Sport

England’s route to the Euro 2020 final mapped out

England has been placed in Group D, alongside Scotland, Croatia, at the Czech Republic.

The Manc The Manc - 11th June 2021

Euro 2020 is finally kicking off tonight.

After a year of postponement due to the pandemic, European football’s flagship tournament gets underway this evening, and will play right through to 11 July.

24 countries will be battling it out for the trophy, including three UK home nations – England, Scotland, and Wales.

Turkey will face Italy at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome for the first match of the highly-anticipated tournament tonight, with Gareth Southgate’s England squad up against World Cup 2018 finalists Croatia in their first match at Wembley Stadium on Sunday 13 June.

Unlike previous tournaments, Euro 2020 will be the first European Championship to be played across the entire breadth of the continent, using 11 different venues.

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England has been placed in Group D, alongside Scotland, Croatia, at the Czech Republic.

Every tournament’s group stage tends to have a so-called ‘group of death’, with Euro 2020’s coming in the form of Group F – which features the 2014 World Cup winners Germany, the reigning world champions France, and the reigning European champions Portugal, with Hungary being the somewhat unlucky nation rounding out the group and therefore needing to produce a moment of magic to come out the other side.

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But how will England fare in this year’s tournament? How far are they expected to go? Do they stand a strong chance of making it to the final? Which countries will stand in their way?

Here’s everything you need to know about Euro 2020.

24 countries will be battling it out for the trophy / Credit: Flickr

When is Euro 2020?

The tournament officially kicks off on Friday 11 June in Rome, and ends with the final at Wembley Stadium in London on Sunday 11 July.

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What are the groups?

Group A: Italy, Turkey, Switzerland, and Wales.

Group B: Belgium, Denmark, Finland, and Russia.

Group C: Austria, Netherlands, North Macedonia, and Ukraine.

Group D: Croatia, Czech Republic, England, and Scotland.

Group E: Poland, Slovakia, Spain, and Sweden.

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Group F: France, Germany, Hungary, and Portugal.

Where are the venues?

  • Amsterdam (Johan Cruijff Arena)
  • Baku (Olympic Stadium)
  • Bucharest (National Arena)
  • Budapest (Puskás Aréna)
  • Copenhagen (Parken Stadium)
  • Glasgow (Hampden Park)
  • London (Wembley Stadium)
  • Munich (Fußball Arena München)
  • Rome (Stadio Olimpico)
  • Seville (La Cartuja Stadium)
  • St Petersburg (St Petersburg Stadium)

What is the fixture schedule?

The Group Stage will take place between Friday 11 June – Wednesday 23 June, the Knockout Phase will then take place between Saturday 26 June – Tuesday 29 June, the Quarter Finals will happen on Friday 2 and Saturday 3 July, the Semi Finals on Tuesday 6 and Wednesday 7 July, and it’ll all culminate with the Final on Sunday 11 July.

You can check out the fixture schedule in full on the official UEFA Euro 2020 website here.

What’s England’s route to the final?

It’s easy to get carried away with ourselves when it comes to sporting tournaments such as Euro 2020, and it’s only natural for England fans to be looking ahead at the best way for the squad to make it to the final.

They’ve got to make it to the Knockout Phase first though – but how will they do that?

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There’s a number of ways the Group Stage could pan out for England that will determine who they face in the knockouts.

This chart that’s been doing the rounds online might make things a little clearer.

England has been placed in Group D, alongside Scotland, Croatia, at the Czech Republic / Credit: Google

Who is predicted to win?

Predictions will always be predictions, but the bookies over at Paddy Power have set the odds for six countries expected to perform well:

  • England 9/2
  • France 11/2
  • Belgium 6/1
  • Spain 13/2
  • Germany 15/2
  • Portugal 15/2

Where can I watch Euro 2020 in Manchester?

Manchester is a city that’s obsessed with football, so understandably, there’s plenty of venues going all out for the Euros this year.

We’ve been inundated with messages over the past few weeks from our loyal audience keen to find out the best places to catch a match this summer, so we’ve knuckled down and done the leg work for you.

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If you’re looking for recommendations, you can find 20 of the best spots to watch Euro 2020 in Manchester city centre this summer here.

Featured Image – Flickr

Sport

All the best Joshua Brooks gigs and events on this February-April

Danny Jones Danny Jones Joshua Brooks gigs 2023 February to April

Now the January slump is finally behind us, we’re raring to get stuck into a new season of live music, club nights and more. Thanks to Joshua Brooks’ line-up, we’ve already got a fair few in our diary.

Since its revamp back in 2021, JBs has gone from strength to strength, not only welcoming back returning customers who’ve frequented the much-loved Princess Street venue for years but ushering in a whole new crowd. With plenty of food, booze, music and live events, it never disappoints.

With that in mind, Joshua Brooks has an absolutely jam-packed schedule of live music, club nights and more this month and leading right up until April, not to mention plenty more to come this year.

Here are just some of the ones we’ve picked out:

February

1. Shogun Audio – 10 Feb

With the likes of Pola & Bryson, Monrroe, GLXY, DUSKEE and Kira headlining, legendary drum, bass and jungle label Shogun Audio is returning to Joshua Brooks this February. Expect a thumping sound system, cutting-edge visuals and a room packed full of ravers. Grab your tickets HERE.

2. Super Bowl LVII – 12 Feb

Although the majority of dates on the list are music-related, the Super Bowl is one of the biggest sporting events of the year, so of course these lot are showing the game. With sharing platters and £2 pints on offer, not to mention table packages, it’s going to be one of the best places to watch the Bowl.

3. Whippin Label Paty with Melé – 17 Feb

Whipping Records are bringing two of their most popular artists back to the Brooks with Mele and Toby Simpson set to rock up and play a mix of world music-influenced house, transatlantic hip hop, UK techno, classic Chicago grooves and more. There’s something for everyone. Find out more HERE.

4. TS7 – 18 Feb

Treating the basement to what’s bound to be a banging DJ set, Joshua Brooks is one of the next stops on TS7’s massive headline tour, kicking off hours of house beats and basslines from 10pm onwards. You’ll want to grab a ticket for this one.

5. Luuk Van Dijk – 24 Feb

Amsterdam DJ Luuk Van Dijk is one of the most diverse we’ve come across in recent years and he’ll be greeting this beloved Princess Street venue with his unique sound once again just before the end of the month. Secure your tickets now and you’ll get to listen to him all night long.

6. Yousef – 25 Feb

Yousef is one of our absolute favourites, playing a variety of deep and tech house to all-round floor-filling dance music and everything in between. With support from Powda and the Dunmore Brothers, he’ll be playing for three whole hours — what a way to close out February. Get your ticket HERE.

March

7. Ammara and Nick Spencer – 2 March

Heading into March, we all know how great Thursday nights at Joshua Brooks are, even more so when they tea up with Tribal to bring you resident trick label DJ Ammara, as well as Nick Spencer, Max Rottier and Mcminn. Now that’s value for money. You can book in for any phase or all of them (why not?) HERE.

8. Moxy Muzik with Darius Syrossian – 3 March

The following day, you have JBs second night of Moxy Muzik for 2023 with Iranian DJ Darius Syrossian, who’s set to put on a three-hour set of house, UK garage and minimal techno. Moxy is one of the best up-and-coming local labels and definitely know how to put on a hometown show. Don’t miss it.

9. Free From Sleep: Ilan Bluestone – 4 March

A pioneer of modern progressive house, London-based producer Ilan Bluestone has shot to fame on the international dance music scene. With some big singles and remixes over the past few years, not to mention his sophomore album Impulse, this master of synths is a good reason to stay up. Tickets HERE.

10. Horse Meat Disco – 10 March

Not just one of the best-named dance nights: it’s simply one of the best dance nights full stop. The London stallions are bringing the likes of Supernature, Scott Forrest and Rhod Parry to set the night off on a four-horse race to fill the floor and take the roof of 106 Princess Street. We’ll see you there.

11. Mason Maynard – 11 March

That’s right, Mason Maynard is making a special appearance at Joshua Brooks along with guests Calvin Clarke and Ervs. The set will run from 10pm until 4am and tickets are bound to go quickly. Grab yours now while you still can.

12. What Hannah Wants – 17 March

Let’s. Effin. Go. What Hannah Wants is to be heard and with a dedicated fan base already behind after some unforgettable nights at Warehouse Project, she certainly will be. Give us that hard-hitting house or give us death. Tickets will go on sale soon, so keep your eyes peeled.

13. Seb Zito – 18 March

A true raver born on the underground scene, Seb Zito sets are legendary. The owner of Seven Dials Records and Fuse London, not to mention a resident at Infuse Ibiza, the Joshua Brooks crowd will be treated to a full night of techno and deep house until 4am. Say no more — tickets HERE.

14. Hannah Laing – 24 March

Dundee’s Queen of House, Hannah Laing is making her way down to Manchester as part of her North Headline Tour and we can’t wait — her ‘Murder On The Dancefloor’ edit alone is worth coming along for. Tickets aren’t yet live but you can join the waiting list now.

15. Max Dean – 25 March

Next up is Max Dean, who after absolutely killing it at JBs back in December has been invited back to the basement once again. The house and minimal tech DJ is only 21 but is already making a splash on the electronic scene. He’s also got a few unreleased tracks just raring to go — maybe you’ll get to hear them.

16. Toman – 31 March

To close out Joshua Brook’s March offerings, Manchester is being treated to another rising Dutch DJ in Toman, as well as support from Pirate Copy. He’ll be playing what’s sure to be a lively three-hour set from 10pm and the student discount tickets have already sold out, so grab yours while you still can.

April

17. Just Skank ‘The Reunion’ – 1 April

Joshua Brooks is kicking off April in style with a throwback for the ages. It’s been seven whole years since the last Just Skank event anywhere in Manchester and it just so happens that JBs has been selected for the night garage, D&B, dub and bassline. You simply cannot miss this one.

18. Fleur Shore – 14 April

As we hit the middle of the month, Birmingham’s very own Fleur Shore is back at JBs and playing all night long, from start to finish — this girl doesn’t need support. After a huge year playing all over the globe, she’ll be making the basement her own. Tickets HERE.

19. Retro In The Park (Warm-Up Party) – 15 April

With festival season on the horizon, JBM Music and Retro Events are doing their bit to get you in the mood by hosting a warm-up party for this year’s Retro In The Park. The massive weekend line-up of DJs, worldwide acts and local artists might be over in Burnley but you can get in the mood a month in advance right here in 0161. Might as well get started early.

20. Full Circle – 21 April

Last but not least, our final pick from Joshua Brooks’ events this April is their Full Circle night which will take you back to what they call ‘the golden era of deep house’. With the likes of Route 94, Infinity Ink, No Artificial Colours, Brian Murphy and more on the playlist, we tend to agree. Get in booked in HERE.

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These are just some of the gigs and events Joshua Brooks have on for the rest of the winter and heading into Easter/Spring. To see the full list of events leading into Spring and Easter, click HERE.

And don’t forget they show plenty of live sport on the big screens there most weekends, so don’t feel like you have to be able to stay up until 4am to enjoy a visit.

We’re sure we’ll see a fair few of you there on one night or another.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Image – Joshua Brooks (via Instagram)

Sport

Gary Neville addresses ‘clumsy like’ on Tweet about Mason Greenwood 

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson

Gary Neville has said that his liking of a tweet about Mason Greenwood has been ‘misinterpreted’. 

The former Manchester United legend and football pundit set off a Twitter storm last night after he ‘liked’ two tweets by Nazir Afzal, and briefly retweeted one. 

The tweets in question said that Greenwood was an ‘innocent man’ and added that ‘you are innocent until PROVEN guilty’.

Mason Greenwood had all criminal charges against him dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service. 

He had faced allegations of rape, controlling and coercive behaviour, and assault, all against the same woman. 

The CPS said that Greenwood case had been stopped because of ‘the withdrawal of key witnesses and new material that came to light’, adding that there was no longer a ‘realistic prospect of conviction’. 

Gary Neville
Gary Neville has spoken about his ‘clumsy like’ of a tweet professing Mason Greenwood’s innocence. Credit: Instagram, Gary Neville

Several people noticed that Neville had liked a tweet about Greenwood’s ‘innocence’ and quickly challenged him on it. 

One person shared a screenshot and wrote: “You have a massive platform and you’re liking bulls**t like this just because the monster plays for a team you support. you’re disgusting @GNev2.”

Neville has now addressed his ‘clumsy like’. 

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He posted: “I liked a tweet relating to the Mason Greenwood news this afternoon from Nazir Afzal. ( the former director of public prosecutions ). 

“This like is being misinterpreted. It was a clumsy like as I obviously condemn any violence against women.”

Greenwood issued a short statement yesterday, writing: “I am relieved that this matter is now over and I would like to thank my family, loved ones and friends for their support. There will be no further comment at this time.”

Featured image: Instagram, @garyneville2 / publicity picture

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