End of the wait or beginning of a new era? The European Championship final between Spain and England is extremely explosive. France’s national holiday could soon become one on the island too.
21,169 days of agonizing waiting should be enough. In the hunt for the first major trophy since 1966, England’s players, led by titleless Harry Kane, want to stop the previously flawless Spaniards and make Berlin the holy British footballing destination of longing, like Wembley was 58 years ago. “Just one more step and we’ll be in the history books,” said Bayern star Kane before the eagerly awaited European Championship final on Sunday (9 p.m./ARD and MagentaTV).
This last step is becoming an event of national importance on the island. It is not the concern about Spain’s brilliant wing duo Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams or the fear of another bitter failure that shapes the public image, but the dream of sporting redemption. While the Furia Roja is already dreaming of another era with a golden generation after Xavi and Andrés Iniesta, England would be happy just to be able to celebrate at the end of such a tournament.
King Charles III is worried about the nation’s blood pressure after three dramatic knockout games. Prime Minister Keir Starmer is letting the people dream of a new national holiday if they win the European Championship. And the terminally ill former national coach Sven-Göran Eriksson is almost pleading with Gareth Southgate: “Do it for me, Bobby Robson and England.”
The head coach, who was being pelted with beer mugs and booed passionately two and a half weeks ago, is on his way to becoming a football hero and is about to have his ultimate coronation in the Olympic Stadium. It can happen that quickly.
“26 football geniuses” for Spain
But the final challenge for England after a few bumpy weeks couldn’t be any bigger. Spain is undoubtedly the team of this European Championship so far, knocking hosts Germany and top favorites France out of the tournament in thrilling matches one after the other. If it’s up to coach Luis de la Fuente, his team will not be able to stop celebrating on this final European Championship weekend.
Ball acrobat Williams’ 22nd birthday on Friday will be followed on Saturday by a little party for super talent Yamal, who really wanted to turn 17 in Germany. On Sunday, Spain could become the sole record holder ahead of Germany with their fourth European Championship title after 1964, 2008 and 2012. “I can count myself very lucky to be able to lead 26 football geniuses,” enthused de la Fuente.
Yamal has only one wish for his birthday
“I am very proud that the whole nation in Spain is celebrating us. We create this feeling of hope. People are dreaming and happy,” said the 63-year-old about the professionals. This is especially true for teenager Yamal, who could easily be his coach’s grandson in terms of age. The huge hype after his historic dream goal in the semi-final increased again. A photo of Yamal being bathed as a baby by superstar Lionel Messi is shown over and over again.
If Yamal becomes European champion with Spain on Sunday, he would be exactly half the age of football legend Messi when he won his first major title with Argentina. Unlike other young people of his age, the FC Barcelona superkicker does not want a driving licence, expensive clothes or a games console for his special day. When asked about presents, he said: “Nothing, just win, win, win.”
The new Furia Roja with offensive momentum, a lot of ruthlessness and Rodri as the boss in midfield also impresses Southgate. “We are playing against the best team in the tournament and we have one day less to prepare. But we are still here and we are fighting,” said the 53-year-old, who wants to learn from his own mistakes at the 2021 European Championship and finally erase the disgrace of the final against Italy.
“We are facing the biggest possible test,” said Southgate, to whom the association wants to offer an extension of the cooperation until 2026, according to the “Telegraph”. Regardless of the outcome of the final.
Lineker bans song line
The Three Lions have improved little by little in terms of their performance at the European Championships. However, there are still fundamental doubts about the team that has come from behind to advance to the next round three times. Star striker Kane does not seem 100 percent fit and has recently been substituted three times. The decisive goals were scored by others, such as substitute Ollie Watkins, who came on for Kane in the semi-final.
The designated boss Bellingham seems completely out of his depth. Despite a stroke of genius in the round of 16, the European Championship has not been his tournament so far. “We are tired, but this is a final boost for our country and our history,” said Bellingham, who is hoping for another silverware trophy after the Champions League triumph with Real Madrid. And he’s only 21 years old.
Tens of thousands of English fans will descend on Berlin and sing the cult hit “Three Lions”, which has been popular since the 1996 European Championship. National icon Gary Lineker doesn’t want to hear any more of the legendary line “Football’s coming home”. “I’m banning that statement. It’s brought bad luck for so long,” Lineker told the BBC.
If things go well this time, July 14th could become in England what it has long been in France – a national holiday. The years of pain, as the song says, would be over.
From the idyll to the finale
Both teams are preparing for the final without much fuss. Southgate had England complete the penultimate training session before the final on Friday behind closed doors. The move to stay in an idyllic setting far away from their home grounds and enjoy as much peace and quiet as possible seems to have worked for both teams.
On Saturday, the Spanish team will travel from Donaueschingen near Lake Constance and the English team from Blankenhain in Thuringia to the capital. Before they leave their quarters for the last time after five weeks, Kane and Bellingham enjoyed the time in the hot pool in the wellness area of their luxury hotel. From Berlin, they will head straight back to the island – ideally with the first triumph after 58 years of dreariness.
dpa
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