This is Dortmund!
Euro 2024 changed dramatically in the semi-finals in Munich. The Spanish team played well and defeated the French team. Although they did not play badly, they were worse than their opponents. It was a kick against the orthodoxy that had guided Gareth Southgate’s dysfunctional England side to the semi-finals. From the moment they stopped after 30 minutes against Serbia, this should be a tournament where you don’t need to perform well to advance. England spent most of their time playing heavy mandrakes like a pick-up band, and it’s fair to say that this England side didn’t quite play the role Southgate’s side did in Europe in 2018, 2020, etc. Cup and even the 2022 Human Rights World Cup to conquer the country. . That The absence of songs is often noticeable. Pubs and houses decorated with St. George’s flags? Not so much. Perhaps only the penalty shootout against Switzerland was a national moment.
Blame the weatherman for summoning B*Witched? The summer climate is not conducive to drinking beer in the Boxpark or drinking in the beer garden. Burning from random orifices may splatter in the rain. There were elections too, although the election of Jacob Rees-Mogg and Liz Truss did not lead to wild celebrations. These are expected results. Dear Richie must be as delusional as a Scotland fan, booking accommodation for the Berlin final thinking he can win.
Perhaps that’s the problem with Southgate’s England. Reaching the semi-finals has become standard, a result of all the talent produced by The Best League in the World™. The manager himself – a bit testy these days – is a victim of his own success, as he has come closer to victory than anyone since Sir Alf Ramsey tried not to give up on his thirst. Within that, there’s the danger of becoming Tim Henman, a solid puncher but lacking the tools to win the top prize.
All England fans will frown when Kieran Trippier takes on 17-year-old Lamine Yamal on Saturday, who makes Luke Littler look Like John Lowe. Maybe Luke Shaw could play there, but…ah…yeah, semi-finals, Dortmund and Netherlands. This is for Graham Taylor. Ron Koeman pulled back David Platt in Rotterdam in 1993 and then shot one over, one over and one over David Seaman ), he still owes one shot. The team he led were almost as enigmatic as England’s. “What’s going on here?” Taylor was quoted as saying. Have Virgil van Dijk’s legs disappeared or is he just too cool to handle? Memphis Depay: The lad who plays for Manchester United? Cody Gakpo: Is he from Liverpool? Walter Weghorst: Still on Burnley’s books? That wouldn’t be Daley Blind, would it? What insider information can Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink provide?
Whatever the answer is, it may take a really good performance from England to determine whether Berlin or the end of the Southgate era follows.
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Join Rob Smyth for top coverage of the Euro 2024 semi-finals, Netherlands 1-0 England, starting at 8pm BST.
Quote of the day
We saw a sense of genius in a footballer that we all need to look after” – Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente speaks for us all after witnessing a goal scored by 16-year-old Lamine Yamar That Goal against France.
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Daily euro news for 2024
24 The defining story of the European Cup: Lamin Yamal’s so-called “wonderful goal” against France. I just want to point out Bukayo Saka, who has scored similar goals for Arsenal and England in the past few seasons (for example, in the last game against Switzerland). Lamar’s left-footed curling ball was brilliant and diverted attention away from the scum that stinks of this tournament, but lads, lads – this is football! ” ——Frank Randamore.
While I think England fans will be discussing tactics and so on before the game, across the pond all fans will be debating whether to listen to Landon Donovan or simply press the mute button for the entire game.” – Derek Herget.
So Cody Gakpo believes having one of the fastest players in the Premier League gives the Netherlands an advantage over England. He watched England play in this game, right? You don’t need to be Usain Bolt to keep up with Harry Kane and Declan Rice” – Adrian Foster.
Write to the.boss@theguardian.com. Today’s non-prize winner is…Adrian Foster. You can view the terms and conditions of our competitions here.
