UEFA Euro 2020 Final: England 1 - 1 Italy (Italy win 3-2 on pens)

[STM]

I'd also say the St George's Park revolution and mental change, has transformed how we produce young players and therefore our success.

 

This wasn't a fluke.

[Guest neesy111]

Seen some people have already started on the drink for this.  They won't last till KO.

[Guest HTT II]

I was invited to a mate’s BBQ with around 30 people going to be there, they will be starting drinking right about now, good on them, but nah, I want to be a bit compos mentis for this monumental once in a lifetime game.

[Guest HTT II]

1 hour ago, Yorkie said:

I feel supremely relaxed today, like. Probably the least anxious I've felt all tournament. 

 

I suppose the biggest fear was underachieving again, especially given how likeable the manager and this group of players are. I'd have hated for them to bottle it and/or not reach their rightful peak at this tournament and/or somehow disgrace themselves, like England teams of the past. They totally deserve to be in the final facing as historic and formidable an opponent as you could wish to face, very much side by side with them on merit. 

 

So it kinda feels like, win or lose, they've already won in a way. Which I realise is, ironically, a bit of a loser's mentality, but the point is - we can be proud of this team no matter what. There'd be no shame in falling at this hurdle though obviously it would be a huge chance lost. And despite my uptick in emotion and tension over the course of the tournament; that has come really as much because of the state of NUFC - and desperately searching for a new team to support in order to get 'the feelings' - as the likeability of this England team. The reality is - wonderful though this tournament has been, I don't feel the sense of passion and desperation for victory as keenly as I would were this my club team; I'm simply just enjoying the (amazing) ride at this point. It's just so, so brilliant to be in the final and it feels a bit like the pressure's off now as a supporter. There's also the small matter of this being unchartered territory and not really knowing how or what to think/feel!

 

I think we'll win and it will be absolutely fantastic for everyone. They're so outrageously focused and generally unruffled, some scrapes against Scotland aside; they look as fit and fresh and as composed as any team at the tournament. Plus Kane and Sterling are in great form. 

 

I think we'll win to nil again and it'll be a delight to watch, with about 5% of the tension (personally) that I felt against Denmark. 

Good post, I do think if we fail to win, however, it will have to go down as a failure because this is the best chance we’ve ever had in 55 years and these players and the manager and coaches more than have it in them to deliver. 

[Si]

Whatever happens we've made it to a final the path of this team is progress we've improved on our last tournament have a young team with some older heads. The future is bright our team is likeable and a decent bunch of lads. I'm just going to enjoy the game and look forward to what this team can do over the next few years.

[Doctor Zaius]

2 hours ago, GWN said:

 

Hendricks can fuck right off mind 

 

Shelvey is such a prick man

[54]

Quote

 

Right, I’ll make this brief, as I know we’ve got a date with the Italians very shortly.

There are just a few things I’ve wanted to say about this England team — and to this England team, if they’re reading — about the summer they have given me and the impact they have had on all of us in this country, regardless of the score when referee Björn Kuipers blows the final whistle tonight.

Sunday, the 11th of July, is a historic day. This is certainly the biggest game I’ve been involved with, either as a player or as a presenter.

And I’ll be honest, there were times in my life when I feared it might never come.

I was too young to remember the 1966 World Cup final, and truthfully, I’m sick of hearing about those days of yore — sorry guys!

Since I’ve retired from playing, I always said that I had two main ambitions left in life: 1) To be there broadcasting live for Leicester winning the FA Cup; and 2) to do the same for England in a major tournament final.

All of a sudden, I could have both at Wembley in the space of a couple of months. It’s mind-blowing.

Before the tournament, Gareth Southgate wrote to you about how everyone has their own special memories of watching England that shape and stay with them. Well, allow me to share my own.

I was only five in 1966, so my first real memories of watching England were at the 1970 World Cup, with the Gordon Banks save, the Bobby Moore tackle, facing up against Jairzinho and Pelé.

Around that time, my dad had a card school with his mates once or twice a week at our house. Engelbert Humperdinck, who was a Leicester lad, was among the many who used to come round and play all night. And I mean all night. These sessions would last 24–48 hours. I would wait behind my dad and, if he was winning, he might slip me a pound, while my mum would come round every now and then with sandwiches and a bit of dinner.

The only thing that could ever stop that endless card game in its tracks was England.

It has stayed with me how when England played West Germany in the quarterfinals of that tournament, everyone put their hands down — no matter what they were holding — turned around and focused on the telly.

England went 2–0 up, then it was 2–2 and then 3–2 Germany, as Gerd Müller scored in extra time. Everyone around the table was transfixed for 120 minutes.

And then it was over, England had lost, and the men turned back around and my dad started dealing out cards again. Just like that.

I was left heartbroken. But that moment started my journey as an England fan.

That story is probably quite similar (maybe minus Engelbert Humperdinck at your dining table) for many people in the country. When England are on, everyone stops in their tracks to watch.

Think about it. What unites us as a nation like football? Nothing. It is a kind of magic, really.

That is the power of football. The power of England.

And this team in particular — this group of 26 young lads and their manager — has taken it to another level, bringing so much pride, joy and togetherness to a nation that is so often stuck in division.

In their brilliance on and off the field, this team represents the very best of England in its diversity, dignity and shining social conscience.

To a man, they are thoughtful, empathetic and articulate. And they are changing what it means to be an England footballer.

It’s incredible, really, especially when you consider how young they are — they're just kids! Though I can’t claim any part in their development, watching them I feel like a proud father.

When I was in my 20s, I wouldn’t say boo to a goose, let alone do the things that Marcus Rashford — though it should never have to be his responsibility — is doing to help underprivileged youth. The same goes for the amazing work of Jordan Henderson, Raheem Sterling and many more.

They are truly inspirational, and also brilliant footballers. And we the fans have responded to that.

The atmosphere in a near-full Wembley on Wednesday night for the semifinal was electric.

There was a moment before the game when I was sitting with Jürgen Klinsmann and we both watched in awe, soaking it all up, as the entire stadium — English, Danish and everyone else — belted out “Sweet Caroline” at the top of their lungs.

There is such joy in having people back in stadiums. People who want to make the most of it and get behind this team after the year and a half we’ve all endured. 

I know there will always be a segment of the “fans” that won’t be so well-behaved. I don’t want to get into some of the less savoury scenes, because that is not what this piece is about, but I will say this.

Booing? Really? Come on, we’re better than that.

Sing songs, get drunk, throw pints, have fun. That’s what we do. That’s our culture.

But when you boo other national anthems and our own boys taking the knee … when you act out your worst impulses, often in the name of “patriotism,” honestly most of us are embarrassed by it.

You can call yourself a patriot, but that’s not what the word means to me. As someone who loves England deeply and is proud to have represented this country 80 times, my view is that true patriotism comes from caring about the values that not only your country has, but also those it aspires to hold.

It irritates me when basic ideas of empathy and conscience are twisted into notions of anti-Englishness, when in fact those values are among the most English of all.

I’ve got no special advice to give you players ahead of tonight. You’ve made it further in a tournament than I ever did.

No one needs to hype you up for this game. You know what this means and what you’ve got to do.

You are the right players at the right time with the right man in charge. 

All I want to say to you is that the country is really proud of you. You’ve given everything and you’ve stuck together. 

Now there is one more step. Just more of the same, please.

I wish I was playing with you. This is the sort of occasion you dream about as a player. And honestly, it’s much less nerve-racking out on the pitch than in the stands. The adrenaline takes care of the nerves and the tiredness.

It might sound strange to those who have never experienced it, but it was these knockout games, the really big-pressure moments, the extra time and even the penalties that I relished the most.

That chance to do something that other people will never get a chance to do. Go places where mortals will never tread. Who ever gets that opportunity? What better chance to show off who you really are?

Treasure it and, most of all, enjoy it — though, let’s be honest, you only will if you win.

But I’m confident you will win things. This is only the beginning, and this special group has many more years ahead. I really believe that, regardless of what happens tonight.

It’s mad, almost ridiculous, how much this game, this tournament, means to us.

But it does matter.

If you win tonight, even if it’s just for a night, a week, or a month, it will stop us all in our tracks to focus on something good. 

To celebrate the best of England.

And we’ll all go absolutely bonkers together.

Right, let’s go.

Gary Linekar

 

https://www.theplayerstribune.com/posts/gary-lineker-england-uefa-european-championship-final

[GWN]

2 hours ago, neesy111 said:

It's most nervous I've been.

not nervous at all, I’m expecting us to lose , always have .I treat them like NUFC, expect the worst then everything’s a bonus.

 

works a treat ?

[ToonArmy1892]

Howay the fucking lads

[LiquidAK]

17 minutes ago, 54 said:

https://www.theplayerstribune.com/posts/gary-lineker-england-uefa-european-championship-final

That's class, sums up my feelings entirely 

[Sima]

1 hour ago, neesy111 said:

Seen some people have already started on the drink for this.  They won't last till KO.

I’m not going out until around 4 like.

[samptime29]

Just got to gym, big workout, swim, sauna, steam room - the lot. Missus making tea at 5pm, get on the beers then too. Out for 7.30pm to watch the game. Excited but nervous. Come on England!

[Guest HTT II]

40 minutes ago, 54 said:

https://www.theplayerstribune.com/posts/gary-lineker-england-uefa-european-championship-final

Fucking tremendous, love it 

[Si]

Watching it with family, want to enjoy the game and here the commentary and soak it all in so won't be going out to watch it.

[Si]

3 hours ago, Pilko said:

My arse is going 5p 50p already like, going to be an agonising wait for kickoff. 

Never heard that expression before

[Magpie]

 

[The Prophet]

I've tried to look at this with a rationale head and I honestly can't call it. Statistically they're by far the best two sides in the tournament. England a little better defensively, Italy a little better offensively. It also feels both play to the others weaknesses. We're at home but Italy have played at Wembley three times now.

 

I hope not but I can see it going the distance.

[Guest neesy111]

2-1 England.

[gbandit]

Very well matched teams, just hope the occasion doesn’t turn the players to shit. If we can get into a rhythm with our play and not get over-run in midfield then I think we’ll win. You have to think it’ll be tight as fuck given both teams defensive records 

[The Prophet]

I keep going through waves of positivity and negativity:

 

Positive 

 

We're at home

We're fresh 

Our wingers will frighten them 

 

Negatives 

 

It's a step up in opposition 

Mancini is a superior coach to Southgate  

They're very good between the lines 

[Guest HTT II]

One thing I’m confident with this manager, the group and the coaches is that we will be good at a managing the occasion and I don’t think we’ll get overwhelmed in that regard. I’m quietly, nervously, confident. It will be very close, 2-1 for either side. Hopefully we will be the victors!  

 

 

Edited July 11, 2021 by HTT II

[Guest neesy111]

I'm confident for some strange reason but also nervous because of the magnitude of the occasion.

[STM]

It's these players man, the likes of Mount, Foden, Rice etc, they are just so cool, so calm. Never seen it before.

[leffe186]

I really don’t know what to do with myself.

[Guest HTT II]

1 minute ago, neesy111 said:

I'm confident for some strange reason but also nervous because of the magnitude of the occasion.

I think a lot of people are feeling this way, and I put that down (the quiet confidence) to the manager and this group of players who are so level headed, have no egos and are seemingly playing not just for themselves, but the country and to genuinely bring much needed joy to the nation after this horrific year and a half or so with the pandemic. Having 60k plus fans in there will be huge I feel as well, so home advantage could be the difference too!