It was past midnight in Berlin and, in the bowels of the Olympiastadion, one England player after another emerged from the dressing room in stony-faced silence. Some heads were bowed, some hoods were pulled up. There goes Harry Kane. There goes Jude Bellingham. There goes Phil Foden. There goes Declan Rice.
It was a night of long walks for England’s players. First, the miserable trudge to the podium, where the European Championship trophy was adorned in red and yellow ribbons — look if you want, but walk on by. Then down staircases to the dressing room, where tears were shed. Now this: a circuitous route to the exit, where a bus was waiting to whisk them off into the night, their dreams of glory dashed once again in a 2-1 defeat by Spain.
Few of them were willing to chat. One who did was John Stones, who described his emotions as “mental torture”. “You think, ‘Could I have done this? Could I have done that? What if this happened?’,” the Manchester City defender said, reflecting on Mikel Oyarzabal’s late winner. “You can play so many scenarios around in your head.”
But defeat had been coming. There had been moments of euphoria as England stumbled through the knockout stage, but in some ways, it was the least convincing of their four major tournaments under Gareth Southgate. They spent more time teetering on the edge of calamity than glory.
Pre-Tournament Drama
Five and a half weeks before the final, Kane and Southgate went for another walk. This one was at Tottenham Hotspur’s training ground, where England were gathered before their final pre-tournament warm-up match.
Kane was worried. He and some of his team-mates were in a state of shock after Southgate, having already left Jordan Henderson and Marcus Rashford out of his pre-tournament squad, omitted Harry Maguire and Jack Grealish from the final group of 26.
Southgate repeatedly spoke about the “noise” that was so difficult to overcome throughout the tournament. He was troubled by the reaction of his players to the draw with Denmark. The environment within the squad had shifted from warmth to tension.
Life at the Training Base
At their base in Blankenhain, the FA left no stone unturned to create a comfortable environment for the players. The players spent most of their time in communal areas, bonding over games and activities. The camp had a different dynamic without some key players like Sterling, Henderson, and Maguire.
The players enjoyed various recreational activities and team-building exercises at the training base, creating a positive atmosphere despite the challenges they faced on the pitch.
The Journey Through the Tournament
England’s performances during the tournament were a mix of highs and lows. They struggled to find their rhythm in the group stage but showed resilience in the knockout matches. Individual brilliance often saved them from difficult situations.
The team faced criticism and scrutiny from the media and former players, adding to the pressure on the players. Southgate had to navigate through various challenges, including squad selection dilemmas and tactical adjustments.
The Semi-Final Triumph
England’s dramatic victory over the Netherlands in the semi-final showcased their fighting spirit and determination. Late goals from Watkins and Palmer sealed their place in the final, sparking celebrations and renewed hope among the players and fans.
The team’s preparation for penalties paid off as they triumphed in the shootout, setting up a thrilling final showdown against Spain.
The Final Heartbreak
Despite a valiant effort, England fell short in the final against Spain. A late goal sealed their fate, leaving the players devastated and reflecting on what could have been. The journey was filled with ups and downs, culminating in a heartbreaking defeat in the ultimate match.
As the players left the pitch, the disappointment was palpable, but their efforts and resilience throughout the tournament were commendable. England may not have lifted the trophy, but they left a lasting impression with their performance and determination.
