ITV's Mark Pougatch forced to 'step in' as Euro 2024 match abandoned live on air

Mark Pougatch made a sooner than anticipated return to screens during Germany v Denmark on Saturday night, after referee Michael Oliver made the decision to abandon the matvh before the end of the first half, due to 'freak' weather conditions.

Denmark, who finished second to England in the group stages and made it through to the knockouts without winning a single game, were just managing to creep back into the game, when rumbles of thunder could be heard around the BVB Stadion in Dortmund, with ITV commentator Clive Tyldesley also telling viewers at home that there'd been a flash of lightning.

Moments later, referee Oliver called the players from both teams over before sending them off the pitch as heavy rain started lashing down. With the tie coming to a sudden halt, it was down to Clive and his colleague Ally McCoist to fill the time in, as they examined the safety risks to the players, the fans and themselves.

READ MORE; Clive Tyldesley 'sent home' by ITV as famous commentator gutted

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It then became obvious that Clive had had word in his ear from producers to go back to the studio, as he then handed over to an unsuspecting Mark to take back control of the live broadcast. Not a position he's found himself in before, Mark then turned to one of his pundits, Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou for his thoughts on the matter, with neither the stars on the ITV set or viewers at home any wiser on when the game would continue.

Mark caused some upset amongst football fans earlier on in the night, when he officially confirmed that Clive would be leaving ITV after 28 years, with Saturday's game actually his final one in the commentary box.