Euro 2024 touchlines: Germany summon Turkish ambassador after wolf salute

England’s Gallagher hails ‘world-class’ Rice

Speaking ahead of England’s huge last eight tie against Switzerland tomorrow evening (5.0), Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher has heaped praise on his teammate Declan Rice, a player he’s particularly close to having come up through the Blues academy together.

"He is a top guy and also a top footballer. He is doing brilliant ever since he first put the England shirt on and I think he leads by example as well,” said Gallagher.

"I remember so clearly the first tournament we went abroad, it was U-9s/U-10s. We won the tournament but in the final the midfield was me, Dec and Mason Mount in front. I just remember it so well because those two have gone on to achieve great things.

"Obviously, it's hard to compare a nine-year-old Dec to 25. I think he is pretty much a world-class midfielder, he's been fantastic for Arsenal so far and I'm sure he's going to keep improving.

"I would say around the top five [midfielders in the world]. I can't think off the top of my head now, but he is definitely up there and the exciting thing is he's getting better as well. It's really exciting for everyone in England.”

Meanwhile, Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate has told his players they must be on it mentally if they are to reach the semi-finals tomorrow evening.

“We have to get ourselves back to the mental stage we were in before the game with (Slovakia),” said Southgate, who has been under pressure following a series of underwhelming displays in Germany.

"Where whatever it takes to win, you've got to be ready to go. You've got to be ready to go right to the depths again."

Germany summon Turkish ambassador after wolf salute

The fall-out from Turkey’s Merih Demiral’s wolf salute celebration last Tuesday continues as Germany’s foreign ministry have now confirmed they have summoned the Turkish ambassador to discuss the incident, while Turkey have also done the same with Germany’s ambassador.

UEFA are now investigating the player’s salute, a gesture he made after scoring in their Last 16 win over Austria earlier this week. The symbol is linked to the far-right group ‘the Grey Wolves’, who are associated with Turkey’s Nationalist Movement Party.

Demiral admitted the celebration was pre-planned while defending his actions, adding that he is “very proud to be a Turk”.

But German interior minister Nancy Faeser has said such gestures have no place in stadiums and felt it was a symbol to Turkish far-right extremists.

“The symbols of Turkish right-wing extremists have no place in our stadiums,” she said.

“Using the European Football Championship as a platform for racism is completely unacceptable. We expect UEFA to investigate the case and consider sanctions.

“Our security authorities are keeping a close eye on Turkish right-wing extremists in Germany. The “Grey Wolves” are under observation by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution.”

The symbol is not banned in Germany but the group is under surveillance by authorities. Turkey take on the Netherlands in Berlin tomorrow (8.0) for a place in the semi-finals.

Video of the day

The Neckarstadion is an iconic venue in Irish sporting history, the stage for Ray Houghton's golden moment against England at Euro 88. Daniel McDonnell checks in from the renovated version ahead of Germany's quarter final with Spain this evening.

Today at the Euros: Germany bid to write a new Stuttgart story

Where can I read the latest?

Daniel McDonnell is on the ground in Germany for the Irish Independent and he penned this preview piece ahead of the hosts’ huge clash with Spain tonight. They are targeting a first competitive victory over the Spaniards since Euro 88, in a venue which will always hold a special place in Irish hearts.

Ahead of Portugal’s huge last eight tie against France tonight, the Irish Independent’s Aidan Fitzmaurice takes a look at how manager Roberto Martinez has a big call to make on their star Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ronaldo refusing to call time because he knows Kylian Mbappe is coming for his records, writes Sam Wallace 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

“I thought we were going home after 60 minutes of the game, and to change the mindset of us all and keep that belief and faith it's got a lot of power behind that, I think, for ourselves, other teams. I think we should take great confidence from that.”

- England’s John Stones admits he thought his side were heading home against Slovakia before Jude Bellingham��s last-minute leveller.

Number of the day - 20

20 goals have been scored so far between the 16th and 30th minute in Germany, more than any other quarter so far. 16 goals have come in the 15 minute period after the interval, while a remarkable 12 goals have been scored past the 90th minute.

Fact of the day

Spain are the only team in the tournament who have maintained a 100pc record so far, winning all four of their four games ahead of tonight’s last eight clash against the hosts.

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