European Football Championship - England in Ecstasy: Comeback-Kings before the Coronation
After "one of the best nights in 50 years," England's Comeback Kings found themselves right at the edge of the European Championship summit. Amidst the nighttime journey from Dortmund to the training camp in Blankenhain, Captain Harry Kane sent a few disheveled greetings home via phone.
"This is particularly, particularly, particularly. This means the world to us. Let's take the last step," said Kane proudly, looking at the upcoming final against Spain. The 58-year wait could end on Sunday (21:00 Uhr/ARD and MagentaTV) at the Olympiastadion in Berlin. Southgate, the totally relaxed Gareth Southgate, who particularly enjoyed the wild nights in Germany, made the call from the EM-Stadion in Dortmund.
"One more! One more!", the trainer shouted loudly to the around 20,000 jubilant fans after the 2:1 semi-final victory against the Netherlands. One more win. Before that, Southgate had let out all his joy and even did a spontaneous dance on the grass. The fans were already singing the tournament classic "Three Lions" with the concrete prospect that the long-standing slogan "It's coming home" would finally become a reality and the suffering would end.
"A bloody tough journey"
England's first major title since the 1966 World Cup win was a significant historical step. Observed by pop stars like Ed Sheeran and Adele, the Three Lions reached their first major final in their history, which did not take place on the British Isles.
"Making it this far makes me incredibly proud," said Head Coach Southgate, who went from villain to hero in a matter of moments. In the crime of the semi-final, he brought on Joker Ollie Watkins for the later winning goal scorer Harry Kane. Kane, who had to give way for this, said: "It was a bloody tough journey. We had our moments in this tournament. If we have them again on Sunday, we'll reach our goal and be champions."
Not the team's class, but luck, a genius move from Jude Bellingham, and a lot of morale led England to the final. "Quality is one thing, but the other attributes like character or mentality you can't learn in training. You get them from experiences," said Bellingham. Every knockout game was dramatic in its own way, and England came back three times in a row after a 0:1 deficit. Such a thing had never happened at European championships before.
Even Biden follows England's European Championship journey
The frequent comebacks and three thrilling duels also brought the British king into a state of excitement. Charles III. congratulated them immediately on reaching the Berlin ticket but also made a request in his congratulations. "If I could encourage you to secure the win before any last-minute wonder goals or another penalty drama, it would significantly reduce the collective stress and blood pressure of the nation," the palace statement quoted the king as saying.
The new Prime Minister Keir Starmer will travel to the German capital for the journey. During his first visit to the White House, he joked with US President Joe Biden about the success of the Three Lions. "It's all down to the new Prime Minister," Biden said. Starmer, from the Labour Party, had taken over the position from his predecessor Rishi Sunak in the previous week.
System change takes effect
Besides Matchwinner Watkins ("The best feeling of all time") and preparer Cole Palmer, Southgate was particularly hailed as one of England's winners on this memorable evening. For: The 53-year-old former player had brought on the two jokers and took a risk by substituting Captain Kane once again. His system shift to a three-man defense also paid off, as World-class player Phil Foden moved into the midfield in the now practiced 3-4-2-1 and could thus unfurl freely.
After weeks of criticism, insults, and cup-throwing from their own fans, Southgate felt some satisfaction. "This is not the end," he said. The fans still see no lasting brilliant performances from Southgate's team, but they are experiencing the full range of emotions in this rollercoaster ride.
"A reckless adventurer"
And the conservative and cautious coach, who doesn't want to let the billion-dollar squad off the leash? Apparently, a thing of the past. The "Guardian" calls Southgate a "Technocrat who has turned into a reckless adventurer." The adventure is supposed to end after nearly eight years in office and highly respectable balances at the major tournaments with a Silver Cup.
Southgate will use the experience of the lost EURO final of 2021 against Italy to the best of his ability in his second attempt. Southgate was criticized after the EURO final loss to Italy for having brought on the wrong players before the penalty shootout.
Lineker's Quote before a Rewrite
"We are calmer in the knockout stages and are much better prepared. You learn from every experience. If I didn't get it right in the final in 2021, I apologize here. I'm trying to make it right this time," the trainer announced. The opponent seems even stronger this time around. In addition, the home advantage, which was enjoyed at Wembley at the time, is missing.
At home, the excitement is still enormous. Football icon Gary Lineker is getting closer to his "life goal," as he called a big England title once. The late goal from Watkins, who was applauded by everyone immediately after the final whistle, even made Lineker jubilant. His legendary quote reads: "Football is a simple game: 22 men chase a ball for 90 minutes, and at the end, the Germans always win." This summer could see a rewrite. Surprisingly, in Germany.
- Gareth Southgate, the relaxed manager, found the European Championship (EM) semi-final victory against the Netherlands particularly enjoyable due to the wild nights in Germany.
- The win against the Netherlands placed England at the brink of winning the European Football Championship, marking an end to a 58-year wait.
- The upcoming final against Spain on Sunday could see England claim their first major title since the 1966 World Cup win, at the Olympiastadion in Berlin at 21:00 Uhr/ARD and MagentaTV.
- Due to England's comeback victories, they had managed to reach their first major final, with fans singing "Three Lions" and hoping that the slogan "It's coming home" would finally become a reality.
- Southgate's decision to bring on Joker Ollie Watkins for Harry Kane in the semi-final was praised for its role in England's success.
- Bellingham, who contributed to England's progress in the European Championship, stated that while quality is important, character and mentality are attributes that cannot be taught in training.
- Even US President Joe Biden followed England's European Championship journey and joked about the team's success with the new Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
- In his first visit to the White House, Starmer and Biden discussed England's semifinal win, with Biden attributing the team's success to the new Prime Minister.
- After Southgate's system shift to a three-man defense, World-class player Phil Foden moved into the midfield in the now practiced 3-4-2-1, allowing him to perform freely.
- Despite facing criticism from their own fans, Southgate felt a sense of satisfaction following England's successful run in the tournament.
- Ahead of the final, the Guardian published an article calling Southgate a "Technocrat who has turned into a reckless adventurer."
- Spain was viewed as England's strongest opponent yet in the European Football Championship final, but Southgate expressed his determination to correct his mistakes from the previous final against Italy.
- In the lead-up to the final, Gary Lineker, a football icon, expressed hope that this summer could see a rewrite of his quote, "Football is a simple game: 22 men chase a ball for 90 minutes, and at the end, the Germans always win.", suggesting that England could win in Germany.
