the tip of the operating iceberg. The Northern Premier League’s 81 clubs have around 3,000 adult, junior, women’s and disabled teams. Soccer schools, mental health initiatives and food banks are just a few examples of community engagement taking place now. Over 90% of our clubs have attained FA

South Shields Captain Robert Briggs signs a two-year contract extension. The 29-year-old was able to commit to the club’s full-time training regime thanks to the flexibility of his other employer.

“

Soccer schools, mental health initiatives and food banks are just a few examples of community engagement. Over 90% of our clubs have attained FA Charter Standard status, which recognises the role those clubs play in their local communities.

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Charter Standard status, which recognises the role those clubs play in their local communities.

Unique fan experience The collapse of the European Super League, thanks to a combination of government intervention, the FA taking a firm stance and, above all, football fans collectively making their opposition clear, highlights why hundreds of thousands of people watch NLS fixtures.

The owners of the ESL clubs showed how disconnected they are with their fans. In non-league football, no club owner or director can afford to ignore their fans – quite literally.

Whilst Premier League income through turnstiles and secondary spend from paying spectators makes up 20 – 25% of gross revenues, at Step 2 of the NLS downwards, fans contribute around 90% of all income.

Outside Steps 1 and 2 there is no TV money to be shared, so food and beverage sales often make the difference between losing money and breaking even.

Social clubs and bars are the focal point of every non-league club, second in importance only to the pitch!

Enjoying a sensibly priced pie and pint in safe surroundings, mingling with the players after the game and feeling part of an extended family are all part of the unique fan experience in the NLS. After all, if Liverpool’s Mo Salah misses a sitter, most fans can’t approach him afterwards to find out how. At our level of the game, you can.

It remains to be seen whether supporter disillusionment at the top level of the game translates into supporters turning instead to non-league football.

But there is no doubt that it is a safer and significantly cheaper alternative.

NLS post-pandemic Like the local communities they serve, NLS clubs have been hit hard by the pandemic. Both the 2019/20 and 2020/21easons were curtailed.

Government regulations meant no paying fans

York City Football Club announces pre-season friendlies with Whitby Town and Championship side Middlesbrough. could be admitted to matches, thereby cutting off clubs’ primary income source. Live streaming of matches only generates a fraction of income from turnstiles and can never generate the same level of F&B income.

When the new season kicks off on 14 August this year, the vaccination programme will hopefully enable us to mount a full season with limited interruption. Like the rest of the hospitality sector, we can’t wait to get fans back into our stadia – and not just for financial reasons.

Fans are an essential part of the football product, and never more so than in the NLS. Thanks to social media, there is no shortage of keyboard warriors who believe that every stage of the pandemic should have been predicted and managed differently. That was never the problem.

The real challenge lay in trying to predict the government’s response to COVID-19. So, what are we doing to make things better?

Witton Albion’s pre 2021/22 NPL Season kicks off on Saturday 24 July against Northwich Victoria.

As administrators, we can put contingency plans in place, but there are so many factors that can impact on whether our clubs can stage football matches safely. In the meantime, we will encourage our clubs to maintain Coronavirus protocols and do all we can to keep fans, players, volunteers, and everybody who loves non-league football safe.

Bristol Rovers got on with the business of winning promotion and succeeded. This month, Under-16s playmaker Kyrie Pierre join Aston Villa in a record fee for the club’s Academy.

CLUB MIRROR FOOTBALL SPECIAL 7

<

Score 50% off BT Sport With Budweiser Brewing Group.

Simply add a draught Budweiser Brewing Group Brand to your bar to qualify.

12 month plan. New customers only.

Call BT Sport now on

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BT Sport on 12 month contract: This offer is available, at BT’s discretion, to customers who have qualified for the BT/BBG Additional BBG Brand Offer or the BT/BBG New Customer Offer before 30th June 2021.

This will be applied following confirmation that your additional BBG brand has been installed. Customers who take this offer must sign up to BT Sport Total with a 12 month minimum contractual period. If you terminate the service during the minimum period, you may incur early termination charges. If you are a Pub, Golf Club or club affiliated to Corca your subscription charges will be based on the rateable value of your premises. Please call to confirm your rateable value and BT Sport subscription price. Not available in conjunction with any other offers other than those mentioned above. This offer is subject to BT’s Agreement for BT Sport – Commercial Premises (Single Premises) which can be found at business.bt.com/terms/#sport, BT/BBG New BT Sport Customer Offer.

(Credit: AFP via Getty Images)

UEFA EURO 2020

Football’s coming home Wembley Stadium will be at the centre of the sporting universe this summer as the 24 competing nations aim for a place in the final of UEFA EURO 2020 on July 11. Club Mirror looks at the three teams who will be carrying British hopes in the tournament.

I

t’s a fair bet that Skinner and Baddiel’s seminal football anthem Three Lions is going to be getting some serious airplay on the nation’s radio stations this summer with football very much set to come home as the delayed 2020 European Championships kick off on June 11 and reaches its climax a month later under the iconic arch of Wembley Stadium.

Clubs across England, Scotland and Wales will be expecting a major boost to trade as their national sides take part in the 24-team tournament which will play out in venues across 11 countries.

At the time of writing, it is England who are among the bookies’ favourites to lift the trophy on July 11 and secure a major title for the first time since 1966, a scenario which seems all the more likely given that they will be playing the majority of their games at Wembley.

Gareth Southgate’s men enjoyed a near-perfect record qualifying for the tournament – their only defeat coming in October 2019 when they slumped to a 2-1 loss against Czech Republic – and they look to have a very effective blend of talent at their disposal.

Their top scorer in the qualifiers was Tottenham’s Harry Kane and England fans will be hoping that the talismanic Spurs striker and national captain will remain fit throughout the tournament and build on his inspirational showing at the 2018 World Cup. The man himself is certainly looking forward to leading the Three Lions in the Euros and believes that the team will receive a major boost from the form shown by English teams in Europe this season.

“We have a lot of English players playing at the top of their game,” said Kane. “That should only help us as a national side. You want them getting exposed

to the biggest games around the world.”

“Our group has grown stronger year by year.

We’ve got a good mix of experience and young talent and it’s important to have that, especially in a tournament environment.

“I’m sure Gareth has got a bit of a headache of who to pick but that’s what we want. We want competition for places and that’s the only way we’re going to be one of the best teams in the world.

“We had a great World Cup in 2018. We didn’t quite get over the line, so with the players we’ve got and the manager and the group of staff it’s a great opportunity for us and we’re excited for the challenge. We know it will be difficult but we’ve got enough ability to try and take it all the way.”

England – who face Croatia, Czech Republic and Scotland in Group D – will be on familiar territory for much of the tournament. The Three Lions are

CLUB MIRROR FOOTBALL SPECIAL 9

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UEFA EURO 2020 the top seeds in the group and all three of their games take place at Wembley.

They certainly get off to an intriguing start to the tournament as they take on Croatia, who knocked England out of the 2018 World Cup in the semifinals. They will then face Scotland in a highly-anticipated meeting, before rounding off the group stage against Czech Republic.

If they top their group, they will meet the runnersup of Group F – Portugal, Germany, France or Hungary – at Wembley in the Round of 16.

If England finish second in their group, they will take on the winners of Group E, one of Spain, Poland, Sweden, Slovakia.

There is another possibility for England – they could progress from the group stages as one of the six best third-placed teams.

Whichever route they take, England are sure to have a massive groundswell of support behind them as they progress.

Scotland As for England’s Group D opponents Scotland, this will be just the third time they have reached the finals of the European Championships, following on from 1992 and 1996 when they were eliminated during the group stages – and this is the first major championship they have been involved in since the 1998 World Cup. There were many edge-of-seat moments before they could qualify – including penalty shootouts in both the play-off semi-final and final – but this gave way to mass euphoria when Steve Clarke’s men successfully booked their place at Euro 2020.

One of the key men for Scotland has been Aston Villa midfielder John McGinn who was in fine form for his country during the Euro qualifiers and has carried on in the same vein in the more recent World Cup qualifiers.

McGinn believes that taking part in Euro 2020 could be a springboard to even greater achievements.

“The excitement is a good thing but the manager stresses that we don’t want it to be a one-off,” he said.

“The manager was stressing that we don’t want to be one-tournament wonders and we all share the same belief.

“When the manager came in we just wanted to give the country a team to be proud of, we are not quite there yet but we are certainly building towards it.”

“I think there has been anticipation building, we had to be professional and focus on these three World Cup qualifiers but it has been tough, we all have our eyes on something we have dreamed about for a long time, not only for us as players but as supporters, everyone involved.

“We are just keeping everything crossed that things can develop, the vaccine can keep charging on and we can get some supporters in.

“I know a lot of Scotland fans who travel everywhere and have experienced so much disappointment and so many near misses so it is more for them and for us as well.”

Scotland’s tournament begins on June 14 at the home of Scottish football – Hampden Park – where

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Scotland host Croatia, before they make the trip to Wembley to face England on June 18 in a match which will rekindle memories of the fiery Euro ‘96 clash between the two rivals at the same venue.

The Scots then return to Hampden on June 22 to play Croatia, as they look to book a place in the knockout stages of a major tournament for the first time in their history.

Wales Wales complete the triumvirate of British nations taking their rightful place on the big stage this summer and have a lot to live up to given their heroics in Euro 2016 when they reached the semi-finals where they were beaten 2-0 by eventual champions Portugal.

It has not been the smoothest of build-ups to the

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If England finish second in their group, they take on the winners of Group E, one of Spain, Poland, Sweden or Slovakia. Another possibility – they could progress from the group stages as one of the six best thirdplaced teams.

tournament with manager Ryan Giggs replaced due to his ongoing legal issues by Robert Page but confidence will be high given the quality of the squad available for the tournament.

Unlike England and Scotland, Wales will not enjoy any home comforts during the group stages with two of the games taking place in Baku, Azerbaijan and one in Rome in Group A. “From the staff’s point of view, we’re fully focused on what’s ahead and we’re all looking forward to it,” said Page. “It’s a great opportunity for the boys to compete against the best in Europe and show what we’re capable of doing.”

“We have set a high bar from before and of course we want to match that, so we want to just continue along this path.

“We have got a couple of tough friendlies, against France and Albania in June, and some great camps coming up to get us all together. Mentally and physically they will all be ready.”

Wales’ fortunes in the tournament will undoubtedly rely heavily on their star players performing.

Inevitably, the media spotlight will be on superstar Gareth Bale, who will be expected to put aside a fairly unsettled period at Spurs under now-sacked manager Jose Mourinho and turn on the style for his country.

Wales open their Euro 2020 account against Switzerland in Baku on June 12, then take on Turkey four days later before heading to Rome for a showdown with Italy on June 20.

Italy will undoubtedly be the favourites to top the group, especially given their home advantage in all three group games, but Wales have every chance of progressing to the knockout stages, particularly if they can recapture the indomitable spirit they showed in 2016.

Whichever teams reach the showpiece final on July 11, the delayed Euro 2020 is sure to provide plenty of entertainment and drama for club members this summer. Altogether now: “It’s coming home, it’s coming home, football’s coming home!”

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UEFA EURO 2020

Players to watch One of the pleasures of major tournaments is the chance to spot Premier League players performing for their national sides. Club Mirror profiles six players who could catch the eye in June and July.

ENGLAND Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur) The England captain has become a talismanic figure for the national side and is enjoying one of the best seasons of his career in club colours, despite the well-publicised problems experienced by Spurs over recent months. Winner of the Golden Boot at the 2018 World Cup, England fans will be hoping that Kane’s rumoured wish to head to another club will not distract him from the job in hand.

The 27 year old has not only been in scintillating goal-scoring form – he is currently on course to finish the domestic season as the Premier League’s top scorer – but has also demonstrated genuine creativity, threading inch-perfect cross through to team-mates Son Heung-min and Steven Bergwijn.

Given his global reputation, Kane is sure to receive plenty of attention from defenders during the tournament, but the centre-forward appears to be far more robust this season than in previous years.

Kane will be desperate to get his hands on the trophy this summer after the disappointment of England’s semi-final defeat in the last World Cup and will be straining every sinew to lead his men to glory at Wembley.

SCOTLAND Andy Robertson (Liverpool) It hasn’t been a vintage season for the Reds but Robertson has never let his standards drop. No wonder then that the left-back has been an almost ever-present in Jurgen Klopp’s side this season.

Admittedly, his statistics are not as stellar this time around as during the last season when Robertson’s ability to press forward and supply his strike force with perfectly placed balls was a key factor in Liverpool’s Premier League title win, contributing two goals and 12 assists during the season.

Having performed at the highest level for his club, Robertson will relish the chance to appear for his country in a major tournament and has been an inspirational figure for Scotland since making his debut back in 2014 with an eye-catching appearing off the bench in the 1-0 victory over Poland.

Robertson further cemented his place in the Scotland team by scoring his first international goal in a friendly against England at Celtic Park in November of that year scoring Scotland’s only goal as they were beaten 3–1.

Robertson was duly appointed as Scotland captain by then manager Alex McLeish in 2018 and has continued to impress with his work rate, passing skill and ability to motivate his teammates.

CLUB MIRROR FOOTBALL SPECIAL 11

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UEFA EURO 2020 WALES Daniel James (Manchester United) Regarded as a star of the future, Daniel James has been enjoying life during his debut season in the Premier League having cut his professional teeth at Swansea City. The 23-year-old winger signed for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side in June 2019 and has become an established squad player in a highly competitive environment.

Stats junkies will know that, in February, he scored United’s Premier League record-equalling goal in the 9–0 home win against Southampton.

James received his first senior call-up for the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying game against Serbia in 2017 by manager Chris Coleman and subsequently made his full Wales debut under Coleman’s successor, Ryan Giggs, in a match against Albania in November 2018, playing the first 58 minutes of the game.

James scored his first Wales goal in only his second cap, netting the only goal of the game in the opening minutes against Slovakiain in his competitive home debut.

Welsh fans will be expecting James to make a giant leap forward during the summer.

ITALY Jorginho (Chelsea) It is unfortunate that Brazilian-born Italy midfielder Jorginho was in the headlines for all the wrong reasons in May when his schoolboy error in the Premier League clash against Arsenal gifted the game to the Gunners. It was a fairly uncharacteristic mistake from

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a man who has been in excellent form for the Blues this season and who was instrumental in helping his team make it to the UEFA Champions League Final.

He arrived at Stamford Bridge from Italy back in 2018 on a £50 million transfer and has settled into his versatile role in the squad. Making his international debut for Italy in 2016, Jorginho failed to make the

squad for Euro 2016 and with Italy failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, he will be aiming to make an impact in his first major tournament for his adopted country.

The 29 year old is a specialist penalty taker, a skill that will undoubtedly come into play during the upcoming tournament.

DENMARK Kasper Schmeichel (Leicester City) Schmeichel has almost become part of the furniture at the King Power Stadium such is the Denmark goalkeeper’s loyalty to Leicester City where he has been for the past 10 years. Now 34, Schmeichel continues to be a steadying force for the Foxes during what has been an excellent season for the men from the East Midlands. He was also a rock for Denmark during the Euro 2020 qualifying campaign, most notably in his man-of-the-match performance in the key win against Switzerland back in 2019.

Previous to that, Schmeichel was in fine form during the 2018 FIFA World Cup, where he started in three group stage matches. His clean sheet in the opening match contributed to a Man of the Match award and helped Schmeichel set a new record for minutes without conceding a goal for Denmark, surpassing his father Peter’s record.

During the Round of 16 match against Croatia, Schmeichel was named Man of the Match after saving a penalty kick taken by Luka Modric in extratime and two penalties during the subsequent shootout, although his opposing counterpart Danijel Subasic saved three penalties in that shootout to eliminate Denmark.

In what will be his last major tournament for his country, Schmeichel will be going all-out to help Denmark challenge for the title.

FRANCE Paul Pogba (Manchester United) World Champions France have plenty of talent at their disposal and will be among the favourites to win the title. Among their dazzling stars is Manchester United’s Paul Pogba, who while much criticised in

the UK and France, looks to be hitting peak form just in time for the Euros. Pogba is certain to feature in United’s Europa League Final plans and will then have the chance to show his creativity for his country on the European stage. An integral part of the squad which finished as runners-up in Euro 2016

and then World Cup winners in 2018, Pogba played exceptionally well throughout both previous tournaments, indeed scoring in the 4-2 World Cup Final win over Croatia. Fans of Les Bleus will be hoping that the midfielder is back to his best during the summer to spearhead another success for France.

CLUB MIRROR FOOTBALL SPECIAL 13

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UEFA EURO 2020

EURO 2020 – fixture facts UEFA EURO 2020 is set to be one of the most important sporting events ever for clubs and their members, coming as it does so soon after lockdown lift-off. Is your club ready for the action?

Make sure your club is the go-to venue for all of these fixtures. Have a great tournament!

Date

Time (GMT)

Team

Team

Stage

Venue

11 June

20:00

Turkey

Italy

Group A

Stadio Olimpico, Rome

12 June

14:00

Wales

Switzerland

Group A

Olympic Stadium, Baku

12 June

17:00

Denmark

Finland

Group B

Parken Stadium, Copenhagen

12 June

20:00

Belgium

Russia

Group B

Krestovsky Stadium, Saint Petersburg

13 June

17:00

Austria

North Macedonia

Group C

13 June

20:00

Netherlands

Ukraine

Group C

Johan Cruyff Arena, Amsterdam

13 June

14:00

England

Croatia

Group D

Wembley Stadium, London

14 June

14:00

Scotland

Czech Republic

Group D

Hampden Park, Glasgow

14 June

17:00

Poland

Slovakia

Group E

Aviva Stadium, Dublin

14 June

20:00

Spain

Sweden

Group E

San Mamés, Bilbao

15 June

17:00

Hungary

Portugal

Group F

Puskás Aréna, Budapest

15 June

20:00

France

Germany

Group F

Allianz Arena, Munich

16 June

17:00

Turkey

Wales

Group A

Olympic Stadium, Baku

16 June

20:00

Italy

Switzerland

Group A

Stadio Olimpico, Rome

16 June

14:00

Finland

Russia

Group B

Krestovsky Stadium, Saint Petersburg

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Arena Naționala, Bucharest ă

Date

Time (GMT)

Team

Team

Stage

Venue

17 June

17:00

Denmark

Belgium

Group B

Parken Stadium, Copenhagen

17 June

14:00

Ukraine

North Macedonia

Group C

17 June

20:00

Netherlands

Austria

Group C

Johan Cruyff Arena, Amsterdam

18 June

17:00

Croatia

Czech Republic

Group D

Hampden Park, Glasgow

18 June

20:00

England

Scotland

Group D

Wembley Stadium, London

18 June

14:00

Sweden

Slovakia

Group E

Aviva Stadium, Dublin

19 June

20:00

Spain

Poland

Group E

San Mamés, Bilbao

19 June

14:00

Hungary

France

Group F

Allianz Arena, Munich

19 June

17:00

Portugal

Germany

Group F

Puskás Aréna, Budapest

20 June

17:00

Switzerland

Turkey

Group A

Olympic Stadium, Baku

20 June

17:00

Italy

Wales

Group A

Stadio Olimpico, Rome

21 June

17:00

North Macedonia

Netherlands

Group C

Johan Cruyff Arena, Amsterdam

21 June

20:00

Russia

Denmark

Group B

Parken Stadium, Copenhagen

21 June

20:00

Finland

Belgium

Group B

Krestovsky Stadium, Saint Petersburg

21 June

17:00

Ukraine

Austria

Group C

22 June

20:00

Croatia

Scotland

Group D

Hampden Park, Glasgow

22 June

20:00

Czech Republic

England

Group D

Wembley Stadium, London

23 June

17:00

Sweden

Poland

Group E

Aviva Stadium, Dublin

23 June

17:00

Slovakia

Spain

Group E

San Mamés, Bilbao

23 June

20:00

Portugal

France

Group F

Puskás Aréna, Budapest

23 June

20:00

Germany

Hungary

Group F

Allianz Arena, Munich

26 June

17:00

Runner-up Group A

Runner-up Group B

R16 Match 38

Johan Cruyff Arena, Amsterdam

26 June

20:00

Winner Group A

Runner-up Group C

R16 Match 37

Wembley Stadium, London

27 June

17:00

Winner Group C

Third Group D/E/F

R16 Match 40

Puskás Aréna, Budapest

27 June

20:00

Winner Group B

Third Group A/D/E/F

R16 Match 39

San Mamés, Bilbao

28 June

17:00

Runner-up Group D

Runner-up Group E

R16 Match 42

Parken Stadium, Copenhagen

28 June

20:00

Winner Group F

Third Group A/B/C

R16 Match 41

29 June

17:00

Winner Group D

Runner-up Group F

R16 Match 44

29 June

20:00

Winner Group E

Third Group A/B/C/D

R16 Match 43

Hampden Park, Glasgow

2 July

17:00

Winner Match 41

Winner Match 42

QF Match 45

Krestovsky Stadium, Saint Petersburg

2 July

20:00

Winner Match 39

Winner Match 37

QF Match 46

Allianz Arena, Munich

3 July

17:00

Winner Match 40

Winner Match 38

QF Match 47

Olympic Stadium, Baku

3 July

20:00

Winner Match 43

Winner Match 44

QF Match 48

Stadio Olimpico, Rome

6 July

20:00

Winner Match 46

Winner Match 45

SF Match 49

Wembley Stadium, London

7 July

20:00

Winner Match 48

Winner Match 47

SF Match 50

Wembley Stadium, London

11 July

20:00

Winner Match 49

Winner Match 50

Final

Wembley Stadium, London

Arena Naționala, Bucharest ă

Arena Naționala, Bucharest ă

Arena Naționala, Bucharest ă Aviva Stadium, Dublin

CLUB MIRROR FOOTBALL SPECIAL 15

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UEFA EURO 2020

Contenders ready Will there be a new name on the UEFA EURO trophy come July 11? We profile the 24 teams who will be competing for the title this summer.

Group A Turkey, Italy, Wales, Switzerland.

TURKEY Qualifying record: P10; W7; D2; L1; F18; A3 Qualifying top scorer: Cenk Tosun (5) UEFA EURO best: semi-finals (2008) UEFA EURO 2016: group stage Coach: Senol Günes Fun fact: Turkey have qualified for five of the last seven EUROs, having made it to the finals for the first time in 1996.

ITALY Qualifying record: P10;W10; D0; L0; F37; A4 Qualifying top scorer: Andrea Belotti (5) UEFA EURO best: winners (1968) UEFA EURO 2016: quarter-finals, lost 6-5 to Germany on penalties after 1-1 draw Coach: Roberto Mancini Fun Fact: Italy’s EURO qualifying campaign ended with a 9-1 win against Armenia in Palermo.

It was their national-record 11th straight victory, and gave them ten wins in a calendar year for the first time. One more goal and it would also have matched their biggest victory ever: 9-0 against the United States in 1948.

WALES Qualifying record: P8; W4; D2; L2; F10; A6 Qualifying top scorers: Gareth Bale (2), Kieffer Moore (2), Aaron Ramsey (2) UEFA EURO best: semi-finals (2016) UEFA EURO 2016: semi-finals, lost 2-0 to Portugal Coach: Robert Page Fun Fact: Founded in 1876, the Football Association of Wales is the third-oldest national association in world football, behind England (1863) and Scotland (1873).

SWITZERLAND Qualifying record: P8; W5; D2; L1; F19; A6 Qualifying top scorer: Cédric Itten (3) UEFA EURO best: round of 16 (2016) UEFA EURO 2016: round of 16, lost 5-4 on penalties to Poland after 1-1 draw Coach: Vladimir Petković Fun Fact: Switzerland have successfully

16 CLUB MIRROR FOOTBALL SPECIAL

Portugal, jubilant winners of the 2016 tournament. negotiated every group stage under Petković but are yet to win a knockout match: at the 2014 and 2018 World Cups, EURO 2016 and the UEFA Nations League.

Group B Denmark, Finland, Belgium, Russia DENMARK Qualifying record: P8; W4; D4; L0; F23; A6 Qualifying top scorer: Christian Eriksen (5) UEFA EURO best: winners (1992) UEFA EURO 2016: did not qualify Coach: Kasper Hjulmand Fun Fact: Denmark failed to qualify for EURO ‘92 but were drafted in ten days before it started after Yugoslavia were excluded.

FINLAND Qualifying record: P10; W6; D0; L4; F16; A10 Qualifying top scorer: Teemu Pukki (10) UEFA EURO best: N/A UEFA EURO 2016: did not qualify Coach: Markku Kanerva Fun Fact: The Finland national team nickname is ‘Huuhkajat’ which translates as the Eagle-Owls.

BELGIUM Qualifying record: P10; W10; D0; L0; F40; A3 Qualifying top scorer: Romelu Lukaku (7)

UEFA EURO best: runners-up (1980) UEFA EURO 2016: quarter-finals, lost 3-1 to Wales Coach: Roberto Martínez Fun Fact: Belgium are currently top of the FIFA rankings and are priced at 11/2 to win the title by bookmakers William Hill and Paddy Power.

RUSSIA Qualifying record: P10; W8; D0; L2; F33; A8 Qualifying top scorer: Artem Dzyuba (9) UEFA EURO best: winner (1960, as USSR), semifinals (2008) UEFA EURO 2016: group stage Coach: Stanislav Cherchesov Fun Fact: Russia have not won in five EURO finals games. Their last win was a 4-1 victory over Czech Republic in their UEFA EURO 2012 opener.

Group C Netherlands, Ukraine, Austria, North Macedonia.

NETHERLANDS Qualifying record: P8; W6; D1; L1; F24; A7 Qualifying top scorer: Georginio Wijnaldum (8) UEFA EURO best: winners (1988) UEFA EURO 2016: did not qualify Coach: Frank de Boer Fun Fact: The Dutch missed out on EURO 2016 and the 2018 World Cup. It is their longest absence from major finals since the mid-1980s –

when they marked their return by winning EURO ‘88.

UKRAINE Qualifying record: P8; W6; D2; L0; F17; A4 Qualifying top scorer: Roman Yaremchuk (4) European Cup best: group stage (2012, 2016) UEFA EURO 2016: group stage Coach: Andriy Shevchenko Fun Fact: This is the first time Ukraine have qualified for a EURO directly although they make it as co-hosts in 2012, and beat Slovenia in the play-offs to reach the 2016 event.

AUSTRIA Qualifying record: P10; W6; D1; L3; F19; A9 Qualifying top scorer: Marko Arnautovi? (6) UEFA EURO best: group stage (2008, 2016) UEFA EURO 2016: group stage Coach: Franco Foda Fun Fact: Austria’s last victory at a major finals was when they beat the United States 2-1 at the 1990 World Cup. NORTH MACEDONIA Qualifying record: P10; W4; D2; L4; F12; A13 Play-offs: Kosovo (h) 2-1, Georgia (a) 1-0 Qualifying top scorer: Eljif Elmas (4) UEFA EURO best: N/A UEFA EURO 2016: did not qualify Coach: Igor Angelovski Fun Fact: North Macedonia’s third place was their highest finish in any of the 13 qualifying groups they have contested since independence (though their play-off spot came via the UEFA Nations League).

SCOTLAND Qualifying record: P10; W5; D0; L5; F16; A19 Play-offs: Israel (h) 0-0, 5-3 pens; Serbia (a) 1-1, 54 pens Qualifying top scorer: John McGinn (7) UEFA EURO best: group stage (1992, 1996) UEFA EURO 2016: did not qualify Coach: Steve Clarke Fun Fact: Scotland also faced England at Wembley at their last EURO finals in 1996.

CZECH REPUBLIC Qualifying record: P8; W5; D0; L3; F13; A11 Qualifying top scorer: Patrik Schick (4) UEFA EURO best: winners (1976, as Czechoslovakia) UEFA EURO 2016: group stage Coach: Jaroslav Šilhavý Fun Fact: Czech Republic are ever-present at the UEFA European Championship as an independent nation, reaching seven successive final tournaments.

Group E Spain, Sweden, Poland, Slovakia SPAIN Qualifying record: P10; W8; D2; L0; F31; A5 Qualifying top scorer: Álvaro Morata, Sergio Ramos, Rodrigo (4) UEFA EURO best: winners (1964, 2008, 2012) UEFA EURO 2016: round of 16, lost 2-0 to Italy Coach: Luis Enrique Fun Fact: Spain are the only team to have successfully defended the EURO title, having won tournaments in 2008 and 2012.

Group D England, Croatia, Scotland, Czech Republic.

ENGLAND Qualifying record: P8; W7; D0; L1; F37; A6 Qualifying top scorer: Harry Kane (12) UEFA EURO best: third place (1968) UEFA EURO 2016: round of 16, lost 2-1 to Iceland Coach: Gareth Southgate Fun Fact: The Three Lions went 43 successive European Championship and World Cup qualifiers without defeat until October 2019’s loss to Czech Republic.

CROATIA Qualifying record: P8; W5; D2; L1; F17; A7 Qualifying top scorer: Bruno Petkovi? (4) UEFA EURO best: quarter-finals (1996, 2008) UEFA EURO 2016: round of 16, lost 1-0 aet to Portugal Coach: Zlatko Dalić Fun Fact: Croatia climbed 122 places in the FIFA rankings from 125th to third between 1994 and 1999.

SWEDEN Qualifying record: P10; W6; D3; L1; F23; A9 Qualifying top scorer: Robin Quaison (5) UEFA EURO best: semi-finals (1992) UEFA EURO 2016: group stage Coach: Janne Andersson Fun Fact: In 1992, hosts Sweden won a group ahead of England, France and eventual victors Denmark before being edged out 3-2 by Germany in the semis.

POLAND Qualifying record: P10; W8; D1; L1; F18; A5 Qualifying top scorer: Robert Lewandowski (6) UEFA EURO best: quarter-finals (2016) UEFA EURO 2016: quarter-finals, lost 5-3 to Portugal on penalties after 1-1 draw Coach: Paulo Sousa Fun Fact: Jakub Błaszczykowski is Poland’s alltime EURO top scorer with three goals; Lewandowski needs one more goal to match him.

SLOVAKIA Qualifying record: P8; W4; D1; L3; F13; A11 Play-offs: Republic of Ireland (h) 0-0, 4-2 pens; Northern Ireland (a) 2-1 aet Qualifying top scorer: Róbert Boženík, Marek Hamšík, Juraj Kucka (3) UEFA EURO best: round of 16 (2016) UEFA EURO 2016: round of 16, lost 3-0 to Germany Coach: Štefan Tarkovič Fun Fact: Eight of the Czechoslovakia XI that won the 1976 final were from Slovakia.

Group F Hungary, Portugal, France, Germany HUNGARY Qualifying record: P8; W4; D0; L4; F8; A11 Play-offs: Bulgaria (a) 3-1; Iceland (h) 2-1 Qualifying top scorer: Willi Orban (3) UEFA EURO best: third place (1964) UEFA EURO 2016: round of 16, lost 4-0 to Belgium Coach: Marco Rossi Fun Fact: Hungary got to two of the first four semi-finals, in 1964 and 1972, but didn’t qualify again until 2016.

PORTUGAL Qualifying record: P8; W5; D2; L1; F22; A6 Qualifying top scorer: Cristiano Ronaldo (11) UEFA EURO best: winners (2016) UEFA EURO 2016: winners Coach: Fernando Santos Fun Fact: October 2019’s loss to Ukraine was the first Portugal had suffered under Fernando Santos in a EURO game – qualifier or final tournament – since his appointment in September 2014. His only past defeats were in the World Cup. FRANCE Qualifying record: P10; W8; D1; L1; F25; A6 Qualifying top scorer: Olivier Giroud (6) UEFA EURO best: winners (1984, 2000) UEFA EURO 2016: finalists, lost 1-0 aet to Portugal Coach: Didier Deschamps Fun Fact: France will be appearing at their 13th straight final tournament. They haven’t missed one since the 1994 World Cup, and have reached five finals during that sequence, winning three.

GERMANY Qualifying record: P8; W7; D0; L1; F30; A7 Qualifying top scorer: Serge Gnabry (8) UEFA EURO best: winners (1972, 1980, 1996) UEFA EURO 2016: semi-finals, lost 2-0 to France Coach: Joachim Löw Fun Fact: The finals will be Germany’s 26th consecutive major tournament, namely World Cup or EURO.

CLUB MIRROR FOOTBALL SPECIAL 17

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UEFA EURO 2020

Please note: Times shown are in Central European Time.

Deduct one hour for British Summer Time.

18 CLUB MIRROR FOOTBALL SPECIAL

CLUB MIRROR FOOTBALL SPECIAL 19

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LIVE SPORTING FIXTURES FROM

The best of Friday, June 11, 8pm – ITV

There is plenty ot top sport coming up in June, including including Wimbledon and the UEFA EURO 2020 tournament, postponed due to COVID-19.

EURO 2020: Turkey v Italy After a year-long delay due to the pandemic, the European Championship gets underway. A total of 24 teams will be playing across 51 matches in 12 cities. It all ends at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, July 11.

Sunday, June 6, 1pm Sky Sports F1

Sunday, June 13, 2pm BBC

F1: Azerbaijan Grand Prix

EURO 2020: England v Croatia

Held for the first time in 2017, this race is staged on the Baku City Circuit, a street circuit in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan.

England kick off their EURO 2020 campaign and will be aiming for revenge having been knocked out of the 2018 World Cup by Croatia at the semi-finals stage.

Thursday, June 10, 7.45pm Sky Sports

Super League: Castleford Tigers v Hull FC

Saturday, June 26, 5pm – Sky Sports

Lions Tour: British & Irish Lions v Japan Edinburgh is the venue for this first outing of the 2020 Lions, a team composed of the best rugby union players drawn from the ranks of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

The Tigers enjoyed a roaring start to their Super League campaign, winning four out of their five first matches but will face a major test against a streetwise and tough Hull side.

Friday, June 11, 7pm ITV

EURO 2020: Turkey v Italy

After a two-year hiatus, tennis returns to SW19 as the AllEngland Club hosts one of the most illustrious sporting events on the planet. British fans will be hoping that former two-time champion Andy Murray will be back to show his skills after a torrid time with injury.

EURO 2020: Scotland v Czech Republic Scotland have won their last three encounters with the Czechs, the latest victory coming in October, 2020 when they won 1-0.

Monday, June 14, 8pm BBC

EURO 2020: Spain v Sweden

The first match of the delayed EURO 2020 competition. Italy will be very wary of Turkey given their recent 4-2 victory over the Netherlands in a World Cup qualifying tie.

Spain won back-to-back EURO titles in 2008 and 2012 and will surely be a force to be reckoned with this time around, especially with veteran defender Sergio Ramos leading the team out.

Friday, June 11, 7.45pm Sky Sports

Tuesday, June 15, 1pm ITV

Super League: Leeds Rhinos v St Helens

Horse Racing: Royal Ascot – Opening Day

Another chapter in one of the most enduring rivalries in Rugby League as the Rhinos host Saints. Leeds enjoyed a perfect start to the season but Saints will be out to upset the form book.

The annual five-day sporting and social occasion gets underway in Berkshire in the presence of the Queen who arrives at the event in a procession at 2pm.

Monday, June 28, 12 noon – BBC

Tennis: Wimbledon ‘21

Monday, June 14, 2pm BBC

Saturday, June 12, 2pm ITV

EURO 2020: Wales v Switzerland Wales go into EURO 2020 with a caretaker manager in charge after incumbent Ryan Giggs was stood down in May but have a clutch of talented players at their disposal.

Tuesday, June 15, 8pm ITV

EURO 2020: France v Germany A massive game for both sides as two of the giants of world football meet in Group F. This is the most competitive pool in the competition given that the group also contains title holders Portugal and Hungary.

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June’s live sport The UEFA EURO 2020 – Could football be coming home?

ALSO COMING UP...

Friday, June 18, 5pm Sky Sports

Super League: Catalans Dragons v Leeds Rhinos Saturday, June 19, 1pm ITV

Horse Racing: Royal Ascot – Day 5 Wednesday, June 23, 5pm ITV

EURO 2020: Sweden v Poland Wednesday, June 23, 8pm BBC

EURO 2020: Germany v Hungary Wednesday, June 16, 7.45pm Sky Sports

Friday, June 18, 8pm ITV

Saturday, June 26, 5pm Sky Sports Main Event/Channel 4

Super League: Wakefield Trinity v Castleford Tigers

EURO 2020: England v Scotland

Rugby Union: British & Irish Lions v Japan

Trinity lost their first five games of the season and will be desperate to turn around their fortunes but may struggle against a high-flying Tigers side.

These two proud sides have contested 114 previous matches since 1872, making it the world's most played international. They also met in the group stages of the 1996 EURO Championship.

Friday, June 18, 2pm BBC

Sunday, June 20, 5pm ITV

EURO 2020: Sweden v Slovakia

EURO 2020: Italy v Wales

Group E action from St Petersburg.

This should be a close match given that the teams last met in a 1-1 draw at Solna’s Friends Arena in 2018.

Action from the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. Italy have won seven of their nine matches against Wales, although the Dragons can take heart from the famous win back in 2002.

Friday, June 18, 5pm BBC

EURO 2020: Croatia v Czech Republic A Group D tie. After winning the gold and bronze (twice) as Czechoslovakia, the Czech Republic have also been tournament regulars since 1996, when they finished runners-up to Germany. Croatia will be favourites to win here.

Tuesday, June 22, 8pm ITV

The combined might of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales take on Japan in Edinburgh ahead of the tour of South Africa. Japan are famous for their fast style of play and will throw everything at the Lions’ defence.

Monday, June 28, 12 noon BBC

Tennis: Wimbledon Championship – Day 1 Back after a two-year gap, the world's most famous tennis tournament returns. Simona Halep and Novak Djokovic are the defending singles champions.

EURO 2020: Czech Republic v England

Tuesday, June 29. 10.30am Sky Sports Cricket

During qualification for EURO 2020, England beat the Czechs 5-0 before losing 2-1 in the away leg, both ties taking place in 2019. England will surely have too much firepower for their opponents this time around.

International Cricket: England v Sri Lanka - 1st ODI England take on Sri Lanka in a white-ball international at the Emirates Riverside, Chester-leStreet.

Wednesday, June 23, 8pm BBC

EURO 2020: Portugal v France Saturday, June 26, 12.30pm ITV

Horse Racing: Northumberland Plate Day, Newcastle Saturday, June 26, 3pm BT Sport

Rugby Union: Premiership Final Saturday, June 26, 8pm BBC/ITV

EURO 2020: Round of 16 Sunday, June 27, 8pm BBC/ITV

EURO 2020: Round of 16

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LIVE SPORTING FIXTURES FROM

The best of Sunday, July 11, 8pm – BBC/ITV

EURO 2020: Final The two teams left in the competition battle it out for the trophy in this showpiece event. Clubs across England, Scotland and Wales will be hoping that their teams have made it all the way to the end of the tournament.

There’s a great month of live sport coming up in July, including the EURO 2020 Final, the Lions tour of South African and the Olympics.

Tuesday, July 6, 8pm BBC/ITV

Saturday, July 10, 10.30am Sky Sports Cricket

EURO 2020: Semi-Final 1

Cricket: England v Pakistan - 2nd ODI

The European Championships reach the last-four stage. In the first semi-final in the 2016 tournament, Wales took on Portugal and put up a battling performance before losing 2-0. Can Wales go as far this time around?

Wednesday, July 7, 8pm BBC/ITV

EURO 2020: Semi-Final 2

Saturday, July 17, 3pm – BBC

Challenge Cup: Final – Castleford Tigers v St Helens This prestigious event takes place on the hallowed turf of Wembley as Castleford Tigers and St Helens run out for the Challenge Cup Final. This is certain to be one of the sporting highlights of the summer.

In EURO 2016, the second semi-final was a real battle of the footballing superpowers with France facing Germany in Marseille. The home side prevailed by 2-0 to reach the final where they lost to Portugal.

Wednesday, July 7, 7pm Sky Sports

Rugby Union: Sharks v British & Irish Lions The Lions play their first game on South African soil since 2009 as they get their summer tour underway. The Lions won 39-3 in the corresponding fixture against the Durban-based team 12 years ago.

Thursday, July 8, 1pm Sky Sports Cricket

Cricket: England v Pakistan - 1st ODI

Saturday, July 24, 2.30pm – Sky Sports Cricket

Cricket: The 100 – Trent Rockets v Southern Brave A new competition begins, featuring eight city-based teams, both men's and women's sides, competing over a month in July and August. As the name suggests, this is a one-hundred-ball, limited overs format, with games lasting around two and a half hours.

Pakistan travelled to England in the summer of 2020, playing Test and Twenty20 series, and return this year for three ODI game and three Twenty20 matches. This first match will be played at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff. England will certainly be wary of a side featuring so many quality players across the field.

The second ODI between the sides takes place at Lord's. Haris Sohail and Imad Wasim have been recalled to the ODI and T20I squads Saturday, July 10, 2.30pm BBC

Tennis: Wimbledon 2021 – Women's Singles Final In 2019, Simona Halep defeated Serena Williams in the final, 6–2, 6–2 to win the Ladies' Singles title, wrapping the match up in a mere 56 minutes.

Saturday, July 10, 5pm Sky Sports

Rugby Union: Bulls v British & Irish Lions A second outing for the Lions as Manager Warren Gatland gets another chance to see his players in action. The Bulls missed out on the chance to play the Lions in 2009, despite being one of the strongest Super Rugby sides (then and now) and will be desperate to make history here.

Sunday, July 11, 2.30pm BBC

Tennis: Wimbledon 2021 – Men’s Singles Final Novak Djokovic successfully defended his title in 2019, defeating Roger Federer in four hours and 58 minutes, the longest singles match in the history of Wimbledon.

Federer pulled out of the French Open with a leg injury but hopefully will be back to fitness for this tournament.

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July’s live sport ALSO COMING UP...

The Olympics, Friday, July 23, 12 noon, BBC

Tuesday, July 13, 1pm Sky Sports Cricket

Cricket: England v Pakistan 3rd ODI Friday, July 16, 6.30pm Sky Sports Cricket

Cricket: England v Pakistan 1st Twenty20 Wednesday, July 28, 6.30pm Sky Sports Cricket

Cricket: The 100 – Manchester Originals v Northern Superchargers Thursday, July 29, 6.30pm Sky Sports Cricket

Cricket: The 100 – London Spirit v Trent Rockets Sunday, July 11, 8pm BBC/ITV

Saturday, July 17, 3pm Sky Sports

Thursday, July 22, 6.30pm Sky Sports Cricket

EURO 2020: Final

Rugby League: Challenge Cup Final – Castleford Tigers v St Helens

Cricket: The 100 – Oval Invincibles v Manchester Originals

Cup Final action from Wembley Stadium. The Tigers beat Warrington Wolves 35-20 at the semi-final stage while Saints won by 33-18 against Hull FC in their semifinal clash.

This new event arrives a year later than planned but there are high hopes that the fresh approach will help to attract new fans to cricket with the 100-ball version of the game providing plenty of entertainment.

Which teams will battle it out to the final? England would dearly love to be running out on their home turf to win a major title for the first time since 1966 but there are any number of quality sides in contention in this tournament.

Wednesday, July 14, 7pm Sky Sports

Rugby Union: South Africa A v British & Irish Lions

Saturday, July 17, 5pm Sky Sports

Rugby Union: Stormers v British & Irish Lions

Friday, July 23, 12 Noon BBC

Friday, July 30, 7.45pm Sky Sports

Super League: Warrington Wolves v Wigan Warriors Saturday, July 31, 11am Sky Sports Cricket

Cricket: The 100 – Welsh Fire Women v Manchester Originals Women Saturday, July 31, 2.30pm Sky Sports Cricket

Olympics: Opening Ceremony

Cricket: The 100 – Welsh Fire v Manchester Originals

The Olympics get underway in Japan after a year’s delay due to the pandemic.

Saturday, July 31, 5pm Sky Sports

The Lions take on the Springboks' second string and will expect a major physical challenge in all parts of the game. In 2009, the Lions drew 13-13 with an Emerging Springboks team.

The Cape Town-based Stormers have their first crack at the Lions for 24 years, having missed being part of the schedule for the 2009 Lions tour.

Thursday, July 15, 6.30am Sky Sports Golf

Sunday, July 18, 1pm Sky Sports F1

Rugby Union: 1st Test: South Africa v British & Irish Lions

Golf: The Open – Day 1

Formula 1: British Grand Prix

Postponed from 2020, this will be the 15th Open Championship played at Royal St George's, and the first since Darren Clarke won the title in 2011.

Action from Silverstone. Lewis Hamilton will be aiming for a third consecutive Grand Prix victory on this track, having won in 2019 and 2020.

The Lions begin their three-match Test series against the Springboks and will throw absolutely everything into achieving victory against the World Champions on their home turf.

Saturday, July 24, 5pm Sky Sports

Rugby Union: 2nd Test: South Africa v British & Irish Lions

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HQ BUILDING THE BUSINESS

The Euros represent a great opportunity for clubs. During the 2018 World Cup, fans drove a 39% increase in incremental spend.

May 17 saw dreams come true for 3.3m UK adults The ongoing reopening of football clubs across the UK will be a resounding success, if research from AB InBev’s Budweiser Brewing Group is anything to go by. The brewers research amongst 2000 consumers reveals just how much the great British public missed a pint in their favourite locals during lockdown.

B

udweiser Brewing Group’s (BBG’s) recent research has revealed that as many as 3.27 million UK adults have actually dreamt about their first pint back in their local after the long lockdown.

One in five of the 2000 respondents have found themselves talking about this landmark moment with their friends, 45% surveyed ‘are simply looking forward to enjoying a drink with friends and family’ and 10% are most looking forward to catching-up with their favourite bar staff.

The research also reveals that safety comes first.

The vaccine rollout (48%) is the most cited reason for punters feeling safe to enjoy a pint out, followed by warmer weather – allowing for better ventilation and being outside – (40%), and venues enforcing strict social distancing, masks and cleaning (37%).

JD Thumelaire, On-Trade Sales Director for Budweiser Brewing Group, said: “We’re urging Brits to support their locals in a safe way over the coming

24 CLUB MIRROR FOOTBALL SPECIAL

weeks by visiting them to enjoy a pint with friends and family. All the while we’ll continue to work around the clock to supply our customers with fresh kegs, as punters flock to enjoy their first proper indoor post-lockdown pint.”

Top tips on building business post lockdowo Meal Occasions – With 93% of consumers seeing a

meal deal as a positive influencer when choosing a venue, Stella Artois launched ‘The Life Artois’ meal occasions campaign to help venues tap into key mealtime moments. A suite of social media assets and point of sale are also on available for clubs wanting to showcase meal deals around occasions such as Bank Holidays and Father’s Day. Outdoor Space – Last year, outlets with outside space drove volume recovery +4.5% versus the average. BBG is offering customers a range of outdoor support to cater for increased consumer demand including Stella Artois outdoor packages which include a mobile bar, takeaway cups, parasols and aboards.

Over 90% of consumers see a meal deal as a positive influencer when choosing a venue.

Summer of Sport – BBG predicts that 618m pints of beer will be sold between May and July as the ontrade reopens and international sport returns. And according to research, sports fans spend 90 minutes

“

BBG predicts that 618m pints of beer will be sold between May and July as the on-trade reopens and international sport returns. And according to research, sports fans spend 90 minutes longer in the bar than the average customer, boosting rate of sales by 10%.

”

longer in the bar than the average customer, boosting rates of sales by 10%[1]. During the 2018 World Cup, over one in every three drinks sold in the ontrade was a beer[2] and on average, fans drove a 39% increase in incremental spend.[3] The Budweiser family of Official Beers of the England Men’s Football Team, is launching a scan to win mechanic where consumers can win a range of prizes including merchandise, beer and LG TVs as well as point of sale including pint carriers, cups, coasters etc, and limited-edition glassware and tap badges for Bud Light and Budweiser which include the England crest.

“Beer and sport go hand in hand for many consumers, and for the on-trade, sporting occasions drive mammoth sales within the beer category,” said Neil Baker, Head of BBG Category Management.

“This year, as consumers celebrate the long-awaited return of sporting events, as well being able to return to the bar, the Summer of Sport will be bigger than ever for the on-trade.”

BBG and BT Sport team up for 50% discounts Budweiser Brewing Group (BBG) has tied up with BT Sport to offer new BT Sport customers a saving of 50% on annual subscription when they add a BBG draught brand to the club bar, including hero brands Budweiser, Stella Artois and Beck’s. The partnership, formed in August 2020, also offers existing BT Sport customers money off their subscription by taking incremental BBG brands.

BT Sport is the home to Premier League Football, UEFA Champions League, Rugby Union, Boxing and UFC amongst others, and the discounted offer comes with a range of both physical and digital support tools so clubs can get the most out of their subscriptions, says the company.

How to register If you’d like to learn more about the offer and sign up, please give us a call at 0800 917 3196 and one of our BBG Rep contacts will help run through the offer and get you registered.

BT Sport’s Bruce Cuthbert, said: “This partnership between BT Sport and Budweiser Brewing Group will provide welcome discounts for both new and existing customers, at a time when businesses need to carefully balance cost control with sound investments to encourage customers back into their venue.”

• For more details visit www.savepublife.com (applicable to club customers) Sources: [1]CGA and MatchPint – 2020; [2] CGA OPM 7 WE 14 July 2018; [3] CGA Brand Index 29 December 2020.

CLUB MIRROR FOOTBALL SPECIAL 25

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CLUB REPORT 2021

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Olympics 2021 – on the road to Tokyo Summer of Sport – what’s on, when UEFA EURO 2020 – is football coming home?

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