England football team gears up for first Euro 2024 clash against Serbia
Captain Harry Kane said the line-up is the "most in-form squad we've had"
Last updated 16th Jun 2024
England's national football team is making its final preparations ahead of their clash against Serbia at Euro 2024.
The Three Lions have been resting up in Germany ahead of the first match of the tournament, and have high hopes to beat Serbia.
In the run up to the Euros, England had hoped for a more positive start to their time at the competition, following an awkward loss to Iceland in their last international friendly earlier in the month.
However, ahead of the match in Gelsenkirchen, captain Harry Kane said that they are in a comfortable position and are confident they can take on heavyweights Serbia in Group C.
In an interview, Kane said: "It is a fantastic squad. I think it is hard to say if it is the most talented, we have had talented squads throughout the whole of England's history.
"But I think what I would say about this one is that it is probably the most in-form squad we have had when you look at the players and the seasons they have had for their clubs, I think everyone is really ready."
Several big hitters have been brought in for the match, including Phil Foden, Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka in the squad decided by manager Gareth Southgate.
Thousands of England fans have made their way into Gelsenkirchen in the west of the host nation to watch the nation kick off their campaign to bring the trophy back.
Figures from the Foreign Office have said that an estimated 500,000 people have flocked to Germany to support England and Scotland in their quests to win the competition.
Among those who have made the journey is endurance athlete Russ Cook, also known as The Hardest Geezer, who has run from Wembley Stadium to the city in a 352-mile trek.
However, police in Germany have warned of the potential for clashes between fans of both nations, amid reports of Serbian ultra-fans coming to the city.
Ahead of the match, Chief Executive of the Football Association Mark Bullingham has urged England fans to behave, whilst bars close to the Veltins Arena have been told to only serve low-alcohol-content beers before the game.
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