- England begun preparations the Euro 2024 semi-final at their Blankenhain camp
- Jude Bellingham and others enjoyed recovery in the pool after Saturday’s win
- LISTEN to It’s All Kicking Off! EUROS DAILY: Bukayo Saka was England’s shining light against Switzerland, it was so pleasing to see him score his penalty too
England stars have been filmed beginning their preparation for their Euro 2024 semi-final against the Netherlands.
After deploying a new system in the quarter-finals, Gareth Southgate‘s side looked vastly improved compared to previous outings before Breel Embolo gave Switzerland the lead on 75 minutes.
Several changes followed, including Luke Shaw‘s first appearance of the tournament, and England struck back just minutes later thanks to a curled effort from Bukayo Saka.
After the game remained level through extra-time, the Three Lions held their nerve in the penalty shootout, netting all five of their spot-kicks to reach their third semi-final in a major tournament during Southgate’s reign.
With a clash with the Netherlands just days away, the squad were right back to work on Sunday as they move to within touching distance of Sunday’s final.
England begun their preparations for Wednesday’s clash with the Netherlands just one day after defeating Switzerland
The players enjoyed some well-deserved recovery time after reaching the Euro 2024 semi-final
Some of the team enjoyed a bike ride on trails around England’s Blankenhain base camp
Saturday’s penalty hero Trent Alexander-Arnold was one of the players to take part in the ride
Footage from inside the England camp showed the team out on a bike ride near their Blankenhain base camp.
Adam Wharton can be seen asking why he is going so slowly before a voice off camera reminds the Crystal Palace midfielder that it is a recovery ride.
A number of players were also put through their paces in the gym, with Conor Gallagher seen performing trap bar deadlifts whilst Saturday’s penalty hero Trent Alexander-Arnold did weighted sit ups.
Several stars also took to the pool as a means of winding down amidst the gruelling schedule of tournament football.
Jude Bellingham analysed footage on a tablet at the side of the pool, with Eberechi Eze and Phil Foden doing the same.
A replica Wilson ball from the iconic 2000 movie Cast Away could also be seen, with Foden showing off his juggling skills as he repeatedly headed and shouldered the ball against a wall.
Meanwhile captain Harry Kane presented Southgate with a gold cap to commemorate his 100 games since taking charge of the national team in 2016.
Some of the players including Bukayo Saka relaxed in the pool whilst studying footage
England starlets Cole Palmer (left), Phil Foden, and Kobbie Mainoo (right) relaxed by the pool
A replica ball from the 2000 Tom Hanks film Cast Away could be seen in the pool
England captain Harry Kane presented Gareth Southgate with a gold cap in recognition of his 100 games in charge of the Three Lions
Saturday’s victory marked a century of fixtures in the hot seat for Southgate, as he inches closer to becoming the first manager to win a trophy for the Three Lions since 1966.
The 53-year-old is only the third England manager to reach the landmark, following Sir Walter Winterbottom and Sir Alf Ramsey.