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      Barmy fan had football strip for England’s Euro 2020 win and danced naked in streets

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      A BARMY fan had a football strip for England’s Euro 2020 win and danced naked in the streets.Fun-loving Sean Marshall, 25, streaked through Goole, East Yorks, in only his socks and trainers after the Three Lions victory over Germany.
      Sean Marshall from Hull celebrated England’s win over Germany by running through the streets nakedCredit: Ben Lack
      The fun-loving 25-year-old streaked through Goole, East Yorks
      He bared all as millions of fans up and down the country celebrated the stunning triumph.
      The docker kept hold of his tackle with one hand and punched the air with the other as passers-by cheered and drivers honked horns.
      At one point, he even threw both of his arms aloft. His hysterical pal live-streamed the prank as he drove behind, playing England’s Football’s Coming Home anthem.
      Dad-of-one Sean, watching the match with his girlfriend and her parents, pledged online before kick-off to strip if England won.
      He said: “I genuinely didn’t think we were going to do it. But when Raheem Sterling scored the first goal, everyone was telling me I had to do it and a lot were saying I would chicken out. When Harry Kane ­netted the second, I thought, ‘I’ve got to do it now’.”
      Footage of Sean’s antics went viral yesterday as the nation woke up nursing a monster hangover after a night of hard partying.
      Passers-by stopped and stared and cheering drivers honked their horns
      Footage of Sean’s antics went viral
      More than 17 million tuned in to watch Gareth Southgate’s side clinch a quarter-final place against Ukraine in Rome on Saturday.
      The Wembley spectacular — the most watched TV event of 2021 so far — attracted a peak TV audience of 20.6 million and 80 per cent of viewers available at that time, the BBC said.
      The last-16 match also pulled in 3.5 million live streams for the game across BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport combined.
      After captain Kane and Co made history by beating the Germans for the first time in a knockout competition since the 1966 World Cup final, fans spilled out of pubs across the country.
      Some went crowd-surfing and lit flares and one excited fan hung from a lamp post amid the euphoria.
      Rapper Stormzy celebrated in a fanzone in Croydon, South London.
      Stormzy celebrates in Croydon, South LondonCredit: PA
      Fans gather in Leicester Square after England’s victoryCredit: Alamy

      A massive clean-up operation swung into action yesterday morning as more than 800,000 workers phoned in sick to work.
      One skiver claimed he had picked up symptoms of the England- ­Germany variant of Covid. Twitter user Mike Cookman joked: “England win? Check. Hangover? Check.”
      Analysts reckon the Euros feelgood factor has already boosted the economy — and the Covid-ravaged pub sector — by millions of pounds. And it could be worth billions if the 3 Lions reach the July 11 final.
      England fans pose with Gareth Southgate lookalikeCredit: Alamy
      Can England fans travel to Rome for Euro 2020 quarter-final against Ukraine and how much do tickets cost? More

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      Euro 2020: Harry Kane says he wants to give England ‘as much joy as possible’ with victory over Ukraine on Saturday

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      HERO Harry Kane has Ukraine in his sights — and cannot wait to get The Italian Job done.The England skipper said last night he was still “buzzing” after victory over Germany — and is dreaming of lifting the nation again with a win over Ukraine in Rome.
      ⚽ Follow ALL of the latest news and updates from Euro 2020 with our live blog
      Harry Kane says the Three Lions are hoping to give England as much joy as possibleCredit: Griffiths Photographers
      Harry, 27, said: “We don’t want to stop here — we want to keep giving the country as much joy as possible — and that starts again on Saturday.”
      Expats in Italy will stand in for England’s travelling army of fans to cheer on the Three Lions at their Euros quarter-final.
      Recruits from a 30,000-strong band of lionhearts dubbed our “Salami Army” were last night snapping up spare tickets for the big match.
      It comes after Italy’s quarantine rules on UK arrivals scotched fans hopes of flying out to see the game at the Olympic Stadium.
      Harry, who is now desperate to win the Euro 2020 trophy, said: “We’ll do everything we can to make it a good night for everyone.
      “We haven’t won anything yet. We still have a long way to go and know Ukraine will be a tough game. But it’s not just about winning one-off knockout games . . . it’s going all the way.”
      The Spurs striker spoke of his pride at seeing the joy the team have brought to the nation after months of lockdown.
      The England skipper says he’s still ‘buzzing’ after victory over GermanyCredit: Getty
      Kane is dreaming of lifting the nation again with a win over Ukraine in RomeCredit: Reuters
      Prince William, Prince George and Kate Middleton were among those cheering on the Three Lions at WembleyCredit: Reuters
      He roared with laughter as he watched footage of wild beer-throwing celebrations across the country as both he and Raheem Sterling scored against Germany.
      Harry said: “I love these videos. I love watching – I was an England fan, obviously watching England growing up going to the pubs watching, throwing the drinks. That’s the joy of football, that’s what it does. We speak a lot about representing England and putting on the shirt because we know how much it means to everyone.
      “It’s an amazing feeling. It keeps me going and makes you want to be out there in the next game, doing the same thing so there’s a few more moments like that.
      “Just to see Wembley and the crowd together like that after a difficult time and to be part of that, to be part of the reason, when we’re putting smiles on people’s faces.”
      England heroes rested yesterday but will hone their skills and tactics in another training session before flying to Rome.
      Harry admitted he was so fired up after beating Germany on Tuesday night that he lay awake for three hours after arriving back at base — reflecting on the 2-0 win.
      Brits living in Italy last night vowed do their bit to support the team at the next stage.
      John Phillips, 65, from Wimbledon, South West London, said: “The expat community will take the England baton from the fans at Wembley. It’s our turn to support the team and we’ll come from all over Italy and neighbouring countries, with 5,000 to 10,000 being a good estimate.
      Raheem Sterling unwinds after England’s victory against Germany by playing volleyball in a poolCredit: Getty
      Harry Kane of England in action during a game of volleyball in the swimming pool at St George’s ParkCredit: Getty
      Declan Rice was also seen relaxing at their St George’s Park base in Burton upon TrentCredit: Getty
      “England fans will also be in the bars in Rome’s main square before the game and to party on after it.”
      Steph MacGillivray, 28, who is originally from Watford and now lives in Rome, said: “I feel like Cinderella — I’m going to the ball.
      “As soon as the Germany match finished I was straight on my phone looking for tickets. I had loads of people offering me theirs and I actually managed to get one at face value of 150 euros.
      “I’ve heard from lots of expats in Rome who are doing the same and I hope we can make our voices heard on Saturday.”
      England fans are desperate to watch the game at Rome’s Olympic StadiumCredit: AFP

      UEFA said 2,560 tickets had been returned by the English FA and they would be made available via their website.
      Chelsea fan Max Heinemann, 29, originally from Clapham, South West London, and now based in Rome, got two tickets at 75 euros each face value from a pal in London who couldn’t make the game because of the quarantine rules.
      He said: “I am so ecstatic. The call has gone out for all the expats in Rome and the surrounding area to get their hands on as many tickets as they can so we can cheer the Three Lions to victory.”
      Harry Kane sends Wembley wild as fans clamber over each over in amazing scenes as England beat Germany at Euro 2020 More

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      Wayne and Coleen Rooney treat their boys to bargain holiday with narrowboat trip

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      WAYNE and Coleen Rooney have grabbed another bargain holiday by taking their boys on a narrowboat trip.The ex-Manchester United and England captain and his wife treated their four children to the peaceful canal break.
      Wayne and Coleen Rooney with Bridge Inn’s landlady Helen Bannister
      The pair, both 35, and Kai, 11, Cass, three, Klay, eight, and Kit, five, moored outside the Hartley Arms in Wheaton Aston, Staffs.
      Pete Hyde dashed to the pub, which sits on the Shropshire Union Canal, with his football-mad son Jaret, ten, after hearing Derby manager Wayne was there.
      He said: “It was amazing and he had his picture taken with Rooney and had a football signed by him.”
      But the Rooneys almost missed their lunch when they visited the Bridge Inn in nearby Brewood.
      The ex-England captain and his wife treated their four children to the peaceful canal breakCredit: Alamy
      Wayne and Coleen would usually be on holiday in the CaribbeanCredit: Instagram
      Coleen and Wayne with their four boys Kai, 11, Cas, 3, Klay, 8 and Kit, 5Credit: Social Media – Refer to Source

      Landlady Helen Bannister said: “They called us to say they’d under-estimated how long it would take them to travel on the barge so we rebooked it for them.”
      The Rooneys have previously enjoyed camping holidays in a Sun £9.50 holiday park and Coleen regularly takes the boys to Butlins.
      Wayne Rooney to make return at Soccer Aid with England legend to be joined by Usain Bolt, Scholes and Neville at Etihad More

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      Euro 2020: As England face off with Ukraine in quarter finals, here are 20 things you didn’t know about the country

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      UKRAINE will be the underdogs when they face England on Saturday – but the country with knockout actresses and world-beating boxers should not be underestimated.Gareth Southgate will need to choose his suit carefully to win the touchline fashion battle with dapper rival Andriy Shevchenko.
      As England face off with Ukraine in quarter finals, here are 20 things you didn’t know about the countryCredit: Shutterstock

      And if their fans bring along the nation’s 10ft-long horns (called trembitas) any lucky England supporters who make it to the game will have to be in good voice for the quarter-final tie in Rome.
      Here are 20 things you need to know about our Euro 2020 opponents:

      Ukraine is the second largest country in Europe — but its population of 41million is smaller than England’s (56million).
      Gareth Southgate’s side will have to watch out for dangerman Olek Zinchenko, 24, who has won the Premier League three times with Man City.His family fled Ukraine when Russian-backed forces tried to take control of the Donbas region in 2014.He is married to glamorous sports journalist Vlada Shcheglova.
      Ukraine’s manager Andriy Shevchenko beats Southgate in the fashion stakes, wearing Giorgio Armani suits made by his Italian fashion designer pal.Former Chelsea and AC Milan striker Shevchenko met his model wife Kristen Pazik at an afterparty organised by Giorgio.

      Actress Mila Kunis left Ukraine at the age of sevenCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Milla Jovovich hails from Ukraine’s capital, KievCredit: Rex

      Actress Mila Kunis left Ukraine at the age of seven when her teacher mum and engineer dad decided the country had “no future”.Kunis, whose grandparents were Holocaust survivors, also cited anti-semitism in the USSR as a reason for the move to the USA.
      The biggest sporting stars in Ukraine are former heavyweight boxing champions Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko, who are brothers.Vitali, who was never knocked out in a professional bout, is now the mayor of the capital, Kiev.
      Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky once starred in a TV show as a teacher who unexpectedly becomes the country’s president.The comedy actor turned politician was caught up in a scandal with former US President Donald Trump, who tried to pressure him to investigate Joe Biden’s son Hunter.
      The nation is responsible for the greatest pole vaulter of all time — Sergey Bubka, from Luhansk, who broke the men’s world record 35 times and was the first person to clear six metres.

      Bond girl Olga Kurylenko grew up in poverty in the port city of Berdyansk
      Ukraine has the world’s longest musical instrument

      Bond girl Olga Kurylenko grew up in poverty in the port city of Berdyansk, having to share a flat with four relatives and her single mum. After moving to Moscow at the age of 15 she became a model.
      There will be split rivalries in the Resident Evil household, with star Milla Jovovich hailing from Ukraine’s capital, Kiev, and her director husband Paul WS Anderson from Northumberland. Jovovich’s family left the Soviet Union when she was five. The country has the most unusual tourist hotspot — the destroyed nuclear plant in Chernobyl. Each year 10,000 people visit the ghost town of Pripyat which was abandoned in 1986 after the meltdown.
      Josef Stalin’s policy of selling Ukrainian farm produce rather than allowing locals to eat it was blamed for the 1932-33 famine which claimed 3.9million lives. Some believe the Communist leader was punishing farmers who opposed giving up their land to the state.

      The country has the most unusual tourist hotspot — the destroyed nuclear plant in ChernobylCredit: Getty – Contributor
      The biggest sporting stars in Ukraine are former heavyweight boxing champions Vitali and Wladimir KlitschkoCredit: AFP

      Ukraine once had the third largest arsenal of nuclear weapons in the world before agreeing to give them all up in 1994. Russia assured their neighbours they would respect their borders in exchange, but broke that deal when they annexed the region of Crimea ten years later.
      Ukraine has been described as the second poorest country in Europe and 60per cent of the population live below the poverty line. The average yearly wage is £7,000 compared to £31,000 in Britain.
      In 1922 Ukraine became one of the founding republics of the USSR, and the Communist state’s second longest-serving leader Leonid Brezhnev was born in Ukraine.

      Andriy Shevchenko met his model wife Kristen Pazik at a partyCredit: AFP
      Ukraine’s manager Andriy Shevchenko beats Southgate in the fashion stakesCredit: SNS

      During World War Two the country lost 1.6million military personnel and 5.2million civilians.
      There are seven UNESCO world heritage sites in Ukraine including the green and gold-domed Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kiev. It is part of the Monastery of the Caves, where around 100 monks still live.
      Women get ahead with flower power — sporting woven head-dresses with colourful blumes. You might spot a few fans wearing the vinok on Saturday.

      Horilka is the national drink and 40per cent alcohol

      Wayne Rooney scored the winning goal when England defeated Ukraine 1-0 in Donetsk during the group stages of Euro 2012. Ukraine were co-hosts with Poland, but failed to qualify for the knockout.
      Never mind the vuvuzela — Ukraine has the world’s longest musical instrument. The horn, or trembita, would drown out the pipe that proved to be so annoying during the world cup in South Africa.
      If Ukraine lose on Saturday their fans can drown their sorrows with horilka, which is similar to vodka. This national drink is 40per cent alcohol and is sure to offer an even deadlier hangover.

      Can England fans travel to Rome for Euro 2020 quarter-final against Ukraine and how much do tickets cost? More

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      Euro 2020 – With four clean sheets and knock-out win over Germany, the signs are looking good for England

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      ENGLAND last night ended decades of hurt — by beating the Germans in a knockout game for the first time since the World Cup triumph in 1966.Since that momentous win, the Three Lions had crashed out against the old foe in the 1970 World Cup in Mexico, then on penalties at Italia 90 and penalties again at Euro 96.
      ⚽ Follow ALL of the latest news and updates from Euro 2020 with our live blog
      Gareth Southgate’s fearless heroes could go on to win a major tournament againCredit: The Sun
      In the 2010 World Cup the Germans dished out a 4-1 hammering.
      But Gareth Southgate’s fearless heroes ended the hoodoo with a famous 2-0 victory, giving the nation hope they can go on to win a major tournament again.
      Even German goal king and 1990 World Cup winner Jürgen Klinsmann believes it could be England’s time. He said: “Everything seems to be in sync and in balance — it’s your tournament.”
      The result also delivered redemption to manager Southgate who, 25 years ago, missed the crucial spot-kick in the ’96 penalty shootout.
      He raised his fists to the heavens as his young squad — including Jack Grealish, Kalvin Phillips and Bukayo Saka — eased that agony with a stunning result.
      Last night England beat the Germans in a knockout game for the first time since the 1966 World Cup
      Harry Kane headed in England’s 86th-minute second goal, securing a historic victory
      It was redemption for Southgate, who missed the crucial spot-kick in the ’96 penalty shootout
      The rivalry between the two footballing giants is as big as any in world football.
      Ex-England striker Gary Lineker once said: “Football is a simple game — 22 men chase a ball for 90 minutes and, at the end, the Germans win.”
      Everything seems to be in sync and in balance — it’s your tournament.Jürgen Klinsmann
      But last night, Southgate’s men got millions dreaming that Football’s Coming Home after delivering arguably the nation’s greatest football victory in 55 years.
      Since Alf Ramsey’s team, led by Bobby Moore and Geoff Hurst, lifted the Jules Rimet trophy at Wembley in ’66, England’s tournament record against the Germans had been one of disappointment.
      In 1970, England were reigning world champions and favourites, along with Brazil.

      They were 2-0 up in the quarter finals but wilted in the heat in the second half after talisman Bobby Charlton was subbed.
      West Germany came back to win 3-2. The result was so disheartening that Labour Prime Minister Harold Wilson blamed it for his General Election defeat four days later.
      In 1990, Paul Gascoigne and ­Lineker had led England to a semi- final against West Germany in Italy.
      England lost thanks to a miss from Stuart Pearce and a skied effort from Chris Waddle.
      Six years later Gazza was an inch from finding the winner in the Euro 96 semi-final, just failing to reach a whipped cross. The game went to penalties.
      In 1990 England lost thanks to Pearce’s miss and a skied effort from Waddle
      And in 2010 Lampard’s strike was ruled outCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      Defender Southgate had taken responsibility for the sixth penalty but saw it saved. The Germans duly made the final and won.
      England’s most recent meeting at a tournament saw Germany drub England 4-1 in the South Africa World Cup.
      England were poor — but had no luck when Frank Lampard’s strike was ruled out despite replays showing it hit the bar and clearly crossed the goal line.
      The Sun’s headline which greeted the team home amid a summer heatwave read: “Sunny outlook in many areas but depression over Heathrow as shower drifts in from South Africa.”
      Apart from ’66, England had only two competitive wins over the ­Germans.
      One came in 2000 when Alan Shearer scored to clinch a 1-0 group stage win at the Euros.
      Since Moore and Hurst’s team lifted the ’66 trophy, England’s record against the Germans has been disappointing
      But Southgate’s young squad just proved it’s possible to grab glory again

      And in 2001 Michael Owen scored a hat-trick in a famous 5-1 thrashing in Munich during World Cup qualifying.
      In what could be another good omen, last night’s 2-0 score meant it was the first time since 1966 that England had kept four clean sheets in a row.
      Fans are now dreaming that the Three Lions can grab glory again. And bring football home.
      England beat Germany in tense Euro 2020 match at Wembley More

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      England stars set to reunite with their Wags as a reward for beating Germany

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      ENGLAND’S heroes will be reunited with their WAGs and families today as a reward for beating Germany.They will spend time with their loved ones at a secret location ahead of the quarter-finals in Rome.
      ⚽ Follow ALL of the latest news and updates from Euro 2020 with our live blog
      England’s Wags will briefly reunite with the players todayCredit: Instagram
      It comes after the Three Lions’ 2-0 victory against GermanyCredit: Getty
      A source said: “It’ll only be for a few hours but it’ll be enough to carry the team into the next round.
      “They need to see their families. Gareth has always recognised the important role they play in helping the team reach its full potential.
      “They have been at pitch side throughout the tournament so far and it’s been hard.
      “In the last game against the Czech Republic they were allowed some contact inside Wembley but this will be a proper get together.”
      The move marks a dramatic shift after UEFA ruled Covid bubbles must remain secure throughout the tournament.
      Jack Grealish’s girlfriend Sasha Attwood was in an entourage of Wags at tonight’s matchCredit: Louis Wood News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Megan Davison, Jordan Pickford’s partner, was seen outside WembleyCredit: Louis Wood News Group Newspapers Ltd

      The Wags and families will have to provide a negative test result before the reunion which will take place at a hotel.
      Speaking ahead of the Euros Southgate said: “It is going to be limited access, which we have to accept is going to be harder for some players to cope with than for others.
      “You know everybody’s going to react to that and respond to that differently.”
      England’s Wags support their partners in Wembley crowd More

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      Euro 2020: Gareth Southgate tells England stars to show no fear against Germany… and go and become Three Lions LEGENDS

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      GARETH SOUTHGATE reckons England’s players can become football legends today — by lifting the whole nation with a famous win over Germany.The Three Lions are aiming to win only their second-ever knockout game at the Euros to reach the quarter-finals against their old rivals.
      ⚽ Follow ALL of the latest news and updates from Euro 2020 with our live blog
      Gareth Southgate reckons England’s players can become football legends todayCredit: Getty
      England captain Harry Kane in training as he awaits his first goal of Euro 2020Credit: Getty
      Southgate said: “Every time you pull an England shirt on you have the opportunity to score a goal that will be shown forever and to create a bit of skill or be involved in a match that lives on in the memory.
      “That’s the beauty of playing for your country.
      “If you think of all the big players in history, there are significant memories in club football, European football.
      “But when you picture those great players, it’s normally in an international shirt that their biggest memories are formed.
      “That is the case every time you pull on an England shirt. It is an opportunity that few get and these lads have earned it.
      “I’m sure they are going to relish that. These sorts of landmarks are always opportunities.
      “They have got an opportunity to go beyond where some incredible players and fantastic servants of England have gone before.
      “And that is always an opportunity to be grasped.”
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      A win against Germany today would arguably be England’s biggest victory since 1966.
      And boss Gareth Southgate says he has actively embraced the horrible history of English tournament failures to inspire his young team to potential glory.
      Take a look through England’s victories in knockout matches since Sir Alf Ramsey’s men ruled the world 55 years ago and the list is relatively brief and unimpressive.
      Paraguay, Belgium, Cameroon, Spain, Denmark, Ecuador, Colombia and Sweden — and the Belgians were not a significant force when Bobby Robson’s side defeated them at Italia 90.
      World Cup quarter-final wins over Cameroon and the Swedes could be seen as more significant but to defeat a major footballing nation in a knockout match is something England have done only once since Bobby Moore lifted the Jules Rimet trophy.
      That win against Spain, on penalties in 1996, was England’s only ever knockout success at the Euros.

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      Raheem Sterling pictured with Jude BellinghamCredit: Getty
      And Southgate admitted: “That’s an incredible record, really. It’s something we’ve talked about a lot as a team for the last four years.
      “This team has that opportunity. In previous eras we have always talked about the past, teams and their records and baggage, and everything else.
      “And there’s no reason for these boys to feel that way.
      “Most weren’t born when a lot of those games happened. It’s an irrelevance for them, so I think we’re all looking forward to this game — a big opponent with excellent pedigree and great experience.”
      Southgate is adamant he will not be giving a Churchillian speech today, especially as he is unsure whether his team know much about Sir Winston Churchill.
      He said: “Churchill would be another figure that probably doesn’t figure highly on the players’ radar!
      “You always have to give the right messages and give the players the right belief.
      England boss Gareth Southgate watches on in trainingCredit: The Sun
      Manchester City’s Phil Foden is set to return the starting line-up against GermanyCredit: The Sun
      “But for myself, you always have to be authentic as a leader.
      “It’s pointless trying to be something you’re not and put on an act, as players smell that a million miles off.
      “The best managers I played for were themselves. They didn’t try to be someone they weren’t.”
      When Germany were confirmed as England’s next opponents, after a chaotic finale to their ‘Group of Death’ last Wednesday, Southgate went back to his room and watched all three of their group games back-to-back.
      Yet he insists he sleeps soundly before even the biggest matches. The England head coach said: “I sleep well the night before a game because the work is done.
      “But in the days before that you want as much information as you can and your head is spinning with ideas so you can be awake at different hours.
      “Sometimes I sleep, then wake up in the night, then I’ll go and watch something for an hour or two, go back and have another couple of hours’ sleep. That’s pretty normal for me.”
      Gareth Southgate missed England’s penalty at Euro 96Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Gareth Southgate after his infamous penalty missCredit: PA:Press Association
      Southgate, as we are all tired of hearing, was part of all that bad history when he missed a spot-kick in the semi-final shootout defeat by the Germans at Euro 96.
      Yet he claims even victory this evening would not make up for that nightmare — because he can never make it up to his team-mates from Terry Venables’ squad.
      The former defender added: “I always want to win matches, give the country excitement, enjoyment and a warm feeling when they go to work the next morning.
      “That’s the opportunity we’re blessed with. But I can’t give closure on what’s happened in the past because I can’t give closure to the team-mates I played with.
      “OK, I’ve got an opportunity to do something now but the team-mates I’ve played with are the ones I think about the most for that fixture.
      “So I can’t do that, that’s something I have to accept. I wouldn’t want to claim I can heal everything for everybody else.”
      Willow the Cockapoo predicts the result of Euros clash between England and Germany More

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      Euro 2020: This England squad is our most gifted EVER… they will not be outclassed by Germany like in 2010

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      WE’VE come a long way since the last competitive meeting between England and Germany 11 years ago.Most people remember that humiliating 4-1 defeat in Bloemfontein at the 2010 World Cup for Frank Lampard’s ‘ghost goal’ which was chalked off despite being two yards over the line.
      ⚽ Follow ALL of the latest news and updates from Euro 2020 with our live blog
      Germany outclassed England in their World Cup meeting in 2010 as they eased to a 4-1 winCredit: Reuters
      England finished top of their group at Euro 2020 after picking up seven points from three gamesCredit: AP
      But my keenest memory of that miserable Sunday afternoon was a conversation a few of us had with Joe Cole, perhaps the most technically gifted player of England’s ‘golden generation’, who had failed to start a game at that tournament.
      It is fascinating to look back at Cole’s searingly honest words to remind us that, whatever the result of Tuesday’s Euros last-16 clash, English football is no longer the embarrassment it was then.
      This current England team are so well-schooled and comfortable on the ball that Pep Guardiola is keen on signing most of them.
      That was categorically not the case back in 2010, when Fabio Capello’s men were comprehensively out-thought and outclassed by a German side — orchestrated by Mesut Ozil — who would go on to be world champions four years later.
      Back then, Cole told us: “It is obvious that we lack the qualities you need to be successful at international level. We don’t keep the ball as well as other countries.
      “Over the course of the tournament we looked a long way behind the other top nations and when it came to the crunch, the best side won.
      “People will talk about the decision not to allow Frank’s goal but it was plain and simple to see that we just weren’t good enough.
      “Almost every team I have played for — including England — always want to hit the front players as early as possible.

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      England face Germany at Wembley in the last-16 on Tuesday in front of 45,000 fansCredit: AP
      Germany secured their place in the knockout stages after drawing 2-2 against HungaryCredit: AFP
      “You won’t get away with that at international level. It’s about technique, keeping control of the ball, passing and moving.
      “We seem to abandon good technique because we are obsessed with getting the ball from back to front as quickly as possible. That doesn’t work against top teams.
      “No one pulls the England shirt on with more pride than me but we’ve got to face up to the reality of it all. We’re just not good enough.
      “Maybe it’s time to really look at how we’re teaching kids to play.”
      Cole never played for England again after he spoke those words. Aged 28, and after 56 caps, he was abandoned.
      Yet the FA were on exactly the same page as him — and English football has enjoyed an age of tactical enlightenment since then.
      England’s age-group teams have been drilled in possession football.
      They won the Under-17 and Under-20 World Cups and they no longer rely on empty talk of ‘passion’ and bulldog spirit.

      Gareth Southgate famously missed his deciding spot-kick in the semi-final penalty shootout defeat against Germany at Euro 1996Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      If England are beaten by Germany, nobody will be echoing Cole’s words from 11 years ago.
      Gareth Southgate will have no such excuses. There will be no talk of systemic failure and none of those ‘root-and-branch’ reviews we were always promised in the post-mortem of another tournament debacle.
      England are capable of beating Germany now. They go into this one as equals, with home advantage making them narrow favourites.
      If Southgate’s men lose, it may be because the manager or his players weren’t brave enough, because of individual mistakes, because of misfortune. But not because they simply aren’t good enough.
      England are nothing like a rigid 4-4-2, route-one team of 2010.
      And English footballers are no longer habitually embarrassed by technically superior opponents who often seemed to be playing an entirely different game.
      You only need to ask Manchester City boss Guardiola, the high priest of football purism, about that.
      Back in 2010, Guardiola was reaching his peak as Barcelona manager and, Lampard aside, there weren’t any Englishmen being linked with moves to the Nou Camp.

      Yet last month, Guardiola named John Stones, Kyle Walker, Raheem Sterling and Phil Foden in his starting line-up for the Champions League final.
      And in the last week, City have reportedly made bids for Harry Kane, Jack Grealish and Reece James.
      Guardiola wouldn’t say no to Mason Mount, Declan Rice or Jude Bellingham either, because they are all good enough to play for City.
      Even keeper Jordan Pickford is capable of Edersonian passes.
      And Guardiola was also furious when City failed to match Manchester United in a bidding war to land Harry Maguire two years ago.
      If English players are trusted, and coveted, to such an extent, we have made huge strides since Cole’s gloomy state-of-the-nation address in 2010.
      England may lose to Germany again today but there will be no excuse for being played off the park.
      England’s Euro 2020 stars have a water balloon fight as they relax ahead of Germany game More