EUR WHAT?
We drove 300 miles in our caravan to follow the Three Lions around Germany for Euro 2024 – the only problem is the loo
Read on for SunSport's player ratings from England's last match
DIE-hard footie fans have hit the road in a caravan, trekking 300 miles across Germany to roar on the Three Lions.
Twin brothers, Will and Ed, hit the road in their self-converted campervan 'Mary', but quickly discovered its not all smooth sailing – or flushing, for that matter.
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The journey kicked off with an infectious enthusiasm as they cruised through Germany's scenic countryside.
Every pit stop became a mini-celebration, sharing banter with fellow fans and revelling in the anticipation of the matches ahead.
Will said: "We've seen some stunning sights along the way.
"The atmosphere, the camaraderie – it's what football dreams are made of."
EURO 2024
Setting up camp near the stadiums where the action unfolded, they found themselves at the heart of the football frenzy.
Yet amidst the cheers and chants, there lurked a small but persistent problem – their campervans' toilet.
Will admitted: "Dealing with a dodgy loo was not part of the game plan."
What started as a minor inconvenience soon became a comedic saga of its own.
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Picture this: stranded in the German countryside, with the only obstacle between them and relief being a temperamental loo.
Initially brushed off as a minor hiccup, the toilet's quirks escalated into a full-blown escapade.
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They attempted makeshift repairs, sought advice from bemused locals, and even tried their luck with German repair shops, all to no avail.
He added: "Finding a decent public toilet in the middle of nowhere has become our new pastime"
Each attempt to tame the unruly commode added a new layer of hilarity and frustration to their adventure.
Undeterred by the loo's antics, they embraced the challenges with a classic sense of British humour.
He joked: "We're living the dream – despite the occasional hiccup.
"Who cares if the loo's playing hard to get- We're here to support our boys in style."
While the caravan's facilities posed occasional challenges, they found creative solutions and made the most of local amenities - including substituting the loo for a plastic bottle.
The twins got back the road, navigating the highs and lows of caravan life with unwavering determination and a healthy dose of football fever.
Despite the loo woes, the journey was peppered with unforgettable moments – impromptu fan meet-ups, scenic campsites, grilled sausages and football banter.
In spite of the loo's best efforts to steal the show, their passion for the game and the camaraderie forged along the way remained the driving force behind their unforgettable journey.
The pair admitted despite the toilet fiasco, the journey lived up to their thrilling expectations, as they said: "We've followed England all over the place, you know.
"I'll tell you, mate, it's brilliant."
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Their infectious spirit and banter carried them through, a trait seemingly shared by Euro fans as they traded hilarious memes trying to work out who England plays next.
Elsewhere, footie fans are eager to spread the "wholesome meaning of football", as fans online loved moment England supporters danced in the street as Euro 2024 party hit Frankfurt.
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England ratings: Bellingham rescues woeful Three Lions as big names, and manager, have a shocker
- JUDE BELLINGHAM’S majestic overhead kick deep into stoppage time saved England from a humiliating Euros exit.
- Gareth Southgate’s side had been utterly woeful and looked to be heading home thanks to Ivan Schranz’s clever finish.
- But Bellingham came to the rescue in the 96th minute, brilliantly firing into the corner after Marc Guehi had flicked on Kyle Walker’s long throw.
- Remarkably, it was England’s first shot on target, summing how poor they had been.
- But another one came soon after, as 53 seconds into extra-time, Harry Kane headed home from close range to set up a quarter-final with Switzerland.
- It was as close a shave as it comes, and if they play like this against the Swiss, then they will be toast.
- Here's how Tom Barclay rated England's stars... and manager Southgate.
- Jordan Pickford: 5
- Appeared to hurt his left hand when taking a big whack in the warm-up, but still played. Fired a lot of long balls and was lucky not to be lobbed by David Strelec’s 45-yard strike.
- Kyle Walker: 4
- England’s second-most experienced player had a shocker. He looked uncharacteristically slow, his touch was heavy and his crossing was nowhere near good enough. But it was his long throw that led to Bellingham’s magic.
- John Stones: 4
- Said it was time for the senior pros to step up in the build-up to the game, but there was little sign of that until Bellingham did his thing, and he is only 21. Stones fired aimless long balls, gave it away and it was his mistake that almost led to Strelec’s trying his luck from range.
- Marc Guehi: 5
- Booked early after Kieran Trippier’s underhit pass meant he had to take out the excellent David Strelec, meaning he is out of the quarter-final. Ivan Schranz bamboozled him for Slovakia’s opener but his flick-on to Bellingham brought the leveller.
- Kieran Trippier: 4
- When Jude Bellingham’s good ball found Trippier on the edge of the box early doors, on his favoured right foot, you thought, ‘Here we go’. He smashed it into Row Z.
- Declan Rice: 5
- An old-school reducer on Juraj Kucka was a fair tackle, even if it left the 37-year-old hobbling. His curling effort with ten minutes to go cracked against the post.
- Kobbie Mainoo: 6
- FIRST start at a major tournament and our only decent performer in an horrendous first half from England. Blasted a volley over but was also booked for a late tackle.
- Bukayo Saka: 5
- We all know what a fantastic player Saka is for Arsenal, and for England in games gone by, but he rarely threatened here. Did go the distance though, and in a number of positions.
- Jude Bellingham: 7 and STAR MAN
- Cometh the hour, cometh the man. He had underwhelmed again until the 96th minute, but who cares when you step up like that.
- Phil Foden: 4
- Thought he had levelled early in the second half but his tap-in was ruled out by VAR after he was caught being, inexplicably, offside. Just off it all night, in danger of being dropped.
- Harry Kane: 6
- Still way off his best - he was nowhere to be seen in the first half and missed a free header after the break - but got it right when it counted in extra time.
- SUBSTITUTIONS
- Cole Palmer (on for Kieran Trippier, 66): 7
- FANS were on their feet applauding when Southgate finally made a change and brought him on. So lively and with a lovely delivery, must be in with a chance of starting against the Swiss.
- Eberechi Eze (on for Kobbie Mainoo, 84): 6
- Did enough to put off Slovak full-back Peter Pekarik from turning home at close range in extra-time. Looked like he had been hit by a train when Denis Vavro walloped into him.
- Ivan Toney (on for Phil Foden, 90): 7
- GRABBED the assist for Kane’s winner by flicking on after a free-kick - which he had won with his strength - had been cleared.
- Conor Gallagher (on for Harry Kane, 105): 6
- Southgate rolled the dice in extra-time by trying to shut the game out, taking his captain off for the Chelsea midfielder.
- Ezri Konsa (on for Jude Bellingham, 105): 6
- Ditto to Gallagher as Konsa got his first minutes of the tournament in place of the hero Bellingham, which felt a risky strategy.
- MANAGER
- Gareth Southgate: 3.
- A lucky, lucky man. Tactically, his team were all long ball, lacked any movement, and did not conjure up a shot on target until Bellingham’s wonder strike - and that came from Walker chucking it in the mixer. Subs took ages in the 90 and then felt risky as he sought to see the game out in extra-time.
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