Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
ENGLAND DREAMS .
Maradona: I was just dead drunk Strip club offers Lions free kicks
DIEGO Maradona has confessed to boozing on white wine – as he was forced to deny he had died.
The footie legend, 57, made rude gestures to fans from his private box during the Argentina v Nigeria game.
He needed medical attention after his country’s dramatic late win.
But he denied that he had a heart attack in a Whatsapp recording to a journalist friend. Maradona said: “Where we were they were only serving white wine.
“Yes, we drank all the wine, but now I’m talking to you and I’m telling you the truth.”
He later went on Instagram to insist his problems were the result of “neck pain”. He added: I swear on the lives of my mum, my grandson and my son that nothing happened.” A STRIP joint next to the England team’s hotel is offering the players free topless massages.
The Maxim VIP club is overlooked by some of the stars’ rooms in the Radisson, in the centre of Kaliningrad.
Manager Eugeniya Sorokina, 28, said: “We have been looking forward to greeting the fans.
“The players are staying so close, they are right across the road. If they wanted to come over, of course they could get any of our services for free.”
Entry at the club is £24 and beer is £6 a pint. Dancer Katarina Shtolz, 25, said: “It’s been busy but it will be even more so now England have arrived.”
The club’s website states: “Topless private, Tequila Body, erotic massage and other exciting surprises are waiting for you behind the scenes.” ENGLAND fans were gloating in Kaliningrad as they celebrated Germany’s dramatic exit and prepared to cheer their Three Lions to World Cup glory.
They rejoiced with tonight’s opposing Belgium fans – watching the trophy holders get booted out by South Korea in a 2-0 defeat, thanks to a VAR decision.
Their fate was sealed with a 94th-minute goal, given off-side until officials reviewed the decision on video and overturned the ruling.
Tottenham’s Son Heung-min then rubbed salt in Germany’s wounds with a second South Korean goal in the 96th minute.
Germany’s worst result in 80 years delighted fans of England, who have been knocked out by them in Italy in 1990 and South Africa in 2010 – as well as the European Championships in England in 1996.
Inside the Belgium team hotel, fans belted out the Sound of Music classic: “So long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, good-bye” to huge cheers. Incredibly England are now fourth favourites to win the Cup.
Gary Lineker tweeted: “Football is a simple game. Twenty-two men chase a ball for 90 minutes and at the end, the Germans no longer always win. Previous version confined to history.”
As many as 5,000 England fans are expected to be inside Kaliningrad stadium for tonight’s match.
Most have flown in on one or twonight chartered visits.
But others have made mammoth journeys by rail and coach. One father