It’s time to conclude today’s deliberations. But we’ll be back here again tomorrow to keep you updated with all the latest news, views, chat and squabbling before Sunday’s era-defining match. I don’t know whether it’s heading home, but I am. Bye!
Let’s return to the question of whether this England team can change England/England is changing. Joseph Harker has heard similar talk before ...
Have we really gone all through this blog without mentioning the forthcoming big final? Let’s put that right now:
“The player I feel most sorry for is Marcus Rashford,” blubs Rick Harris. “Southgate seems to see him solely as a late second half substitute and there doesn’t appear to be a place for him in this team in this best position on the left flank. Perhaps he will feature at some point in the final – although there again Southgate seems reluctant to make changes. With his pace and direct style I would say he could hurt Italy but unless Southgate chooses to leave Sterling out we may never find out. Sterling has played six games in under three weeks so why not give him a rest?” Leave out the player who has done more than any other to get England to the final? Sterling was still attacking in the final minutes of extra-time against Denmark. I fancy he’s able to go one more game before his summer holidays.
Here is Ed Aarons on England (so far) non-playing player heroes...
Going spare: the five #Eng players giving Gareth Southgate selection headache. By @ed_aarons https://t.co/jjbtLPa5qn
— Guardian sport (@guardian_sport) July 9, 2021
“I really couldn’t care less who wins but Johnson announcing an extra bank holiday if England win is ridiculous,” seethes redbeech below the line. “He takes himself for some kind of Roman emperor, no doubt.”
Saka getting called “science teacher” by Grealish and replying “Triple Science” is one in the win column for the fellow nerds out there https://t.co/d1RyaMRwUX
— Vithushan Ehantharajah (@Vitu_E) July 9, 2021
Questions, questions everywhere, but not a drop to drink. Here’s today’s musical football quiz:
Want a witty and insightful podcast previewing Sunday’s big match? No? Then this could be the podcast for you:
Lots of discussions below the line about booing national anthems. Aside from the morality of it, you have to wonder about the effectiveness of it: if it is intended to put opponents off, does it actually work? Doesn’t it have the opposite effect, stimulating them to ram the boos back down the throats of the booers?
“Will a victory Sunday England?” writes Mary Waltz, by way of introduction to her response to that very question. “Short answer, no. But it can indicate a beginning of changing attitudes. When the US women’s team won the World Cup in 1999 (remember Chastians then infamous goal celebration showing her sports bra). There were numerous editorials heralding a new era in women’s sport. There was a temporary publicity bump but after a year the female athletes were faced with all the problems they faced before the victory. Underfunding, sexist treatment in the press, failed attempts at a Professional league. But it did spark a beginning of changing attitudes. In the same fashion the incredible performance of the English squad, especially off the pitch, will not bring immediate change but it is a sign that some of the old ideas are starting to crumble.”
Here, as promised is Lorenzo Tondo’s full report on the Covid concerns around Italy.
Ever wondered what that process is that Mikel Arteta keeps talking about? Well you may or may not get some clues next season. How about this for non-Euro news?
Here is a spokesperson for the mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, on the prospects of a parade if England win Euro 2020:
“The mayor is absolutely delighted by England’s performances during the Euros. Should the team make history and win the tournament on Sunday, he stands ready to work with government, the FA and other bodies to organise a celebration befitting champions when it is safe to do so.”
A Denmark supporter who attended Wednesday’s Euro 2020 semi-final at Wembley says she was physically assaulted by England fans as she made her way home after the game.
“For me (13.48), this is the first time I remember an English team playing up to its potential and looking like the players in it came from Champions-league winning clubs,” suggests Adrian Goldman. “Actually managing to hold onto the ball for more than two passes. In comparison with the 2018 run, most of our goals - refreshingly - have come from open play. Sad to say, the only way that the team could change England is if, by some horrible happenstance, Kane took a shot so hard that it knocked some sense into Johnson. And even that might not be good enough.”
Covid concerns for Italy
Three TV crew members from the Italian public broadcaster – Rai, who are following Italy’s national team - tested positive for Covid-19 on Friday, throwing the country’s football federation into panic and prompting officials to cancel today’s in-person press conference with the Azzurri, reports Lorenzo Tondo from Palermo. The press conference was conducted remotely instead. We’ll have more on that story shortly ...
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NLthere, posting below the line, practically scoffs at the question “would winning Euro 2020 change England?”
“Its football, just football,” he piddles. “As an experienced fan in losing important finals (all three WC finals, ffs), I can honestly say, don’t worry. You feel hurt for a week or so, but then, there is always the next tournament. Its not a once in a lifetime experience (3!). And England has a young squad that will only get better. Lose the nerves and just enjoy it.”
The question is perhaps better phrased as: is this England team changing England? Or, even more optimistically, is this England team the reflection of an evolving England?
Someone calling himself WarrenBeatty blurts: “Which team was the biggest letdown of the tournament? I would say France and Portugal, being respectively Word and (ex) Euro Champions. Netherlands and Germany, too.” Poppycock, the Netherlands performed at least to par, maybe even better than expected, and were exciting to watch in their new-fangled guise. France were indeed dire, because Didier Deschamps forgot who he was. Turkey were a waste of time.
“Isn’t the ‘home advantage’ thing a bit of nonsense?” fumes Des Brown. “The last time a host nation won the European Championships on home soil was France 37 years ago in 1984. In the last 30 years, only one host nation has won the World Cup (France again, in 1998)?” Firstly, you have to how many of those tournament hosts could have been reasonably expected to win their tournament? Some seemed to benefit from home advantage even though they did not ultimately triumph (Sweden 92, Germany 2006, South Korea 2002) ? Also, you can’t overlook the fact that this has been a unique tournament becomes of the unprecedented geographic spread: for instance, it surely isn’t a coincident that Denmark looked far more tired than England in the semi-final after having played their quarter-final in oppressive heat in far-off Azerbaijan? And, of course, all semi-finalists played their group games at home. England and Italy have been the best-performing teams in the tournament, but maybe that was one of the factors.
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“Thoughts on player of the tournament?” snaps kuhntuckertraditions before admitting. “Struggling to pick out a single individual. I realise France went out too early for this to be a serious suggestion but Pogba was electrifying in all their matches. Sterling’s surely in with a shout (give it a rest). Can’t see Ronaldo winning it despite his five goals. Purely because I can’t remember any of them. Kane appears to have been embraced as the figurehead for this English team but he had a slow start and, honestly, if he wins it rather than Sterling then wtf... Maybe for once a defender will be rewarded. Spinazzola’s tournament ended too early but he was brilliant too. Bonucci, who I always thought a little overrated has proved me a total idiot. And what about Maguire? He can be a bit of derp at times and I hate his whinging but he’s been so dominant all tournament. It appears the Young Player will be Pedri, though if Saka shines in the final, I’d think he should be in with a shout. Is Donnarumma still eligible? I know Chiesa isn’t.” If England win, it’s got to be Sterling. If Italy do, then how about Jorginho?
Right, that’s me done for now. I’ll hand you over now to Paul Doyle who’ll keep you company for the rest of the afternoon. Have a great weekend, and may football be the winner on Sunday (which it might just be, given that it features not just the most likeable England squad in living memory but the most likeable Italian one).
You can contact Paul here or carry on commentin’ BTL.
In other sport news, the peloton’s heading for Carcassone (which, crowbarring in a football reference, I visited en route to Nigeria v Paraguay in Toulouse at France 98), and David Tindall will talk you through all of today’s stage:
Arise Sir Didier: your Euro 2020 final Fiver is here to praise the man who made it all possible.
Going back to the grassroots links of England players, the FA has helpfully provided us with this.
More women’s transfer news: the striker Rianna Dean has dropped down a division to join Liverpool from Tottenham. The Liverpool manager, Matt Beard, said: “It was important we signed a proven goalscorer and Rianna has done that consistently in two seasons in the Championship.”
If there’s one thing that marks this England team out from most of their predecessors, it’s their in-game thinking and planning. And the manager’s judicious use of his resources. Jacob Steinberg has written about Gareth Southgate’s masterful substitute-deployment here:
This team do not panic. The manager does not allow it. Southgate, who was patient enough to wait until extra time before making his bench count against Denmark, understands tournament football. He has nailed his squad management and has consistently made the right choices during games.
Further to our chatter about Italy’s defence and its breachability, someone who’s actually played the game and knows what she’s talking about has written on same. Here’s Karen Carney’s latest column:
What Sterling and Bukayo Saka or Jadon Sancho will need on Sunday is for Chiellini and Bonucci to be pulled out from the back to then hit Italy with pace. Spain did this well in their semi-final against Italy, utilising a false nine to bring out their defence.
“Maybe there could be a holiday at a suitable time in the near future,” writes Andrew Benton, “with formal organised celebrations on that day. The Queen could attend something and say some words. No need for it to be the day after the evening itself. But it would be in danger of being at least in part a publicity thing for the PM.... It would be a lot of overkill. It’s just a football match. If they win, the whole team’ll probably get knighted.......ughhh.”
And it invites all sort of questions about whether the rest of the UK gets a day off? (The fact that next Monday is already a – not wholly unproblematic - bank holiday in one corner of the UK anyway has also been overlooked in many quarters)
“Has it calmed down in here yet?” asks zombiehand BTL more in hope than expectation, “Yesterday was madness. Far too much aggro on both sides!
“I’m looking forward to seeing how England’s midfield deal with Verratti/Jorginho’s possession and Barellas pressing AND how Chiellini and Bonucci deal with Sterling and Kane. Some great match-ups! England full-backs wont be able to play high up the pitch with Chiesa and Insigne ready to exploit the space so what does Southgate do?
“I’d expect (ex-Inter Milan manager) Mancini to out-coach Southgate like Zlatko Dalic in 2018 did but that doesn’t necessarily mean England will lose and this team is better than the 2018 one. Either way Southgate and the players deserve massive respek. As do Mancini and the Italians.”
Some good points there. Both defences have shown more chinks in recent games than they did at the start of the tournament, and I can see both teams scoring. I suspect Italy’s midfield will have more about it overall (they’ve also got some pretty handy options off the bench such as Locatelli), but then England look sharper up front.
Another perspective, questioning whether England winning really would change the country for the better.
Back BTL, and away from the penalty/diving talk that dominated yesterday’s discourse – and will continue for years – the logistics of the prime minister’s bank holiday bandwagon-hop are rightly flagged up by DeanGriff:
So how would this potential ‘Flash’ bank holiday work. We won’t know the result until late Sunday night and a lot of people will be expected to be in work early Monday morning.
Are we therefore just entitled to stay at home the next day because Boris says it’s ok?
Johnson’s a noted supporter of workers’ rights, so I’m sure nothing could possibly go wrong if you swerved that important job/meeting/assignment at short notice on Monday. Though of course, the bank-holiday story is hedged around by all sorts of maybes, perhapses and “in theory”s. Ain’t gonna happen is it?
My colleague comes up with a fun game for all the family: crowbarring England’s success into whatever argument you want to make.
Morning, just wondering how I can make England being in the Euro 2020 final about me and what I want, like and believe in. Everyone else seems to have done.
— John Brewin (@JohnBrewin_) July 9, 2021
Quiz time! I got 16 out of 20 for this, so - no pressure:
And here’s a gratuitous visual aid to one of the questions, because not enough 80s pop videos were filmed at desolate then-lower division grounds:
One of the nicer things about tournament mania, especially with an England side as relatable as this one, is its positive knock-on effects at grassroots level. Here’s a little tale from PA Media about how Kalvin Phillips’ status in Leeds has prompted his old grassroots club to set up a women’s team
Kalvin Phillips’ former club Wortley have set up a new open-age women’s team on the back of the Leeds and England midfielder’s soaring popularity.
Phillips, 25, who has started every game for England en route to Sunday’s Euro 2020 final against Italy, spent seven seasons at Wortley Juniors under coach Ian Thackray before joining Leeds at the age of 14.
Thackray, now Wortley’s secretary, told the PA news agency that the club has been inundated with requests from all age groups to come and play for them.
“We’ve actually ended up setting up a women’s open-age team, from nowhere,” Thackray said. “We haven’t had a ladies open-age team for yonks!
“Why are they ringing us? We don’t have a ladies team. It’s the Kalvin link. They’re not wanting to join an established women’s club, they want to come here.
“Our chairman (Stuart Haley) asked us all how easy would it be to start one because he’s had nine phone calls in the last three days.
“They’ve already got two sponsors and they’re up to 13 players. We’ve had to make a late application to the West Riding County Women’s League and it appears we’ve got Kalvin to thank for that.”
Thackray said media interest in the club has also “gone through the roof” and he had briefly taken refuge at his holiday lodge in the North Yorkshire Moors.
“Reception there is that bad, nobody can ring me, but Stuart got through and said, ‘you better come home soon because my phone’s on fire!’
“I think everybody needs a rest with all this carry-on. It’s just gone mad. One of our coaches, Paul Hatfield, said it’s not called West Leeds anymore, it’s called KP Country.
“We’re getting quite a lot of calls from parents who want to bring their kids here. It should be quiet now, but it’s just not stopped.”
Phillips is poised to make his 15th appearance for England at Wembley, with history beckoning for the Three Lions.
“He’s just got to try and help them bring it home now, hasn’t he?” Thackray added. “We can’t lose to Italy now we’ve come so far.
“No one thought we had a hope in hell after the Scotland game and it would just be amazing if they can do it.
“Kalvin would be up on our noticeboard, Facebook and Twitter, everything, for the next 20 years - until we get the next Kalvin Phillips.
“We might be waiting a long time because they don’t come along often.”
And a bit more transfer news: Giroud to Milan for £1.7m?
Sunday’s Wembley showpiece isn’t, of course, the only final between two needy football-mad nations: here’s Tom Sanderson’s preview of the big Brazil v Argentina Copa América final:
Good news for some kids, teachers and school-run parents:
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Time for a check on our women’s transfer window interactive, with PSG making two new signings yesterday.
An “on this day in tournament history” for Italy fans – happy 15th birthday to this:
And should I point out that Sunday brings the 39th anniversary of the greatest of all World Cup goal celebrations?
One more piece from yesterday that’s worth another plug: forget all yer fancy attacking talents, if you don’t enjoy watching Giorgio Chiellini playing football are you even conscious? Here’s Nicky Bandini’s profile:
Groundhog day in the Netherlands? Louis van Gaal is on the verge of returning as manager of the Dutch national team for a third time, Reuters is reporting.
The former Manchester United, Bayern and Ajax manager has met Dutch football association officials to discuss the job, local media reported on Friday. It follows the resignation of Frank De Boer following the Netherlands’ Euro 2020 exit to the Czech Republic.
Van Gaal told L’Equipe that it would be a great honour to be approached to coach the Dutch again, though the French newspaper said the interview had been conducted before the KNVB opened negotiations. His previous record with the national team’s a bit of a mixed bag, so hard to know what to make of this. Thoughts?
Time to delve below the line, and a bit of talk about your actual football, and some anxious talk at that, from Spikey78:
Does anyone else notice what seems to be tension between Pickford, Stones and Maguire at Goal Kicks? Seems to be endless debate on whether to pass short or long. I guess its all fine but has not seemed to be resolved in 6 games.
Yes, Wednesday’s match was certainly the first time England’s back line had looked in any way wobbly, and Pickford did seem to have a particularly manic 10 minutes around Denmark’s goal, but perhaps they needed to get a scare like that out of their system – and a word for Kyle Walker, whose utility and all-round excellence all tournament seems to have gone under the radar a tad.
Here’s Philipp Lahm’s latest offering, on how Southgate and Mancini are setting examples in their styles and attitude:
Southgate and Mancini have set an example. They have developed a style adapted to the country and players. Southgate has also managed to convey to his highly paid stars that they are not only playing football. He lets them take on social responsibility. That creates an identity.
Remember Paul the Octopus, alleged tentacled seer of the 2010 World Cup? Well London Zoo’s PR department reckons it can boast something similar, with its “mystic meerkats”. Here’s this from Reuters:
A group of so-called “mystic meerkats” at London Zoo have picked England to beat Italy in the Euro 2020 final on Sunday.
A zoo keeper planted England and Italy flags in the ground and the meerkats’ task was to knock one down. It took them about five minutes to choose England.
England will play Italy on Sunday at Wembley in the host nation’s first major final since they won the World Cup in 1966.
Animals have been used in the past to predict the outcome of football matches.
A German octopus shot to fame during the 2010 World Cup when he successfully predicted the outcome of eight matches.
He performed his trick by choosing a mussel from one of two boxes bearing the flags of competing nations.
Talking of politicians, and What This All Means For Us As A Nation, you can also tuck into David Conn’s take on how England and Southgate have deftly denied politicians the space to hijack the team’s success for their own nefarious ends:
While Jonathan Liew wonders whether this will change England as a country and cautions not to get too carried away. The glory of 1966 didn’t, really.
Elsewhere, Andy Hunter looks at the reaction to England’s contentious winning penalty against Denmark and the accusations of hypocrisy over the English stance on players diving.
Special hats off though to Gazzetta dello Sport in Italy for coming up with the most outlandish conspiracy theory of the tournament, suggesting Uefa was “returning a favour” to Boris Johnson for his opposition to the European Super League. “It’s a shame they get these little bits of help because they don’t need it.” Guys, if you want to rally support against England, crying bitter tears over the collapse of something as morally bankrupt as the ESL perhaps isn’t the best way to do it.
Preamble
Morning everyone, and welcome to another day of buildup and banter before Sunday’s final. It might be a slightly more productive day at work for people than yesterday was and Monday will be, but we’re here to distract and inform you with all the latest as we countdown to the weekend’s Wembley climax.
Here’s a sample of our latest big stories: Gareth Southgate has taken time out from being controlled by Deep Woke to proclaim that right now he “couldn’t be prouder to be an Englishman”. “Historically, we’re an incredible country,” he roared. Away from all the emotion and bluster, he also talked about the squad’s fine-tuned preparation. “You can talk about fatigue, you can talk about the season, but to get the physical training right and to get the psychological freshness right is key to creating the energy that is needed,” he said.
For Italy’s part Marco Verratti, superb since coming back into the team, has said “the team that plays with a free mind” will win. His team will be backed by 1,000 fans travelling in from Italy under tight Covid restrictions, plus many of the thousands living in England who helped create a cracking atmosphere on Tuesday.
And here’s the word from London’s own Little Italy:
Oh, and in bandwagon-hopping news, there is this:
