Southgate backs England stars to handle the weight of expectation at Euro 2024

Gareth Southgate believes England will handle the pressure of being labelled Euro 2024 favourites after being handed a favourable group stage draw in Germany on Saturday night.

The draw in Hamburg - which descended into farce after sounds of erotic material interrupted the ceremony - means England will face Denmark, Serbia and Slovenia when the tournament kicks off next summer.

It is a group England, who have made the Golfresort Weimarer Land - a facility close to the town of Blankenhain - their preferred base camp option ahead of the tournament, are expected to waltz through.

‘We’re third in the world rankings this week, we’ve been in the top five for five years so consistently they’ve produced performances,’ said Southgate.

‘They are used to that. They have that expectation. They are used to playing in big matches and have produced regularly.

‘They are used to playing in big matches together and individually so we are excited and all looking forward to the summer.’

On the noises heard during the draw, Southgate added: ‘I heard something and putting two and two together I'm assuming there's some sort of prank going on but I couldn't really make out what it was.’

An account on ‘X' called Jarvo 69 has assumed responsibility for the prank. He also claimed he was responsible for a similar prank that interrupted the BBC’s coverage of an FA Cup clash between Wolves and Liverpool last season.

England boss Gareth Southgate has downplayed his side's chances in Group C at Euro 2024 after avoiding several big countries in the draw.

The Three Lions will face Serbia, Slovenia and Denmark as they look to go one better than at Euro 2020 and win the tournament.

There will be a repeat of the semi-final that year against Denmark, with the Danes