Was lucky enough to be there last night. Unbelievable experience, I'm exhausted partly due to a few beers but also how mentally draining the whole thing was. Thought Denmark deserve a lot of credit, defended brilliantly but also looked dangerous when they did attack. It did look like they were starting to struggle energy wise from about 80 mins on and it really felt that if we could score that would have easily been enough.
Just to add, that period at the end of extra time where we passed the ball around like peak Brazil was just a joy to watch but also very surreal, I kept telling myself this is an England team we don't do this but we are doing this and it's f***ing brilliant.
For England, this tournament has been all about laying some ghosts to rest. I’ve never felt so confident about a final. Whatever happens we have got plenty to look forward to for the future of English football.
That's the other exciting thing - obviously a lot.of national teams will be the same next year given the WC is so close, but bar maybe Henderson, Trippier and Walker, these players will all be around 2024 and the majority will still be young enough for 2026, alongside hopefully other youngsters coming though.
Well that was emotionally draining, never cried at an England result before but I had a proper lip wobble lastnight. We as a country needed this after the previous dogshite 20 months.
How bad is the ITV coverage? The post-match analysis was such a downer. They've chosen Ashley Cole to go pitchside, one of the least popular players I can think of, and someone who doesn't look comfortable on camera at all. And in the studio there was some weird, palpable tension between the pundits.
I am 50% Italian but I will be supporting England all the way. I have to be honest and say that Southgate has not gone about this the way I thought he should. I think we have some of the best talent in the World sitting on the bench but football is often about pragmatism and any Italian will tell you that tournament football is about finding a way to win. That is why they have four stars on their shirts and we only have one. Not because they have better players.
What Southgate has done is find a way to win. His way. And my way to win probably wouldn't have won and many managers after Sir Alf Ramsey, 55 years worth, couldn't find a way. Even yesterday, Denmark didn't have that many clear cut chances, and it does take away from our attacking prowess, but we have the players to take advantage of what chances they get.
He has made some great calls that many have disagreed with. A big one is Sterling who in fairness has been our player of the tournament and he played a key part in both goals last night. Now we have to come down and conserve our energy for that final push. In a tournament like this there are always two goals. Reaching the final is the first and nobody can take that away from you but the second is winning it.
Said yesterday that it was a dive by Sterling but having watched it again this morning it wasn't. Definitely caught his hip. Still got lucky the ref didn't stop play for the second ball on the pitch but that's his issue.
Rulebook says that play should only stop if the other ball interferes with play
I didnt even notice the other ball until the images this morning
There was a throw in last night, it’s it was taken the original ball came back onto the pitch. The ref made the throw in be retaken. The original ball was as close as the ball was just before the penalty incident.
A Welsh friend of mine had 4 tickets for the final and was looking forward to going. But last night after the game he put them on Ebay just to see what they could sell for. Sold them this morning for £20k. Absolutely mental that someone would buy them for £20k imo
Said yesterday that it was a dive by Sterling but having watched it again this morning it wasn't. Definitely caught his hip. Still got lucky the ref didn't stop play for the second ball on the pitch but that's his issue.
Rulebook says that play should only stop if the other ball interferes with play
I didnt even notice the other ball until the images this morning
There was a throw in last night, it’s it was taken the original ball came back onto the pitch. The ref made the throw in be retaken. The original ball was as close as the ball was just before the penalty incident.
That always happens though, why take the risk of allowing a throw in when the ball thrown on the pitch can suddenly interferre with play - The game has stopped so may as well delay matters a few mins long to deal with the second ball.
Had the ref stopped play for that ball last night, I reckon it would be a constant theme from fans in the Premier League going forwards
A Welsh friend of mine had 4 tickets for the final and was looking forward to going. But last night after the game he put them on Ebay just to see what they could sell for. Sold them this morning for £20k. Absolutely mental that someone would buy them for £20k imo
How bad is the ITV coverage? The post-match analysis was such a downer. They've chosen Ashley Cole to go pitchside, one of the least popular players I can think of, and someone who doesn't look comfortable on camera at all. And in the studio there was some weird, palpable tension between the pundits.
Ashley Cole honestly didn't seem to give two hoots about it, the danish woman seemed more into it than him!
Wright and Keane didn't seem to be getting on at all, think Keane takes exception to Wrighty being so far up Raheem's arse haha
Watching all the videos of the players singing Sweet Caroline. How can English people not support England??? What a fucking team.
Absolutely mate - just saw that. Don’t mind admitting I had a few tears. And Southgate’s celebration in front of the fans - all that emotion came flooding out…. 25 years after the missed pen. I’m so pleased for him.
Just looked at the England social media comments and the amount of foreigners wound up is delightful. England playing well and being shithouses at the same time. Love it.
How bad is the ITV coverage? The post-match analysis was such a downer. They've chosen Ashley Cole to go pitchside, one of the least popular players I can think of, and someone who doesn't look comfortable on camera at all. And in the studio there was some weird, palpable tension between the pundits.
Ashley Cole honestly didn't seem to give two hoots about it, the danish woman seemed more into it than him!
Wright and Keane didn't seem to be getting on at all, think Keane takes exception to Wrighty being so far up Raheem's arse haha
Ashley Cole is an absolute embarrassment. For somebody who played 107 times for England he showed no emotion at all. He can’t even string a sentence together. You would get more sense out a bag of cement.
Watching all the videos of the players singing Sweet Caroline. How can English people not support England??? What a fucking team.
Absolutely mate - just saw that. Don’t mind admitting I had a few tears. And Southgate’s celebration in front of the fans - all that emotion came flooding out…. 25 years after the missed pen. I’m so pleased for him.
Loved that moment as the usually calm and collected Southgate let it all out for 3 seconds. Absolutely superb moment!!
Watching all the videos of the players singing Sweet Caroline. How can English people not support England??? What a fucking team.
Absolutely mate - just saw that. Don’t mind admitting I had a few tears. And Southgate’s celebration in front of the fans - all that emotion came flooding out…. 25 years after the missed pen. I’m so pleased for him.
Loved that moment as the usually calm and collected Southgate let it all out for 3 seconds. Absolutely superb moment!!
A Welsh friend of mine had 4 tickets for the final and was looking forward to going. But last night after the game he put them on Ebay just to see what they could sell for. Sold them this morning for £20k. Absolutely mental that someone would buy them for £20k imo
I think the big difference between this squad and previous ones is that I honestly think if some of these lads werent in the squad they would be in the crowd as England fans. It does seem like the result is more important than their own ends. When the celebrations were going on after the game the ones not playing were every bit as excited as the ones that played. Fair play to Grealish that must have been a shock to get subbed but he seemed to just accept it and move on for the greater good of the team
I think the big difference between this squad and previous ones is that I honestly think if some of these lads werent in the squad they would be in the crowd as England fans. It does seem like the result is more important than their own ends. When the celebrations were going on after the game the ones not playing were every bit as excited as the ones that played. Fair play to Grealish that must have been a shock to get subbed but he seemed to just accept it and move on for the greater good of the team
100% - Maguire was actually in the stands at one of the major tournaments as a fan before he got any call-ups - think it was Paris Euros in 2016. Southgate's done brilliantly getting them all putting the team first and grafting together as a unit rather than as a group of individuals, which is why France fell so short of the quality of the players.
Head is sore this morning, fucking incredible evening, loved the fact got to watch it with the kids and explain to them the importance of the game.
After all the shit the last 18 months has thrown our way, its amazing to see people happy together celebrating, this team has brought the country together giving everyone a lift.
How bad is the ITV coverage? The post-match analysis was such a downer. They've chosen Ashley Cole to go pitchside, one of the least popular players I can think of, and someone who doesn't look comfortable on camera at all. And in the studio there was some weird, palpable tension between the pundits.
Ashley Cole honestly didn't seem to give two hoots about it, the danish woman seemed more into it than him!
Wright and Keane didn't seem to be getting on at all, think Keane takes exception to Wrighty being so far up Raheem's arse haha
I don't mind a bit of tension in the pundits panel, rather than having 3 cheerleaders. Keane can always be relied on to take a slightly different angle
Kane was an absolute monster in that entire 30mins of extra time barring the initial penalty miss
Miss? He was so confident, he played a 1-2 with Schmeichel... ahem cough. Christ, he rarely puts a penalty to the right. God knows why he changed his mind but hey, doesnt matter.
I did think the world was going to drop out of my arse in that split second between Schmeichel saving then him tucking away the rebound. Me of little faith.
I honestly thought the pen was soft and the earlier tackle on Kane was more a pen than that.
Got a stinking hangover this morning but quite frankly, who cares!
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Old short arms should have saved that free kick. Looked a bit dodgy last night, especially his kicking.
Just to add, that period at the end of extra time where we passed the ball around like peak Brazil was just a joy to watch but also very surreal, I kept telling myself this is an England team we don't do this but we are doing this and it's f***ing brilliant.
What Southgate has done is find a way to win. His way. And my way to win probably wouldn't have won and many managers after Sir Alf Ramsey, 55 years worth, couldn't find a way. Even yesterday, Denmark didn't have that many clear cut chances, and it does take away from our attacking prowess, but we have the players to take advantage of what chances they get.
He has made some great calls that many have disagreed with. A big one is Sterling who in fairness has been our player of the tournament and he played a key part in both goals last night. Now we have to come down and conserve our energy for that final push. In a tournament like this there are always two goals. Reaching the final is the first and nobody can take that away from you but the second is winning it.
Had the ref stopped play for that ball last night, I reckon it would be a constant theme from fans in the Premier League going forwards
Wright and Keane didn't seem to be getting on at all, think Keane takes exception to Wrighty being so far up Raheem's arse haha
Gotta say I fucking love this team.
Have to be lucky I know but wouldnt mind trying to get some tickets! and binning work off...too tired for that shit today haha!
After all the shit the last 18 months has thrown our way, its amazing to see people happy together celebrating, this team has brought the country together giving everyone a lift.
Long may it continue.
He enjoyed playing for England but his true love was his club, whereas with Southgate it was the other way round
Christ, he rarely puts a penalty to the right. God knows why he changed his mind but hey, doesnt matter.
I did think the world was going to drop out of my arse in that split second between Schmeichel saving then him tucking away the rebound. Me of little faith.
I honestly thought the pen was soft and the earlier tackle on Kane was more a pen than that.
Got a stinking hangover this morning but quite frankly, who cares!