The Lions Roar- An England Story!

[xSEARL3Yx]

Catch up on this story HERE!

.... And this is where it picks up....

Decided not to do reports on friendlies!

Euro 2012 Groups Announced!
In the aftermath of England's 4-0 thrashing of Liechtenstein, the Euro 2012 group stages were announced. England gained a what seemed to be on of the easiest group of the tournament with the four lions facing the likes of Poland, Switzerland and Scotland in the first round of the tournament. Fellow Brit's Northern Ireland were drawn in a group consisting of Croatia, Portugal and Spain. The only British nation not to qualify was Wales after a disappointing finish to their qualifying campaign. Full groups details below:

Group A

Croatia

Northern Ireland

Portugal

Spain

Group B

France

Germany

Holland

Romania

Group C

Russia

Serbia

Turkey

Ukraine

Group D

England

Poland

Scotland

Switzerland

---------- Post added 18/04/2011 at 03:24 PM ---------- Previous post was 17/04/2011 at 09:34 PM ----------

England Assistant Manager to be named!
Following the exodus that left the England national team without a permanent assistant manager. England manager Conor appointed Stuart Pearce as his temporary right hand man until the Euro 2012 finals in June 2012. Now it is time Conor decided on an assistant to replace Pearce for the upcoming tournament. Conor had released a press statement saying he has a "Shortlist of 5" that he would love to be his wing man. The bookmakers have former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes as one of the favourites to succeed Pearce and former Bradford City captain Stuart McCall as the underdog. The full list of those in line for the job is below with their odds on gaining the role;

Paul Scholes - 4/1
David Beckham 30/1
David Seamen 55/1
Stuart Pearce 70/1
Doug Livermore 100/1
Peter Taylor 230/1
Stuart McCall 250/1​

Who do you think will get the job?

---------- Post added at 06:55 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:24 PM ----------

Trinidad 0-1 England
England lined up for another warm-up friendly leading up to the Euro 2012 championships. With Wayne Rooney scoring the only goal in another England win, which keeps Conor's England managerial career still without a loss.

Hargreaves in retirement shock!
After having a decent half season for Manchester United it was reported that Owen Hargreaves was in line for an England call-up however Hargreaves picked up a shock injury that would see him out of the 2012 championships so has therefore decided to hang up his boots on International Football. Everyone at the England camp would like to wish Owen the best for his future and hopes he will one day make a top coach when he fully retires.

Gibbs out of Euro 2012?
Arsenal and England left-back Keiran Gibbs picked up a devastating hamstring injury in training today which could keep him out of the Euro 2012 championships, this will surely come has a huge blow for England manager Conor who had hinted Gibbs as a future star. Gibbs may be in line for the Euro 2012 tournament if his fitness picks up by May.

 

[matyfatymole]

Brilliant layout and story mate kiu

 

[xSEARL3Yx]

Beckham is No. 2!
After due consideration between The FA and England manager Conor, David Beckham has been singled out to lead The Four Lions alongisde Conor. Beckham has been given a 2 year contract which will run up until after the World Cup 2014. Fans Favorite Beckham has wowed fans over the last 15 years with his midfield magic, earning the nickname 'Golden Balls' used by many England fans across the nation. "Becks has been brought in because he is a great ambassador for the team and will provide the extra motivation the lads need before stepping out onto the field of play." Conor said. England captain Steven Gerrard spoke of his delight that Beckham had returned to the England camp and will enjoy working along side him.

Shock for McCall and Kamara!
Former Bradford City and Rangers player Stuart McCall has been appointed as an England coach in preparation to the Euro 2012 championships. The appointment comes as a shock for most fans around the country as well as Stuart himself. The Bradford City legend has expressed his delight to coach the English national team, following spells with Bradford City and Motherwell. Plus, former Bradford City manager and Sky Sports pundit Chris Kamara has been appointed as England's U21 manager as well as a senior team coach. Kamara, who wasn't initialy in the run in to be appointed came back to football coaching, following a call from England manager Conor. Kamara has said he jumped at the chance at coaching the England team and couldn't answer 'yes' quick enough. Both have been given contracts which run up until the end of the Euro 2012 championships.

Kamara after getting the job!​

---------- Post added 21/04/2011 at 11:02 PM ---------- Previous post was 20/04/2011 at 08:39 PM ----------

Euro 2012 Squad Announced!
With just three weeks until the European Championships in Ukraine/Poland, England manager, Conor, announced his 23-man squad he would be taking to the finals. Regular call ups for Joe Hart, Wayne Rooney, Jack Wilshere and Steven Gerrard were included as expected. Tom Huddlestone gained his first call-up to the England squad under Conor, replacing the injured Scott Parker. Kieran Gibbs, who was struggling with an injury leading up to the tournament has been deemed fit to play. The most notable absence would be that off Rio Ferdinand who missed the last 2 games for England. It looks as though Ferdinand has played his last game for England. The full squad is noted below;

Goalkeepers
1. Joe Hart
13. Fraser Forster
22. Frank Fielding

Defenders
2. Micah Richards
3. Ashley Cole
5. Gary Cahill
6. John Terry
12. Jack Rodwell
18. Phil Jones
19. Kieran Gibbs
23. Steven Taylor

Midfielders
4. Steven Gerrard
7. Aaron Lennon
8. Mark Noble
11. Adam Johnson
14. Jack Wilshere
15. Tom Huddlestone
16. Jonjo Shelvey
17. James Milner

Attackers
9. Andy Carrol
10. Wayne Rooney
20. Jermaine Defoe
21. Connor Wickham

---------- Post added 22/04/2011 at 07:49 PM ---------- Previous post was 21/04/2011 at 11:02 PM ----------

Italy 0-3 England
In the last warm-up match before the Euro 2012 finals, England looked better than ever when they faced one of their hardest challenges to date, in Conor's England managerial career. Italy who failed to qualify for the tournament were left shocked after the match with a 3-0 defeat to the four lions. With goals from Ashley Cole, James Milner and Jermaine Defoe.

Man Of The Match: James Milner

The Euros Begin!​

Poland 0-2 England
The European Championships kicked off with a great start for England with a 2-0 win over the tournament hosts, Poland. James Milner gave fantastic service to open the scoring for England, with a neatly placed cross into the path of Jermaine Defoe on the 31st minute. England had to wait 5 minutes until after half time for their second. Wayne Rooney took the ball into the Polish area and slotted the ball past Wojciech Szczęsny. The entertainment didn't stop there though. England defender John Terry saw red on the 66th minute after a professional foul on Tomasz Cywka.

Match Ratings;

Joe Hart- 7 - Did everything well when needed, faultless today.
Micah Richards- 7 - Solid at the right back position and is developing really well for England.
Ashley Cole- 8 - Another solid performance from Cole on his return back to the England team.
John Terry- 7 - Despite the sending off, he was a brick at the back.
Gary Cahil- 7 - Really filling Rio Ferdinand's boots and is adapting well for England.
James Milner- 8 - Fantastic game from Milner and capped the performance with an assist.
Aaron Lennon- 6 - Very quiet today.
Jack Wilshere- 8 - Solid again from one of England's key men.
Steven Gerrard- 7 - Provided some great chances today.
Wayne Rooney- 9 - One of his better games in an England shirt. Capped the performance with a great goal.
Jermaine Defoe- 9 - One of the best on the pitch, unlucky to only get 1 goal.

Man Of The Match- Jermaine Defoe - 9 -

England 2-1 Switzerland
England gained their second win of the tournament today over Switzerland with a 2-1 victory. Switzerland were being tipped as one of the hardest teams for England to come against, but Conor's Lions were out in force to overcome the Swiss. Jack Wilshere stepped up to take a corner which would prove to be the defining moment of the game when Jermaine Defoe headed away his 2nd of the tournament on the 10th minute. Wayne Rooney picked up a yellow cards following a foul on Valon Behrami, which would keep him out of the next match. Jermaine Defoe then doubled England's lead on the 58th minute with a finely placed strike following a through ball from Jack Rodwell. Switzerland then gained one back after Valon Behrami's cross collided with the head of Erin Derdiyok. The suspended John Terry was replaced by Phil Jones.

Match Ratings

Joe Hart- 7 -
Micah Richards- 8 -
Ashley Cole- 8 -
Phil Jones- 7 -
Gary Cahil- 7 -
James Milner- 7 -
Aaron Lennon- 7 -
Jack Wilshere- 8 -
Steven Gerrard- 8 -
Wayne Rooney- 8 -
Jermaine Defoe- 9 -

Man Of The Match- Jermaine Defoe - 9 -

Up Next for England....... Scotland

---------- Post added at 11:59 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:49 PM ----------

Euro 2012 Group Stages

 

[xSEARL3Yx]

Sorry for the delay guys. Here are the rest of the match reports!

England 2-0 Scotland
England lined-up with a relatively weakened side against Scotland ahead of their last group game of the tournament with Andy Carrol and Tom Huddlestone making their way into the team. England got off to a great start when a lobbed effort from Jack Wilshere was tipped onto the crossbar by Alan McGregor and Jermaine Defoe was lucky enough to receive the ball to his feet as it bounced off down from the bar, slotting it home nice and calmly. England had to wait until the 81st minute for their second though when Andy Carroll broke away from 2 Scottish defenders and placed the ball neatly passed McGregor.

Russia 2-3(aet) England
It's Quater Final time and England set out to claim their ticket to the Semi-Final in an attempt to defeat Russia. The game started off well for the Russians and exciting when an Alan Dzagoev corner caused England's defence havoc in the middle when the ball finally dropped to the feet of Roman Pavlyuchenko, which he slotted calmly past Joe Hart. Russia's celebrations didn't last long when Wayne Rooney leaped to a cross from James Milner and headed the ball past Igor Akinfeev just 2 minutes after the Russian goal. Jermaine Defoe was the man of the moment when he attempted to beat the keeper one on one, slotting away England's second just half an hour into the match. England looked on top for most of the game since then but were caught napping by Roman Pavlyuchenko on the 69th minute as he powered a wonder shot from 25 yards out into the top corner. The 90 minutes were up and the four lions have to up their game to come out with something tonight. Conor's team talk seemed to work as a string of passes led to Jermaine Defoe grabbing his second of the game striking a 35 yard shot past the Russian keeper. England had gained their semi-final place and Conor showed only delight in the press the following day.

England draw Portugal in semi-final!
England have been drawn against rivals Portugal in their Semi-Final match in the Euro 2012 championships.

Portugal 1-2 England
England go into this match without a loss in 2 years whereas Portugal go in with 3 wins in 6. Steven Gerrard led an unchanged four lions team out onto the pitch in what seems to be the most anticipated match of the tournament. Jermaine Defoe was on the scoresheet again for England and took 33 minutes to get the goal. Defoe took the ball past 2 defenders and placed the ball calmly past the Portuguese keeper. John Terry was on the end of an Aaron Lennon corner and grabbed what seemed to be the winning goal an hour into the match. Portugal's Orlando Sa pulled one back for Paulo Bento's team but it was too little too late. England go into the Euro 2012 final to play a Serbian team which managed to beat France 2-0 in their semi-final clash.

England 3-0 Serbia
England have done it! They have reached the final of the 2012 championships under new manager, Conor. But ahead of them is a strong Serbian team willing to end England's run of good form. But Conor's troops seemed to be too much for Serbia with a 3-0 thrashing in the final. James Milner got England one step closer when he placed the ball past the Serbian keeper 49 minutes in. Milner was on the scoresheet again just 10 minutes later after striking the ball low and hard into the bottom corner. Jermaine Defoe was again the man of the moment as he gained yet another goal from an header after an Aaron Lennon cross. England paraded the European trophy around the stadium after the final whistle and a special speech from the manager, Conor, got fans on the edge of their seets;

"I just want to say, congratulations to the boys that have made history today. They really are the knights of England. Wilshere, Defoe and Milner I am extremely pleased for you guys and I can see that you al are great footballers, and same with your team mates. I am pleased the FA gave me the chance to manage England, however, I feel my work here is done. I wouldn't want to leave England without any success and when I came in I said to the FA that I am here to develop the team and my main aim is to win the Euro 2012 trophy and guess what? I, we did! My next goal, is to further my skills in English club football. To the future!