...AND FINALLY
HAPPY AND GLORIOUS: ENGLAND’S TIME HAS COME
WHISPER it quietly or shout it from the rooftops... football really could be coming home!
England last night stormed to their first major tournament final since the World Cup win of 1966 in a nail-biting showdown against Denmark at Wembley.
The country ground to a halt to see boss Gareth Southgate, above, and his team win after 30 tense minutes of extra time.
England now face Italy at Wembley in Sunday’s final.
After all the misery of the pandemic, this heroic performance was the ultimate booster jab for the nation.
ENGLAND erupted in celebrations last night after Gareth Southgate’s team took the nation to dreamland.
And the Three Lions players wrote themselves into history by reaching their first final since theWorld Cup triumph of 1966.
Their unprecedented march into the Euro 2020 final is a golden moment that will live forever in our country’s collective memory.
The 2-1 extra-time triumph over Denmark was a tribute not only to the England players’ skill, composure and determination under extreme pressure, but also to the unflappable leadership of their manager, who has gloriously confounded all his critics.
Dignified, modest and steely, Southgate is a true role model for our times, and only 1966 hero Sir Alf Ramsey has a better record as England boss.
Now Southgate has the chance to match his predecessor by lifting a trophy.
Football will have truly come home if he achieves that, willed on by an ecstatic public.
Ecstatic
Southgate’s young pride of Three Lions came into the semifinal clash as heavy favourites but still had to be wary of a talented and inspired Danish side.
Carried along by a tidal wave of passion shown by 67,500 fans at Wembley and millions more watching at home or at fan parks and pubs, the team showed skill and tactical acumen to see off the Danish threat and secure a place in the final against Italy on Sunday.
Cries of “It’s Coming Home” rang out across Wembley after full-time, and Southgate was given a standing ovation by the crowd.
Forward Raheem Sterling said after the final whistle: “We had to dig in deep. I think we regrouped well and showed we had a good team spirit.
“It’s another step in the right direction. But we have got to focus on the weekend now.
“What football means to this country, you can see by the numbers that came out here this evening, the atmosphere, the cheering, people with shirts off.”
Football fever swept across the country yesterday with fans wearing replica shirts as they piled into pubs, waving flags and stopping traffic as the nation counted down to the 8pm kick-off.WembleyWay was packed with fans from 5pm.
Sterling, tweeted a cartoon of the famous Wembley arch, along with a picture of the squad, declaring, “together as one”.
More than 30 million fans in living rooms, pubs and fan zones across the country united to cheer every England attack
and held their breath when the Danes came forward.
The Duke of Cambridge, along with Boris and Carrie Johnson and David Beckham, were among the fans lucky enough to be at a two-thirds full Wembley.
And they lifted the roof off roaring the Three Lions home to the European Championship final.
Ahead of the match, Mr Johnson tweeted: “We’re behind you England.” An accompanying image showed the Prime Minister from behind, with his arms in the air, wearing an England shirt bearing the name “Boris” and the number 10.
Unlike many England teams before them, Southgate’s Lions were not weighed down by the past and high expectations, and seized the opportunity to write their own chapter in England’s illustrious football history.
And simply by reaching the final, England have already had their best ever European Championship.
They have finally banished the ghost of Euro 96, when
England lost in the semi-final to Germany on penalties.
Prince William, who also cheered England to victory against Germany last week alongside the Duchess of Cambridge and their son George, looked delighted at the events on the pitch.
Frederik, Crown Prince of Denmark, his wife Princess Mary, and their son Prince Christian were given exemptions to travel to London for the clash.
Furious Denmark fans had threatened to “come by sea like the Vikings” after they were banned from travelling under the country’s Covid rules. But 8,000 Danish fans made it into Wembley for the showcase.
England super fan Chris Dowse, who lives on the flagcovered Kirby Estate in Bermondsey, south London, said he had declined the offer of tickets to the game because he would rather watch in the company of his neighbours.
He said: “I’ve been offered tickets but I’ve turned them down.
Firstly, I’m not rich and I’d like to spend that money on my kids.
“But, secondly, I am really proud of what we’ve achieved on this estate, so I will be watching it here.”
Southgate had earlier revealed how past England players and managers, including Glenn Hoddle, had been in touch to wish the Three Lions good luck.
He said: “It has been great to get so many messages from former players and former managers.
“You are part of a family and a line of people who have a very special experience.
“The boys should recognise that – and I think they do.”
ENGLAND’S 2-1 victory over Denmark is a moment of football glory which has united the nation in excitement, pride and delight.
Children who stayed up to watch the climax of this match will have memories to cherish for the rest of their lives.
Members of the older generation who can remember the triumph of 1966 will see a similar magic at work among Gareth Southgate’s magnificent men.
With precision, flair and daring, they demonstrated last night why football is known as the beautiful game, and we now have even greater cause to hope the Euros will culminate in a historic England victory.
It is ironic that in this post-Brexit era Europe has never looked so united. It is a joy to watch the continent’s finest footballers compete together, and the intense rivalry between teams is balanced with the deepest respect and a shared delight in the sport.
The Euros have brought to the fore our common values of fair play, and fans share the same passions – regardless of whether they happen to be drinking a pint of Estrella, Peroni or real ale.
This grand tournament has revived not so much nationalism as national pride. We can look not just to the next match but the next decade with hope, confident our home is a land of opportunities.