Euro 2024 Final

Good luck to England and the England supporters for tonight. I'll go and watch, but I'm relaxed when I watch international football.

I was randomly thinking this morning that, regardless if they win or lose, I think this will be Southgate's swan song.

And then a few thoughts came into my head. Maybe Lee Carsley, who has pretty much followed Southgate's trajectory or, as an outside bet, Klopp?

I can't see Southgate not wanting another crack at a World Cup, considering the quality of young players he'll have available over the next couple of years.

I echo your sentiments, Danny, lets hope England can finally win a trophy.

No doubt Spain will be favourites tonight and a lot of their attacking threat is based on their wingers, but I think Kyle Walker has the pace to nullify Williams.

Their other great threat is Rodri in midfield – for me, the best player in the Premier League and the Euros. He is so influential for both Man City and Spain and somehow we need to find a way to stop him running the game.

I hope we play like we did in the first half against the Dutch where everything went through Foden. I don't think Bellingham has been anywhere near as important as I thought he would be.

I think either Kane is not 100% fit or he has just gone compared to the player he was 2 years back, but maybe we can get Watkins on for more game time than he got against the Dutch. Watkins with his pace will stretch their defence and no defenders like to play against pacey forwards who will run in behind them.

If England manage to score one more than Spain, they have a great chance.

Even if England get this trophy, it will still not convince me that Southgate did anything special to bring it about.

He had the best core of players any manager has had for years and they have stumbled along past every game.

Do they come unstuck in this one or once again sneak it?

Obviously, I hope they do… but they do need a new manager who knows what he is doing in time for the World Cup.

Tom (5), I agree with you.

I know all sides who win these competitions need a bit of luck (and England have certainly had that, eg, late Bellingham goal and dubious VAR penalty against the Dutch).

However, the main thing helping England has been that the usually strong sides – Italy, Germany, France – have been fairly poor by their usual standards.

Win or not, like Gareth Southgate or not, great players available to him or not, I find it hard to think people don't want to give Gareth Southgate at least a modicum of respect and credit for the overall job he's done whilst manager of England.

Who knows whether England could have done better given a different manager and with the same set of players.

I wonder if those criticising him today will feel differently later tonight if England win the final.

I think of Belgium with Roberto Martinez as manager with that squad of players. Did okay, no finals but I imagine the delay with Euros 2020 due to Covid didn't help his team.

We got to the final last time. We got to the semi final of the World Cup. We won our group this time. We're in the final again, this time away form home, yet Southgate is doing a terrible job.

That doesn't make any sense to me. I'm 51 in August so I remember us being shit at tournaments my whole life till Southgate took over.

For fuck's sake, embrace it for a change!

He does deserve respect, Ian. I think a lot have got frustrated on how they have limped through.

But they have a chance against the best team in the tournament.

But this is one match. Without stating the obvious, any game of football can be won or lost.

I find it very hard to elicit much enthusiasm for England and the Euros. The football has been for the main part turgid and the jingoism of commentators and so-called experts is sickening.

When England won the World Cup in 1966, I was 19 and football daft. I had a student job in the Stile House, now sadly demolished. It was the first pub up from Saint Nicholas's Church, before the Pig and Whistle on the next corner.

During the World Cup we had a special licence to remain open till 11 pm(10 pm was the normal closing time). After the first night of the World Cup we closed as usual at 10 pm.

Anyhow, on the day of the final, I watched the first half hour in the pub, we'd closed at 3 pm, and then walked across the road and got the 10d bus to Kensington where we lived.

No-one was doing anything different, the bus was moderately full and the streets seemed normally busy. Mum was at work in TJs, my dad was at sea (he worked on the cruise liners for the PSNC) and my uncle was at work, he lived with us. I made a meal half-watching the game and caught the bus back to be in The Stile House for 5 o'clock when we opened.

There were few customers and I watched the end of the game in peace on the tv above the door.

That night was a normal Saturday in the Stile House, fairly busy, but not as busy as Sundays when we had a ukulele player in the lounge.

During the World Cup I'd seen one game live at Goodison, the Brazil-Portugal clash, so technically I've seen Pele and Eusebio play.

What I'm trying to say in my long-winded fashion is that I don't remember there being much fuss or hyperbole. The FA Cup Final and Temple's goal gave me far more excitement and we were a football city with avengeance then: Everton cup holders, Liverpool League Champions.

I still feel when I look at the fotball crowds in Germany that most of them are event junkies rather than football fans. Their numerous homemade flags reveal an abundance of Londoners and small town and non-football places as their homes.

It's now a marketing event as much as a football event and I as an old grump cannot raise much enthusiasm; I'm still a relic of the crowd of 1966.

James, it's each to their own.

I've never been a follower of England as were none of my mates.

I'd rather have seen a UK team. I still don't understand why the Glasgow clubs haven't been invited to a joint league.

As I've said, I'll watch them and wish them well, but I won't get bothered by the result. Probably just get annoyed when they start throwing beer around.

My brother-in-law IS from Somerset but who has been in Liverpool for over 25 years. He always comments and says it's a Liverpool thing regarding the England thing.

But forget my thoughts, I appreciate there are many in Liverpool who support England. So best wishes to everyone for tonight.

I think there are good match-ups all over the park. The one area that is going to be a concern is the left side – Yamal against either Trippier or Shaw.

Most of the England players should play with no fear. Eight of the starting eleven play on the biggest stages for their clubs.

I'm English but I'm not a massive England fan. That said, I want them to win tonight for Jordan Pickford.

I want him to be the hero tonight and to shut up all the critics with their snidely little digs when he kicks it long or punches it or whatever he does that they nitpick at.

He's been immense for us and his saves and commitment have played a massive part in keeping us up the past few years.

He does frustrate, Chris. For Everton, staying in his 6-yard box and those punts that often go out into touch or sometimes back to his opposite at the other end.

But he makes saves and double saves that make you stop breathing for a few seconds.

Aside from Branthwaite, the one player I hope we keep hold of. He's matured a lot and has stopped getting wound up by Newcastle supporters.

I'm English and I want us to win this.
Lots of nonsense said about Southgate. Robson, Venables and Ericsson had better squads and achieved less. Barring my first tournament in 1970, these things are won by strong, pragmatic teams, not by teams full of their 'flair' players.

I'd criticise Southgate for not giving a proper left back a run before the tournament, and for not giving the likes of Mainoo & Wharton more time as well. And you can't blame him for Bellingham & Kane being clearly unfit.

His record speaks for itself. Just needs a win tonight to cap it all.

I'm 49% Welsh if you want to get technical (according to my DNA) but I've followed England since I was a kid. I'm way less bothered nowadays, as I'm less narked by Everton being shit.

I guess we all mellow with age, but I'd still love to see England win tonight. I'm always wrong about results but I have a good feeling we'll win.

I am not English but I found a 22 of Lagunitas Maximus while cleaning the fridge so I will be drinking in the morning as though I am. Ceeemon England!!!

Danny, #1 Bingo for England manager, no thanks. I wouldn't let him wash the kit.

We'll get a result tonight as we have to up our game and we have the ability in the squad. Pickford to save a pen and be his usual crazy self. Apologies to non Anglos for using us and we

I see the club have confirmed Roma for the 10th August, a 5 pm kick off

James, I felt dirty saying it!

At least the Roma kick off is a decent time. Getting back will be a bit tricky. That's going to go be an overnight in town, probably the Adelphi or my sisters or cousins.

Djokovic getting spanked by the young pretender.

Paul T, I don't agree at all. None of those three had anywhere near the quality of this 2024 squad. If we were talking about defence I could agree, but this 2024 defence does not concede many goals. This is the best and most talented English squad that I have seen since my protracted puberty.

Paul T

I think it’s obvious watching this that other than Spain’s kids all the top players look knackered yet FIFA want to add more games

One change: Shaw. First start in 5 months.

For those lads on here who repeatedly say they’re not interested in England as a national team, please do us a favour and sod off for a few hours? Let those of us who do support our country enjoy the game. Afterwards, by all means, come on and gloat or criticise but in the meantime give it a rest.

Every fucking England thread it’s the same, “I don’t care about England. I’m not bothered. I couldn’t be arsed etc…”. Fine, we know ffs.

Colin

Agreed it’s tiresome, same people, same posts.

I am a little stressed out watching the video highlights of Spain.

Good luck to Jordan Pickford, tonight🤞

May the best team win (which we all know isn't always the case) but I suspect it will be tonight.

I was at Wembley for the 96 QF v Spain.

God that was stressful but hoping for a repeat.

Good luck to England. We'll be pulling for our cousins and greatest ally in the world this afternoon.

To every Englishman in the US, I'd like to offer my profound apologies on behalf of this nation for our Fox Sports coverage in general and Alexi Fucking Lalas in particular.

Jamie, don't you have Irish ancestry? Won't some of your forebears spin in their Auld Sod graves with the speed of atomic turbines at that expression of your support?

Couple of my sons and I were just discussing Jude and we've come to the conclusion the position via number he plays.

9-1/2.

Not a striker, not quite a CAM, but a deadly attacker. Somewhere between 9 and 10 - he's a 9.5.

😉

Mike,

Believe it or not the BBC coverage is as bad. I just turned Alexei back on.

Kinda hoping all of Europe can apologize for this cheesy pre-game song and dance.

Just awful. Pass the cheddar.

Kieran, that's a horrible decision to face.

May I suggest Telemundo? The game is always more exciting in Spanish even if you don't understand what they're saying.

And you're fluent, I believe?

Mike -

It's a long time past the Troubles. I'm American. My Irish heritage I'd most definitely be rooting for Ireland were they to play the English.

But that whole thing needs to just die. Besides, my friend Steve Ashcroft and I beat that neanderthal thinking, and I honor his memory every single day. Today of all days - he was a big England supporter, Proddy as he was. 😜. I want them to win it for him, his wife and sons, his Mum, his brother who's on these pages, all of them.

So make no mistake friend - I'm fucking pulling for England and I promise you my ancestors would understand and support that.

We need to evoke the spirit of 1588

Jamie, just asking. One of my best mates grew up in Belfast during the Troubles and even his grandkids spit at any hint of England support.

I played on an Irish immigrant team in Massachusetts back in the late '80s and I can pretty much guarantee they're all rooting for Spain today.

Shaw 1, Lamal 0.

Mike -

Just answering. Now enjoy the game m'man! 😃

How many times have England already won the ball in their own half only to lose it again?

The first eye-roller from Landon Donovan: "This is a premonition of things to come for England."

There will be more.

Fabulous challenge by Stones!

Stones has done a few good tackles already

These long balls are not working though.

Stones lob best shot so far

Terrible give-away by Foden.

Stones has been excellent thus far.

Declan taking one to the gut. Nasty that one.

Weird game. The strikers are getting the yellows.

Frightening to see how quickly Spain players get in on Pickford when the ball is played back to him.

Second time Walker has done a brilliant underlap, totally ignored by Saka who cut inside and lost the ball.

Harry Kane = Weak link

Stones, Shaw, and Rice good half in my opinion.

45 minutes left. Someone hopefully steps up with a "moment" and England take 'er down.

DCL would have a field day with those long balls. Kane has lead in his boots.

If we lose this game, Pickford will get the blame no doubt.

I like the idea of Kane starting. I'd give him until 70 or so (Captain, calm head, veteran influence, etc.).

Then bring on Ollie against tired legs.

Bellingham seems to play within himself, does well, then gives it away.

Interesting tactical battle.

Nice, get Spain into the second half with nothing to show for their team speed advantage. The deeper this goes without becoming box-to-box is to England's physicality advantage.

Shaw, Rice or Stones could get a matchup on a midget.

Kane gets criticism, appears to do little, but one chance and he is one hell of a finisher with either foot, his head, and from almost any position.

I wouldn't bet against him in this game.

The defence has played well. The game is panning out as expected. I agree with Jamie, bring on Watkins later on to stretch their defence as Kane is slower than my tortoise.

I don't have a tortoise btw.

It's a bit like watching Everton, can't keep possession, can't pass to each other, difficult to get out of our own half.

Spain must be disappointed they haven't taken advantage. Looks like it may be a game decided by one moment of magic.

Rodri out

Fuck

Where was Kyle Walker then? He'd strayed in badly, leaving Nico Williams a nice run in.

Kyle Walker is a bit dumb sometimes.

Twice in a minute there.

Three times in 10 minutes now, leaving Williams free behind him.

Came out half asleep

Thought the same thing. Stones should have marked the guy in the box and Walker just drifts all the way over and leaves the right side begging for a delayed run and WIDE open.

Walker crossing to the Space Shuttle.

Kane not even jumping for the 50/50s

What is wrong with him?

if you want to get a goal back get Kane off and bring on someone with pace

The wheels are beginning to fall off

Ollie up. Down a goal it'll probably be the 60th-ish minute.

For the record I don't think Southgate has done anything wrong at all here, sans the fact he seems allergic to fast-paced counters.

Just realized, where in the world is Paul Ferry? Haven't seen a gozzy Tory twat comment!

He must be a little gozzy from last night.

Mike - solid guess I'd bet!

World class save by Picks there

Oooooo... what a save by Jordan!

Desperate stuff from England, they can’t get a kick

BEAUTIFUL!

Quality goal

Tremendous goal!

Fucking hell

Sub goal.

Caned it.

What a layoff by Bellingham. Absolutely fantastic!

Brilliant Subs. Shearer says. NO Palmer and Watkins should START. Southgate is a Hindrance

How's that not a foul on Stones?

The stage is set for Antony Gordon, on for Foden.

PICKFORD! Wow what a save

Phenomenal save from Yamal shot!

No, it was almost straight at him!

Lucky Zyns just went in for England.

Offside surely?

Very clever strike.

If this goal stands it must be said Walker has been abysmal.

Oh... my... Lord... above...

Just how?