Euro 2020

AS SOON as the final whistle sounded on Wednesday the same intoxicating feeling of euphoria I had experienced 55 years ago was once again coursing through my veins.England, after suffering so much heartache after decades of bitter disappointment, were at last on the way to a European Championship final.
England have won the hearts of the nation after sealing their spot in the finalCredit: Getty
It was no wonder there were floods of joyful tears shed by the team and fans. I shared their emotion in front of my TV screen.
In seconds, my mind was transported back in time to July 26, 1966, and another semi-final in a completely different era.
It seemed as if I were walking on air as I left the old Wembley with 94,000 others, having watched Bobby Charlton blast in two goals to demolish Portugal.
It meant I was going to return to the stadium four days later to see England do battle with West Germany, in the World Cup final.
The mere thought of it sent an adrenalin rush through my body strong enough to revive a corpse.
I knew it was bound to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
If Gentleman Gareth Southgate’s talented young men manage to get their hands on the trophy tomorrow, it will be a magnificent achievement and it will once more send the nation on another emotional high.
I have no desire to rain on the squad’s parade but I’m sure my fellow senior citizens will agree, as great as it will be, it won’t bear comparison with Alf Ramsey’s boys’ blood-stirring victory over the Germans.
England haven’t won a major trophy since the World Cup 1966Credit: Popperfoto – Getty
The Three Lions have given the country immense pride on their run to the finalCredit: AP
England have won nothing yet. If they are to be heralded as European champions it will fill us all with immense pride and set off even greater ecstatic celebrations across the land than we have already enjoyed.
But to be acclaimed masters of the whole world puts the immortal Bobby Moore and his legendary mates — my heroes — on a very much higher plane.
It’s impossible to equate the England of here and now to our lifestyle of more than half-a-century ago.
Today’s youngsters would assume we were living in the Dark Ages.
Labour Prime Minister Harold Wilson smoked a pipe. There were no mobile phones, no computers, no internet, no social media, no colour TV and just three channels to choose from.
A pint of beer cost 12p, a gallon of petrol was 33p, the average house price was £3,620 and the average weekly wage was £25 — which would buy you a round of five pints today.
There’s certainly one thing us old ’uns definitely have in common with the present generation and that’s our love and passion for football and the England team.
But we showed our affection and fervour far more soberly — in every sense of the word.
People then were more inhibited and much less worldly.
Neither me nor my West Ham mates would have dreamed of throwing our beer in the air — even if we watched the Hammers beat Spurs 10-0.
And the media coverage back then was very low key. There wasn’t the hysteria surrounding the players like there is now.

Wembley will be buzzing once again… just like it was in 1966Credit: PA
The likes of Geoff Hurst, left, and Bobby Moore could walk around unmolestedCredit: PA
England’s HQ was at the Hendon Hall Hotel a short coach ride from Wembley.
Stars like Moore, the Charlton brothers, Jimmy Greaves and Gordon Banks would walk to the local shops unmolested, though a few fans might have politely asked them for their autographs.
A year before the World Cup I applied for a ten-match season ticket and I was overjoyed when I was lucky enough to get it.
I was guaranteed the best seat in the stand opposite the Royal Box for every England match. It included a semi- final, third-place game and the final.
The price was £25 — then a considerable sum. The top-price ticket tomorrow is more than £800.
The 12-month wait for the 16-nation championship to begin stretched my patience to the limit.
England’s opening match against Uruguay was a 0-0 bore draw and Ramsey’s bold pre-tournament prediction that England would win the World Cup looked far-fetched.
But after beating Mexico, France, Argentina and Portugal, morale was on a high and the stage was set for a classic climax.
England’s previous World Cup appearances in 1950, 54, 58 and 62 were embarrassing.
I shall never forget, as a 15-year-old schoolboy, feeling a sense of humiliation when our household names like Billy Wright, Stan Mortensen and Wilf Mannion unbelievably lost 1-0 to the USA in Brazil in 1950 — England’s first- ever entry in the World Cup.
Sixteen years later I vividly remember walking along Wembley Way a couple of hours before kick-off and felt an unusual air of expectancy and confidence among the English fans — even knowing the West Germans were tough and formidable opponents.
Gareth Southgate could follow in the footsteps of Sir Alf RamseyCredit: Hulton Archive – Getty

England shirts weren’t on sale in those days but we showed our loyalty and fervour by waving our Union flags and kept up ear-splitting chants.
There are many reasons why the game was memorable and matched the occasion.
From the kick-off it was a heart-in-the-mouth battle that went from end to end. And there were several dramatic incidents that those of us who saw them will never forget.
After just 12 minutes Helmut Haller put Germany ahead. The lead lasted just six minutes.
A perfect Moore free-kick and Geoff Hurst’s header had us level. Martin Peters put us ahead 23 minutes into the second half and with a minute to go Wolfgang Weber must have been responsible for several cardiac arrests among the 32.3million watching on TV — the biggest British TV audience ever.
He capitalised on the rare confusion in the England defence and snatched the equaliser to force extra-time.
Eleven minutes into the first period came one of the most controversial episodes in the history of the beautiful game — and one that’s still argued about more than half a century later.
That’s when Hurst smashed an Alan Ball pass beyond goalkeeper Hans Tilkowski that hit the underside of the bar and bounced over the line. Or did it?
Swiss referee Gottfried Dienst wasn’t sure. He went over to consult Soviet linesman Tofiq Bahramov. The tension was unbearable as the majority of us in the 96,000 crowd held our breath as the two men decided England’s fate. After seconds that seemed like hours Dienst signalled a goal and I found myself hugging several men around me.
If VAR had been operating who knows what the outcome would have been? But let’s not dwell on that.
Hurst put the proverbial icing on the cake when he took a long Moore pass and hammered a left-foot shot that scorched past Tilkowski on the stroke of full-time.
That’s when BBC commentator Kenneth Wolstenholme, just before the ball hit the back of the net and Hurst became the first and only man to score a World Cup final hat-trick, came out with the memorable line: “Some people are on the pitch. They think it’s all over . . . it is now!”
There are images of that day that I can never erase from my memory.
Moore wiping his hands as he went to collect the Jules Rimet trophy so he shouldn’t dirty the Queen’s gloves as she shook his hand before handing it over.

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The toothless Nobby Stiles doing his jig of honour round the pitch, to the delight of the crowd.
Bobby Charlton sobbing in the arms of his brother Jack. And Ramsey sitting calmly on the bench reflecting at making history as everyone around him was going mad.
Going into London’s West End to join the thousands celebrating, I was reminded of the night my parents took me to Trafalgar Square on May 8, 1945, to rejoice at the end of World War Two.
There was the same sense of relief and elation at a job well done.
Much of the over-the-top partying we have witnessed in the last few weeks is understandable. I’m sure it isn’t only because England have won a few football matches. It is being released from 17 months of lockdown.
In 1966 there was also a similar air of freedom. Most of us had survived six years of war and had come out of years of severe austerity.
And winning the World Cup had given us the opportunity of letting our hair down like never before.
Let’s hope we will all still be smiling on Monday morning.
I’ll let the final word about 1966 and all that go to Ramsey. No one could bring people down to earth more forcibly or succinctly.
When his victorious team were departing their London hotel to return to their homes the following morning, Hurst, bursting with satisfaction at his momentous hat-trick, said: “Goodbye, Alf — see you at the next game.”
“If selected, Geoffrey,” Alf replied.
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England train ahead of their massive Euro 2020 final game against Italy More

England’s Euro 2020 heroes have been branded “scared and “miserable” by Premier League flop Pierre van Hooijdonk.The Three Lions face Italy at Wembley on Sunday after securing their first place in a major final since 1966 by beating Denmark 2-1 on Wednesday.
England celebrate beating Denmark but ex-Holland striker Pierre van Hooijdonk has been ‘disappointed’ with their Euro 2020 displays so farCredit: Reuters
Pierre van Hooijdonk says England looked frightened in the semi-final against Denmark after ‘average’ form before thatCredit: Keith Campbell – The Sun Glasgow
But former Nottingham Forest striker Van Hooijdonk criticised their style of play and rated their displays in the tournament so far as only “average”.
The ex-Holland star hit out after covering England’s Wembley victory for Dutch TV.
The 51-year-old said: “England truly play incredibly scared football.  If that is what they do with the squad they have, I think it’s really miserable.
“If they want to win the final they have to pay heed to what we are now saying.
“They were really average in the group stages as well.  OK, they scored a lot of goals against Ukraine.
“But I have definite favourites for the final in Italy, and I hope they can do it.
“I am so disappointed in what England have shown so far.  With their squad they should be able to serve up something more attractive.”

Fellow pundit Wesley Sneijder also weighed in against the Three Lions.
The 134-cap Holland midfielder, 37, formerly played for Ajax, Real Madrid and Inter Milan.
He told NOS: “On the basis of what we’ve just seen, Italy won’t find it difficult against England.
“The English weren’t much better in their other games at the finals.  Italy are the favourites.”
But Van Hooijdonk’s verdict was far more severe.

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His own pedigree in England, though, was far from impressive.
He was twice relegated from the top flight in three seasons before leaving Forest in 1999.
The former Feyenoord ace previously spent two years with Celtic, winning the 1995 Scottish Cup.
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Sir Geoff Hurst says Gareth Southgate is key to England success at Euro 2020 More

BORIS Johnson has decked out No10 with England flags ahead of the Euro 2020 final. The Three Lions face Italy on Sunday night – and Brits are pushing for celebratory Bank Holiday if we win.
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Boris Johnson has decked out No10 with England flagsCredit: Reuters
The PM is preparing for the Euro 2020 final against Italy on SundayCredit: Alamy
Photos from the PM’s home show St George’s flags draped across windows, with bunting hanging from lampposts and gates.
Boris seems to have come down with football fever – even showing off his own flag outside his front door.
He gave the camera a big thumbs up in preparation for the big game.
As well as the flags, he also managed to show the team his support with a small England pin on his suit.
It follows the PM’s appearance at the semi-final against Denmark when he was snapped celebrating England’s victory with his wife Carrie and Prince William.
The Prime Minister thew his hands in the air and hugged his partner as Harry Kane’s extra time winner hit the back of the net.
The Duke of Cambridge was also cheering on the Three Lions squad as they took one step closer to bringing it home.
Boris donned an England shirt for the occasion, while Wills looked smart in a shirt and tie as his wife Kate Middleton self-isolated at home.
The PM has been struck with football feverCredit: Reuters
He wore an England shirt to the semi-final at Wembley with wife CarrieCredit: Getty
The PM also showed his support with an England pin on his suitCredit: PA
The flags were put up outside Downing StreetCredit: LNP
Boris is poised to give Brits an official day off if England ‘bring it home’.
More than 346,000 people have signed a petition calling for Monday off work.
They argue it wold be “beneficial and sensible to give the country the day off the next day if England win”.
Schools and businesses are already planning on opening late on Monday to allow fans to recover from a late night.
Many bosses will let staff a lie-in on Monday morning to sleep off the boozy celebrations if the Three Lions beat Italy in the Wembley showdown.
And there is mounting pressure for Boris to give us all another day off when Covid restrictions ease.

The PM hinted that a national day off could be on the cards if the Three Lions triumph against Italy on Sunday evening but said: “Let’s see what happens.” 
Sunday’s game kicks off at 8pm.
Both the BBC and ITV will have live coverage of the Three Lions’ biggest match in 55 years.
Bank holiday petition calling for day off if England win Euro 2020 passes 300,000 signatures More

ENGLAND’s warriors Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips can win the midfield battle with Italy’s Marco Verratti and Jorginho. That is Emmanuel Petit’s belief ahead of Sunday’s huge Euro 2020 final.
England’s midfield warriors Kalvin Phillips and Declan RiceCredit: Getty
Jorginho and Marco Verratti will have their hands full at WembleyCredit: Getty
Emmanuel Petit believes England will have the edge in midfield’Credit: Rex
Former France and Arsenal midfield ace Petit told Paddy Power: “Central midfield is one of the keys to this game.
“Italy will want to get control of the ball in midfield with Verratti and Jorginho, and it will be very interesting to see how Rice and Phillips cope with that.   
“Phillips and Rice have made a huge impression at the tournament, and I’m a huge fan of both players. They are warriors, and it’s a dream for their team-mates to play with that kind of player. 
“If they show their intensity and fighting spirit, it will be difficult for Jorginho and Verratti.
“The Italians will want to focus on technique and play their football, but Phillips and Rice are physically strong and cover so much ground, trying to get the second ball or cutting out passes, putting pressure on the transition.” 
England have home advantage at Wembley and Petit thinks this could give Gareth Southgate’s side the edge in their first European Championship final.
Petit said: “The fact that the European Championship final is being played at Wembley should give England a big advantage. 

⚽ ENGLAND vs ITALY EURO 2020 FINAL BETTING SPECIAL ⚽

“The atmosphere against Denmark was brilliant, I loved that game. I loved the passion on the pitch and in the ground, so that support is a big bonus for the English team. 
“However, Italy know that virtually the whole ground will be against them and they’re so professional – they love that kind of atmosphere.
“This is exactly the kind of environment I used to love playing in, the feeling that everyone was against us. That brings more concentration and determination.” 

Sir Geoff Hurst says Gareth Southgate is key to England success at Euro 2020 More

ZINEDINE ZIDANE reportedly wants the France job but is prepared to play the waiting game. Didier Deschamps is still contracted to lead the team’s World Cup 2022 trophy defence.
Zinedine Zidane is reportedly keen on managing FranceCredit: Reuters
Didier Deschamps will remain in charge despite France’s early exit at Euro 2020Credit: Rex
According to L’Equipe, Zidane has his heart set on the France job after leaving Real Madrid at the end of last season.
Zidane is the favourite to succeed Deschamps although he may have to wait some time for the job.
Deschamps looks set to hold on to his position despite France’s shock last-16 defeat to Switzerland at Euro 2020.
France were favourites to win this summer’s tournament but they were dumped out of the competition on penalties.
His future appears to be safe though and Deschamps has plenty of credit in the bank after leading France to World Cup glory in 2018.
French Football Federation president Noel Le Graet said: “The answer is yes [Deschamps to stay for World Cup].
“We met on Wednesday and resolved it in three minutes. His desire to continue is strong and so is mine. There was no debate.”
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Deschamps is France’s longest serving manager after taking charge in 2012 and his current deal runs until after the Qatar World Cup.
Zidane inspired France to their 1998 World Cup triumph on home soil and will want to get the chance to coach his national team.
But it appears as if the iconic star will have to wait at least until after the next World Cup for a chance to take over the reins.

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