Thank you very much for joining me – and all my colleagues – throughout the Euros and its aftermath. This is the final Euros live blog, meaning this will be an emotional goodbye for absolutely no one.
I shall leave you with another end of an era, the last Euro 2024 Daily. Will we see the like again?
The tournament was pretty underwhelming and England lost the final. Ta ra Euro 2024.
Gareth Southgate has the backer of one England legend. Geoff Hurst wants him to stay in the role after eight years of improvements.
My own view is that the FA will want him to carry on,” Hurst told the PA news agency. “Why not, after what he’s achieved? But it’s a stressful job, being a manager. Look at Jurgen Klopp, managed a fantastic Premier League side, but he looked tired after all that happens at the top level. He decided enough was enough.
“The national team job can take an awful lot out of you as a person. I think if he (Southgate) feels up to it physically, then I would be 100 per cent backing him to carry on. Why would you want to remove somebody who’s got to two finals of a championship?”
Maybe they can share a nice bottle of Bud if he does stick about.
“I would like to point out that the only team to beat Spain in the entire Euro 2024 process (qualifying and tournament) was Scotland,” says Hugh (from Glasgow). “I’m sure that makes us unofficial European champions or something.”
Get on the blower to Mr Ceferin. He needs to re-route the trophy.
You don’t get this at the Euros! A goalkeeper goes in search of dirt to fill a hole.
Jacob Steinberg has the definitive answer to who is on the FA shortlist if Southgate says ‘ta ra’.
Manchester United are back in action too! A reminder of the silly soccer schedule. A lot of kids in this squad.
Teams. Expecting a totally different United XI in the second half today, as is usually the case in the first friendly of the summer #mufc pic.twitter.com/h24IA1Pg5v
— Tyrone Marshall (@TyMarshall_MEN) July 15, 2024
It looks like Alvaro Morata will be celebrate his European triumph by heading to Milan from Atletico Madrid.
Bukayo Saka turns towards the crowd and pumps his arms like an orchestra conductor, demands more noise, and the noise explodes like thunder, lifting the Olympiastadion off its stone foundations. Back in the England goal, Jordan Pickford is waving an imaginary lasso. There are 75 minutes on the clock in the Euro 2024 final. Cole Palmer has just scored a spectacular equaliser to make it 1-1. England have an attacking throw-in deep in Spanish territory. How can this be the end?
Jonathan Liew looks back at the moment of the final.
Lamine Yamal is at least young enough to wear a baseball cap backwards. Take note, nursery dads.
I got 15/20.
Are we facing the return of the STOP FOOTBALL campaign? The sport eating itself for the sake of £££ will be the story for the next few years. So few at the top of the game have the best intentions sadly.
Jonathan Wilson on everyone been knackered.
Some report knocking about that Eddie Howe would be in contention to replace Southgate. You’d have to imagine all English managers in the Premier League will under consideration.
“England are right to be secretly proud to have been the perfect foil, to have big-day-showcased the endless talents of the perfect footballing ensemble this tournament’s Spain so patently and repeatedly proved to be,” says EJ.
A bit more on my friend and yours, Xherdan …
Shaqiri has played 125 matches for Switzerland, scoring 32 goals. He is the only Swiss player to appear in seven major tournaments, from World Cup 2010 to Euro 2024. The 32-year-old made two appearances in Euro 2024 as Switzerland exited from the quarter-finals.
“Seven tournaments, many goals, 14 years with the Swiss national team and unforgettable moments. It’s time to say goodbye to the national team,” Shaqiri wrote on Instagram. “Great memories remain and I say to you all, thank you.”
The retirements will keep rolling in. We will always have fond memories of the calves.
Xherdan Shaqiri has announced his retirement from international football 🇨🇭 pic.twitter.com/8COynn8nOc
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) July 15, 2024
“Speaking as an Australian who is somewhat removed, the England men’s football team gets far more attention than almost any other sporting outfit,” emails Andrew James. “The scrutiny over the decision to play this left back over another is something that almost no other audience applies. If you want your team to succeed, perhaps more criticism isn’t optimal? England were pretty successful in 2018 when expectations were much lower, perhaps there’s something to that.”
You should see the Spanish press …
Bored of reading? Here’s some lovely photos to look at.
In more exciting news … Spain have also landed back in their homeland.
I do enjoy how completely unimpressed the pilot is.
“My wife and I watched the final and mostly on ITV,” says Turner Burgess. “She was convinced that the definition was better on BBC but the prospect of Alan Shearer and his dreary platitudes was too much. McCoist a bit pantomime sometimes but he’s got much more insight. Lee Dixon a bit of a wet blanket. Wright and Keane and Neville more articulate across the board, although I am not sure that Ian Wright gives as good an account of himself as he does on MOTD. Rio and Micah are good but it looked like they were a bit in thrall to the event last night. At times it sounded a little forced. So ITV it was.”
Anthony Gordon: played five minutes, fell off his bike.
England arrive back in the UK (with at least one fan providing the welcome party).
The big talking point.
“If Southgate goes he leaves behind a legacy based around building an environment that the players love,” says Ben Yeo. “There seems to be a real joy in England duty (exhaustion aside), which is what Southgate created. Should he go the new person should be hired on their ability to build a similar atmosphere, but with slightly more tactical acumen. Who does that? Ancelotti? Klopp? Potter was loved by his players (prior to Chelsea). It’s a small list.”
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Katherine Sims gets in touch to say: “I couldn’t agree more with Owen (12:41) about the midfield imbalance - the triumvirate of Rodri, Ruiz and Olmo were always likely to have more of the ball and we had joy down the flanks in the first half, but when Spain began to impose themselves more we struggled, before responding by taking Mainoo off (this is not to say I don’t think Palmer was the right player to come on, for obvious reasons). But it meant there was even more of a gap centrally for the Spanish to exploit.
“I also wonder about whether the FA can do anything to produce top-class tactical coaches, similar to how the changes imposed 10-15 years ago have come to fruition (youth teams playing on smaller-sized pitches, etc.). England don’t seem to produce managers like Pep, Klopp, Tuchel and Ancelotti and I wonder if we can look to the likes of Spain and Germany for ideas on how to influence a new generation of coaches with real tactical clout?”
Considering De La Fuente had spent most of his career within the Spanish setup, is that the future? Grooming someone for the prospect of being an international manager.
Our very own Philip Cornwall describes how it is not just the results on the pitch that make following England difficult. On the upside, by writing this, he will at least be able to claim most of the trip on expenses.
Jude Bellingham offers the traditional rallying cry of the defeated.
In case you are needing a football fix this week, there is plenty of action in the Champions League first qualifying round. It is second leg time and I have my eye on Petrocub v Ordabasy, which is 0-0 after the opener.
Welsh champions The New Saints head to Decic of Montenegro with a three-goal lead.
“Should Southgate stay or go?” asks krishnamoorthy. “I say go.Such individual match winners, all of them, Bellingham, Kane, Palmer, Saka, Rice, Stones, Walker and Watkins. It is that inexplicable mystery where the total is less than the sum of its parts
“Chelsea became a power after the now toxic JM took charge
“The noisy neighbors shut up their more accomplished neighbors when one PG took charge
|Liverpool became a force once again when a JK walked in
“Irrespective of the money poured in, the talent available we need a new manager now. It takes nothing away from GS , just that a new head is needed to guide it to the next level.”
“There seems to be a disconnect between punters and journalists regarding the quality of the coverage,” suggests Bruce Crawford. “For me it’s not about who the pundits or co-commentators are, it’s about the main presenters/commentators and the presence of adverts on one channel. I’m old school so come from the days of Coleman, Davies and Motson, all far preferable to Brian Moore who I never liked. While Guy Mowbray is a bit bland, he’s at least listenable unlike the excruciating Sam Matterface. Am not keen on Pougatch as a presenter either.
“The best option by far is the BBC coverage with the 5 Live commentary on the red button.”
“Losing to the best team all tournament is no great shame, but we didn’t help ourselves,” says Finlay Fletcher. “It felt our right side after half time was caught between two formations. Walker was dragged inside and Saka wasn’t covering as wing back. It looked like a flat back four, if that’s the case then Walker needed to hold his position. Another issue once we equalised and finally had a toe hold not quite a foot, Southgate had Trippier and Gallagher ready to come on. Why not go for the win? It felt all tournament like we was a boxer who had been told to not throw a knockout punch when the opposition was on the ropes.”
There is another issue that might need addressing after the Euros. Was the tournament dreadful overall because all the teams were really tired, which can be attributed to the fact everyone plays too much football and it’s only getting worse?I can’t imagine a single player is excited by the farcical prospect of the expanded Club World Cup next summer.
Contrary to speculation on social media, two things can be true at the same time. Gareth Southgate has done a very good job for England but he has not got the full potential out of the current squad, so this seems like a good time to part ways.
Who next? Guardiola in a year might find it an interesting prospect, same for Klopp. Lee Carsley? Potter? Howe? Cooper?
“I personally hope Southgate stays on until the World Cup in two years, but I do think he’ll stand down very soon,” says Des Brown. “Beyond Southgate, who else is there? A lot of nonsense is talked about offering the job to Jurgen Klopp. Klopp is currently being courted by the USA and he wants to manage Germany. He’s also smart enough to know that unless he wins a trophy, his tenure will be branded as a failure. There’s zero chance of him becoming the next England manger.
“That leaves an unappealing domestic choice of Graham Potter or Eddie Howe. I’m not expecting Howe or Potter to be leading England out onto the pitch of the Met Life Stadium in New Jersey for the World Cup final in July 2026.”
Four England fans were arrested at the Euro 2024 final in Berlin on Sunday night, the UK Football Policing Unit has said.
The low number of arrests was in keeping with a tournament where the vast majority of fans have been praised by UK police and the German authorities for their good behaviour.
The UKFPU said of the four arrests, two were for trying to enter the stadium with fake accreditation, one was for assault and one was for letting off a smoke bomb.
There were also numerous instances of people attempting to enter the stadium without a ticket, the unit said.
A further update will be released in due course, but on Friday Chief Constable Mark Roberts, the UK football policing lead, said: “It’s been fantastic to see so many fans enjoying the football and supporting England all the way to the final.”
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Thanks Xaymaca. As the hangovers subside, I will bring you all the joys and pain when it comes to final aftermath.
That’s all from me today. I’m handing over to Will Unwin who will give you the latest Euros reaction throughout the afternoon.
The question remains: should Southgate stay or go? Email your thoughts.
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1 - Harry Kane had just one touch in the opposition box across the EURO 2020 and EURO 2024 finals against Italy and Spain, one fewer than Jack Grealish had; Grealish played 21 minutes in the 2020 final and didn't make the EURO 2024 squad. Uninvolved. pic.twitter.com/IzvN6pdnps
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) July 14, 2024
Here’s Owen Carter’s view on England’s defeat and Kane’s role in it:
“Without a working midfield, there is little point in saying the striker had a poor game ... so rather than Kane-blame, let’s compare how Koeman changed up his team when faced with dysfunction in the middle of the park. He put on another midfield body ASAP. In addition, he later added a striker who can hold up the ball. I look at the England bench, and I see talent, but limited options for adaptability. Most of the changes are like for like. For sure, you can make like for like swaps to finish a game, or to replace injured/tiring players, but for me it was the third scenario for swapping like for like that was missed, which is- taking off players who are just having a bad day, and making sure you do it early enough. Someone should have been stat tracking the England midfield and going: “Hey Mr Southgate, these guys are having a bad day/not clicking, we need to change things up.” No one should be essential. I think Spain proved that by subbing Rodri today with little discernible difference to the way the game was being played out...”
There was an elephant in the room and England’s support addressed it in the 57th minute with loud chants of Watkins’s name. Even so, the speed of Southgate’s response came as a shock. The hero of Wednesday night was poised and the cruel joke might have been that Kane, recognising the situation’s gravity, moved with greater purpose than at any point in the night when his number came up.
Harry Kane made less of an impact than Palmer yesterday. Despite ending this year’s tournament as top scorer in a six-way tie, he’s looked a shadow of his former self. Read more about his performance here:
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Ed’s response is a bit more serious though:
“First, England have got a glut of attacking midfielders right now, and fitting Palmer in alongside Bellingham and Foden is a stretch (which of course is why he moved to Chelsea).
“Second, we’ve seen the impact of substitutes in this tournament. A strong international squad has strength in depth, not just in the first 11. Arguably, Southgate could have dropped one of Bellers or Foden and given Palmer a start, but there’s no guarantee that would have worked from the start. Dynamics shift in game, and bringing on quality with 60 minutes remaining is a solid move.”
Stephen McCrossan has an answer to my previous question:
“Hi Xaymaca, in response to your question about Cole Palmer, the obvious answer is that he needs to bin that awful, cringeworthy celebration when he scores a goal. It gives me the heebie-jeebies.”
Here are Ryan Y’s thoughts on yesterday’s game:
“Obviously, I am disappointed with last night’s results. Still, I can’t say it was anything less than deserved for Spain, who have been wonderful throughout the tournament and had to beat 3 of the top five pre-tournament favourites. Knowing that Spain was always going to dominate the game made this final loss hurt less than the 2021 final, where it felt like there was a genuine chance of England winning.”
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I watched the Lionesses ’ Euros victory in 2022 and the excitement after Chloe Kelly’s winner. I think it’s important to make the distinction between the men’s and women’s teams and stop referring to the men’s wait as “years of hurt.”
Here’s a good point from Julia:
“I’m reading a lot of comments on the blog talking about England’s ‘58 years of hurt’ and that there has been no trophy for England for so long blah blah etc. Not to be rude, but was everyone just asleep two years ago when the women won the Euros? Stop acting like it was nothing!”
“England will have to find a new Sir Francis Drake to sink the Spanish fleet, now that Spain – which has won the Nations League and the Euros in the space of just a year – threatens to dominate the seas of international football just as Phillip II’s fleet ruled the waves five centuries ago,” said Buxeres. “Fifty-eight years have now passed since England last seized some booty, and it will have to go on waiting to enjoy the sport it so lovingly invented.”
At least the Spanish media enjoyed last night’s performance from Luis de la Fuente’s side.
Charles Antaki gives his verdict on the BBC v ITV match last night:
“It’s extraordinary that viewers preferred the BBC coverage, given that it meant that they were willing to listen to Alan Shearer on the commentary. Respect, of course; but as a commentator, he gives you, rather than tactical insights, poker-faced banalities delivered in monotone, with the only light and shade being how much volume he puts into it. You might as well listen to a public service announcement at a train station, supposing it was delivered by somebody who was angry, grudging and unhappy with the world around them.”
Steve Hale says:
“Sorry, but I’m fed up of hearing ‘long season, exhausted, one last push’ etc etc from England players. The same applies to Spain as well yet they managed to play a lot better and win. It’s down to ability and desire. They had it. We didn’t.”
On that point of service, I wonder what Cole Palmer (who is also a goalscorer) has to do to start for England. His stats for the tournament are as follows: one goal, one assist, zero starts. He’s made maximum impact with minimal play time.
Odysseus continues by saying:
“They also need to ask the question, with so many goal scorers on the pitch, why didn’t he realise it was the art of service they were lacking? That simple and obvious realisation would make it criminal to leave Trent on the bench and load up on more strikers, especially when chasing a goal. It’s kind of like putting a whole bunch of nails on a board and leaving the hammer in the toolbox...”
Here’s a more damning take on England and Spain’s Euros performances from Odysseus (no relation to the Greek king):
“All the talk about England being second best and barely missing out on winning the cup, gives the Three Lions more credit than they deserve.
The truth, obvious to anyone who watched all of the games, is that Spain’s games got progressively easier from the quarter finals on, and England never would have made it anywhere near the finals if they had taken the path Spain took.
Germany gave Spain their hardest game, and France looked far more dangerous than England. England at best were the fourth best team in the tournament, and Italy would have a good case to even argue that. Any examination and fair assessment of Southgates work needs to use that fact as a measuring stick.”
Ben N thinks we should (rightly) stop counting the years of hurt:
England have made the final twice in a row now which is, to state the obvious, a lot better than many other teams. These tournaments are hard to win. Everyone else wants to win them too and, in this case, Spain were light years ahead. Frankly, we may never win one, and I do personally wish we would stop counting the “years of hurt” (thanks Baddiel and Skinner!).
Despite reaching the final on this occasion, I think it is fair to say England were a bit underwhelming overall. Part of that can likely be pinned on Gareth Southgate (certain selections, his conservative approach, and probable lack of tactical nous).
However, beyond considerable issues such as exhaustion (players having played a million games) and the weight of expectations, you do have to wonder if England continue to have comparative technical deficiencies in some areas. The continued inability to play out from the back (not just against Spain but against Denmark and others) was actually quite shocking in this day and age, and it can’t be emphasised enough how important midfield control is (and the continuing lack thereof). It is hard to know from where it all stems!
I’ve noticed Bellingham get a bad rap from some England fans this tournament. Despite looking exhausted after a gruelling season with Real Madrid, he still assisted Cole Palmer last night, scored the winner against Serbia and scored the overhead kick against Slovakia.
Francis Mead has sent in a message about Bellingham’s post-match comments:
“When I read this quote, I assumed it was Southgate: ‘I suppose if you look at everything negatively, nothing will ever change. So it’s important we pick the positives and the negatives together and find a way to one day get England over the line.’
“I think this is exactly right - there’s been huge progress - don’t throw the baby out with the bath water, but we need to look where we can improve further. I’m impressed by the intelligence and maturity of Bellingham’s answer - especially at a very emotional moment just after a losing final.”
The BBC’s superior viewing figures were probably helped by the fact their broadcast didn’t have long ad breaks. Michael Hogan argues ITV’s coverage was of superior quality:
BBC won the battle of the viewing figures in this year’s final.
Euro 2024 final viewing figures.
— Jim Waterson (@jimwaterson) July 15, 2024
BBC peak: 17.8m
ITV peak: 6m
That's 23.8m combined. Highest combined audience of year but only slightly above semi-final.
(Doesn't count people in pubs and broadcasters will put out some other not-really-comparable streaming figures later.)
Spain consistently showed they were the best team at the tournament so they entered the final as favourites. This didn’t stop one fan from pre-emptively getting an “England Euro 2024 Winners” tattoo. No matter how badly your night went on Sunday, at least you’re not this guy.
Did England truly want this? Of course. Did they believe? Almost certainly. But did they truly know they deserved it, as if by winning they were simply executing a fate decreed for them in advance? Perhaps, ultimately, this is what separates the great sides like Spain from the great triers like England. Perennial contenders. Really strong. They’ll be there or thereabouts. But you cannot be what you cannot really see.
Spain outplayed England throughout the 90 minutes with 63% of the possession and 16 shots on goal compared with England’s 37% possession and nine shots on goal. Read Jonathan Liew’s review of the game here:
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Bellingham: 'We didn't quite deliver'
“We all wanted nothing more than to make history and to make the people of England proud and we haven’t managed to do it, we didn’t quite deliver. There’s reasons for that and I’m sure as a team and going forward, we’ll analyse it but I think it’s a young group still. It’s really disappointing because at some point we do have to deliver, but there are experiences and there’s things we can take from this tournament going forward. I suppose if you look at everything negatively, nothing will ever change. So it’s important we pick the positives and the negatives together and find a way to one day get England over the line.”
🗣️ "It's really disappointing because at some point we do have to deliver."
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 15, 2024
Jude Bellingham reacted to England's defeat in the #Euro2024 final.#BBCEuros #ESPENG pic.twitter.com/GjuJl3EkEj
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Jude Bellingham, who assisted Cole Palmer for the equaliser, spoke to the press after the game:
“I think we sacrificed a lot throughout the last weeks. It’s so tough these days, with the crazy schedules and then coming together for the end of the season, for one last tournament, it’s difficult on the body. Mentally, physically, you’re exhausted but for our country we wanted to give everything and then to lose in that way is really cruel.”
And fade to red. The Euro 2024 trophy will not, it turns out be coming back with the players to England after all. The parade can be scaled back, the beds turned down, the welcome basket stashed. Monday will be a day for hangovers and regrets, which is in its own way English football’s own safe place …
Football did seem keen to come home here. It just turns out that home is in Catalonia, Galicia, the Basque Country and surrounding provinces.
While you process your thoughts after England’s European Championship Final defeat, just three years after the last one, check out Barney Ronay’s analysis here:
Preamble
Football came home yesterday … to Spain.
With a record four European Championship titles to their name, Spain are undoubtedly the best team in Europe and were good value for their 2-1 win against England last night.
It’s more heartbreak for England and Gareth Southgate’s side as the 58-year wait for another men’s major tournament trophy continues.
What did you think of the game last night? Let me know via email. Meanwhile, I’ll keep you updated with the latest reaction to the game.
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