Sunday’s Euro finals will see England don their blue-and-white shirts and shorts as they take on Spain and try and make history at the Olympiastadion Berlin.
However, Gareth Southgate’s team has been given white Nike socks to wear, including both ankle socks and longer layers, yet they’ve sported various legwear styles on their way to the final.
Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka and Conor Gallagher all favour cutting holes in their socks ahead of matches – apparently to ease pressure on their calves during the game.
Holey socks have been an increasingly common sight in the Premier League this season, with Bellingham also making bespoke slashes in his socks while playing for his club, Real Madrid.
It is understood that professionals reach for the scissors to reduce pressure on lower leg muscles, improve blood flow and prevent cramp.
For others, including Harry Kane and Kyle Walker, it’s go high or go home, with the striker and defender never on the pitch with their knees on show.
Defender Walker’s socks were pulled up so high during England’s tense victory against the Netherlands on Wednesday that they almost met his shorts.
Declan Rice and Phil Foden? They’re somewhere in between, with both players often opting for high socks. As is Ollie Watkins, who booted home a spectacular late winner to seal England’s place in the Euros finals.
The football sock has evolved into a two-piece affair in recent years, most footballers at the top level now wear a mid-calf sock with a longer layer over them to keep shin pads firmly in place.
For other players, socks that hang closer to the ankle are a preference, with Luke Shaw going short – as Jack Grealish does when he turns out for Man City.
How Shaw wears his socks is likely for the same reason that Bellingham and Saka cut holes in theirs, to help prevent cramp during the game by not compressing the top of the calf muscle.
As England’s stars prepare to face their biggest challenge of the tournament so far, Spanish resorts beloved by Brits are preparing to prevent clashes ahead of kick-off.
Benidorm council chiefs have ordered bar owners to serve England fans their beer in plastic pint glasses on Sunday amid fears of violence.
Legions of Three Lions supporters plan to lay claim to the popular Spanish holiday destination for the Euro 2024 final, after being priced out of flights and accommodation for the England-Spain showdown in Berlin.
Public security councillor Jesus Carobles says he does not want any booze served in glass containers from 6pm local time – three hours before the start of the final.
And he has banned business owners in the town’s Little England area from setting up bars in the street on match day in a bid to keep a lid on any possible trouble.
Drones will also be used as part of a special police operation, with the focus being on Benidorm’s Rincon de Loix area which is area most popular with Britons.
Several streets there will be closed off and riot police brought in, while doorstaff along the notorious Calle Gerona strip are braced for a busy night.
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Source: USA Today