A meerkat stands on scales during the annual weigh-in at London Zoo. File image. Reuters
A meerkat stands on scales during the annual weigh-in at London Zoo. File image. Reuters
A meerkat stands on scales during the annual weigh-in at London Zoo. File image. Reuters
A meerkat stands on scales during the annual weigh-in at London Zoo. File image. Reuters

London Zoo's 'mystic meerkats' predict England win in Euro 2020 final


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A group of so-called "mystic meerkats" at London Zoo have picked England to beat Italy in the Euro 2020 final on Sunday.

A zoo keeper planted England and Italy flags in the ground and the meerkats' task was to knock one down. It took them about five minutes to choose England.

England will play Italy on Sunday at Wembley in the host nation's first major final since they won the World Cup in 1966.

Animals have been used in the past to predict the outcome of football matches.

A German octopus shot to fame during the 2010 World Cup when he successfully predicted the outcome of eight matches.

  • Fans on the streets celebrate England qualifying for the Euro 2020 final after watching the semi final match between England and Denmark, in Birmingham, England.
    Fans on the streets celebrate England qualifying for the Euro 2020 final after watching the semi final match between England and Denmark, in Birmingham, England.
  • England fans celebrate as they stand on the roof of Leicester Square underground station.
    England fans celebrate as they stand on the roof of Leicester Square underground station.
  • Fans celebrate outside Wembley Stadium after England beat Denmark 2-1 in extra-time.
    Fans celebrate outside Wembley Stadium after England beat Denmark 2-1 in extra-time.
  • England fans cheer at BOXPARK Croydon as they watch a live broadcast of the semi-final match between England and Denmark.
    England fans cheer at BOXPARK Croydon as they watch a live broadcast of the semi-final match between England and Denmark.
  • England fans celebrate after the match.
    England fans celebrate after the match.
  • England fans celebrate on top of a bus at Piccadilly Circus.
    England fans celebrate on top of a bus at Piccadilly Circus.
  • Fans celebrate after the match.
    Fans celebrate after the match.
  • England fans cheer at BOXPARK Croydon.
    England fans cheer at BOXPARK Croydon.
  • England football fans celebrate in the streets surrounding Piccadilly and Leicester Square.
    England football fans celebrate in the streets surrounding Piccadilly and Leicester Square.
  • England fans celebrate outside Wembley Stadium.
    England fans celebrate outside Wembley Stadium.
  • England fans cheer at BOXPARK Croydon as they watch a live broadcast of the semi-final match between England and Denmark.
    England fans cheer at BOXPARK Croydon as they watch a live broadcast of the semi-final match between England and Denmark.
  • England fans cheer at BOXPARK Croydon.
    England fans cheer at BOXPARK Croydon.
  • England fans cheer at BOXPARK Croydon.
    England fans cheer at BOXPARK Croydon.
  • England fans celebrate on the streets of Piccadilly Circus.
    England fans celebrate on the streets of Piccadilly Circus.
  • Fans in Trafalgar Square celebrate England's second goal, scored by Harry Kane.
    Fans in Trafalgar Square celebrate England's second goal, scored by Harry Kane.
  • England fans react as they watch a live broadcast of the semi-final match between England and Denmark at Hackney Bridge in London.
    England fans react as they watch a live broadcast of the semi-final match between England and Denmark at Hackney Bridge in London.
  • England fans celebrate after the match at Wembley.
    England fans celebrate after the match at Wembley.
  • England fans celebrate after the match.
    England fans celebrate after the match.
  • England fans celebrate after the win over Denmark at Wembley.
    England fans celebrate after the win over Denmark at Wembley.

He performed his trick by choosing a mussel from one of two boxes bearing the flags of competing nations.

Meanwhile, a petition for a UK national holiday to be declared if England win Euro 2020 has reached 100,000 signatures, meaning it must be discussed in parliament.

Former England defender Gary Neville called for a national celebration after the nation reached a major final for the first time in 55 years with a 2-1 win over Denmark on Wednesday.

Former players and TV pundits were full of praise for Gareth Southgate's side, who have the chance to add another trophy to England's 1966 World Cup after beating the Danes in extra time.

Updated: July 09, 2021, 8:54 AM