Euro 2024 touchlines: Bellingham hails ‘most humble geezer ever’ as Turkey defender is investigated

Bellingham hails suspended Guehi

Although he is suspended for England’s Euro 2024 quarter-final clash with Switzerland on Saturday, Jude Bellingham has praised his teammate Marc Guehi as the “most humble geezer ever”.

Guehi made a vital impact in their last-16 win over Slovakia last weekend as he assisted Bellingham’s stunning overhead kick, which took the tie to extra-time before Harry Kane’s header saw Gareth Southgate’s men progress.

“Probably the best flick-on header in England history,” said Bellingham.

“He’ll never take any credit for it, but it’s important that he knows how appreciative I am and the team are of his contribution.

“The most humble geezer ever. He thinks I’m just going to let him get away with a little handshake after he set up the most important goal of my life! I’m really big on giving people their flowers especially when they’ve been as good as he has so far this tournament.

“He’s set up a goal that is so important to us as a team. He’s only a little bit older than me but when you speak to him and when you’re around him, you get the idea he’s about 40 and has played like three careers.

“He’s such a nice guy that you actually forget about his physical presence and playing against him. Whenever I see him go up for headers I think ‘Oh yeah it’s nice guy Marc’ and then it’s ‘boom’ and it’s like ‘oh yeah not-so-nice-guy’ Marc.”

UEFA investigating Merih Demiral’s gesture in Turkey’s win over Austria

UEFA have opened an investigation into the “alleged inappropriate behaviour” of Turkey’s goalscorer Merih Demira last night, following their last-16 win over Austria.

The Turkish defender appeared to make an ultra-nationalist salute while celebrating his second goal, with a ‘wolf salute’, a gesture linked with the Grey Wolves, a far-right extremist group in Turkey, who are associated with the ruling coalition party the National Movement Party.

The player could face a fine or a suspension if found guilty, with his side preparing for their quarter-final clash against the Netherlands on Saturday night, but he said the celebration was pre-planned.

“I had a goal celebration in mind, which I did,” said Demiral. “I am very proud because I am a Turk, therefore after the goal I felt it deeply and I wanted to do it, and I am very happy about doing it.”

Video of the day

Turkey were saved at the death by their goalkeeper, France and England need to awaken from their phoney campaigns, and Spain set date with the hosts – Aidan O’Hara joined the Irish Independent’s man in Germany Daniel McDonnell to break down the round of 16. Where can I read the latest?

Daniel McDonnell took in Turkey’s Last 16 win over Austria last night and his piece from that game is here

Ronaldo and Portugal’s golden oldies stand test of extra time as tears turn to joy, wrote Dan after Portugal’s penalty shoot-out triumph over Slovenia on Monday night.

Jude Bellingham provides English X-factor – they need him to progress, writes Miguel Delaney here.

Daniel’s piece from last weekend’s Sunday Independent is here too, as he looks at how there’s a joy in the unpredictability of the Euros that’s missing in the elite club scene.

Quote of the day

“How can I explain this? Of course we’re all Turkish. We’re all Turks in Turkey. We’re very proud. I’m very proud as a person to be a Turk. So that’s what I did. That was the meaning of the gesture. It’s quite normal.” – Merih Demiral explains his controversial celebration in last night’s win over Turkey, which is now under investigation by UEFA.

Number of the day – 100

There have been 100 goals scored so far at the finals, an average of 2.28 goals per match or one goal every 40 minutes.

Fact of the day

Georgia’s Georges Mikautadze, Germany’s Jamal Musiala, Dutch star Cody Gakpo and Slovakia’s Ivan Schranz lead the goalscoring charts with three each, while Germany lead the team charts with 10 goals scored across their opening four games.

Tweet of the day

When are the games?

QUARTER-FINALS

Friday, July 5

QF1: Spain v Germany, 5.0, Stuttgart

QF2: Portugal v France, 8.0, Hamburg

Saturday, July 6

QF3: England v Switzerland, 5.0, Dusseldorf

QF4: Netherlands v Turkey, 8.0, Berlin

SEMI-FINALS

Tuesday, July 9

QF1 v QF2, 8.0, Munich

Wednesday, July 10

QF3 v QF4, 8.0, Dortmund

FINAL

Sunday, July 14, 8.0, Berlin