Who are we playing? Jude Bellingham sparks fury after forgetting England’s next opponents

Jude Bellingham celebrated his 21st birthday today, ahead of England's last-16 tie with Slovakia - OZAN KOSE/AFP

England star Jude Bellingham has sparked fury in Slovakia by saying he didn’t know who the Three Lions were playing against in the last 16.

Bellingham, 21, has been criticised by Slovakian media after he said earlier in the week he did not realise England had been drawn against the central European country the day after the group stages finished.

The midfielder, who celebrated his birthday on Saturday, is worth between £150 million and £180 million on the transfer market according to various estimates, more than the entire Slovakia squad combined.

In the build-up to Sunday’s game, Slovakian media have accused England of arrogance ahead of their knockout clash.

Press in the central European country have complained of Bellingham’s sarcasm and warned they could win on penalties ahead of England’s crucial round of 16 game.

England will play Slovakia in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday after a disappointing performance so far at the Euros, with just two goals and one win so far, after the Three Lions beat Serbia 1-0, then drew 1-1 with Denmark and 0-0 with Slovenia.

Jubilant Slovakia, ranked 45th in the world, secured their place in the last 16 with a third place in Group E with four points and have already shocked Belgium with a 1-0 win in their opening game.

While England have been relaxing between games at the luxury Weimarer golf and spa resort in Blankenhain described as Fort Knox, Slovakians have been mingling with fans in their hotel.

Slovakian players have been sharing lifts with fans at the Hyatt hotel in the busy city of Mainz and chatting with them in the gym, pool and spa area.

Back home, Slovakian media have been gearing up for the game by firing shots at England’s slow start to the Euros.

Disappointing performances

“Your performances are a disappointment, we are going for a triumph,” a headline in Sport 24, part of tabloid Plus Jeden Deň, read.

The same paper noted that “their playing quality definitely does not meet the required level and Southgate is sharply criticised by the English media”.

“Slovakia has a unique chance on Sunday for a sensational scalp of one of the biggest favourites of the entire tournament,” it said.

Meanwhile, Sport.sk criticised England and the UK press for celebrating Georgia’s win over Portugal which secured the Three Lions an easier route to the final.

“A certain underestimation of Slovakia and the idea that it will be easy for England comes not only from the fans, but also from the English media. The Daily Mail website thanked Georgia for beating Portugal and the English will play the Slovaks.”

Elsewhere, broadsheet SME talked of the “frightened English” noting of Southgate: “They threw beer at him, he repents”, adding that “the match against Slovakia may be the last”.

Quoting internet memes it added: “If Southgate were to run the pizzeria, it would burn down. If he ran the airport, ships would be parked there.”

Tabloid Novy Cas also noted Bellingham’s comment to England’s Lions’ Den show where he said he didn’t know they were playing Slovakia. Asked about his thoughts on playing Slovakia, he replied: “I didn’t know until you said!”

Responding to the comments, the newspaper said: “The sarcastic reaction of the star Englishman to the address of the Slovaks: maybe he’s not serious!?”

“The British media already see their national team at least in the quarter-finals and cheer that they will meet Slovakia in the round of 16. ‘Thanks, Georgia!’ said the Daily Mail headline. The Sun, on the other hand, wrote that such a scenario for the [last 16] ‘they like to see’.”

Shoot-out beckons

The same paper suggested its team should prepare for a penalty shootout.

As England seek to finally inspire fans, organisers have scrapped a special fan zone in Gelsenkirchen with fewer supporters expected amid the Three Lions’ lacklustre performance.

Last time round when England played Serbia, organisers put on a giant fan zone with capacity for 40,000 people at the Trabrennbahn racecourse, boasting a 160-metre-long bar and plenty of beer taps for thirsty fans.

However, this time the host city has decided that there is no need and expects just 20,000 fans to descend on the city, compared to predictions of 40,000 two weeks ago.

Martin Schulmann, spokesman for the host city, said: “The city of Gelsenkirchen was told that up to 40,000 fans would attend the first game. In fact, only 12,000 fans actually came. Now a maximum of 20,000 fans are expected, maybe less.

“The FA and FSA have asked us to open Heinrich-König-Platz as a fan meeting point this time. With the announced number of fans, this will be possible next Sunday. The feedback from the English associations has been very positive.”

He said that had greater numbers been expected the city would have put on the bigger fan zone but this was not necessary.

Bellingham’s 21st was celebrated with balloons and banners being placed around the hotel, and his squadmates sang him Happy Birthday.

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