England players prepare for Italy clash with a game of COUNTDOWN
‘FOUR?! That’s appalling!’: Bukayo Saka is left in disbelief as his England team-mates prepare to face Italy by playing Countdown with Rachel Riley… so who came out on top in the conundrum shoot-out?
- James Maddison was awarded the iconic Countdown teapot by Bukayo Saka
- Maddison beat Eric Dier and Luke Shaw after the left-back bested John Stones
- England take on Italy in their first Euro 2024 qualifier in Napoli on Thursday
Ahead of England’s Euro 2024 qualifier against Italy, the Three Lions have been put through their paces by Rachel Riley in a special edition of Channel 4’s Countdown.
The Three Lions squad took part in an unfamiliar training exercise ahead of their trip to Napoli, where they will face Italy in their fourth meeting in two years, and a repeat of the Euro 2020 final, which England lost on penalties.
England stars John Stones, Luke Shaw, Eric Dier and James Maddison all took part in the special version of the classic daytime programme.
The players had their maths and English skills tested by Riley, with all four completing numerical and word puzzles – as well as a football-themed conundrum at the end of each semi-final.
And after his viral spell-checking antics at the Qatar World Cup, Arsenal and England star Bukayo Saka featured in Dictionary Corner, verifying his team-mate’s submissions, in place of regular hosts Susie Dent.
England took part in a special version of Channel 4’s classic daytime programme Countdown
Bukayo Saka was in Dictionary Corner after his spell-checking in Qatar, replacing regular host Susie Dent
https://youtube.com/watch?v=AstLBWlZxLU%3Frel%3D0%26showinfo%3D1%26hl%3Den-US
Maddison took on Dier in the opening round, although neither Premier League star could muster more than a four letter word – ‘meat’ and ‘heat’, which prompted shock and laughter from Saka.
The Leicester midfielder fared better in the second round, though, finishing just nine away from the target number of 214.
For Dier it was a less impressive showing, as the Tottenham defender failed to grasp the concept of the Numbers Round, and was roundly beaten after the Foxes star found the conundrum – ‘defensive’ – within seconds.
It was not the showing Stones will have wanted in his clash with Shaw, despite an impressive six-letter opener in the letters game, after ending up over 100 away from the numbers target.
A conundrum victory for Shaw – courtesy of a hefty clue from Riley to point him towards ‘equaliser’ – saw Shaw see off his Manchester rival.
When asked by Riley whether they were able to leave the derby rivalry at the door, Stones responded: ‘Oh yeah, it’s definitely friendly.’
Rachel Riley was far from impressed by the answers from Dier and Maddison, with the former only managing four points across three games
The second round of the programme saw John Stones (C) take on Luke Shaw (second right)
The rest of their England colleagues watched and laughed at their team-mates’ expense
‘We’re very friendly, aren’t we, John?’ added Shaw, prompting laughter from his England colleague.
Maddison then took on Manchester United defender Shaw in the final after the latter saw off Stones, but defeated the left-back to take home the iconic Countdown teapot.
He was handed his trophy by Saka, before joking that it was a ‘dream come true’ and posing for a photo with the award and his team-mate.
England’s clash with Italy in Napoli will be broadcast on Channel 4 at 7pm, on Thursday.
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