WE’RE now down to just four names in The National’s Euro 2024 charity sweepstake as the semi-finals were confirmed on Saturday night with England and the Netherlands both going through.
There are now just four people left hoping to win £1000 for their chosen charity – and that little added bonus for whoever knocks England out of the competition is still up for grabs.
Even if the person’s team that does knock Gareth Southgate’s side out of the competition doesn’t go on to win the tournament, we’ll donate £100 to the charity they’re representing.
Here’s a look at the final four who are left in the competition.
Stephen Flynn
Unfortunately for Flynn, he won’t be able to win the extra £100 as he has drawn England.
Southgate’s men haven’t really looked the part in the tournament but have somehow managed to stumble their way to a semi-final appearance against the Netherlands.
Flynn will be hoping England can pull it together after another poor performance, this time against Switzerland in the quarter-finals, as they managed to go through on penalties.
He’s playing for Community Food Initiatives North East.
Ian Blackford
The SNP’s former Westminster leader used to call the Netherlands home and now he has an added bonus to cheer on the team he drew for the sweepstake.
The Dutch side join the long list of great sporting nations which haven’t quite reached their full potential in this tournament.
However, after England’s Sunday night performance, Blackford will fancy his chances of his team banking that extra £100 for his charity.
The Netherlands were able to claim victory over one of the Euros most surprising packages, Turkey, as they came from behind to beat them 2-1.
Blackford will be hoping that fine form continues as he looks to raise money for Lucky2BeHere.
Christopher Brookmyre
Scottish writer Christopher Brookmyre has arguably drawn the strongest looking team in the tournament so far.
The Spanish side were able to overcome an impressive German team in the quarter-finals as they held on to win 2-1 in an action-packed game.
They play one of the other tournament favourites France in the semi-finals, but they will fancy their chances as their opponents have looked a shadow of their former selves who lifted the World Cup in 2018.
Brookmyre is playing for Médecins Sans Frontières.
Zara Gladman
Plenty of fans would have tipped France to win the tournament before it started, however, the recent World Cup finalists have been incredibly poor so far.
Gladman will be hoping Kylian Mbappe and co will finally be able to showcase their true talents as they have struggled throughout the knockout stages after narrowly beating Portugal on penalties after a 0-0 draw.
A tough match against Spain awaits them in the semi-finals but if the French side starts clicking together it could be a game for the ages.
Gladman is playing for Medical Aid for Palestinians.
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