Sterlingrad vs. THe world
Tom Ball
Well, that was okay, wasn't it? Here we are a week and a half after overcoming Germany, in a major final for the first time in 55 years. This is a critical moment. You could tell that the players knew what they had achieved. Beating Germany wasn't it; we cannot put our national team's pride down to victory of a singular nation. The players felt a taste of their inspiration after that match but remained intensely focused on taking an opportunity they had created for themselves rather than enjoying that they just had that opportunity.
Each of these games has seen England break barriers and silence critics with different avenues. Victory over Germany broke a hoodoo over an old foe that never seemed like it was going to die. Ukraine saw this 'too boring',' too pragmatic' manager dismantle an opposition with exceptional merit away in Rome instead of the comfiness of Wembley. Finally, Wednesday night not only broke the semi-final heartache but also presented this squad with their first true sense of adversity. An early free-kick from Christian Eriksen replacement Mikkel Damsgaard stunned Wembley.
I slouched in my seat, saying to the people around that I'd seen this before. Portugal in 2006, Germany in 2010, Italy in 2012, Iceland in 2016 and Croatia in 2018 were coming back to me; the frustration, the disbelief and the dread is something that is all too familiar as an England fan. But was the past still too overbearing for this nation?
Of course, this numbing thought process lasted just a few minutes. Another contribution from the 'Boy from Brent'. His presence in the 6-yard box was rewarded after a beautiful Harry Kane pass played Bukayo Saka in behind the danish defence, Simon Kjaer turned the ball into his own net. A poll has emerged since the game to rename London to 'Sterlingrad'. A beautiful piece in The Players' Tribune and a piece by ITV covered Raheem Sterling's vilification in the early years of his career. A man who is always up against it, a scapegoat, a man who shouldn't have been starting according to many not long ago has won the nation's hearts. All just a stone's throw away from where he was raised. He has spoken about the long bus journeys, the sacrifices his mother and sister made for him. His aim was clearly only ever to repay that; he certainly hasn't forgotten it.
We could speak about the football. However, there was no reason for this game to be lost. England were the better side and had a measured but considerable hold on Denmark. Just like every other game in this tournament. Yet it's the character that sticks out. The players and management staff joined the sixty-seven thousand in attendance in a rendition of Sweet Caroline. There was no hiding what they had achieved this time. Although celebrations suitable of EURO Final qualification, the moment emotionally reflected a unity within the players that had transferred to the entire nation. There is no doubt the last eighteen months have been a rollercoaster, yet, even those not quite attuned to football are revelling at the sight of the entire nation in euphoria.
England Football has taken advantage of social media to provide fans with appropriate accessibility. YouTube videos showing training sessions and life inside St. Georges Park. The videos display the compassion, friendship and togetherness within the camp. The chemistry and dynamics within the squad do not fail in charming. It would make many fans forget about their own club loyalties. Gareth Southgate was privileged but also tasked with handling not just twenty-six players but twenty-six people. However, not one of those players seems unhappy or unsettled. They all trust each other, and that transfers onto the pitch. They now have an unbreakable bond, a bond we fans now feel as well. We will now always love these players, even though we'll be screaming expletives at most of them come August.
Much of this unity and passion is yet to be felt outside of England. Many European publications have shamed our national side for the events of Wednesday night. Charlie Eccleshare of The Athletic wrote about how Italian publication Gazette Dello Sport "made the bizarre claim that the "generous penalty" given to England "confirms the suspicions of a return of a favour" from UEFA to prime minister Boris Johnson for his role in stopping the European Super League from taking off". Without being too witty, It's somewhat hypocritical of the Italian media to comment on England's navigation of the rules considering their own national side's pantomimes, especially in their Quarter-Final against Belgium. It's easy to get sucked into a back and forth around the decisions made in the game. I'm sure the United Kingdom's political behaviour hasn't lent much help to gaining allies in this fight over recent years.
In the Round-of-16, when Thomas Mรผller ran through on goal and dragged his chance at an equaliser wide, Guy Mowbray on commentary proclaimed, "that never used to happen". When we England fans look back at Lampard's disallowed goal, the hand of God, Ronaldo's wink, we feel slightly vindicated if a guilt edge decision goes our way. An unpunished moment of blatant cheating against us in a World Cup is the universal symbol of Diego Maradona's immortality. Yes, it was a long time ago, but many celebrate that moment's iconic nature to this day. It's laughable to suggest that decisions going our way when Wembley is at its loudest proves some sort of history of favouritism. We have been at the brunt end of it for decades.
There is no doubt that the pressure the players were applying on their opposition meant all signs lead to them giving in. Denmark were tired while we were stringing together over fifty straight passes in possession. England clearly outlasted their opponents on Tuesday. It was a masterclass in game management and patience. Even if it may be biased, it is my feeling that if the goal were not to come from a penalty, it was to come from somewhere else. I have seen astronomically more significant injustices on UEFA's watch.
We now turn our attention to Italy. Deserved finalists and a thoughtful expression in inventive and positive football, our most formidable challenge yet. Although Denmark took the lead against us, they were never really a threat. I'm never really here for predictions. The game can go either way. England have another job to complete. This game comes at the right time. The players are ideally tested yet profoundly confident; it feels like our nation's time. Before the Germany game, I spoke about how it would define Southgate. Now, those question marks are all off the table, you know, I know, the nation knows that this game can be won. However, whether it should be is a complex debate. The severe lack of confidence and inspiration many had going into the tournament feels like an eternity ago. A brilliant performance is essentially inevitable; it's whether that performance is enough.
Before we go out for what will, no matter what, be the final game of an unforgettable summer in a year like nothing we have ever experienced, we must all give the sincerest thank you to the 26 players, the management staff and the entire nation in bringing us the joy we had been gasping for. In a year where football players took matters into their own hands on many different issues, it's only fitting they turn around the emotions of a nation driven into the ground by those employed to tackle those issues. So thank you, England, we will never forget it.