England are just as passionate as Wales for the Euro 2016 clash but need to keep their concentration, says Sky Sports reporter Nick Collins. [url=http://www.cheapshoes.us.org/]Trendy Wholesale Shoes[/url] . Collins will be covering his 265th England game in Lens on Thursday, and it will be the first

England are just as passionate as Wales for the Euro 2016 clash but need to keep their concentration, says Sky Sports reporter Nick Collins. Trendy Wholesale Shoes . Collins will be covering his 265th England game in Lens on Thursday, and it will be the first meeting of the two British nations at a major tournament. Leading up to the much-anticipated clash, there has been plenty of comment from both camps, and star man Gareth Bale saying that Wales have more passion and pride than their English counter-parts. But Collins doesnt believe this is the case, and Roy Hodgsons men will be just as fired up for the contest. Euro 2016 Podcast - June 14 Listen to build-up for England v Wales plus the Irish fixtures at Euro 2016 Weve heard plenty from Wales in the build-up to this game about being even more passionate about this game than England. Dont you believe it for a moment, Collins told Andy Burton on the Euro 2016 Podcast.The England lads would have smiled wryly when they heard those sorts of comments, because this means every bit as much to them and its classic underdog taking on the favourites.In whatever context, the team that feels like it is the underdogs really wants to get on the front foot in terms of getting those comment out there in the build-up to the game. The latest for the England squad as they train today ahead of their second Euro 2016 group match against Wales in Lens I dont blame the Wales guys for suggesting theres maybe more of a togetherness and they want it more but no, the appetite among the England players will be every bit as strong as Wales. This is a game where a lot of friendships get put on hold for the 90 minutes because both teams will know each other very well.Its fascinating and its never happened before, this England v Wales clash at a major tournament so its an absolutely fantastic occasion but England will be pumped up as much as Wales.Chris Colemans side won their opening fixture against Slovakia on Saturday to see them lead the group heading into the second round of fixtures. Wales players huddle after beating Slovakia 2-1 on Saturday evening England are joint second behind their fellow Brits after a late 1-1 draw with Russia in Marseille, and arguably need three points against the Welsh to maintain their hopes of reaching the knockout stages. Indeed, Collins believes that England can be victorious in Lens, but they need to concentrate on seeing out the game and not making any more late mistakes.You could argue that it means Wales dont have to go gung-ho against England because a point would give them four from two and thats still two ahead of England. Youd have to say that has to be enough for at least third place, probably even second place to be honest. Maybe it will free them up to go for it a bit more. I know England are going to really have to concentrate on ensuring that this time they do finish it off and if they get ahead, there can be no equaliser this time around.If it is a draw, and we go to the last set of games, with Wales on four and England on two, then it could become nerve wracking. Gareth Bale celebrates after opening the scoring for Wales against Slovakia There is still that little margin for England and as long as they perform like they did against Russia for long periods, make sure that there is no last minute slip up and make sure you take your chances as well - all obvious things to say - then man for man, I do believe they are better than Wales and should go on and win it. Also See: Bale: We have more pride Mersons Euro predictions Hodgson selection headache QUIZ: Football teams in Welsh Shoes From China Wholesale . Nick Young scored 17 points for Los Angeles, which lost five of its last seven before trouncing the Pelicans, who beat them handily last week in New Orleans. Jodie Meeks and Xavier Henry scored 15 points apiece for the Lakers, who led by 20 points in the first half before coasting to their 12th win in their last 13 regular-season meetings with New Orleans. Cheap Shoes Outlet Stores . The Red Wings hadnt played the night before. The Boston Bruins had. A month from now, or two months from now, it doesnt matter. But right now it does matter, when you start and you play back to back, its wear and tear on you for sure, Babcock said. http://www.cheapshoes.us.org/ . LOUIS -- The St.DENVER - Its been four years since the Raptors had a representative in the All-Star Game. DeMar DeRozan, a 20-year-old rookie at the time, remembers it well. "I was here when Chris Bosh was the last guy to go," said DeRozan, now 24 in his fifth NBA season, less than two hours after receiving the news. A first-time All-Star, DeRozan got the nod Thursday evening when the NBA named the Raptors guard to the Eastern Conference squad as a reserve. "I work extremely hard every off-season to try and be the best player that I can be," he said proudly. "Just to be a part of All-Star Weekend is something you dream of. I remember being a kid watching All-Star Weekend and wishing to be a part of it. To see your dreams come true definitely means a lot." DeRozan, the fourth ever Raptor selected to the midseason showcase, which will take place in New Orleans on Feb. 16, was hardly surprised to find out his selection had been made official. He had expected it. The texts from family and friends started to come in as the Raptors plane landed in Denver, shortly after the announcement had been made live on TNT. Houston Rockets All-Star guard James Harden called to congratulate him, John Wall of the Washington Wizards, also an Eastern reserve, sent a text. The first call he made was to his fiancé and his infant daughter back in Toronto. "That was cool," he said of what had to be a special moment. Its a moment, an achievement that didnt come overnight. Hes put in the work and his growth as a player, a leader and as a man reflects that. "Hes worked at it [and] he deserves it," said Dwane Casey, who has coached DeRozan in three of his five seasons. "Every year Ive been here he has improved. He has brought something new back after every summer. Im so happy and proud of him as a young man watching him grow." DeRozan, the ninth overall pick in the 2009 NBA draft, is 11th in the league in scoring, fourth in the East, and averaging career highs in points (21.8), rebounds (4.7) and assists (3.6). The Raptors iron man has missed the clubs previous two games with an ankle injury, but hes still only missed 10 contests in his career, with two full seasons under his belt. Since the trade of Rudy Gay, DeRozan has blossomed in his new role. DeRozan has recorded five or more assists in 12 of the 43 contests hes appeared in this season. He accomplished that feat 12 times all of last year and five times total in his first three seasons combined. He has already grabbed five or more rebounds 23 times this season, something he did in 19 games during the 2012-13 campaign. "Im so happy for him, man," said snubbed teammate Kyle Lowry. "It just shows the hard work that hes put in. Its great for our team, its great for the organization, its great for the city, its great for the country." Of course, the news wasnt entirely positive. Lowry, in the middle of a career season, was left off the Alll-Star roster. Cheap Shoes Online Free Delivery. The 27-year-old point guard - widely considered to be the most notable name missing from the East team - stood in the lobby of the Raptors Denver hotel, looking ahead to his mid-Febrary vacation. He too was not surprised by the result of the voting and if he was disappointed by it, he didnt show it. "Im alright," said Lowry, averaging career-highs in points (16.8), assists (7.6) and three-point shooting (41 per cent) this season. "Ill be on a beach somewhere hanging out. Ill watch the All-Star game and cheer for (DeRozan)." Lowry is coming off of back-to-back 30-plus point games for the first time in his eight-year career, however both performances came after the coaches submitted their ballots for All-Star reserves on Sunday. Casey has spent the better part of the last month campaigning for both of his guards, hoping to get both voted in, but expecting to only get the one. Why was Lowry left out? Politics, most likely. He and DeRozan may have split votes from coaches who were only willing to vote for one Raptor. Coaches trying to get their own guy in - unable to vote for their own players, by rule - may have thrown their votes to others, less likely to make it. Then theres Lowrys reputation for being, well, prickly on occasion. However, the numbers speak for themselves, or at least they should have. Lowry leads the East in assists in January, averaging 8.3. Hes also hit more threes this month (49) than any player in the league, shooting them at a 46 per cent clip. Hes among the league-best in assist-to-turnover ratio and he has the second highest PER (player efficiency rating) of any guard in the conference. "I am disappointed for Kyle because he is playing like an All-Star," Casey said. "He is one of the best point guards in the league right now and hopefully this doesnt deter him from his continuing his journey to being the best in the league and proving people wrong." Instead, the Nets Joe Johnson made the cut. Johnson is averaging 15.7 points, his lowest mark since 2002-03, his second season in the league. Hes only the second All-Star voted in by the coaches with a below-average PER since 2003. "Im going to keep grinding no matter what, All-Star or not," Lowry said. "Im always going to work hard and continue to be the best player I can be to help my team win." "Honestly I didnt even worry about it," he continued. "We didnt get two, doesnt matter, we got one and thats a big statement for our team. [DeRozans] going to represent our team and hes going to represent us well." DeRozan joins Johnson, Chris Bosh of the Miami Heat, Wall, the Indiana Pacers Roy Hibbert, Joakim Noah of the Chicago Bulls and the Atlanta Hawks Paul Millsap on the East squad, along with starters LeBron James and Dwyane Wade of the Heat, Indianas Paul George, Carmelo Anthony of the New York Knicks and the Cleveland Cavaliers Kyrie Irving. ' ' '