England raced back to their Blankenhain base after Wednesday's dramatic win over Netherlands in Dortmund, but did not arrive until gone 3am.
For some of the players, including match-winner Ollie Watkins, it was much longer before they came down from the Euro 2024 semi-final's remarkable climax and could sleep.
Thursday was a recovery day for England's starters, spent in the pool, on the exercise bikes and in the gym, but they were back on the grass this morning. Spain, by contrast, have been training at their base since early yesterday, when they began tactical preparations for Sunday's final.
Already, England are playing catch-up, lagging a day behind the Spanish and with 24 hours less to rest and prepare for Berlin.
Semi-final jinx
Six finals in row have been won by the team playing in the first semi…
2022 World Cup Argentina 3-3 France (4-2 pens)
2020 Euros Italy 1-1 England (3-2 pens)
2018 World Cup France 4-2 Croatia
2016 Euros Portugal 1-0 France (aet)
2014 World Cup Germany 1-0 Argentina
2012 Euro Spain 4-0 Italy
"The extra day is a concern, in the last few tournaments that's been a problem for finalists," Gareth Southgate said after the semi-final. As the England manager pointed out, the stats make difficult reading for his side.
At the past six major tournaments, the finalists who have played in the first semi-final have gone to be champions — including at Euro 2020, when Italy beat Spain the day before England's win over Denmark.
The most recent team to buck the trend was Spain themselves, who won Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup after playing in the second semi-final in each.
Spain were the last team to have won playing second, beating Netherlands in 2010 World Cup final
But Spain's teams then were based around possession play; they kept the ball like no other national team this century, and it is therefore reasonable to assume they did less running and were less impacted by losing a day's rest.
This Euros, however, has been characterised by top teams appearing jaded, suggesting the gruelling schedule is catching up with elite players. Spain's extra day's rest feels significant, not least because England have twice gone to extra-time in the knockouts and the Spanish just once.
What is more, Southgate has only made four changes to his starting XI over the six games. Spain, meanwhile, made 10 changes for their third group game, and defenders Dani Carvajal and Robin Le Normand are available for the final after suspension.
Even without the extra day, Spain would appear to be the fresher team. England need to buck an established trend to make history on Sunday.
