An Impossible Man

[CFuller]

***

 

The England squad departed Heathrow Airport at lunchtime on 7 June, flying out to their UEFA European Championship base camp in Copenhagen. After spending a couple of days adjusting to their new surroundings in Denmark's capital city, the Three Lions were ready to play their final friendly match before the tournament itself got underway.

 

Situated in the Indre Østerbro district of Copenhagen, the Telia Parken had been Denmark's home stadium since 1992. It would host England's next four matches, including this concluding warm-up fixture against the team who were effectively their landlords.

 

Despite failing to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, the Danish Dynamite were heading into this tournament in high spirits, having lost just one of their previous 12 matches. Norwegian head coach Åge Hareide was proving to be a worthy successor to Morten Olsen, who'd been at the helm for an incredible 15 years between 2000 and 2015.

 

The Danish starting line-up featured two Chelsea first-teamers - central defender Andreas Christensen and midfielder Pierre-Emile Højbjerg - as well as Tottenham Hotspur playmaker Christian Eriksen. Keeping goal was Leicester City's Kasper Schmeichel, who had since 2016 been regarded as a Premier League champion in his own right rather than simply as Peter's son.

 

England's number 1 Joe Hart would have to wait for his 100th cap. Instead, Three Lions boss Mark Catterall opted to give 45 minutes apiece to Stoke City's Jack Butland and Everton's Freddie Woodman. This was more a case of Catterall rewarding the pair's patience than punishing Hart for his costly errors against Italy the previous week.

 

While Hart didn't play, his Manchester City defenders Michael Keane and John Stones did feature together. Left-back Luke Shaw - now a European champion with Manchester United - was brought back after being rested against the Azzurri. At the other end of the pitch, Harry Kane and Callum Wilson would lead the English attack.

 

Kane wasted little time in spurring England forward. Just seconds after kick-off, Kane sought out the run of his Tottenham team-mate James Ward-Prowse towards the Danish penalty area. The midfielder's attempted shot took a deflection off Christensen before Schmeichel reacted quickly to push it wide.

 

England sprung another attack in the seventh minute, with captain Jordan Henderson's superb tackle on Danish striker Martin Braithwaite kicking off a counter. Moments later, Wilson's cross to Ward-Prowse was threaded into the area for Kane. It took another fantastic save from Schmeichel to keep this Spur at bay.

 

Denmark's first attempt on goal came three minutes later, but it wasn't a particularly potent one. Though Højbjerg did manage to get above Keane to meet Eriksen's corner with his head, he couldn't direct it towards goal.

 

It wasn't until the 21st minute that the Danish Dynamite exploded into life. Christensen intercepted Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli's attempted lobbed pass to Wilson, and Eriksen beat his friend Alli to the clearance. Eriksen then pumped the ball forward to RB Leipzig forward Yussuf Poulsen, who took advantage of Keane's mistimed jump to go clean through.

 

Though right-back Calum Chambers got back to close Poulsen down on the edge of England's area, the 25-year-old instead played the ball out right to his 29-year-old strike partner Braithwaite. The Real Sociedad star - whose Guyanese father had passed onto him a very un-Nordic surname - then took advantage of some haphazard English positioning to stab the ball past Butland.

 

England had conceded the first goal, but Catterall was optimistic about rectifying things sooner rather than later. After 24 minutes, Kane got between Simon Kjær and Jannik Vestergaard - Christensen's colleagues in the middle of the Danish backline - to run onto a weighted pass from Wilson. Kane had been stuck on 24 England goals for a while, but Schmeichel's fingertips denied him another chance to bring up his quarter-century.

 

Another striker would reach a personal milestone after 33 minutes. Unfortunately for England, that striker was Poulsen, who took advantage of more suspect defending to claim his 20th goal for Denmark.

 

The Three Lions had been left badly exposed down their left flank when Chambers' attempted slide tackle on Riza Durmisi was superbly evaded by the Sampdoria wing-back. Durmisi then crossed the ball forward to Poulsen, whose header beat the onrushing Butland and crashed in off the underside of the crossbar. 2-0 to Denmark.

 

England needed inspiration from their captain more than ever, and Henderson duly delivered one of his occasional wonder-goals within five minutes. The Liverpool midfielder's cross into the Denmark box was intercepted by Christensen, whose colleague Daniel Wass then cut out a follow-up header from Ward-Prowse. After that second Danish interception, Henderson rushed towards the ball and volleyed in just his third international goal.

 

Though the Three Lions had cut the deficit to 2-1, Catterall was not a happy man at half-time. He brought on four substitutes before the restart - Woodman, Danny Rose, Raheem Sterling and Rolando Aarons were selected to replace Butland, Shaw, Wilson and Jack Wilshere.

 

Inside-forward Aarons had some defending to do in the 52nd minute, intercepting a vicious shot from Braithwaite. Rose beat Vestergaard to the interception, only to awkwardly knock the ball out for a Denmark throw-in. It soon became obvious why, as the Tottenham left-back went down signalling that something was wrong with his knee.

 

Rose was given some treatment on the sidelines and then returned for a few minutes. However, he was walking very gingerly and was clearly not in a fit state to see out the match. With no other naturally left-sided defenders to choose from, Catterall had to make do with playing Liverpool right-back Nathaniel Clyne on his 'wrong' flank.

 

Considering that much of the Three Lions' play was focussed down the flanks to their wing-backs, having a significant weakness on one side was far from ideal. Nevertheless, they continued to give Denmark's defence a few problems, with Sterling driving a promising shot into Schmeichel's hands just before the hour.

 

Another potential equalising opportunity arose in the 67th minute, with Durmisi's cynical foul on Aarons earning England a free-kick. Henderson - by far the Three Lions' most spirited performer on an otherwise disappointing evening - curled it just over the crossbar.

 

Denmark's best player in this match was arguably their cool and composed ball-playing defender Christensen. The 24-year-old brilliantly got in the way of another Sterling attempt in the 70th minute, and then cleared away crosses from each of England's wing-backs four minutes later.

 

Christensen's biggest moment came five minutes before the end. He jumped clear of both Stones and Aarons to connect with Eriksen's hanging-ball corner and flick forward a header that just evaded Woodman on its way into the net. That was only Christensen's second goal for the Danish Dynamite, and his first since 2017.

 

Denmark had been ruthlessly clinical, scoring from all three of their shots on target. England had registered five of those, but Schmeichel had saved every one of them, the last coming from Kane's head in stoppage time.

 

That was England's 20th meeting with Denmark, and it had brought them just their fourth defeat. While the 3-1 scoreline was marginally better than the 4-1 loss infamously inflicted on Sven-Göran Eriksson's men in 2005, it still represented arguably the biggest humbling of Catterall's own Three Lions career.

 

9 June 2020: International Friendly - at Telia Parken, Copenhagen

Denmark - 3 (Martin Braithwaite 21, Yussuf Poulsen 33, Andreas Christensen 85)

England - 1 (Jordan Henderson 38)

ENGLAND LINE-UP (4-3-1-2): Jack Butland (Freddie Woodman); Calum Chambers, Michael Keane, John Stones, Luke Shaw (Danny Rose (Nathaniel Clyne)); Dele Alli (Danny Drinkwater), Jordan Henderson, James Ward-Prowse; Jack Wilshere (Rolando Aarons); Callum Wilson (Raheem Sterling), Harry Kane.

 

As England's demoralised players and coaches trudged into the dressing room at full-time, Catterall muttered under his breath, "F***, f***, f***, f***, F***!"

 

"Sudden bout of Tourette's, Mark?" assistant manager Michael Burke asked.

 

Catterall snapped, "You trying to be funny, eh? After THE worst result of my four years in this job!"

 

"Well, what did you expect when you picked the wrong players?"

 

"You were the one who convinced me to bring in an extra midfielder!"

 

"Yeah, but YOU were the one who picked that layabout Sterling! I KNEW you should've gone with Michail Antonio instead!"

 

A shirtless Raheem Sterling stormed over to Burke asking, "You what, mate?"

 

Burke growled, "I'm saying that you're a layabout who'd rather shag like George Best than play like him!"

 

Sterling clenched his right fist and was ready to swing at Burke before Catterall stepped in, "Whoa, whoa, whoa! That's enough! This is meant to be a football team, not a boxing club!"

 

Catterall laid his hand on Sterling's left shoulder and told him, "Calm down, Raheem. I'm not blaming you for anything."

 

The manager then called out, "ALL OF YOU should be ashamed of yourselves! Your attacks didn't have any bite, the midfield was all too easily dominated, and the less said about the defending, the better! All in all, it was an ABSOLUTE F***ING SHAMBLES - the kind of farce we'd expect from a SCOTLAND team!

 

"If you repeat tonight's performance against Turkey or Romania, you can forget about challenging for the Euros. Instead, you'll all be back home before the knockout rounds, and you know what that means! Me and Mick will be out of work, and none of you will be able to show your faces in public again!"

 

Catterall then turned back to Burke, growling at him, "As for you, Michael... why don't you pick on someone your own size, eh? Raheem's much taller than you, for crying out loud! He could've beaten you to a pulp if he wanted!"

 

Burke nodded his head reluctantly and then addressed the players to deliver his own post-match dressing-down. Meanwhile, Catterall headed over to the physio table, where David Fevre was treating Danny Rose's knee injury. The left-back was still wincing in obvious pain.

 

Catterall asked, "What's the prognosis, Dave?"

 

Fevre sighed, "It's what we suspected. Dan's twisted his knee. He'll miss our first two group games, at least."

 

Catterall let out a huge sigh of exasperation. "F*************k!"

[CFuller]

***

 

It was a 15-minute drive from the Telia Parken to the Hotel D'Angleterre - the aptly-named lodging where the England team were staying during their time in Copenhagen. This 5-star hotel had housed many of the great and the good in the past: pop stars, US Presidents, the King of Spain, and even David Beckham!

 

The team arrived there just before 11:00pm local time. Before checking into his suite, Mark Catterall had a private conversation with Michael Burke, eager to clear the air after a heated argument in the wake of England's 3-1 friendly defeat to Denmark.

 

"I think I owe you an apology, Mark," Michael said.

 

Mark admitted, "If anything, I should be apologising to you. There was no need for me to fly off the handle like that."

 

"And there was no need for me to question your calls regarding Raheem Sterling. I know you picked everyone in the squad for a reason."

 

"Yeah, well, I live and die by my decisions."

 

Michael expressed some doubts about England's chances at the upcoming UEFA European Championship, asking, "We are going to get out of our group, right?"

 

"I hope so, Mick, but it's not a given," Mark responded pessimistically. "We've got a lot of work to do after those last few results."

 

"The fans will be gunning for your head after tonight. And I'd hate to think what the papers will write."

 

"They'll take any opportunity to criticise me, so just let them. I'm sure we can win them over again if we put our minds to it and get back to playing like we know we can."

 

"Alright, then, Mark," Michael nodded. "I'm gonna turn in now. See you in the morning."

 

"Goodnight, Mick," Mark said as he shook Michael's hand. "See you later."

 

Mark then entered his suite, which was adjacent to Michael's. Upon taking off his jacket, he hurled it to the floor in disgust. He then sat down on his bed and brought out his phone to make a call.

 

"Hello?" came the answer from Mark's wife Jenny.

 

"Hi, Jen, it's me," Mark said, with an air of despondency. "I... I need someone to talk to right now."

 

"I though as much after tonight's result. Dreadful, wasn't it?"

 

"You watched the game, then?"

 

"Yeah, Luke and I sat up for it. Luke was distraught at full-time. Didn't say a word before he went to bed."

 

Mark sighed, "Jesus Christ... now I really feel like I've let our boy down."

 

"He'll feel better in the morning."

 

"Yeah, but I'm not sure I will. We were awful from start to finish! We didn't feel like a team; we felt like 17 random fellas who'd been dragged in from a shopping centre!"

 

"Don't stress yourself over it, Mark. It was only a friendly, and Denmark had the crowd on their side."

 

Mark groaned, "It's not just the result! This is the first time in 30 years that England have looked like they could win something, but now the players have buckled under the pressure, before the tournament's even begun! We've lost three of our four warm-up games, Jenny!"

 

Jenny tried to put a spin on things, saying, "I guess that's why you call them warm-up games. You're just warming up for the Euros."

 

"Well, right now, we still look very cold. There's six days to go until our first group game, and we've not won in over six months! The Turks, the Romanians, the Swiss... they'll be licking their lips right about now!"

 

"You'll get through this, Mark. Anyway, I'd better go to bed now..."

 

Mark interrupted, "Come to Copenhagen. Please."

 

"Sorry?"

 

"Join me in Copenhagen. I could do with having you around right now."

 

Jenny sighed, "I can't, Mark. You know Luke's still got school."

 

"We can get someone to babysit him while we're away, can't we?"

 

"WHO, Mark? Who can babysit him? My parents are going to Bilbao on Friday, and it's not as if your mum can look after Luke in her state!"

 

Mark suggested, "My sister Jo's off work for a fortnight. She and Katie would be more than happy to come over from Accrington and care for Luke if I asked them to."

 

Jenny did not reply, so Mark offered up another suggestion. "Alright... what about Julia?"

 

"Michael's wife?"

 

"Yeah. Charlie's just moved out, and Josh is still at university, so Julia's all by herself at the moment. Besides, she used to be a teaching assistant at a special school. She knows just how to look after children like Luke."

 

"Luke isn't autistic."

 

"You know what I mean!"

 

"Okay," Jenny agreed. "I'll... I'll think about it."

 

"Smashing. I'm sure you'll love it here. You can go see that Little Mermaid statue, and all the famous sights from some of your favourite TV shows - 'The Killing', 'The Bridge', 'Borgen'."

 

"Yes, I've always wanted to visit Denmark. It's one of the countries on my bucket list."

 

"All the more reason to come over, then!"

 

Jenny sighed, "I'm going to sleep on it, Mark. I'll let you know some time tomorrow."

 

"Alright, then. Well, I'm about to hit the hay myself, so... talk to you later, love?"

 

"Talk to you later. Goodnight."

 

"Ta-ra."

 

Mark hung up and then turned on the television. As he untied his shoelaces, he noticed that one of Britain's most popular programmes was being shown on DR1 - the main TV station of what was essentially the Danish Broadcasting Corporation.

 

He muttered, "They give us all their best dramas, and we give them bloody 'Bodyguard'. Hardly a fair deal, is it?"

[CFuller]

Chapter 37 - Things Can Only Get Better

 

While England were participating in the Group Stage of UEFA Euro 2020, they would be training at FC København's facilities in Frederiksberg - about 20 minutes west of their hotel. If its name of 'Nummer 10' was anything to go by, then Callum Wilson - the man given that squad number by manager Mark Catterall - would surely have a lot to look forward to over the coming weeks.

 

As the countdown towards England's first group match continued, though, Wilson and his colleagues came under increasing pressure from the supporters and the media back home. Three defeats and a draw in their four pre-tournament friendlies did not bode well for upcoming fixtures against Turkey, Romania and Switzerland.

 

On the afternoon of Friday 12 June, just four days before that opener against Turkey, Catterall sat down in the England canteen to have lunch with his assistant Michael Burke, Football Association chairman Clark Gregory, and communications chief Ava Leggett.

 

Gregory had just arrived in the Danish capital for crisis talks with Catterall following the shock 3-1 defeat to Denmark three days earlier. He began, "You don't need me to tell you, Mark, but Tuesday was a disaster. In all my years with the FA, all four of them, that was the most embarrassment I'd ever felt."

 

"Are you sure?" Burke asked. "Iceland was pretty bad."

 

"Oh, please," Gregory scoffed. "I was only a few weeks in the job. That disaster was the making of Greg Dickhead and Roy Hodgson."

 

"Of course."

 

"Anyway, you two had better shape up. Losing is a tough habit to get out of."

 

"Trust us, Clark," Catterall said. "Things can only get better from now on."

 

"Things can only get better? That's the sort of New Labour bulls*** Connie Millstone would've come up with. Did you hear that daft cow's got a new job?"

 

That comment piqued Leggett's interest. "Oh, where's she gone?"

 

"Channel 4. She's heading up their 'Equality & Diversity' department. In other words, if you're a black, ginger, lesbian midget in a wheelchair who votes Lib Dem, then you're in luck; Connie would like you to work with Jon Snow and Cathy Newman on the Channel 4 News!"

 

Catterall rolled his eyes before Gregory continued, "But I digress. We are drifting back into our old ways. We're losing our nerve against stronger opposition, and now we're showing complacency against teams that we really should be sending back home in bin bags!"

 

Catterall said, "I wouldn't put it quite like that, but yeah, I get what you mean."

 

"The players have been doing overtime on the training ground since Denmark," Burke said. "Me and Warren [Joyce] have been working them into the ground, and David [Platt] doesn't stop until each of our strikers have attempted 27 volleys every morning."

 

Leggett warned, "Try not to overwork them. Fabio Capello was guilty of that in 2010."

 

Gregory responded, "To be fair, those Germans could've destroyed any team on the planet. Except Spain, of course."

 

Catterall reassured the pair, "Don't worry; we won't go overboard. We're all going out later this afternoon to play some laser tag. I'm thinking that might build team cohesion and lift some tension off the lads' shoulders."

 

"I see," Gregory nodded, before getting off his seat. "Now if you don't mind, I'm gonna have a word with the dinner lady. Those bloody carrots taste like sticks!"

 

As Gregory picked up his tray and headed towards the kitchen, Leggett asked Catterall, "How's your family, Mark?"

 

"They're golden, thanks for asking," Catterall smiled. "I asked Jenny if she could come over for a few days. Unfortunately, her work schedule's hectic right now, so it don't look like that'll be happening. On the plus side, Luke's making great progress at school."

 

Burke chimed in, "Yeah, Julia told me about that. She said that she'd be happy to look after Luke if Jenny wanted to pop by."

 

"That's great. Wish I could say there was good news about my dear mum, though."

 

Leggett asked, "Oh, what's happened?"

 

Catterall sighed, "She had a nasty fall a few days ago and has been in hospital since. Things are bad enough as it is..."

 

Catterall then took a deep breath, before resuming, "...but now the doctors don't hold much hope for Mum. The chemo's not working, and the cancer's spread to her bones and liver. They say she might not last the month."

 

"Oh, my goodness," Leggett gasped. "I really hope she gets well soon, but... that doesn't sound good."

 

Burke asked Catterall, "So, there's a chance your mum might... die... during the tournament?"

 

"I'm trying not to think about that, Michael, but yes, there's a chance," Catterall conceded.

 

"Okay. But if things do take a turn for the worse, I'll be ready to step in for you. I've always got your back."

 

"I wouldn't trust anyone else."

 

Leggett sighed, and then said, "Now, on another subject... Mark, would you be willing to take an hour of your time to film an advert tomorrow?"

 

"Who's it with?" Catterall asked.

 

"BetVictor."

 

"No, thanks. I want nothing to do with gambling companies. They're manipulative leeches, the lot of them. And don't even get me started on Ray Winstone!"

 

"Why not? This is the perfect time to capitalise on commercial opportunities. A lot of your players have got big advertising deals for the Euros."

 

Burke said, "She's right, Catts. Cosmetics companies are all over our boys. Freddie Woodman's got a deal with Head & Shoulders, Nat Clyne's got one with Nivea, Jordan Henderson's the face of Brylcreem..."

 

"And let me guess... Eric Dier's done an ad for Gillette shaving cream!"

 

"How the hell did you know that? That ain't even been shown in Britain yet!"

 

Leggett continued, "Just four weeks ago, we had John Stones recreate the classic Hovis bike advert in Dorset. We also had Luke Shaw do some promotional material for the Euro 2020 video game..."

 

"Hang on, Ava," Catterall interrupted. "Are these ad men only interested in our defensive players?"

 

"No, Mark. Harry Kane did that ad for Tesco, didn't he? That's the one where he earned Clubcard points, got some goals, saved 25% on semi-skimmed milk..."

 

Burke finished the sentence, "And got some more goals!"

 

Catterall raised a smile, but he was adamant that he wouldn't follow his players into advertising. "It's still a no, Ava. I'm not interested in selling out."

 

"Okay, then," Leggett nodded, before asking, "Just out of interest... what would it take to convince you?"

[CFuller]

***

 

The magical mystery tour that was UEFA Euro 2020 was about to start. Over the course of 30 days, 47 matches would be placed in 13 different cities across Europe between 24 national teams who had the aim of becoming continental champions.

 

Having broken a cycle of chronic underachievement by finishing 3rd at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, England were optimistic that 2020 would be their year. The men's national team had never even reached a European Championship Final, but with Wembley Stadium set to host the latter stages, this was a huge opportunity to claim major silverware.

 

Manager Mark Catterall had stayed loyal to many of the players whom he had coached to the World Cup Semi Finals two years earlier. Of the 23 players who won bronze medals in Russia, 18 had been retained for the following tournament. Catterall perhaps saw continuity as one of the keys to success.

 

The unlucky quintet who had been cut were Fraser Forster, Demarai Gray, Phil Jones, Adam Lallana and Nathan Redmond. The five players called up in their places were all aged 26 or under, and three would make their major tournament debuts.

 

So, who were the 23 lions who would never stop dreaming of ending half a century of hurt? Would they bring football home and inspire thousands of Internet memes, or would they throw it away all over again?

 

1. Joe Hart

POSITIONS: Goalkeeper. CLUB: Manchester City. ESTIMATED VALUE: £4million.

AGE: 33. BORN: 19 April 1987 in Shrewsbury, Shropshire. HEIGHT: 6ft 5in. WEIGHT: 12st 8lb.

ENGLAND RECORD: 99 caps, 0 goals. MAJOR TOURNAMENTS: WC 2010, Euro 2012, WC 2014, Euro 2016, WC 2018.

Even though his form for club and country had noticeably dipped in recent months, Hart would head into a fifth successive tournament as England's first-choice keeper. He remained an agile and flexible custodian who could thrive on the biggest stages for club and country.

 

2. Nathaniel Clyne

POSITIONS: Defender/Wing-Back (Right). CLUB: Liverpool. ESTIMATED VALUE: £10.5million.

AGE: 29. BORN: 5 April 1991 in Stockwell, London. HEIGHT: 5ft 9in. WEIGHT: 10st 7lb.

ENGLAND RECORD: 41 caps, 0 goals. MAJOR TOURNAMENTS: Euro 2016, WC 2018.

Few players in the England squad could match Clyne when it came to endurance and physical fitness. The marauding right-back had shown incredible determination and spirit to win back his national team place after a rough start to his fifth season at Liverpool.

 

3. Danny Rose

POSITIONS: Defender/Wing-Back (Left). CLUB: Tottenham Hotspur. ESTIMATED VALUE: £15.75million.

AGE: 29. BORN: 2 July 1990 in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. HEIGHT: 5ft 8in. WEIGHT: 11st 6lb.

ENGLAND RECORD: 34 caps, 2 goals. MAJOR TOURNAMENTS: Euro 2016, WC 2018.

Rose had become a core part of the England set-up under Catterall, thanks mainly to his incredible consistency and his fierce passion. The pacey full-back was prone to injuries, though, and he would miss at least the first two group matches with a twisted knee.

 

4. Danny Drinkwater

POSITIONS: Midfielder (Centre). CLUB: Leicester City. ESTIMATED VALUE: £8.25million.

AGE: 30. BORN: 5 March 1990 in Manchester. HEIGHT: 5ft 10in. WEIGHT: 11st 0lb.

ENGLAND RECORD: 31 caps, 0 goals. MAJOR TOURNAMENTS: WC 2018.

Drinkwater had been an understated but very popular presence in the England squad for the past four years. Primarily a box-to-box midfielder, he was technically a very astute passer and undoubtedly a Leicester icon after nearly a decade of service.

 

5. Gary Cahill

POSITIONS: Defender (Centre). CLUB: CSKA Moscow. ESTIMATED VALUE: £1.1million.

AGE: 34. BORN: 19 December 1985 in Dronfield, Derbyshire. HEIGHT: 6ft 4in. WEIGHT: 13st 7lb.

ENGLAND RECORD: 69 caps, 3 goals. MAJOR TOURNAMENTS: WC 2014, Euro 2016, WC 2018.

Sightings of Cahill in an England jersey were less common than they had been, but he would always put in spirited performances whenever called upon. Two strong seasons in Russia had helped prolong the centre-half's international career to a fourth and final tournament.

 

6. John Stones

POSITIONS: Defender (Centre). CLUB: Manchester City. ESTIMATED VALUE: £35.5million.

AGE: 26. BORN: 28 May 1994 in Barnsley, South Yorkshire. HEIGHT: 6ft 2in. WEIGHT: 12st 3lb.

ENGLAND RECORD: 42 caps, 1 goal. MAJOR TOURNAMENTS: Euro 2016, WC 2018.

Dubbed by one journalist as the 'Barnsley Baresi' after Italy and AC Milan legend Franco, Stones was not your typical English defender. His ball-playing skills and fast-improving defensive qualities showed exactly why he was the Three Lions' best-paid player on £205,000 per week at City.

 

7. James Ward-Prowse

POSITIONS: Midfielder, Attacking Midfielder (Centre). CLUB: Tottenham Hotspur. ESTIMATED VALUE: £22.5million.

AGE: 25. BORN: 1 November 1994 in Portsmouth, Hampshire. HEIGHT: 5ft 8in. WEIGHT: 10st 5lb.

ENGLAND RECORD: 13 caps, 2 goals. MAJOR TOURNAMENTS: none.

Ward-Prowse had been a Tottenham semi-regular since signing from Southampton in 2017, but his versatility made him a popular pick for Catterall. The midfielder could play as a deep-lying playmaker or in a more advanced role, and he was a specialist when it came to set-pieces.

 

8. Dele Alli

POSITIONS: Midfielder/Attacking Midfielder (Centre). CLUB: Tottenham Hotspur. ESTIMATED VALUE: £34million.

AGE: 24. BORN: 11 April 1996 in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire. HEIGHT: 6ft 1in. WEIGHT: 12st 1lb.

ENGLAND RECORD: 52 caps, 5 goals. MAJOR TOURNAMENTS: Euro 2016, WC 2018.

Alli was arguably one of England's most creative players, but Catterall had recently struggled to get the best out of this enigmatic talent. While he had curbed his competitive streak recently, the playmaker had perhaps lost a bit of his edge in the process.

 

9. Harry Kane

POSITIONS: Striker (Centre). CLUB: Tottenham Hotspur. ESTIMATED VALUE: £34million.

AGE: 26. BORN: 28 July 1993 in Chingford, London. HEIGHT: 6ft 3in. WEIGHT: 13st 0lb.

ENGLAND RECORD: 49 caps, 24 goals. MAJOR TOURNAMENTS: Euro 2016, WC 2018.

England's most consistent frontman by some margin, Kane had over 125 Premier League goals to his name and was idolised by Tottenham fans. The hard-working centre-forward could use his power and finishing abilities to terrorise elite defences on his day.

 

10. Callum Wilson

POSITIONS: Striker (Centre). CLUB: Chelsea. ESTIMATED VALUE: £28million.

AGE: 28. BORN: 27 February 1992 in Coventry, West Midlands. HEIGHT: 5ft 11in. WEIGHT: 10st 7lb.

ENGLAND RECORD: 35 caps, 12 goals. MAJOR TOURNAMENTS: WC 2018.

Wilson's explosive pace and devastating form at club level could make one wonder why he wasn't so effective in an England jersey. His international scoring record wasn't bad on the face of it, but half of those 12 goals had come in one match against minnows Gibraltar.

 

11. Rolando Aarons

POSITIONS: Midfielder/Attacking Midfielder (Left). CLUB: West Ham United. ESTIMATED VALUE: £11.25million.

AGE: 24. BORN: 16 November 1995 in Kingston, Jamaica. HEIGHT: 5ft 9in. WEIGHT: 10st 5lb.

ENGLAND RECORD: 17 caps, 6 goals. MAJOR TOURNAMENTS: WC 2018.

Aarons' career was transformed by some fantastic performances at the 2018 World Cup, in which the inside-forward suddenly became an England regular. He'd not quite been the same force since leaving Newcastle United, but he still had the capacity to change matches if required.

 

12. Michael Keane

POSITIONS: Defender (Centre). CLUB: Manchester City. ESTIMATED VALUE: £30.5million.

AGE: 27. BORN: 11 January 1993 in Stockport, Greater Manchester. HEIGHT: 6ft 1in. WEIGHT: 13st 3lb.

ENGLAND RECORD: 29 caps, 0 goals. MAJOR TOURNAMENTS: WC 2018.

A consistent presence for both City and England, Keane was now regarded as one of Europe's top central defenders. His pace and physical strength made him just as capable of playing in a covering role as in his more usual position of defensive stopper.

 

13. Jack Butland

POSITIONS: Goalkeeper. CLUB: Stoke City. ESTIMATED VALUE: £18.75million.

AGE: 27. BORN: 10 March 1993 in Bristol. HEIGHT: 6ft 5in. WEIGHT: 14st 13lb.

ENGLAND RECORD: 11 caps, 0 goals. MAJOR TOURNAMENTS: Euro 2012, WC 2018.

Butland had more resilience than most players, but it was a surprise that he'd not won more international caps. While he was very agile and imposing, his decision to stay at mid-table Stoke instead of pursuing a big-money move had perhaps held his England career back.

 

14. Jordan Henderson

POSITIONS: Defensive Midfielder/Midfielder (Centre). CLUB: Liverpool. ESTIMATED VALUE: £17million.

AGE: 29. BORN: 17 June 1990 in Sunderland, Tyne & Wear. HEIGHT: 6ft 0in. WEIGHT: 10st 7lb.

ENGLAND RECORD: 67 caps, 3 goals. MAJOR TOURNAMENTS: Euro 2012, WC 2014, Euro 2016, WC 2018.

As captain for club and country, Henderson was always Catterall's first name on the England teamsheet whenever he was fully fit and available. The north-eastern midfield workhorse relished the big stage and was the consummate professional, both on and off the field.

 

15. Eric Dier

POSITIONS: Defender/Defensive Midfielder (Centre). CLUB: Tottenham Hotspur. ESTIMATED VALUE: £38.5million.

AGE: 26. BORN: 15 January 1994 in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. HEIGHT: 6ft 2in. WEIGHT: 13st 7lb.

ENGLAND RECORD: 48 caps, 6 goals. MAJOR TOURNAMENTS: Euro 2016, WC 2018.

Catterall's England were always much more imposing opponents whenever Dier was getting stuck into challenges from midfield. The fearless Tottenham ace had a penchant for scoring spectacular goals at one end and often being in the right place at just the right time.

 

16. Ross Barkley

POSITIONS: Midfielder/Attacking Midfielder (Centre). CLUB: Everton. ESTIMATED VALUE: £23.5million.

AGE: 26. BORN: 5 December 1993 in Liverpool. HEIGHT: 6ft 2in. WEIGHT: 11st 13lb.

ENGLAND RECORD: 33 caps, 3 goals. MAJOR TOURNAMENTS: WC 2014, Euro 2016.

Barkley was a midfield powerhouse who often promised much but didn't deliver as much as many Toffees and Three Lions supporters would like. While he was clearly a fine advanced playmaker with excellent dribbling abilities, he was perhaps a little on the lazy side.

 

17. Raheem Sterling

POSITIONS: Attacking Midfielder (Right/Left/Centre). CLUB: Sampdoria. ESTIMATED VALUE: £1.3million.

AGE: 25. BORN: 8 December 1994 in Kingston, Jamaica. HEIGHT: 5ft 7in. WEIGHT: 10st 12lb.

ENGLAND RECORD: 32 caps, 3 goals. MAJOR TOURNAMENTS: WC 2014, Euro 2016.

Mainly a right-winger who could race past full-backs with ease, Sterling was a divisive and often frustrating figure amongst England fans. This precocious, creative talent had been largely wasted at Manchester City before a loan spell in Italy rejuvenated him this season.

 

18. Jack Wilshere

POSITIONS: Midfielder/Attacking Midfielder (Centre). CLUB: Arsenal. ESTIMATED VALUE: £20million.

AGE: 28. BORN: 1 January 1992 in Stevenage, Hertfordshire. HEIGHT: 5ft 9in. WEIGHT: 10st 3lb.

ENGLAND RECORD: 68 caps, 11 goals. MAJOR TOURNAMENTS: WC 2014, Euro 2016, WC 2018.

Wilshere's reputation as an injury-prone waster was now well and truly behind him. The flamboyant attacking midfielder had been excellent for Premier League runners-up Arsenal this term and was now his country's main creative spark.

 

19. Daniel Sturridge

POSITIONS: Striker (Centre). CLUB: Valencia. ESTIMATED VALUE: £12.75million.

AGE: 30. BORN: 1 September 1989 in Birmingham. HEIGHT: 6ft 0in. WEIGHT: 12st 6lb.

ENGLAND RECORD: 44 caps, 26 goals. MAJOR TOURNAMENTS: WC 2014, Euro 2016, WC 2018.

Nobody had scored more goals for England under Catterall than Sturridge - an ice-cool poacher who could finish with the best of them. The Liverpool striker had rediscovered his best form on loan at Valencia and had since agreed to join the Spanish giants permanently.

 

20. Calum Chambers

POSITIONS: Defender (Right/Centre). CLUB: Everton. ESTIMATED VALUE: £14.25million.

AGE: 25. BORN: 20 January 1995 in Portsmouth, Hampshire. HEIGHT: 6ft 0in. WEIGHT: 11st 6lb.

ENGLAND RECORD: 14 caps, 0 goals. MAJOR TOURNAMENTS: none.

Chambers only featured occasionally for England until this season, when he established himself as the Three Lions' main right-back. He had excelled for Everton with his work ethic, though he perhaps needed to brush up on his crossing to reach the very top.

 

21. Marcus Rashford

POSITIONS: Attacking Midfielder (Left), Striker (Centre). CLUB: Wolfsburg. ESTIMATED VALUE: £31million.

AGE: 22. BORN: 31 October 1997 in Manchester. HEIGHT: 5ft 11in. WEIGHT: 11st 9lb.

ENGLAND RECORD: 7 caps, 4 goals. MAJOR TOURNAMENTS: Euro 2016.

Tipped for the top since his Manchester United breakthrough in 2016, Rashford was only now starting to live up to the hype. The striker and occasional inside-forward had made full use of his explosive pace and creativity while on loan in the Bundesliga.

 

22. Freddie Woodman

POSITIONS: Goalkeeper. CLUB: Everton. ESTIMATED VALUE: £4.4million.

AGE: 23. BORN: 4 March 1997 in London. HEIGHT: 6ft 1in. WEIGHT: 11st 2lb.

ENGLAND RECORD: 2 caps, 0 goals. MAJOR TOURNAMENTS: none.

England's penalty shoot-out hero at the 2019 European Under-21s Championship, Woodman was now set to take part in the senior equivalent. The cool-headed, humble son of a lower-league journeyman had kept 14 clean sheets in all competitions for Everton this term.

 

23. Luke Shaw

POSITIONS: Defender (Left). CLUB: Manchester United. ESTIMATED VALUE: £41million.

AGE: 24. BORN: 12 July 1995 in Kingston-upon-Thames, London. HEIGHT: 6ft 1in. WEIGHT: 11st 11lb.

ENGLAND RECORD: 38 caps, 1 goal. MAJOR TOURNAMENTS: WC 2014, WC 2018.

It was hard to dispute that Shaw was England's best player, and perhaps even their only truly world-class one. After some early criticism from José Mourinho, the left-back had put in the hard yards at United, and the list of honours on his CV was growing by the season.

[CFuller]

And here are the squads for all 24 teams at Euro 2020. You can find them hidden under the spoilers.

GROUP A: Portugal, Croatia, Republic of Ireland, Serbia

Spoiler

PORTUGAL

NO.    NAME                      POSITIONS             D.O.B. (AGE)     CLUB                 CAPS   GOALS  HEIGHT WEIGHT     VALUE
1      Rui Patrício              GK                    15/02/1988 (32)  Sporting             90     0      6'3"   13st 3lbs  £10M   
2      Nélson Semedo             D/WB (R)              16/11/1993 (26)  Man City             38     1      5'10"  10st 12lbs £25M   
3      André Almeida             D (RL), DM, M (C)     10/09/1990 (29)  West Ham             14     0      6'1"   12st 8lbs  £6.5M  
4      Rúben Semedo              D (C), DM             04/04/1994 (26)  Sporting             28     0      6'2"   13st 5lbs  £23.5M 
5      Rúben Dias                D (C)                 14/05/1997 (23)  Benfica              3      0      6'2"   13st 5lbs  £6.5M  
6      Adrien Silva              DM, M (C)             15/03/1989 (31)  Sporting             58     8      5'9"   11st 6lbs  £9.5M  
7      Cristiano Ronaldo         AM (RLC), ST (C)      05/02/1985 (35)  Real Madrid          173    96     6'1"   13st 3lbs  £5M    
8      Rúben Neves               DM, M (C)             13/03/1997 (23)  Porto                26     0      5'11"  11st 11lbs £28M   
9      Zé Gomes                  ST (C)                08/04/1999 (21)  Chaves               1      0      6'0"   11st 13lbs £800K  
10     Diogo Jota                AM (LC), ST (C)       04/12/1996 (23)  Porto                15     1      5'10"  11st 0lbs  £28M   
11     André Silva               ST (C)                06/11/1995 (24)  PSG                  35     22     6'1"   12st 6lbs  £27M   
12     Bernardo Silva            M (RC), AM (RLC)      10/08/1994 (25)  Man Utd              44     4      5'8"   10st 1lb   £54M   
13     Anthony Lopes             GK                    01/10/1990 (29)  Lyon                 4      0      6'0"   12st 10lbs £12.25M
14     José Sá                   GK                    17/01/1993 (27)  Empoli               0      0      6'4"   13st 9lbs  £2.7M  
15     João Mário                M/AM (RC)             19/01/1993 (27)  Man Utd              67     7      5'10"  11st 4lbs  £56M   
16     Gonçalo Guedes            AM (RL), ST (C)       29/11/1996 (23)  PSG                  37     13     5'10"  11st 9lbs  £49.5M 
17     Renato Sanches            DM, M/AM (C)          18/08/1997 (22)  FC Bayern            53     4      5'10"  12st 3lbs  £50M   
18     André Gomes               M/AM (C)              30/07/1993 (26)  Barcelona            32     1      6'2"   13st 3lbs  £15.75M
19     João Cancelo              D/WB/M/AM (R)         27/05/1994 (26)  Liverpool            23     1      6'0"   11st 4lbs  £23M   
20     Paulo Oliveira            D (C)                 08/01/1992 (28)  Real Sociedad        15     0      6'2"   12st 12lbs £13.5M 
21     Rui Pedro                 ST (C)                20/03/1998 (22)  Porto                2      0      6'0"   11st 11lbs £9.25M 
22     Raphaël Guerreiro         D/WB (L), M (LC)      22/12/1993 (26)  Man City             55     2      5'7"   11st 2lbs  £37M   
23     Josué                     D (C)                 17/06/1992 (27)  Shakhtar             15     1      6'1"   12st 6lbs  £14M   

CROATIA

NO.    NAME                      POSITIONS             D.O.B. (AGE)     CLUB                 CAPS   GOALS  HEIGHT WEIGHT     VALUE
1      Lovre Kalinic             GK                    03/04/1990 (30)  AA Gent              15     0      6'7"   15st 1lb   £6M    
2      Jozo Simunovic            D (C)                 08/04/1994 (26)  Toulouse             0      0      6'3"   12st 10lbs £3.9M  
3      Sime Vrsaljko             D (RL), WB/M (R)      10/01/1992 (28)  Guangzhou Evergrande 62     1      6'0"   11st 11lbs £19.75M
4      Dejan Lovren              D (C)                 05/07/1989 (30)  Liverpool            69     2      6'3"   13st 3lbs  £4.1M  
5      Domagoj Vida              D (RLC)               29/04/1989 (31)  Napoli               78     2      6'0"   11st 4lbs  £6.25M 
6      Ante Coric                M (C), AM (LC)        14/04/1997 (23)  Lazio                20     2      5'8"   11st 6lbs  £14.25M
7      Josip Brekalo             M/AM (RL)             23/06/1998 (21)  Wolfsburg            22     5      5'9"   11st 2lbs  £17.75M
8      Andrej Kramaric           M/AM (L), ST (C)      19/06/1991 (28)  Hoffenheim           48     8      5'10"  11st 6lbs  £8M    
9      Nikola Kalinic            AM (C), ST (C)        05/01/1988 (32)  Fiorentina           59     20     6'2"   12st 6lbs  £2.2M  
10     Mateo Kovacic             DM, M/AM (C)          06/05/1994 (26)  Real Madrid          71     6      5'10"  12st 1lb   £31.5M 
11     Stipe Kalinic             ST (C)                10/08/2000 (19)  Hajduk               4      3      5'11"  12st 3lbs  £625K  
12     Marcelo Brozovic          DM, M/AM (C)          16/11/1992 (27)  Inter                58     7      5'11"  10st 9lbs  £25M   
13     Dominik Livakovic         GK                    09/01/1995 (25)  Crystal Palace       0      0      6'2"   12st 6lbs  £2.2M  
14     Danijel Subasic           GK                    27/10/1984 (35)  Monaco               54     0      6'3"   13st 3lbs  £550K  
15     Marko Rog                 M (C), AM (LC)        19/07/1995 (24)  Watford              8      0      5'11"  11st 9lbs  £5.25M 
16     Tin Jedvaj                D (RLC), WB (R)       28/11/1995 (24)  Leverkusen           28     1      6'0"   12st 8lbs  £13.75M
17     Mario Mandzukic           AM (LC), ST (C)       21/05/1986 (34)  Napoli               107    47     6'3"   13st 3lbs  £2.9M  
18     Alen Halilovic            M (R), AM (RC)        18/06/1996 (23)  Leverkusen           20     2      5'7"   9st 8lbs   £12M   
19     Milan Badelj              DM, M (C)             25/02/1989 (31)  Fiorentina           52     1      6'1"   11st 13lbs £2.7M  
20     Andrija Balic             M/AM (C)              11/08/1997 (22)  Fenerbahçe           3      0      5'11"  11st 6lbs  £2.8M  
21     Ivan Strinic              D/WB/M (L)            17/07/1987 (32)  Genoa                68     0      6'1"   12st 3lbs  £500K  
22     Marko Leskovic            D (C)                 27/04/1991 (29)  Las Palmas           3      0      6'2"   12st 8lbs  £3.3M  
23     Borna Sosa                D (L)                 21/01/1998 (22)  Rio Ave              4      0      6'1"   12st 1lb   £2.5M  

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND

NO.    NAME                      POSITIONS             D.O.B. (AGE)     CLUB                 CAPS   GOALS  HEIGHT WEIGHT     VALUE
1      Darren Randolph           GK                    12/05/1987 (33)  NY Red Bulls         23     0      6'2"   14st 0lbs  £400K  
2      Cyrus Christie            D/WB (R)              30/09/1992 (27)  Bournemouth          16     1      6'2"   12st 3lbs  £7.5M  
3      Greg Cunningham           D/WB (L)              31/01/1991 (29)  Preston              26     0      6'0"   11st 0lbs  £1.1M  
4      Tommie Hoban              D (LC), WB (L)        24/01/1994 (26)  Swansea              16     0      6'2"   12st 1lb   £3.5M  
5      Ciaran Clark              D (LC)                26/09/1989 (30)  Newcastle            39     2      6'2"   12st 1lb   £1.8M  
6      Connor Ronan              M (C), AM (LC)        06/03/1998 (22)  Wolves               14     1      5'9"   9st 10lbs  £11.5M 
7      James McCarthy            DM, M (C)             12/11/1990 (29)  Everton              67     0      5'11"  11st 4lbs  £13.75M
8      Jeff Hendrick             DM, M/AM (C)          31/01/1992 (28)  Sunderland           47     2      6'1"   12st 6lbs  £9.25M 
9      Andy Keogh                AM (C), ST (C)        16/05/1986 (34)  Perth Glory          39     4      6'0"   11st 6lbs  £120K  
10     Paddy Madden              ST (C)                04/03/1990 (30)  Scunthorpe           5      0      6'0"   12st 1lb   £375K  
11     Patrick Bamford           AM (R), ST (C)        05/09/1993 (26)  Middlesbrough        25     3      6'2"   12st 12lbs £4.3M  
12     Robbie Brady              D/WB/M/AM (L)         14/01/1992 (28)  Watford              61     11     5'9"   10st 1lb   £9M    
13     Danny Rogers              GK                    23/03/1994 (26)  Aberdeen             13     0      6'1"   12st 1lb   £1.1M  
14     Ryan Meara                GK                    15/11/1990 (29)  Orlando City         0      0      6'4"   13st 3lbs  £1.7M  
15     Harry Arter               DM, M (C)             28/12/1989 (30)  Bournemouth          10     1      5'10"  11st 0lbs  £6.5M  
16     Darragh Lenihan           D (C), DM, M (C)      16/03/1994 (26)  Bournemouth          9      0      6'0"   11st 6lbs  £6M    
17     Sean Morrison             D (C)                 08/01/1991 (29)  West Brom            4      0      6'4"   12st 3lbs  £3.7M  
18     Callum O'Dowda            M/AM (L)              23/04/1995 (25)  Middlesbrough        8      0      5'11"  12st 1lb   £86K   
19     Anthony O'Connor          D (C), DM, M (C)      25/10/1992 (27)  Aberdeen             5      0      6'2"   13st 12lbs £2.3M  
20     Scott Hogan               AM (RLC), ST (C)      13/04/1992 (28)  West Ham             19     10     5'11"  10st 1lb   £5M    
21     Tom Field                 D/M (L)               14/03/1997 (23)  Ipswich              2      0      5'10"  11st 0lbs  £575K  
22     David Meyler              DM, M (C)             29/05/1989 (31)  Preston              23     0      6'2"   12st 6lbs  £350K  
23     Liam Kinsella             D (R), DM, M (C)      23/02/1996 (24)  Walsall              3      0      5'9"   11st 6lbs  £1.7M  

SERBIA

NO.    NAME                      POSITIONS             D.O.B. (AGE)     CLUB                 CAPS   GOALS  HEIGHT WEIGHT     VALUE
1      Predrag Rajkovic          GK                    31/10/1995 (24)  Bournemouth          39     0      6'3"   13st 7lbs  £6M    
2      Milan Gajic               D/WB/M (R)            28/01/1996 (24)  Sevilla              19     1      5'10"  11st 9lbs  £6.25M 
3      Filip Mladenovic          D/WB/M/AM (L)         15/08/1991 (28)  Standard             17     0      5'11"  10st 3lbs  £3.2M  
4      Uros Spajic               D (RC)                13/02/1993 (27)  Toulouse             12     0      6'1"   13st 0lbs  £3.3M  
5      Branislav Terzic          D (C)                 03/01/2001 (19)  Tosno                1      0      6'4"   13st 12lbs £1M    
6      Sergej Milinkovic Savic   M/AM (C)              27/02/1995 (25)  Dortmund             35     18     6'4"   12st 12lbs £36M   
7      Srdjan Plavsic            M/AM (RLC), ST (C)    01/12/1995 (24)  Panathinaikos        9      1      5'6"   8st 13lbs  £3.9M  
8      Marko Grujic              DM, M/AM (C)          13/04/1996 (24)  Sporting             22     3      6'3"   12st 12lbs £12.75M
9      Aleksandar Mitrovic       ST (C)                16/09/1994 (25)  Newcastle            39     15     6'2"   12st 12lbs £19.5M 
10     Filip Djuricic            M (C), AM (LC)        30/01/1992 (28)  Granada              32     5      5'10"  11st 4lbs  £1.4M  
11     Djordje Jovanovic         ST (C)                15/02/1999 (21)  Anderlecht           4      2      6'1"   12st 3lbs  £14M   
12     Mihailo Ristic            D/WB (L), M (LC)      31/10/1995 (24)  AA Gent              13     0      6'0"   11st 6lbs  £10.75M
13     Vanja Milinkovic Savic    GK                    20/02/1997 (23)  Torino               0      0      6'8"   14st 9lbs  £900K  
14     Radomir Mitrovic          GK                    24/11/2000 (19)  Zorya                0      0      6'0"   11st 13lbs £1.1M  
15     Matija Nastasic           D (C)                 28/03/1993 (27)  Schalke              42     0      6'2"   13st 0lbs  £10.5M 
16     Nemanja Matic             D (C), DM, M (C)      01/08/1988 (31)  Sunderland           63     3      6'4"   13st 5lbs  £3M    
17     Luka Ilic                 AM (C), ST (C)        02/07/1999 (20)  Krasnodar            13     1      6'1"   12st 12lbs £6.25M 
18     Nemanja Radoja            D (C), DM, M (C)      06/02/1993 (27)  Celta                19     0      5'11"  11st 4lbs  £4.3M  
19     Nikola Milenkovic         D (C)                 12/10/1997 (22)  Galatasaray          16     0      6'5"   14st 4lbs  £7M    
20     Nikola Maksimovic         D (RLC)               25/11/1991 (28)  Napoli               40     0      6'4"   12st 12lbs £6.25M 
21     Dusan Vlahovic            ST (C)                26/01/2000 (20)  Sporting Gijón       1      0      6'3"   12st 8lbs  £925K  
22     Milos Veljkovic           D (C), DM, M (C)      26/09/1995 (24)  Leicester            18     1      6'2"   12st 3lbs  £9M    
23     Srdjan Babic              D (LC)                22/04/1996 (24)  Real Sociedad        3      0      6'4"   13st 5lbs  £2.1M  

 

GROUP B: Netherlands, Spain, Slovenia, Armenia

Spoiler

NETHERLANDS

NO.    NAME                      POSITIONS             D.O.B. (AGE)     CLUB                 CAPS   GOALS  HEIGHT WEIGHT     VALUE
1      Jeroen Zoet               GK                    06/01/1991 (29)  Marseille            5      0      6'2"   13st 7lbs  £14M   
2      Rick Karsdorp             D (R), DM, AM (C)     11/02/1995 (25)  Atlético             33     1      6'0"   12st 10lbs £17.75M
3      Daley Sinkgraven          D/WB (L), M/AM (LC)   04/07/1995 (24)  Ajax                 18     2      5'10"  10st 3lbs  £8M    
4      Matthijs de Ligt          D (C), DM             12/08/1999 (20)  Ajax                 3      0      6'3"   14st 6lbs  £10.25M
5      Virgil van Dijk           D (C)                 08/07/1991 (28)  Real Madrid          42     1      6'4"   14st 4lbs  £22M   
6      Riechedly Bazoer          DM, M (C)             12/10/1996 (23)  Wolfsburg            21     1      6'0"   11st 9lbs  £13.5M 
7      Davy Klaassen             M/AM (C)              21/02/1993 (27)  Roma                 40     7      5'11"  11st 11lbs £22.5M 
8      Kevin Strootman           DM, M (C)             13/02/1990 (30)  Roma                 61     4      6'1"   12st 1lb   £16.5M 
9      Luuk de Jong              ST (C)                27/08/1990 (29)  Torino               47     20     6'2"   13st 9lbs  £6.75M 
10     Wout Duindam              M/AM (C)              24/10/2000 (19)  Chelsea              4      2      6'0"   12st 3lbs  £5.5M  
11     Memphis Depay             AM (L), ST (C)        13/02/1994 (26)  Man Utd              63     20     5'10"  12st 3lbs  £41.5M 
12     Daley Blind               D (LC), WB (L), DM    09/03/1990 (30)  Real Madrid          77     4      5'11"  11st 4lbs  £14.25M
13     Jasper Cillessen          GK                    22/04/1989 (31)  Barcelona            73     0      6'2"   13st 3lbs  £4.8M  
14     Sergio Padt               GK                    06/06/1990 (30)  AZ                   0      0      6'6"   13st 5lbs  £2.2M  
15     Joël Veltman              D (RC)                15/01/1992 (28)  Ajax                 20     0      6'0"   11st 11lbs £6.75M 
16     Jairo Riedewald           D (LC), DM, M (C)     09/09/1996 (23)  Man Utd              17     0      6'2"   12st 6lbs  £34M   
17     Bas Dost                  ST (C)                31/05/1989 (31)  Sporting             34     10     6'4"   12st 1lb   £6.5M  
18     Stefan de Vrij            D (C)                 05/02/1992 (28)  Barcelona            68     5      6'2"   11st 11lbs £22M   
19     Wesley Hoedt              D (C)                 06/03/1994 (26)  Villarreal           4      0      6'4"   12st 1lb   £17.25M
20     Jorrit Hendrix            D (C), DM, M (C)      06/02/1995 (25)  Tottenham            14     0      6'0"   11st 0lbs  £31.5M 
21     Quincy Promes             AM (RL), ST (C)       04/01/1992 (28)  Spartak Moscow       48     8      5'9"   11st 2lbs  £23.5M 
22     Kaj Sierhuis              ST (C)                27/04/1998 (22)  Lazio                6      1      6'0"   12st 6lbs  £13M   
23     Anwar El Ghazi            AM (RL), ST (C)       03/05/1995 (25)  Wolfsburg            13     2      6'2"   13st 9lbs  £11M   

SPAIN

NO.    NAME                      POSITIONS             D.O.B. (AGE)     CLUB                 CAPS   GOALS  HEIGHT WEIGHT     VALUE
1      Kepa                      GK                    03/10/1994 (25)  Athletic             0      0      6'1"   13st 9lbs  £1.9M  
2      Héctor Bellerín           D (R)                 19/03/1995 (25)  Arsenal              6      0      5'10"  11st 9lbs  £30M   
3      Álex Grimaldo             D/WB/M (L)            20/09/1995 (24)  PSG                  17     0      5'7"   9st 12lbs  £27M   
4      Sergio Ramos              D (RC)                30/03/1986 (34)  Real Madrid          174    13     6'0"   12st 10lbs £2.8M  
5      Jorge Meré                D (C)                 17/04/1997 (23)  PSG                  22     0      6'0"   12st 1lb   £40M   
6      Sergio Busquets           D (C), DM, M (C)      16/07/1988 (31)  Barcelona            121    3      6'2"   11st 11lbs £10.25M
7      Koke                      M (RLC)               08/01/1992 (28)  PSG                  65     2      5'10"  11st 4lbs  £46M   
8      Thiago                    DM, M/AM (C)          11/04/1991 (29)  FC Bayern            42     2      5'9"   10st 12lbs £37.5M 
9      Álvaro Morata             ST (C)                23/10/1992 (27)  Liverpool            48     20     6'2"   12st 8lbs  £33M   
10     Nacho                     D (RLC)               18/01/1990 (30)  PSG                  12     0      5'10"  11st 11lbs £22.5M 
11     Léo Baptistão             M/AM (RL), ST (C)     26/08/1992 (27)  Sevilla              1      0      6'0"   11st 4lbs  £21.5M 
12     Denis Suárez              M/AM (LC)             06/01/1994 (26)  Barcelona            16     7      5'11"  11st 9lbs  £29M   
13     David De Gea              GK                    07/11/1990 (29)  Man Utd              55     0      6'4"   11st 13lbs £39M   
14     Sergio Rico               GK                    01/09/1993 (26)  Napoli               2      0      6'4"   14st 2lbs  £10.75M
15     César Azpilicueta         D (RLC), WB (RL)      28/08/1989 (30)  FC Bayern            55     1      5'10"  12st 3lbs  £16.75M
16     Saúl                      D (C), DM, M/AM (C)   21/11/1994 (25)  Man City             31     6      6'0"   11st 0lbs  £40M   
17     Isco                      M/AM (RLC)            21/04/1992 (28)  Real Madrid          50     14     5'9"   11st 9lbs  £37M   
18     Marco Asensio             M/AM (RLC)            21/01/1996 (24)  Real Madrid          16     0      5'11"  11st 0lbs  £37.5M 
19     Diego Costa               AM (C), ST (C)        07/10/1988 (31)  Arsenal              36     12     6'1"   13st 5lbs  £9.75M 
20     Vitolo                    M/AM (RLC)            02/11/1989 (30)  Juventus             20     3      6'0"   12st 6lbs  £17.25M
21     Jordi Alba                D/WB/M/AM (L)         21/03/1989 (31)  Man City             66     7      5'7"   10st 9lbs  £9M    
22     Marcos Alonso             D/WB/M (L)            28/12/1990 (29)  Atlético             1      0      6'2"   12st 10lbs £20.5M 
23     Jesús Vallejo             D (RC)                05/01/1997 (23)  Real Madrid          9      0      6'0"   11st 9lbs  £23.5M 

SLOVENIA

NO.    NAME                      POSITIONS             D.O.B. (AGE)     CLUB                 CAPS   GOALS  HEIGHT WEIGHT     VALUE
1      Nejc Vidmar               GK                    31/03/1989 (31)  Olimpija             0      0      6'1"   13st 5lbs  £250K  
2      Petar Stojanovic          D/WB/M/AM (R)         07/10/1995 (24)  Milan                48     2      5'10"  11st 9lbs  £14.25M
3      Nejc Skubic               D/WB (RL)             13/06/1989 (31)  Konyaspor            11     0      5'9"   10st 7lbs  £600K  
4      Miha Mevlja               D (C)                 12/06/1990 (30)  Rostov               31     0      6'3"   13st 0lbs  £130K  
5      Leo Ejup                  D (C), DM             09/09/1994 (25)  Al-Khaleej (KSA)     15     0      6'2"   12st 6lbs  £625K  
6      Kevin Kampl               DM, M/AM (RLC)        09/10/1990 (29)  Leverkusen           66     5      5'10"  10st 1lb   £19.5M 
7      Amel Dzuzdanovic          DM, M (RC)            26/08/1994 (25)  Gorica               3      0      5'9"   11st 9lbs  £600K  
8      Martin Kramaric           AM (RC), ST (C)       14/11/1997 (22)  sc Heerenveen        14     8      5'10"  11st 0lbs  £3.8M  
9      Robert Beric              ST (C)                17/06/1991 (28)  Betis                35     7      6'2"   12st 8lbs  £5M    
10     Andraz Sporar             ST (C)                27/02/1994 (26)  Sunderland           31     11     5'11"  11st 11lbs £7.75M 
11     Gregor Bajde              AM (L), ST (C)        29/04/1994 (26)  Atalanta             11     0      6'1"   12st 12lbs £2.4M  
12     Jon Stankovic             D (C)                 14/01/1996 (24)  QPR                  16     0      6'3"   12st 6lbs  £4.1M  
13     Jan Oblak                 GK                    07/01/1993 (27)  PSG                  54     0      6'1"   12st 1lb   £27M   
14     Grega Sorcan              GK                    05/03/1996 (24)  Bologna              0      0      6'2"   12st 6lbs  £875K  
15     Benjamin Verbic           M (RL), AM (RLC)      27/11/1993 (26)  Sporting Gijón       36     4      5'10"  11st 0lbs  £2.8M  
16     Jakob Novak               M/AM (C), ST (C)      04/03/1998 (22)  Huddersfield         4      0      6'0"   12st 8lbs  £1.9M  
17     Sandi Ogrinec             DM, M (C)             05/06/1998 (22)  Malmö FF             25     2      5'10"  11st 4lbs  £1.4M  
18     Nemanja Mitrovic          D (C)                 15/10/1992 (27)  KRC Genk             19     1      6'4"   13st 3lbs  £4.4M  
19     Luka Krajnc               D (C)                 19/09/1994 (25)  Young Boys           7      1      6'2"   13st 7lbs  £1.9M  
20     Tine Kavcic               D (C), DM             16/02/1994 (26)  Dinamo Bucureşti     14     0      6'0"   12st 3lbs  £1.2M  
21     Rene Krhin                D (C), DM, M (C)      21/05/1990 (30)  Cagliari             61     3      6'2"   12st 3lbs  £1.1M  
22     Bojan Jokic               D/WB (L)              17/05/1986 (34)  Saint-Étienne        102    2      5'9"   11st 11lbs £350K  
23     Kenan Bajric              D (LC), DM            20/12/1994 (25)  Radomlje             5      0      6'2"   13st 12lbs £195K  

ARMENIA

NO.    NAME                      POSITIONS             D.O.B. (AGE)     CLUB                 CAPS   GOALS  HEIGHT WEIGHT     VALUE
1      Arsen Beglaryan           GK                    18/02/1993 (27)  Alashkert            19     0      6'2"   12st 12lbs £55    
2      Hovhannes Hambardzumyan   D/WB (R)              04/10/1990 (29)  Vardar               34     0      5'10"  10st 12lbs £105K  
3      Karen Hovhannisyan        D (L)                 24/07/2002 (17)  Shirak               4      0      5'9"   10st 7lbs  £1.2K  
4      Andranik Voskanyan        D (C), DM             04/11/1990 (29)  Alashkert            4      0      6'1"   11st 0lbs  £1.1K  
5      Varazdat Haroyan          D (C)                 24/08/1992 (27)  Gyeongnam            26     0      6'1"   11st 11lbs £205K  
6      Karlen Mkrtchyan          DM, M (C)             25/11/1988 (31)  Anji                 72     3      5'10"  11st 11lbs £800K  
7      Henrikh Mkhitaryan        M/AM (RLC)            21/01/1989 (31)  Man Utd              92     26     5'10"  11st 4lbs  £14.5M 
8      Vahagn Minasyan           AM (C)                08/11/2002 (17)  Shirak               3      0      6'0"   11st 4lbs  £1.6K  
9      Gegam Kadymyan            AM (RL), ST (C)       19/10/1992 (27)  Zorya                18     8      5'11"  11st 4lbs  £1.1M  
10     Ghukas Poghosyan          AM (RLC)              08/12/1993 (26)  Shirak               12     2      5'7"   10st 5lbs  £1.4K  
11     Hovhannes Poghosyan       ST (C)                17/12/1997 (22)  Pyunik               5      1      5'10"  11st 6lbs  £1.4K  
12     Artak Dashyan             DM, M (C)             20/11/1989 (30)  Pirin Blagoevgrad    24     2      5'11"  11st 6lbs  £27K   
13     Sevak Aslanyan            GK                    17/05/1998 (22)  Pyunik               0      0      6'2"   13st 3lbs  £825   
14     Yura Movsisyan            AM (C), ST (C)        02/08/1987 (32)  Real Salt Lake       65     25     5'11"  12st 8lbs  £300K  
15     Gor Manukyan              GK                    27/09/1993 (26)  Pyunik               2      0      6'3"   12st 8lbs  £875   
16     Vahan Bichakchyan         M/AM (RC)             09/07/1999 (20)  Chornomorets         20     0      5'11"  11st 9lbs  £2M    
17     Hrayr Mkoyan              D (C)                 02/09/1986 (33)  Esteghlal            45     0      6'0"   12st 3lbs  £7.75K 
18     Taron Voskanyan           D (C)                 22/02/1993 (27)  Újpest               31     0      6'0"   11st 11lbs £96K   
19     Artem Simonyan            M/AM (C)              20/02/1995 (25)  Lugano               27     0      5'9"   11st 2lbs  £95K   
20     Ivan Yagan                M (R), AM (RL)        11/10/1989 (30)  Cercle Brugge        8      0      5'9"   10st 12lbs £220K  
21     Gevorg Ghazaryan          M (LC), AM (RLC)      05/04/1988 (32)  Jagiellonia          75     14     5'11"  11st 6lbs  £120K  
22     Kamo Hovhannisyan         WB/M/AM (R)           05/10/1992 (27)  Mordovia             3      0      5'10"  10st 5lbs  £250K  
23     Arman Hovhannisyan        D (L)                 07/07/1993 (26)  Shirak               17     0      5'8"   10st 12lbs £1.1K  

 

GROUP C: England, Switzerland, Romania, Turkey

Spoiler

ENGLAND

NO.    NAME                      POSITIONS             D.O.B. (AGE)     CLUB                 CAPS   GOALS  HEIGHT WEIGHT     VALUE
1      Joe Hart                  GK                    19/04/1987 (33)  Man City             99     0      6'5"   12st 8lbs  £4M    
2      Nathaniel Clyne           D/WB (R)              05/04/1991 (29)  Liverpool            41     0      5'9"   10st 7lbs  £10.5M 
3      Danny Rose                D/WB/M (L)            02/07/1990 (29)  Tottenham            34     2      5'8"   11st 6lbs  £15.75M
4      Danny Drinkwater          DM, M (C)             05/03/1990 (30)  Leicester            31     0      5'10"  11st 0lbs  £8.25M 
5      Gary Cahill               D (C)                 19/12/1985 (34)  CSKA Moscow          69     3      6'4"   13st 7lbs  £1.1M  
6      John Stones               D (RC)                28/05/1994 (26)  Man City             42     1      6'2"   12st 3lbs  £35.5M 
7      James Ward-Prowse         M/AM (RC)             01/11/1994 (25)  Tottenham            13     2      5'8"   10st 5lbs  £22.5M 
8      Dele Alli                 M/AM (C)              11/04/1996 (24)  Tottenham            52     5      6'1"   12st 1lb   £34M   
9      Harry Kane                ST (C)                28/07/1993 (26)  Tottenham            49     24     6'3"   13st 0lbs  £34M   
10     Callum Wilson             ST (C)                27/02/1992 (28)  Chelsea              35     12     5'11"  10st 7lbs  £28M   
11     Rolando Aarons            M/AM (RL)             16/11/1995 (24)  West Ham             17     6      5'9"   10st 5lbs  £11.25M
12     Michael Keane             D (RC)                11/01/1993 (27)  Man City             29     0      6'1"   13st 3lbs  £30.5M 
13     Jack Butland              GK                    10/03/1993 (27)  Stoke                11     0      6'5"   14st 13lbs £18.75M
14     Jordan Henderson          DM, M (C)             17/06/1990 (29)  Liverpool            67     3      6'0"   10st 7lbs  £17M   
15     Eric Dier                 D (RC), DM, M (C)     15/01/1994 (26)  Tottenham            48     6      6'2"   13st 7lbs  £38.5M 
16     Ross Barkley              M/AM (C)              05/12/1993 (26)  Everton              33     3      6'2"   11st 13lbs £23.5M 
17     Raheem Sterling           M (RL), AM (RLC)      08/12/1994 (25)  Sampdoria            32     3      5'7"   10st 12lbs £1.3M  
18     Jack Wilshere             M/AM (C)              01/01/1992 (28)  Arsenal              68     11     5'9"   10st 3lbs  £20M   
19     Daniel Sturridge          AM (C), ST (C)        01/09/1989 (30)  Valencia             44     26     6'0"   12st 6lbs  £12.75M
20     Calum Chambers            D (RC)                20/01/1995 (25)  Everton              14     0      6'0"   11st 6lbs  £14.25M
21     Marcus Rashford           AM (L), ST (C)        31/10/1997 (22)  Wolfsburg            7      4      5'11"  11st 9lbs  £31M   
22     Freddie Woodman           GK                    04/03/1997 (23)  Everton              2      0      6'1"   11st 2lbs  £4.4M  
23     Luke Shaw                 D/WB (L)              12/07/1995 (24)  Man Utd              38     2      6'1"   11st 11lbs £41M   

SWITZERLAND

NO.    NAME                      POSITIONS             D.O.B. (AGE)     CLUB                 CAPS   GOALS  HEIGHT WEIGHT     VALUE
1      Roman Bürki               GK                    14/11/1990 (29)  Dortmund             19     0      6'2"   13st 5lbs  £5.5M  
2      Jan Bamert                D (RC)                09/03/1998 (22)  Mainz                11     1      6'1"   12st 12lbs £3M    
3      Léo Lacroix               D (RC)                27/02/1992 (28)  Saint-Étienne        15     0      6'6"   14st 13lbs £185K  
4      Ricardo Rodríguez         D (LC), WB (L)        25/08/1992 (27)  Chelsea              85     0      5'11"  12st 3lbs  £30.5M 
5      Nico Elvedi               D (RC)                30/09/1996 (23)  Leicester            40     1      6'2"   13st 0lbs  £10M   
6      Francisco Rodríguez       M/AM (RLC)            14/09/1995 (24)  Ajaccio              19     1      5'10"  11st 13lbs £4.9M  
7      Granit Xhaka              DM, M (C)             27/09/1992 (27)  Arsenal              91     9      6'1"   12st 12lbs £14.75M
8      Xherdan Shaqiri           M (RL), AM (RLC)      10/10/1991 (28)  Stoke                99     26     5'7"   11st 4lbs  £29M   
9      Haris Seferovic           ST (C)                22/02/1992 (28)  Brighton             41     8      6'1"   13st 0lbs  £8.25M 
10     Nishan Burkart            ST (C)                31/01/2000 (20)  Man Utd              1      0      5'10"  10st 9lbs  £7.75M 
11     Mario Gavranovic          AM (RLC), ST (C)      24/11/1989 (30)  Al-Sadd              14     5      5'9"   11st 9lbs  £3.4M  
12     Michael Lang              D (RC)                08/02/1991 (29)  Basel                50     4      6'1"   12st 6lbs  £5.75M 
13     Marwin Hitz               GK                    18/09/1987 (32)  Augsburg             2      0      6'4"   13st 3lbs  £4.6M  
14     Valentin Stocker          M/AM (LC)             12/04/1989 (31)  Hertha BSC           77     13     5'10"  11st 4lbs  £1.1M  
15     Mirko Salvi               GK                    14/02/1994 (26)  Zürich               0      0      6'2"   12st 8lbs  £1.9M  
16     Olivier Custodio          DM, M (C)             10/02/1995 (25)  Ajaccio              6      0      5'10"  11st 9lbs  £8.5M  
17     Luca Zuffi                DM, M/AM (C)          27/03/1990 (30)  Basel                47     4      5'11"  11st 0lbs  £4.7M  
18     Breel Embolo              M/AM (R), ST (C)      14/02/1997 (23)  Man City             52     22     6'0"   13st 0lbs  £37.5M 
19     Mario Ricca               D (C)                 14/06/2001 (19)  Thun                 5      0      6'0"   12st 3lbs  £5M    
20     Denis Zakaria             D (C), DM, M (C)      20/11/1996 (23)  Ajax                 30     4      6'4"   11st 13lbs £8.25M 
21     Admir Mehmedi             M/AM (L), ST (C)      16/03/1991 (29)  Werder Bremen        65     13     6'0"   11st 13lbs £5.5M  
22     Fabian Schär              D (C)                 20/12/1991 (28)  Hoffenheim           45     14     6'1"   13st 5lbs  £2.3M  
23     Vincent Sierro            DM, M (C)             08/10/1995 (24)  Freiburg             7      0      6'0"   11st 9lbs  £4M    

ROMANIA

NO.    NAME                      POSITIONS             D.O.B. (AGE)     CLUB                 CAPS   GOALS  HEIGHT WEIGHT     VALUE
1      Silviu Lung jr            GK                    04/06/1989 (31)  Celtic               8      0      6'2"   12st 3lbs  £2.3M  
2      Cornel Râpă               D (R)                 16/01/1990 (30)  Bristol City         9      0      5'11"  11st 4lbs  £775K  
3      Steliano Filip            D/WB (L)              15/05/1994 (26)  Metz                 31     0      5'10"  11st 6lbs  £775K  
4      Cristian Manea            D (RC)                09/08/1997 (22)  Apol. Limassol       12     1      6'0"   11st 9lbs  £675K  
5      Paul Papp                 D (RC)                11/11/1989 (30)  Karabükspor          24     3      6'2"   13st 5lbs  £1.3M  
6      William                   M/AM (L)              05/12/1991 (28)  FCSB                 18     2      5'11"  11st 0lbs  £1.3M  
7      Florin Tănase             M/AM (L), ST (C)      30/12/1994 (25)  Udinese              31     10     6'1"   11st 2lbs  £17.25M
8      Alexandru Maxim           M/AM (RLC)            08/07/1990 (29)  Brighton             53     8      5'10"  10st 12lbs £3.2M  
9      Florin Andone             ST (C)                11/04/1993 (27)  Napoli               36     25     5'11"  12st 3lbs  £28.5M 
10     Nicolae Stanciu           M (C), AM (RLC)       07/05/1993 (27)  Anderlecht           45     7      5'7"   10st 12lbs £15.25M
11     Andrei Ivan               AM (RL), ST (C)       04/01/1997 (23)  Everton              29     4      6'2"   12st 10lbs £18.5M 
12     Alin Toşca                D (LC)                14/03/1992 (28)  Deportivo            13     0      5'11"  12st 6lbs  £3.6M  
13     Valentin Cojocaru         GK                    01/10/1995 (24)  sc Heerenveen        1      0      6'5"   14st 0lbs  £2.1M  
14     Florin Niţă               GK                    03/07/1987 (32)  CS U Craiova         0      0      6'0"   11st 13lbs £245K  
15     Ianis Hagi                AM (RLC)              22/10/1998 (21)  Dortmund             19     1      6'0"   11st 9lbs  £16.75M
16     Dragoş Nedelcu            D (C), DM, M (C)      16/02/1997 (23)  Marseille            31     6      6'2"   12st 12lbs £19.5M 
17     Vlad Chiriches            D (RC)                14/11/1989 (30)  Napoli               71     1      6'0"   11st 11lbs £175K  
18     Mihai Şomfălean           D (C)                 28/09/2000 (19)  Alavés               13     0      6'1"   12st 10lbs £3.1M  
19     Paul Anton                DM, M (C)             10/05/1991 (29)  Chievo               38     0      6'0"   12st 1lb   £4.6M  
20     Florinel Coman            AM (L), ST (C)        10/04/1998 (22)  Al-Nassr (KSA)       4      0      6'0"   12st 1lb   £2M    
21     George Pușcaș             AM (L), ST (C)        08/04/1996 (24)  FCSB                 0      0      5'11"  11st 0lbs  £975K  
22     Vlad Dragomir             M/AM (C)              24/04/1999 (21)  FC Twente            5      0      5'11"  11st 11lbs £1.5M  
23     Andrei Marc               D (C)                 29/04/1993 (27)  FC Midtjylland       2      0      6'0"   11st 0lbs  £1.1M  

TURKEY

NO.    NAME                      POSITIONS             D.O.B. (AGE)     CLUB                 CAPS   GOALS  HEIGHT WEIGHT     VALUE
1      Harun Tekin               GK                    17/06/1989 (30)  Galatasaray          3      0      6'2"   11st 11lbs £1.9M  
2      Özer Özdemir              D (RC)                05/02/1998 (22)  Akhisar Bld.         1      0      6'0"   12st 3lbs  £1.1M  
3      Caner Erkin               D/WB/M/AM (L)         04/10/1988 (31)  Ajax                 81     6      5'10"  11st 11lbs £2.2M  
4      Çaglar Söyüncü            D (C)                 23/05/1996 (24)  Leverkusen           25     0      6'2"   13st 5lbs  £9.5M  
5      Okay Yokuşlu              DM, M/AM (C)          09/03/1994 (26)  Trabzonspor          13     1      6'3"   13st 5lbs  £2.7M  
6      Yunus Malli               M (L), AM (LC)        24/02/1992 (28)  Wolfsburg            41     8      5'10"  11st 0lbs  £22M   
7      Emre Mor                  AM (RLC), ST (C)      24/07/1997 (22)  Real Madrid          35     2      5'7"   10st 3lbs  £26.5M 
8      Oğuzhan Özyakup           M/AM (C)              23/09/1992 (27)  Liverpool            54     3      5'11"  11st 11lbs £27M   
9      Enes Ünal                 ST (C)                10/05/1997 (23)  Ajaccio              16     2      6'1"   11st 11lbs £3.9M  
10     Hakan Çalhanoglu          AM (LC), ST (C)       08/02/1994 (26)  Schalke              54     27     5'10"  10st 9lbs  £24M   
11     Muhammet Demir            ST (C)                10/01/1992 (28)  Trabzonspor          3      0      5'9"   10st 12lbs £3.1M  
12     Ömer Toprak               D (C)                 21/07/1989 (30)  Dortmund             58     2      6'1"   13st 0lbs  £3.8M  
13     Onur Kıvrak               GK                    01/01/1988 (32)  Trabzonspor          35     0      6'2"   11st 9lbs  £950K  
14     Mehmet Topal              D (C), DM, M (C)      03/03/1986 (34)  Fenerbahçe           77     1      6'2"   12st 12lbs £775K  
15     Koray Günter              D (C)                 16/08/1994 (25)  Konyaspor            3      0      6'0"   12st 6lbs  £4.2M  
16     Erdinc Karakas            D (LC), WB (L)        23/03/1998 (22)  Düsseldorf           0      0      6'0"   12st 6lbs  £875K  
17     Gökhan Töre               M/AM (RL)             20/01/1992 (28)  Beşiktaş             55     5      5'9"   10st 12lbs £6.25M 
18     Onur Demir                GK                    06/05/2001 (19)  Adanaspor            1      0      6'2"   12st 10lbs £275K  
19     Kerem Demirbay            M/AM (C)              03/07/1993 (26)  Hoffenheim           17     4      6'1"   12st 8lbs  £4.4M  
20     Kaan Ayhan                D (RC), DM, M (C)     10/11/1994 (25)  Sampdoria            14     0      6'1"   13st 3lbs  £7M    
21     Kenan Karaman             M (L), AM (LC)        05/03/1994 (26)  Hannover             10     2      6'2"   13st 0lbs  £2M    
22     Orkan Çınar               M/AM (RL)             29/01/1996 (24)  Sivasspor            5      0      5'10"  11st 0lbs  £3.5M  
23     Hasan Ali Kaldırım        D/WB (L)              09/12/1989 (30)  Fenerbahçe           29     0      6'0"   11st 11lbs £1.4M  

 

GROUP D: Germany, Russia, Denmark, Montenegro

Spoiler

GERMANY

NO.    NAME                      POSITIONS             D.O.B. (AGE)     CLUB                 CAPS   GOALS  HEIGHT WEIGHT     VALUE
1      Bernd Leno                GK                    04/03/1992 (28)  Leverkusen           1      0      6'3"   12st 6lbs  £31.5M 
2      Levin Öztunali            M (RL), AM (RLC)      15/03/1996 (24)  Mainz                0      0      6'0"   12st 8lbs  £26.5M 
3      Yannick Gerhardt          D/WB (L), DM, M (C)   13/03/1994 (26)  Wolfsburg            28     0      6'0"   12st 10lbs £32M   
4      Joshua Kimmich            D (RC), WB (R), DM    08/02/1995 (25)  FC Bayern            39     1      5'9"   11st 0lbs  £46.5M 
5      Jonathan Tah              D (RC)                11/02/1996 (24)  Leverkusen           2      0      6'4"   14st 2lbs  £42.5M 
6      Marco Reus                AM (RLC), ST (C)      31/05/1989 (31)  Dortmund             57     24     5'11"  11st 4lbs  £16M   
7      Toni Kroos                DM, M (C)             04/01/1990 (30)  Real Madrid          111    12     6'0"   12st 3lbs  £22M   
8      Leon Goretzka             DM, M (C), AM (LC)    06/02/1995 (25)  Leverkusen           13     0      6'2"   12st 6lbs  £48.5M 
9      Jonas Hector              D/WB (L), DM, M (C)   27/05/1990 (30)  Dortmund             44     1      6'1"   11st 11lbs £15.75M
10     Kai Havertz               M/AM (RC)             11/06/1999 (21)  Leverkusen           6      0      6'2"   13st 5lbs  £47.5M 
11     Benjamin Henrichs         D (RL), WB (R), M (C) 23/02/1997 (23)  Leverkusen           34     2      6'0"   11st 13lbs £38M   
12     Leroy Sané                M (RL), AM (RLC)      11/01/1996 (24)  Man City             41     9      6'0"   12st 1lb   £41M   
13     Manuel Neuer              GK                    27/03/1986 (34)  FC Bayern            114    0      6'4"   14st 2lbs  £6.5M  
14     Marc-André ter Stegen     GK                    30/04/1992 (28)  Barcelona            8      0      6'2"   13st 7lbs  £39M   
15     Mats Hummels              D (C)                 16/12/1988 (31)  FC Bayern            86     5      6'3"   14st 6lbs  £14.5M 
16     Mario Götze               AM (RLC), ST (C)      03/06/1992 (28)  Dortmund             84     22     5'9"   11st 6lbs  £38M   
17     Jérôme Boateng            D (C)                 03/09/1988 (31)  FC Bayern            100    1      6'4"   14st 2lbs  £12M   
18     Ilkay Gündogan            DM, M/AM (C)          24/10/1990 (29)  Man City             49     8      5'11"  12st 6lbs  £27M   
19     Kevin Volland             M/AM (R), ST (C)      30/07/1992 (27)  FC Bayern            27     10     5'10"  12st 12lbs £47M   
20     Thomas Müller             M/AM (RC), ST (C)     13/09/1989 (30)  FC Bayern            119    76     6'1"   11st 9lbs  £24.5M 
21     Timo Werner               M/AM (L), ST (C)      06/03/1996 (24)  RB Leipzig           9      3      5'11"  11st 11lbs £30M   
22     Julian Brandt             M (RL), AM (RLC)      02/05/1996 (24)  FC Bayern            22     6      6'1"   13st 0lbs  £55M   
23     Niklas Süle               D (C)                 03/09/1995 (24)  FC Bayern            15     1      6'4"   14st 6lbs  £31.5M 

RUSSIA

NO.    NAME                      POSITIONS             D.O.B. (AGE)     CLUB                 CAPS   GOALS  HEIGHT WEIGHT     VALUE
1      Anton Mitryushkin         GK                    08/02/1996 (24)  Spartak Moscow       2      0      6'2"   12st 12lbs £13.25M
2      Mário Fernandes           D/WB (R)              19/09/1990 (29)  CSKA Moscow          34     0      6'2"   12st 8lbs  £11M   
3      Georgy Schennikov         D (L)                 27/04/1991 (29)  Sassuolo             37     0      5'11"  11st 13lbs £2.4M  
4      Ilja Kutepov              D (C)                 29/07/1993 (26)  Krasnodar            39     1      6'4"   13st 5lbs  £6M    
5      Roman Neustädter          D (C), DM, M (C)      18/02/1988 (32)  Zenit                41     0      6'2"   12st 10lbs £1.6M  
6      Oleg Shatov               M (C), AM (RLC)       29/07/1990 (29)  Zenit                62     6      5'8"   11st 6lbs  £13.75M
7      Roman Zobnin              DM, M (C), AM (L)     11/02/1994 (26)  Spartak Moscow       22     0      6'0"   11st 6lbs  £17.5M 
8      Max Besuschkow            M/AM (C)              31/05/1997 (23)  Hoffenheim           9      5      6'1"   11st 9lbs  £13.5M 
9      Alexandr Kokorin          AM (RLC), ST (C)      19/03/1991 (29)  Zenit                69     19     6'0"   12st 1lb   £5.25M 
10     Alan Dzagoev              DM, M (C)             17/06/1990 (29)  CSKA Moscow          93     11     5'10"  11st 11lbs £8.25M 
11     Fedor Smolov              ST (C)                09/02/1990 (30)  Krasnodar            59     19     6'2"   12st 8lbs  £10.25M
12     Vitinho                   AM (RLC), ST (C)      09/10/1993 (26)  CSKA Moscow          5      3      5'11"  11st 11lbs £13.5M 
13     Yury Lodygin              GK                    26/05/1990 (30)  Zenit                12     0      6'2"   12st 12lbs £5.25M 
14     Georgy Djikia             D (LC)                21/11/1993 (26)  Rostov               9      0      6'2"   13st 3lbs  £2.9M  
15     Stanislav Kritsyuk        GK                    01/12/1990 (29)  Krasnodar            1      0      6'4"   13st 3lbs  £2.2M  
16     Vyacheslav Karavaev       D (R)                 20/05/1995 (25)  Spartak Moscow       20     0      5'9"   10st 1lb   £17.25M
17     Oleg Kalinin              M/AM (R)              19/01/1999 (21)  Zenit                7      2      5'6"   10st 1lb   £6.75M 
18     Denis Cheryshev           WB/M/AM (L)           26/12/1990 (29)  Spartak Moscow       48     10     5'10"  11st 6lbs  £13M   
19     Alexey Miranchuk          M/AM (C), ST (C)      17/10/1995 (24)  Spartak Moscow       32     5      6'0"   11st 9lbs  £12.5M 
20     Sergey Petrov             D (RL), DM            02/01/1991 (29)  Spartak Moscow       11     0      5'9"   11st 2lbs  £3.4M  
21     Tural Ähmädov             DM, M (C)             26/08/2001 (18)  Rubin                3      0      5'10"  11st 6lbs  £2.5M  
22     Vitaly Lystsov            D (C)                 11/07/1995 (24)  Ufa                  1      0      6'3"   13st 0lbs  £2M    
23     Daler Kuzyaev             DM, M/AM (C)          15/01/1993 (27)  Krasnodar            6      0      5'11"  11st 2lbs  £3.5M  

DENMARK

NO.    NAME                      POSITIONS             D.O.B. (AGE)     CLUB                 CAPS   GOALS  HEIGHT WEIGHT     VALUE
1      Martin Hansen             GK                    15/06/1990 (29)  FC Groningen         0      0      6'2"   13st 3lbs  £1M    
2      Rasmus Nissen Kristensen  D (R), DM             11/07/1997 (22)  FC Midtjylland       0      0      5'9"   11st 0lbs  £3.9M  
3      Andreas Christensen       D (C), DM, M (C)      10/04/1996 (24)  Chelsea              39     2      6'2"   11st 11lbs £17M   
4      Simon Kjær                D (C)                 26/03/1989 (31)  Roma                 87     4      6'2"   14st 2lbs  £7M    
5      Erik Sviatchenko          D (RC)                04/10/1991 (28)  Valencia             18     2      6'1"   12st 12lbs £4.2M  
6      Jores Okore               D (C)                 11/08/1992 (27)  FC København         12     0      6'0"   12st 8lbs  £2.8M  
7      Yussuf Poulsen            M/AM (R), ST (C)      15/06/1994 (25)  RB Leipzig           46     20     6'4"   13st 0lbs  £24.5M 
8      Thomas Delaney            DM, M (LC)            03/09/1991 (28)  Crystal Palace       40     2      6'0"   11st 2lbs  £6.25M 
9      Martin Braithwaite        AM (RLC), ST (C)      05/06/1991 (29)  Real Sociedad        40     12     5'10"  12st 1lb   £10.25M
10     Christian Eriksen         M/AM (LC)             14/02/1992 (28)  Tottenham            96     16     5'10"  11st 2lbs  £28M   
11     Marcus Ingvartsen         ST (C)                04/01/1996 (24)  Chievo               1      0      6'1"   12st 12lbs £2.7M  
12     Lars Markfoged            D (R)                 28/06/1999 (20)  Dynamo Kyiv          5      0      5'9"   11st 2lbs  £4.3M  
13     Nicolai Larsen            GK                    09/03/1991 (29)  Lorient              0      0      6'3"   13st 0lbs  £2.7M  
14     Kasper Schmeichel         GK                    05/11/1986 (33)  Leicester            57     0      6'1"   12st 1lb   £1.4M  
15     Pierre-Emile Højbjerg     WB (R), DM, M/AM (C)  05/08/1995 (24)  Chelsea              48     5      6'1"   13st 3lbs  £17.5M 
16     Jannik Vestergaard        D (C)                 03/08/1992 (27)  Gladbach             35     2      6'6"   15st 1lb   £7.75M 
17     Jacob Bruun Larsen        M (RL), AM (RLC)      19/09/1998 (21)  Fenerbahçe           4      0      6'0"   12st 3lbs  £9M    
18     Viktor Fischer            M (LC), AM (RLC)      09/06/1994 (26)  Hoffenheim           36     8      5'11"  12st 10lbs £8M    
19     Daniel Wass               D (RC), WB (R), DM    31/05/1989 (31)  Real Sociedad        42     1      5'10"  10st 12lbs £3.8M  
20     Riza Durmisi              D/WB/M/AM (L)         08/01/1994 (26)  Sampdoria            35     1      5'6"   10st 9lbs  £3.4M  
21     Nicolai Jørgensen         AM (LC), ST (C)       14/01/1991 (29)  Feyenoord            43     11     6'3"   13st 7lbs  £5M    
22     Nicolai Boilesen          D/WB (L)              16/02/1992 (28)  FC København         31     2      6'1"   11st 11lbs £1.8M  
23     Philip Billing            DM, M (C)             11/06/1996 (24)  Huddersfield         6      0      6'5"   14st 2lbs  £2.8M  

MONTENEGRO

NO.    NAME                      POSITIONS             D.O.B. (AGE)     CLUB                 CAPS   GOALS  HEIGHT WEIGHT     VALUE
1      Milan Mijatovic           GK                    26/07/1987 (32)  Dečić                2      0      6'4"   13st 9lbs  £40.5K 
2      Adam Marusic              D/WB/M/AM (R)         17/10/1992 (27)  Oostende             30     1      6'1"   12st 10lbs £4.1M  
3      Milos Drincic             D (C)                 14/09/1999 (20)  Budućnost            1      0      6'3"   14st 6lbs  £45.5K 
4      Sasa Balic                D (LC)                29/01/1990 (30)  Sarajevo             19     0      6'0"   11st 13lbs £165K  
5      Stefan Savic              D (RC)                08/01/1991 (29)  Atlético             70     4      6'1"   11st 6lbs  £13.25M
6      Nebojsa Kosovic           M/AM (C)              24/02/1995 (25)  FC Groningen         34     0      5'10"  10st 7lbs  £2.4M  
7      Vukan Savicevic           M/AM (C)              29/01/1994 (26)  Slovan Bratislava    5      0      5'10"  11st 9lbs  £525K  
8      Stevan Jovetic            AM (LC), ST (C)       02/11/1989 (30)  Inter                76     26     6'0"   12st 6lbs  £7.5M  
9      Stanisa Mandic            AM (RL), ST (C)       17/03/1995 (25)  sc Heerenveen        23     1      5'11"  11st 2lbs  £2.8M  
10     Luka Djordjevic           AM (L), ST (C)        09/07/1994 (25)  Tosno                25     7      6'1"   11st 6lbs  £1.4M  
11     Vladimir Jovovic          AM (RL), ST (C)       26/10/1994 (25)  ČSK Pivara           9      0      5'9"   11st 0lbs  £205K  
12     Mirnes Pepic              M/AM (C)              19/12/1995 (24)  Wil                  20     0      5'10"  12st 1lb   £2.5M  
13     Marko Kordic              GK                    22/02/1995 (25)  Braunschweig         28     0      6'3"   12st 12lbs £2.4M  
14     Danijel Petkovic          GK                    25/05/1993 (27)  Mladá Boleslav       10     0      6'4"   13st 5lbs  £300K  
15     Nikola Vukcevic           DM, M (C)             13/12/1991 (28)  Braga                52     2      6'0"   12st 3lbs  £5.75M 
16     Marko Bakic               DM, M/AM (C)          01/11/1993 (26)  Dinamo Bucureşti     38     3      6'1"   12st 1lb   £775K  
17     Darko Zoric               M (C), AM (LC)        12/09/1993 (26)  Anji                 14     1      6'2"   11st 4lbs  £1.9M  
18     Esteban Saveljich         D (C)                 20/05/1991 (29)  Deportivo            22     1      6'2"   12st 12lbs £450K  
19     Boris Kopitovic           D (RC)                17/09/1994 (25)  Partizan             15     0      6'1"   12st 8lbs  £1.1M  
20     Zarko Tomasevic           D (LC), WB (L)        22/02/1990 (30)  Oostende             50     2      6'3"   13st 5lbs  £1.7M  
21     Dejan Kotorac             M (C)                 31/05/1996 (24)  Slaven Belupo        10     1      6'1"   12st 10lbs £175K  
22     Momcilo Raspopovic        D (R)                 18/03/1994 (26)  Zagłębie Lubin       10     1      6'1"   12st 10lbs £575K  
23     Meris Skenderovic         ST (C)                28/03/1998 (22)  Braunschweig         3      1      6'0"   11st 11lbs £1.4M  

 

GROUP E: Belgium, Italy, Ukraine, Wales

Spoiler

BELGIUM

NO.    NAME                      POSITIONS             D.O.B. (AGE)     CLUB                 CAPS   GOALS  HEIGHT WEIGHT     VALUE
1      Thibaut Courtois          GK                    11/05/1992 (28)  Chelsea              88     0      6'6"   14st 13lbs £26M   
2      Thomas Meunier            D/WB (R), M (RC)      12/09/1991 (28)  PSG                  49     2      6'3"   12st 12lbs £12.5M 
3      Jordan Lukaku             D (RL), WB/M (L)      25/07/1994 (25)  Bournemouth          41     0      5'10"  12st 12lbs £9.5M  
4      Vincent Kompany           D (C), DM             10/04/1986 (34)  Man City             102    6      6'4"   14st 9lbs  £125K  
5      Corentin Fiore            D (LC)                24/03/1995 (25)  Standard             6      0      6'0"   11st 13lbs £9.5M  
6      Radja Nainggolan          DM, M/AM (C)          04/05/1988 (32)  Roma                 63     9      5'9"   10st 1lb   £6.25M 
7      Divock Origi              AM (L), ST (C)        18/04/1995 (25)  Inter                37     5      6'1"   11st 11lbs £24.5M 
8      Youri Tielemans           DM, M/AM (C)          07/05/1997 (23)  Anderlecht           21     1      5'10"  12st 1lb   £15.25M
9      Christian Benteke         ST (C)                03/12/1990 (29)  Crystal Palace       49     15     6'3"   13st 5lbs  £17.5M 
10     Eden Hazard               M/AM (RLC)            07/01/1991 (29)  PSG                  114    34     5'8"   11st 13lbs £47.5M 
11     Romelu Lukaku             ST (C)                13/05/1993 (27)  Atlético             90     38     6'3"   14st 11lbs £32M   
12     Siebe Horemans            D (RC), M (C)         02/06/1998 (22)  AA Gent              4      0      6'1"   11st 9lbs  £7.5M  
13     Mile Svilar               GK                    27/08/1999 (20)  Anderlecht           1      0      6'4"   15st 1lb   £9M    
14     Kevin De Bruyne           M/AM (RLC)            28/06/1991 (28)  Man City             87     26     5'11"  11st 13lbs £46.5M 
15     Jan Vertonghen            SW, D (LC)            24/04/1987 (33)  Tottenham            116    6      6'2"   12st 3lbs  £125K  
16     Yannick Carrasco          M (L), AM (RL)        04/09/1993 (26)  Man City             33     5      5'11"  10st 5lbs  £38M   
17     Dennis Praet              M/AM (LC)             14/05/1994 (26)  Napoli               24     2      5'11"  12st 3lbs  £25M   
18     Toby Alderweireld         D (RC)                02/03/1989 (31)  Tottenham            99     2      6'1"   12st 10lbs £10.5M 
19     Charly Musonda            DM, M (C), AM (RLC)   15/10/1996 (23)  Chelsea              6      3      5'9"   9st 1lb    £18.5M 
20     Leander Dendoncker        D (C), DM, M (C)      15/04/1995 (25)  Milan                29     0      6'2"   13st 0lbs  £20.5M 
21     Jason Denayer             D (RC), DM            28/06/1995 (24)  Norwich              25     0      6'0"   11st 11lbs £23M   
22     Simon Mignolet            GK                    06/03/1988 (32)  Liverpool            19     0      6'4"   13st 12lbs £3.9M  
23     Michy Batshuayi           ST (C)                02/10/1993 (26)  Wolfsburg            35     19     6'1"   13st 5lbs  £19.25M

ITALY

NO.    NAME                      POSITIONS             D.O.B. (AGE)     CLUB                 CAPS   GOALS  HEIGHT WEIGHT     VALUE
1      Salvatore Sirigu          GK                    12/01/1987 (33)  Ajax                 24     0      6'4"   12st 6lbs  £1.6M  
2      Alessandro Florenzi       D/WB (R), M (RC)      11/03/1991 (29)  Barcelona            60     12     5'8"   10st 7lbs  £24M   
3      Alex Telles               D/WB/M (L)            15/12/1992 (27)  Porto                25     0      5'11"  11st 6lbs  £15.5M 
4      Armando Izzo              D (C)                 02/03/1992 (28)  Lyon                 1      0      6'0"   12st 3lbs  £15.5M 
5      Alessandro Bastoni        D (LC)                13/04/1999 (21)  Málaga               1      1      6'4"   13st 3lbs  £8M    
6      Daniele Rugani            D (C)                 29/07/1994 (25)  Juventus             32     1      6'3"   12st 12lbs £34M   
7      Federico Bernardeschi     M (R), AM (RLC)       16/02/1994 (26)  PSG                  36     13     6'0"   11st 13lbs £52M   
8      Jorginho                  DM, M (C)             20/12/1991 (28)  Napoli               36     3      5'11"  10st 3lbs  £27M   
9      Ciro Immobile             ST (C)                20/02/1990 (30)  Lazio                28     6      6'1"   12st 8lbs  £11.25M
10     Manuel Lanzini            M (LC), AM (RLC)      15/02/1993 (27)  Liverpool            2      3      5'6"   9st 12lbs  £31M   
11     Lorenzo Insigne           AM (LC), ST (C)       04/06/1991 (29)  Napoli               42     10     5'4"   9st 1lb    £23.5M 
12     Marco Benassi             DM, M (C)             08/09/1994 (25)  Southampton          15     0      6'0"   12st 6lbs  £30M   
13     Alessio Romagnoli         D (C)                 12/01/1995 (25)  Chelsea              28     0      6'2"   12st 6lbs  £32.5M 
14     Gianluigi Donnarumma      GK                    25/02/1999 (21)  Milan                35     0      6'6"   15st 1lb   £22.5M 
15     Alex Meret                GK                    22/03/1997 (23)  Atlético             0      0      6'2"   12st 10lbs £23M   
16     Filippo Melegoni          M/AM (C)              18/02/1999 (21)  Marseille            8      4      6'1"   10st 9lbs  £29M   
17     Marco Verratti            DM, M (C)             05/11/1992 (27)  PSG                  50     3      5'5"   9st 4lbs   £39M   
18     Andrea Belotti            ST (C)                20/12/1993 (26)  FC Bayern            28     15     5'11"  11st 4lbs  £34M   
19     Leonardo Bonucci          SW, D (C)             01/05/1987 (33)  Juventus             101    4      6'3"   13st 7lbs  £4M    
20     Simone Zaza               ST (C)                25/06/1991 (28)  Roma                 26     3      6'1"   13st 0lbs  £21.5M 
21     Stefano Sturaro           DM, M (C)             09/03/1993 (27)  Juventus             14     0      5'11"  12st 3lbs  £24M   
22     Davide Zappacosta         D/WB/M (R)            11/06/1992 (28)  Chelsea              6      0      6'0"   11st 0lbs  £27M   
23     Mattia De Sciglio         D/WB (RL)             20/10/1992 (27)  Tottenham            44     0      6'0"   11st 6lbs  £22M   

UKRAINE

NO.    NAME                      POSITIONS             D.O.B. (AGE)     CLUB                 CAPS   GOALS  HEIGHT WEIGHT     VALUE
1      Anton Kanibolotskyi       GK                    16/05/1988 (32)  Shakhtar             12     0      6'3"   12st 8lbs  £5.75M 
2      Valeriy Luchkevych        D/M/AM (R)            11/01/1996 (24)  KRC Genk             6      0      5'9"   11st 2lbs  £2.1M  
3      Eugene Khacheridi         D (C)                 28/07/1987 (32)  Dynamo Kyiv          73     3      6'5"   12st 10lbs £1.3M  
4      Sergiy Kryvtsov           D (RC)                15/03/1991 (29)  Shakhtar             29     1      6'1"   12st 8lbs  £8.75M 
5      Ivan Ordets               D (C)                 08/07/1992 (27)  Shakhtar             17     2      6'4"   12st 1lb   £14.75M
6      Andriy Yarmolenko         M (R), AM (RL)        23/10/1989 (30)  Dynamo Kyiv          95     31     6'1"   11st 4lbs  £7.75M 
7      Victor Kovalenko          M (C), AM (RC)        14/02/1996 (24)  Shakhtar             40     6      6'0"   11st 11lbs £18.5M 
8      Maxym Malyshev            DM, M (C)             24/12/1992 (27)  Shakhtar             26     0      5'11"  11st 13lbs £17.25M
9      Artem Dovbyk              ST (C)                21/06/1997 (22)  Dnipro               1      0      6'1"   12st 3lbs  £8.25M 
10     Eugene Konoplyanka        M/AM (L)              29/09/1989 (30)  Schalke              125    16     5'9"   10st 9lbs  £8.25M 
11     Artem Besedin             AM (RL), ST (C)       31/03/1996 (24)  Krasnodar            16     5      6'1"   11st 13lbs £8M    
12     Yaroslav Rakitskyi        D (C)                 03/08/1989 (30)  Shakhtar             75     5      5'11"  11st 0lbs  £6.5M  
13     Dmytro Bezruk             GK                    30/03/1996 (24)  Chornomorets         1      0      6'2"   11st 11lbs £2.5M  
14     Andriy Lunin              GK                    11/02/1999 (21)  Illichivets          0      0      6'3"   13st 3lbs  £550K  
15     Ismaily                   D/WB (L)              11/01/1990 (30)  Shakhtar             17     0      5'9"   12st 3lbs  £6.5M  
16     Eugene Martynenko         D (C)                 25/06/1993 (26)  Chornomorets         1      0      6'4"   11st 11lbs £11.5M 
17     Denys Garmash             DM, M/AM (C)          19/04/1990 (30)  Dynamo Kyiv          58     5      6'1"   11st 11lbs £6.75M 
18     Vitaliy Buyalskyi         M/AM (LC)             06/01/1993 (27)  Dynamo Kyiv          3      0      5'7"   9st 4lbs   £10.75M
19     Mykyta Burda              D (LC)                24/03/1995 (25)  Dynamo Kyiv          14     0      6'1"   11st 11lbs £8.5M  
20     Sergiy Rybalka            DM, M/AM (C)          01/04/1990 (30)  Dynamo Kyiv          30     1      5'9"   10st 9lbs  £5M    
21     Alan Patrick              M (RC), AM (RLC)      13/05/1991 (29)  Shakhtar             25     5      5'10"  10st 9lbs  £575K  
22     Valeriane Gvilia          M (C)                 24/05/1994 (26)  FK Austria Wien      1      0      5'10"  11st 0lbs  £1.6M  
23     Roman Zozulya             AM (RLC), ST (C)      17/11/1989 (30)  Betis                40     7      5'9"   9st 10lbs  £600K  

WALES

NO.    NAME                      POSITIONS             D.O.B. (AGE)     CLUB                 CAPS   GOALS  HEIGHT WEIGHT     VALUE
1      Wayne Hennessey           GK                    24/01/1987 (33)  Everton              87     0      6'5"   14st 2lbs  £1.2M  
2      Tom Lockyer               D (C)                 03/12/1994 (25)  Northampton          1      0      6'0"   11st 6lbs  £650K  
3      Ben Davies                D (L)                 24/04/1993 (27)  Roma                 53     0      5'11"  12st 1lb   £15.5M 
4      Ashley Williams           D (C)                 23/08/1984 (35)  Sporting Kansas City 86     2      6'0"   14st 4lbs  £165K  
5      Paul Dummett              D (LC)                26/09/1991 (28)  Newcastle            33     0      6'0"   10st 3lbs  £5.5M  
6      Harry Wilson              M (L), AM (RLC)       22/03/1997 (23)  Sheff Utd            10     0      5'10"  10st 12lbs £3.9M  
7      Aaron Ramsey              M (C), AM (RC)        26/12/1990 (29)  Arsenal              77     15     5'10"  10st 7lbs  £16.75M
8      Joe Allen                 DM, M/AM (C)          14/03/1990 (30)  Stoke                63     2      5'6"   9st 10lbs  £6.25M 
9      Callum Howcroft-Jones     ST (C)                07/02/2001 (19)  West Brom            10     3      5'11"  12st 3lbs  £12M   
10     Ben Woodburn              AM (RLC), ST (C)      15/10/1999 (20)  Liverpool            22     11     5'9"   11st 2lbs  £11M   
11     Gareth Bale               M (L), AM (RLC)       16/07/1989 (30)  Real Madrid          90     37     6'1"   12st 10lbs £21.5M 
12     Russell McKenzie          M/AM (C)              12/04/2001 (19)  Crystal Palace       8      0      5'10"  11st 6lbs  £1.2M  
13     Chris Maxwell             GK                    30/07/1990 (29)  West Brom            4      0      6'0"   11st 9lbs  £4.3M  
14     Adam Davies               GK                    17/07/1991 (28)  Rangers              0      0      6'1"   12st 1lb   £240K  
15     Chris Gunter              D (RL)                21/07/1989 (30)  West Brom            103    0      5'11"  11st 2lbs  £155K  
16     Tom Lawrence              M/AM (RLC)            13/01/1994 (26)  West Brom            14     2      5'9"   11st 0lbs  £7.5M  
17     Tyler Roberts             AM (LC), ST (C)       12/01/1999 (21)  Nottm Forest         8      1      6'0"   11st 9lbs  £1.9M  
18     Adam Matthews             D/WB (RL)             13/01/1992 (28)  Walsall              21     0      5'9"   11st 2lbs  £1.3M  
19     Daniel James              M (L), AM (RL)        10/11/1997 (22)  Walsall              1      0      5'7"   9st 6lbs   £1.8M  
20     Louis Thompson            D (C), DM, M (C)      19/12/1994 (25)  Rangers              4      1      5'11"  11st 11lbs £1.9M  
21     Jack Hendry               D (C)                 07/05/1995 (25)  Wigan                5      0      6'4"   11st 13lbs £650K  
22     Marley Watkins            M/AM (RL), ST (C)     17/10/1990 (29)  Barnsley             17     1      6'1"   10st 3lbs  £175K  
23     Jordan Williams           D (C), DM             06/11/1995 (24)  Bristol City         6      0      6'0"   12st 1lb   £1.6M  

 

GROUP F: France, Austria, Sweden, Georgia

Spoiler

FRANCE

NO.    NAME                      POSITIONS             D.O.B. (AGE)     CLUB                 CAPS   GOALS  HEIGHT WEIGHT     VALUE
1      Hugo Lloris               GK                    26/12/1986 (33)  Tottenham            122    0      6'2"   12st 3lbs  £8M    
2      Corentin Tolisso          D/WB (R), DM, M (C)   03/08/1994 (25)  Man Utd              30     0      5'11"  12st 3lbs  £43.5M 
3      Djibril Sidibé            D (RL)                29/07/1992 (27)  Monaco               36     2      6'0"   11st 2lbs  £21M   
4      Aymeric Laporte           D (C)                 27/05/1994 (26)  Athletic             24     0      6'2"   13st 7lbs  £31.5M 
5      Raphaël Varane            D (C)                 25/04/1993 (27)  Real Madrid          65     2      6'3"   13st 3lbs  £43.5M 
6      Ousmane Dembélé           M (RL), AM (RLC)      15/05/1997 (23)  Dortmund             31     5      5'10"  10st 7lbs  £50M   
7      Antoine Griezmann         AM (RLC), ST (C)      21/03/1991 (29)  Man City             73     33     5'9"   11st 4lbs  £31.5M 
8      Thomas Lemar              M/AM (RLC)            12/11/1995 (24)  Monaco               13     3      5'7"   9st 1lb    £42.5M 
9      Moussa Dembélé            ST (C)                12/07/1996 (23)  PSG                  11     8      6'0"   11st 9lbs  £40M   
10     Olivier Giroud            ST (C)                30/09/1986 (33)  Marseille            60     21     6'4"   13st 12lbs £2.5M  
11     Blaise Matuidi            DM, M (C)             09/04/1987 (33)  PSG                  67     9      5'9"   11st 0lbs  £2.8M  
12     Anthony Martial           AM (RL), ST (C)       05/12/1995 (24)  Man Utd              38     7      5'11"  11st 13lbs £45M   
13     Alban Lafont              GK                    23/01/1999 (21)  Toulouse             0      0      6'4"   13st 9lbs  £5.5M  
14     Alphonse Areola           GK                    27/02/1993 (27)  Newcastle            0      0      6'4"   13st 12lbs £8M    
15     Lucas Digne               D/WB (L)              20/07/1993 (26)  Barcelona            50     3      5'10"  11st 9lbs  £26.5M 
16     Dayot Upamecano           D (C), DM, M (C)      27/10/1998 (21)  RB Leipzig           6      0      6'1"   13st 12lbs £30M   
17     Kurt Zouma                D (RC)                27/10/1994 (25)  Chelsea              5      0      6'3"   14st 13lbs £28.5M 
18     N'Golo Kanté              DM, M (C)             29/03/1991 (29)  Chelsea              47     2      5'7"   10st 9lbs  £26.5M 
19     Kylian Mbappé             M/AM (RL)             20/12/1998 (21)  Monaco               8      1      5'11"  11st 11lbs £43M   
20     Kingsley Coman            M (RL), AM (RLC)      13/06/1996 (24)  Lyon                 43     9      5'10"  11st 2lbs  £40.5M 
21     Samuel Umtiti             D (LC)                14/11/1993 (26)  Barcelona            33     0      6'0"   11st 11lbs £25.5M 
22     Theo Hernández            D/WB/M/AM (L)         06/10/1997 (22)  FC Bayern            4      0      6'0"   11st 9lbs  £33.5M 
23     Adrien Rabiot             DM, M (C)             03/04/1995 (25)  PSG                  5      1      6'2"   11st 9lbs  £30M   

AUSTRIA

NO.    NAME                      POSITIONS             D.O.B. (AGE)     CLUB                 CAPS   GOALS  HEIGHT WEIGHT     VALUE
1      Richard Strebinger        GK                    14/02/1993 (27)  SK Rapid Wien        19     0      6'4"   14st 2lbs  £1.6M  
2      Stefan Lainer             D/WB (R)              27/08/1992 (27)  Red Bull Salzburg    12     0      5'9"   11st 6lbs  £1.4M  
3      Ylli Sallahi              D/WB (L)              06/04/1994 (26)  Hannover             6      0      5'10"  12st 8lbs  £3.1M  
4      Martin Hinteregger        D (LC)                07/09/1992 (27)  Sunderland           36     1      6'0"   12st 3lbs  £9.5M  
5      Christopher Dibon         D (RC), DM            02/11/1990 (29)  SK Rapid Wien        6      1      5'11"  11st 6lbs  £1.2M  
6      Aleksandar Dragovic       D (C), DM             06/03/1991 (29)  Leverkusen           81     1      6'0"   11st 13lbs £18.25M
7      David Alaba               D (LC), WB (L), M (C) 24/06/1992 (27)  FC Bayern            86     15     5'10"  11st 2lbs  £50M   
8      Marcel Sabitzer           M/AM (RL), ST (C)     17/03/1994 (26)  Schalke              54     21     5'10"  11st 9lbs  £15.75M
9      Belmin Sabanadzovic       ST (C)                08/06/2000 (20)  Red Bull Salzburg    1      0      6'0"   12st 8lbs  £1.2M  
10     Florian Grillitsch        DM, M/AM (C), ST (C)  07/08/1995 (24)  Hoffenheim           26     4      6'2"   11st 11lbs £6M    
11     Kevin Friesenbichler      ST (C)                06/05/1994 (26)  Bologna              10     6      6'2"   11st 9lbs  £3.9M  
12     Marko Arnautovic          M/AM (RL)             19/04/1989 (31)  Málaga               62     11     6'4"   12st 12lbs £3.7M  
13     Osman Hadzikic            GK                    12/03/1996 (24)  KV Mechelen          0      0      6'1"   12st 1lb   £2.8M  
14     Andreas Leitner           GK                    25/03/1994 (26)  Admira Wacker        4      0      6'0"   11st 4lbs  £1.6M  
15     Kevin Wimmer              D (C)                 15/11/1992 (27)  Tottenham            39     1      6'2"   13st 5lbs  £16.75M
16     Konrad Laimer             M/AM (RC)             27/05/1997 (23)  Southampton          12     1      5'10"  10st 9lbs  £11.25M
17     Julian Baumgartlinger     DM, M (C)             02/01/1988 (32)  Torino               83     8      6'0"   12st 8lbs  £550K  
18     Alessandro Schöpf         M/AM (RC)             07/02/1994 (26)  Napoli               42     10     5'10"  11st 11lbs £8.75M 
19     Zlatko Junuzovic          DM, M/AM (C)          26/09/1987 (32)  Marseille            79     8      5'8"   10st 12lbs £1.8M  
20     Michael Gregoritsch       M (R), AM (RC)        18/04/1994 (26)  Torino               34     5      6'4"   13st 9lbs  £8.25M 
21     Louis Schaub              M (C), AM (RLC)       29/12/1994 (25)  Legia                23     5      5'10"  11st 6lbs  £2.1M  
22     Mario Pavelic             D (RL), WB/M (R)      19/09/1993 (26)  SK Rapid Wien        15     0      5'11"  10st 9lbs  £1.7M  
23     Drazen Bagaric            M/AM (R), ST (C)      12/11/1992 (27)  Viktoria Plzeň       0      0      6'4"   14st 4lbs  £1.2M  

SWEDEN

NO.    NAME                      POSITIONS             D.O.B. (AGE)     CLUB                 CAPS   GOALS  HEIGHT WEIGHT     VALUE
1      Robin Olsen               GK                    08/01/1990 (30)  FC København         18     0      6'6"   13st 9lbs  £2.2M  
2      Anton Tinnerholm          D/WB (R)              26/02/1991 (29)  Malmö FF             8      0      5'9"   11st 2lbs  £775K  
3      Ludwig Augustinsson       D/WB/M (L)            21/04/1994 (26)  Werder Bremen        33     1      5'11"  11st 13lbs £8M    
4      Pontus Jansson            D (C)                 13/02/1991 (29)  Leeds                18     0      6'5"   14st 0lbs  £6.25M 
5      Victor Lindelöf           D (RC), DM            17/07/1994 (25)  PSG                  35     0      6'2"   12st 12lbs £34M   
6      Emil Forsberg             M (RL), AM (RLC)      23/10/1991 (28)  Liverpool            50     5      5'10"  11st 13lbs £39.5M 
7      Oscar Hiljemark           DM, M/AM (C)          28/06/1992 (27)  Genoa                39     4      6'0"   11st 11lbs £15M   
8      Oscar Lewicki             DM, M (C)             14/07/1992 (27)  Rangers              16     1      5'9"   11st 2lbs  £2.2M  
9      Marcus Berg               AM (C), ST (C)        17/08/1986 (33)  Panathinaikos        57     17     6'0"   11st 11lbs £250K  
10     Sam Larsson               M (L), AM (LC)        10/04/1993 (27)  sc Heerenveen        10     1      5'11"  11st 0lbs  £4.5M  
11     Jiloan Hamad              M (R), AM (RC)        06/11/1990 (29)  Hammarby IF          15     0      5'7"   10st 5lbs  £1.2M  
12     John Guidetti             ST (C)                15/04/1992 (28)  Benfica              40     17     6'1"   11st 9lbs  £16.75M
13     Patrik Carlgren           GK                    08/01/1992 (28)  Legia                7      0      6'2"   13st 3lbs  £1M    
14     Johan Dahlin              GK                    08/09/1986 (33)  FC Midtjylland       4      0      6'3"   14st 2lbs  £575K  
15     Alexander Isak            ST (C)                21/09/1999 (20)  Man Utd              23     9      6'4"   12st 12lbs £38M   
16     Lennart Jonsson           D (C)                 16/07/1999 (20)  Inter                7      0      6'5"   14st 4lbs  £4.2M  
17     Linus Wahlqvist           D (RC)                11/11/1996 (23)  Leverkusen           29     0      6'0"   12st 6lbs  £14M   
18     Adam Lundqvist            D (L)                 20/03/1994 (26)  Olympiacos           10     0      5'9"   10st 3lbs  £3.7M  
19     Sebastian Holmén          D (C)                 29/04/1992 (28)  Dinamo Moscow        8      0      6'2"   12st 12lbs £3M    
20     Albin Ekdal               DM, M/AM (C)          28/07/1989 (30)  HSV                  45     2      6'1"   11st 11lbs £2M    
21     Simon Thern               M (C), AM (RLC)       18/09/1992 (27)  sc Heerenveen        5      1      5'9"   11st 11lbs £2.8M  
22     Niclas Eliasson           M/AM (RL)             07/12/1995 (24)  IFK Norrköping       1      0      5'9"   9st 10lbs  £1.6M  
23     Gustav Engvall            AM (R), ST (C)        29/04/1996 (24)  Sporting Gijón       6      4      6'0"   12st 10lbs £1.7M  

GEORGIA

NO.    NAME                      POSITIONS             D.O.B. (AGE)     CLUB                 CAPS   GOALS  HEIGHT WEIGHT     VALUE
1      Giorgi Loria              GK                    27/01/1986 (34)  Krylja Sovetov       74     0      6'6"   13st 5lbs  £150K  
2      Irakli Arveladze          D (C)                 01/12/2001 (18)  Dinamo Bt.           0      0      6'1"   12st 6lbs  £56K   
3      Nika Kacharava            ST (C)                13/01/1994 (26)  Rostov               5      1      6'6"   13st 12lbs £245K  
4      Davit Samkurashvili       D (C)                 21/12/2000 (19)  Dila                 1      0      6'2"   13st 0lbs  £31K   
5      Solomon Kverkvelia        D (C)                 06/02/1992 (28)  Rubin                40     3      6'5"   13st 9lbs  £2.9M  
6      Nika Kvekveskiri          D (RL)                29/05/1992 (28)  Qäbälä               29     1      6'1"   12st 8lbs  £190K  
7      Jano                      M/AM (LC)             10/10/1992 (27)  Spartak Moscow       66     4      5'8"   10st 1lb   £5.75M 
8      Valeri Qazaishvili        AM (LC), ST (C)       29/01/1993 (27)  Feyenoord            53     11     6'0"   11st 9lbs  £6M    
9      Davit Targamadze          M/AM (RL)             22/08/1989 (30)  Ulsan                40     3      5'8"   10st 7lbs  £230K  
10     Davit Baramidze           ST (C)                10/03/2001 (19)  Tskhinvali           2      0      6'1"   13st 0lbs  £86K   
11     Giorgi Arabidze           AM (RL), ST (C)       04/03/1998 (22)  Shakhtar             19     5      5'9"   11st 2lbs  £5M    
12     Akaki Gogia               M/AM (RLC)            18/01/1992 (28)  Sheff Wed            37     7      5'10"  11st 2lbs  £2.9M  
13     Giorgi Makaridze          GK                    31/03/1990 (30)  AD Oliveirense       7      0      6'4"   13st 12lbs £56K   
14     Giorgi Nadiradze          GK                    14/03/1992 (28)  Sibir                0      0      6'4"   13st 5lbs  £92K   
15     Guram Kashia              D (RC)                04/07/1987 (32)  Vitesse              80     2      6'0"   11st 9lbs  £525K  
16     Giorgi Kvilitaia          ST (C)                01/10/1993 (26)  AEK                  40     16     6'3"   13st 9lbs  £2.8M  
17     Lasha-Giorgi Mikadze      M (R)                 10/07/2001 (18)  Al-Taawoun           4      0      6'1"   12st 3lbs  £275K  
18     Giorgi Gorozia            M (RC), AM (C)        26/03/1995 (25)  IF Elfsborg          19     0      5'8"   10st 9lbs  £925K  
19     Lucas Hufnagel            M (LC), AM (L)        29/01/1994 (26)  Darmstadt            21     1      6'0"   11st 2lbs  £800K  
20     Davit Khocholava          D (C), ST (C)         08/02/1993 (27)  Chornomorets         17     0      6'3"   13st 5lbs  £1.9M  
21     Giorgi Aburjania          M (C)                 02/01/1995 (25)  Dinamo Bucureşti     25     4      5'10"  11st 0lbs  £40.5K 
22     Roman Chanturia           ST (C)                09/02/1996 (24)  Lumezzane            1      0      5'11"  11st 0lbs  £175K  
23     Badri Revazishvili        D (R)                 16/02/2002 (18)  Lokomotivi Tb.       1      0      5'5"   9st 10lbs  £22.5K 

 

 

[Drogba11CFC]

That would be the same Marcos Alonso whose father and grandfather played for Real Madrid? (And the same Marcos Alonso who put Deeney's back out?)

[CFuller]

2 minutes ago, Drogba11CFC said:

That would be the same Marcos Alonso whose father and grandfather played for Real Madrid? (And the same Marcos Alonso who put Deeney's back out?)

You know, I didn't even notice that.  FM does seem to be a bit weird when it comes to players joining clubs you wouldn't expect them to (e.g. Michael Keane going to Man City, Reiss Nelson playing for both Norwich AND Ipswich).

As for Alonso taking Troy Deeney out, well remembered! That probably ended Deeney's England career before it even started; he's been nowhere near contention since. Alonso also inadvertently paved the way for Callum Wilson to replace Deeney and become the England and Chelsea hotshot he is today.

[CFuller]

***

 

The 2020 UEFA European Championship - the so-called 'Festival of Football' - kicked off at 5:00pm on 13 June in Glasgow. Hampden Park was one of 13 venues across the continent that would stage matches in the most extravagant Euros yet.

 

It was world champions Belgium who would have the honour of kicking off proceedings, facing Wales at one of the United Kingdom's most iconic football grounds. Roberto Martínez's Red Devils took a long while to get going, but they eventually clinched victory in the final minute through a breakaway goal from Wolfsburg's Michy Batshuayi.

 

It was Batshuayi who had famously ended England's hopes of glory at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. The Three Lions' quest to win their next major tournament would formally begin on 16 June, on the fourth day of the competition.

 

Group C had kicked off with a dour goalless afternoon draw between Switzerland and Romania at Munich's Allianz Arena. Fireworks would be expected that evening, when England faced Turkey at the Telia Parken in Copenhagen.

 

England headed into the Euros as favourites to win their group, though their form suggested nothing of the sort. Mark Catterall's men were on a four-match winless streak in 2020, and another failure here would represent their worst run of results since the farcical 2014 World Cup.

 

Catterall reinstated two of his most established players in an attempt to stop the rot. Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart became the 10th Englishman to win 100 caps for England, while Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane brought up his half-century. Kane would head the attack, with Rolando Aarons and Raheem Sterling expected to provide plenty of service from the wings.

 

England possessed a proud record of never having lost to Turkey in 11 previous encounters, though most of those meetings were back in the days when the Crescent-Stars were notoriously sub-standard. Hoping to record a historic win for the Turks was head coach Abdullah Avcı, who was taking part in his first international tournament.

 

Turkey would have plenty of home support, as Real Madrid forward Emre Mor was a son of Copenhagen immigrants. Most of their goals tended to come from Schalke 04's Hakan Çalhanoglu, who'd scored 27 of them in 54 caps and was a virtuoso at free-kicks. Catterall would instruct his England players to ease off their tackles, so as to limit the flamboyant 26-year-old's set-piece opportunities.

 

Things were tense to begin with, but England threatened to open the scoring after midfielder Danny Drinkwater intercepted an attempted cross from Turkish wideman Orkan Çınar in the sixth minute. Drinkwater's knock-down found Sterling, who played the ball first-time to Kane before it was knocked ahead of Dele Alli.

 

Alli surged towards the Turkish penalty area, and for a while, it looked like he would go for goal himself. As centre-half Çaglar Söyüncü closed him down, Alli instead laid the ball off to Aarons, who had a pop from 20 yards out. The West Ham United attacker's vicious strike was punched away by Turkey goalkeeper Onur Kıvrak.

 

In the eighth minute, it was Turkey's turn to give England some food for thought. 34-year-old midfielder and captain Mehmet Topal fed Çınar's deflected cross on to Çalhanoglu, who turned past defender John Stones and then unleashed a long-range shot. Hart made a fine catch, and England's newest centurion would also keep out Çalhanoglu's next effort two minutes later.

 

After Hart's latter save, Çınar sent an inswinging corner into the English penalty area. Söyüncü leapt above counterpart Michael Keane to win the header, but he could only flick it over the crossbar.

 

England would have to withstand another corner in the 19th minute, after a Çalhanoglu deflected behind off Keane. This time, Keane made a comfortable interception of Mor's wayward delivery from the left.

 

As the half wore on, the Three Lions started to horrendously waste possession on a regular basis. Playing Aarons and Sterling as wingers wouldn't work if England's direct game wasn't on point, so Catterall soon made the decision to revert to his usual tactics. The wingers switched flanks and became inside-forwards, while Catterall instructed captain Jordan Henderson and his fellow midfielders to cut down on risky long passes.

 

In the 33rd minute, Sterling - now playing on the left - was taken out by twin tackles from Turkey right-back Kaan Ayhan and attacking midfielder Yunus Malli. It was Ayhan who took the ball and started what would prove to be an effective counter-attack from the Crescent-Stars.

 

Within moments, Çalhanoglu had played an excellent ball to Malli on the edge of the England area. Keane managed to close Malli down, but he couldn't get a tackle in before the Wolfsburg midfielder fed it back to Topal in space. Topal had a decent long shot in his locker, and Hart found that out when the Fenerbahçe stalwart emphatically volleyed the ball into the top corner from 25 yards out. With just his second international goal, Topal had sent Turkey 1-0 up.

 

Before the match, Catterall had feared that England would potentially pay the price for being overzealous. Now the opposite was coming to pass; their reduced aggression was allowing Turkey to dictate terms.

 

The Crescent-Stars would go into the interval with a narrow lead, and with a couple of yellow cards to their players' names. Mor had been cautioned by Spanish referee Antonio Miguel Matéu Lahoz for a trip on Aarons in the 34th minute. Six minutes later, midfielder Okay Yokuşlu joined him in the book for a tackle on Sterling that Matéu Lahoz adjudged to be anything but 'okay'.

 

Catterall was most certainly not satisfied with his team's performances in the first half. He switched to another system - the 4-4-2 diamond - and subbed off both Drinkwater and Aarons. Sterling kept his place and was now playing as an attacking midfielder behind Kane and substitute Daniel Sturridge. Meanwhile, Eric Dier came on to anchor the midfield.

 

England looked rather more like themselves with the diamond. A 51st-minute corner from Sterling looked very promising until Kıvrak advanced from his goal line to claim the delivery ahead of Alli. A minute later, England right-back Nathaniel Clyne's interception of a Kıvrak punt started a move that resulted in Kane stroking Alli's delightful through-ball home. Unfortunately for them, Kane was caught well offside.

 

Nevertheless, the Three Lions were starting to come into the game, and an equaliser was looking likely... until disaster struck in the 58th minute. After running onto a square ball from captain Henderson, left-back Luke Shaw suddenly felt a twinge in his groin and collapsed to the turf in obvious pain. Ayhan sportingly put the ball out of play so that England's medical staff could attend to the stricken Manchester United superstar.

 

Shaw tried to play on through the pain after receiving some treatment. By the 65th minute, though, it had become clear that he would be doing himself more harm than good by continuing. Instead, Catterall reluctantly told Clyne to switch to the left flank, and sent Everton's Calum Chambers on at right-back to deputise for Shaw.

 

At around the same time, Avcı made his first two substitutions. Replacing the ineffective Çalhanoglu up front was Ajaccio striker Enes Ünal, who had previously spent four years on Manchester City's books without actually playing for them. Meanwhile, Hannover 96's Kenan Karaman was brought on to take over from Çınar on the left wing.

 

After 73 minutes, one of the substitutes would make their mark. A flowing passing move from England culminated in Chambers surging unmarked from the right flank to pick up a fantastically weighted delivery from Alli. The full-back's cross was then met by a close-range volley from Kane, who leapt into the air with delight after drawing his team level.

 

Kane's long-awaited 25th goal for England was not without controversy. Avcı and many of his players - Söyüncü chief among them - protested that the Spurs hotshot was offside. Matéu Lahoz disagreed, and he pointed to the centre-circle for a second time to reiterate that the scoreline was now 1-1.

 

Avcı then played his final card, with Mor coming off after a fine midfield display. His place was taken by Beşiktaş right-winger Gökhan Töre, whose loan spell at West Ham in 2016/2017 had been a largely forgettable one.

 

Two minutes after England's equaliser, Catterall had another injury to rack his head around. Sturridge had accidentally trod on Sterling's right foot while both men went after a loose ball. The enigmatic Sampdoria attacker was in some agony afterwards, though he had to carry on playing.

 

Despite that latest scare, England still pushed for a late goal to try and clinch the three points. In the 85th minute, Alli exchanged passes with a hampered Sterling before passing to Sturridge, who miscued his shot, albeit from a somewhat difficult angle.

 

The Three Lions would be doubly unlucky not to score on 88 minutes. Firstly, Henderson's corner delivery to Stones was headed against the crossbar by a player who'd still only scored one international goal. A few moments later, Clyne intercepted Kıvrak's goal kick and flicked it to Sterling, who then centred the ball to Alli. After taking the ball forward, Alli unleashed a hit-and-hoper that ended up safely in the goalkeeper's hands.

 

1-1 was how it finished, and in truth, that was perhaps a fair scoreline. Each side had seven shots at goal and four on target apiece, while there had been close to an even split in possession. Turkey were by far the dirtier team, but if their aim was to ruffle a few feathers and cause England real problems, they had certainly succeeded.

 

16 June 2020: UEFA European Championship Group C - at Telia Parken, Copenhagen

England - 1 (Harry Kane 73)

Turkey - 1 (Mehmet Topal 33)

ENGLAND LINE-UP (4-2-3-1): Joe Hart; Nathaniel Clyne, Michael Keane, John Stones, Luke Shaw (Calum Chambers); Danny Drinkwater (Eric Dier), Jordan Henderson; Raheem Sterling, Dele Alli, Rolando Aarons (Daniel Sturridge); Harry Kane.

 

The good news was that England were now top of Group C. The bad news was that it was only on alphabetical order, and that they would have to negotiate their next two group matches without one of their key men.

 

A groin strain would keep Shaw out of action for the next fortnight. That left Catterall desperately hoping that his other left-back Danny Rose could recover quicker than anticipated from a twisted knee, otherwise he would be left with little choice but to start Clyne on the 'wrong' side against Romania. That particular match was just five days away.

 

The BBC's esteemed pundits had witnessed the draw with Turkey unfold from their cushy studio in Salford, where ex-striker Alan Shearer made his feelings perfectly clear.

 

"England were very, very poor yet again," Shearer sulked. "We've got all the talent in the world, and two or three years ago, we would've taken a team like Turkey apart. Tonight, the lads put in a lot of effort but they didn't have that swagger about them.

 

"At this moment in time, I can't see where the next win's coming from for England. If we play like that against Romania, especially without the energy someone like Luke Shaw brings to the table, I really worry that it could all end in tears."

 

Former midfielder Danny Murphy was more optimistic, saying, "From a defensive point of view, I saw a lot of reason for encouragement. In terms of their positional play, England have clearly learned from the mistakes they made against Italy and Denmark in the warm-up friendlies. Yes, maybe John Stones could've tried to close Topal down before he drove that shot home, but by and large, the English defenders come out of tonight with a lot of credit.

 

"For me, it's clear now that Mark has to start with the diamond, and - more importantly - stick with it. England were a lot more potent playing in that system than they were in the first period. With the 4-3-3, Harry Kane and the two widemen were often left very isolated, and the midfield were just spraying passes off target.

 

"There's less of a disconnect between the defence and the attack with that midfield diamond. Everybody pulls together to keep things tight and then get the ball moving forward. That's what Mark has been working towards."

 

Presenter Gary Lineker then asked the BBC's special guest panellist - one of Britain's most famous figures of Turkish descent - what he thought about England's passing play in that second half.

 

"Oh, golly, that's a tizzler," fumbled former Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, whose great-grandfather was Turkish.

 

"I thoroughly enjoyed the, er, wiff-waff in the Turkish field area for that score by, er, Harry Hotspur. It was bamboozlingly delightful how our boys passed the pig's bladder around. It was, er, a sporting spectacle that William Webb Ellis would have revelled in."

 

"Webb Ellis was the guy who invented rugby," Murphy pointed out to an embarrassed Johnson, who replied, "Oh, crumbs. I profusely apologise for, er, such an appalling mistake. I have to say I now feel like I've picked up a Brexit suicide vest and then accidentally sat on the detonator. Egg very much on face indeed."

 

2020 UEFA European Championship Group Stage Results

GROUP A: Republic of Ireland 0-1 Portugal, Croatia 0-0 Serbia

GROUP B: Spain 5-1 Armenia, Netherlands 3-0 Slovenia

GROUP C: Switzerland 0-0 Romania, England 1-1 Turkey

GROUP D: Montenegro 1-4 Denmark, Germany 1-0 Russia

GROUP E: Belgium 1-0 Wales, Ukraine 1-2 Italy

GROUP F: France 5-0 Georgia, Sweden 1-3 Austria

[CFuller]

***

 

"Okay, lads! We'll leave it at that!"

 

Mark Catterall had brought a halt to training on the Wednesday morning after England's opening UEFA Euro 2020 match against Turkey. The players had been put through their paces for 90 minutes as they looked to make amends for the disappointing 1-1 draw.

 

"You're probably looking a bit knackered now, especially after last night," Catterall said after calling his players towards him.

 

"Knackered?" Jack Wilshere panted. "I'm f***ing exhausted, mate!"

 

Coach Glenn Hoddle remarked, "Well, Jack, maybe you'd be feeling a bit better if you laid off the fags."

 

"Stop smoking? No way! If it's good enough for that old fat Brazilian geezer, it's good enough for me."

 

Right-back Kyle Walker turned to left-back Nathaniel Clyne and whispered, "I never knew Ronaldo was a smoker!"

 

Hoddle told Wilshere, "Well, if you carry on like that, you're gonna end up just like Sócrates - and not in a good way."

 

Catterall insisted, "Glenn's spot-on, Jack. I'm sure you've been told a thousand times that smoking's no good for your health, so just lay it off. You're in my team for Romania right now, but unless you start taking your fitness more seriously, you can forget about playing."

 

Wilshere sighed, "Whatever. Guess I'll stop then."

 

"As for the rest of you, I'm seeing some positives... but also a few negatives. Rolando, you seemed a bit off the pace today? Anything up?"

 

Rolando Aarons shrugged, "Nothin', boss."

 

"Don't sound like nothing. Come on, tell me."

 

Aarons sighed, "If you must know... my mum's in the nick. The rozzers caught her setting fire to a bin in Canning Town, didn't they?"

 

"I see..."

 

"They also wanna speak to me about an assault in Forest Gate. It weren't me, boss! I swear!"

 

Catterall groaned, "I wish you'd told me about that sooner! Look, Rolando... you'll have to go back home and get all this sorted out, one way or another. We can't have any distractions in the squad... and we can't have you in the squad at all if you're suspected of criminal activity."

 

"I understand," Aarons nodded sadly. He would be flown back to London later that afternoon to help the Metropolitan Police with their inquiries. The FA would say in a press statement that Aarons had been "temporarily excused from England duties and allowed to return home for personal reasons".

 

"Is that all, boss?" Walker asked.

 

"No, you can all hit the showers."

 

Clyne then patted captain Jordan Henderson in the back and asked, "You got any plans for the birthday boy?"

 

Catterall smiled as he remembered that it was Henderson's 30th birthday. He replied, "Let's see when we get back to the hotel, shall we?"

 

While the players were busy showering off and getting changed, Catterall headed to his office. Upon learning that he had missed a phone call from David Whiteman, he sat down and phoned up the FA chief executive.

 

"Good morning, this is David Whiteman from the Football Association," came the answer from the septuagenarian, who was back home at Wembley Stadium.

 

"Hi, David," Catterall said. "What do you want from me?"

 

"I was solely contacting you to inform you of a significant development regarding recent events."

 

"How recent? It wasn't last night's game, was it?"

 

"Oh, no, Mr Catterall, this is not in relation to the stalemate versus Turkey. We at the Football Association cannot disguise our mild disappointment at the outcome, although I can reassure you that your position as manager is not under threat."

 

"Just spit it out, David."

 

Whiteman took a gulp and said, "The police have formally charged Russell with two counts of fabricating libellous journalism... and one count of perverting the course of justice."

 

Two months had passed since Russell Whiteman - David's nephew - was arrested for breaching the so-called 'Fake News Act'. The Crown Prosecution Service had now claimed to have found enough evidence to charge The Sun's chief football writer.

 

Catterall said, "That's great! The bugger's gonna get what he deserves!"

 

David Whiteman warned, "I would exercise caution before celebrating, Mr Catterall. I have reason to believe that Russell... might not necessarily be entirely culpable."

 

"Why do you say that?"

 

Whiteman said, "Within the last seven days alone, no fewer than 30 journalists and columnists associated with right-wing media have been arrested on suspicion of breaching the Disinformation and Propaganda Act."

 

"The fewer of them dinosaurs around, the better, I say."

 

"No, Mr Catterall, you are not understanding the situation. Not all of the accused are linked with The Sun or the Daily Mail. There have been police raids on the offices of the Daily Telegraph and the ConservativeHome website, and even the political editor of the British Broadcasting Corporation has been apprehended by the authorities!"

 

Catterall gasped sarcastically, "Oh no! Not Basil Brush!"

 

"Yes, I am afraid that the aforementioned vulpine puppet is residing in a police cell as we speak, suspected of circulating propaganda against the Prime Minister. But here is the thing that most greatly concerns me regarding the state of this country, Mr Catterall. These arrests have all been made in the week following the appointment of a new Attorney General."

 

"Who's that, then?"

 

"A young Labour parliamentarian by the name of Juno Love. She is the woman who first proposed the Disinform-"

 

Catterall interrupted, "Yeah, yeah, I know she brought in that Fake News Bill. She's risen through the Labour ranks quickly, ain't she?"

 

35-year-old Love had only been a Member of Parliament for two years, having been elected to represent the constituency of Borehamwood in Hertfordshire at the 2018 general election. A staunch supporter of Prime Minister Jeremy Corbyn, she had worked as a lawyer for close to a decade before entering politics. Her sudden promotion came about after the previous Attorney General was forced to resign, having been accused of claiming £950 in parliamentary expenses for Glastonbury music festival tickets.

 

Whiteman then told Catterall, "There is something else that I believe you should know. My eldest son Christopher is a semi-retired investigate journalist, and he has been exploring the background of Ms Love over recent days. Christopher has brought to my attention that Ms Love's father was the veteran journalist Michael Love."

 

"Who's Michael Love, and why are you telling me this?"

 

"Michael Love is the incumbent deputy editor-in-chief of The Sun, having previously occupied that position at The Times between 2012 and 2017. He was the same man who wrote the article seven years ago in which my brother Anthony was accused of historic sexual offences."

 

"David, I... I don't understand this. Juno's a Labour MP, yet her dad was working for Tory newspapers?"

 

"Christopher has reason to believe that Mr Love has infiltrated those two publications to subtly advance the cause of an old school chum. Mr Love was an Alma-mater of Brunel University London in the early 1970s, during which he befriended a certain John McDonnell."

 

"The Chancellor. Mr Corbyn's biggest ally."

 

"He is one and the same," Whiteman nodded. "And of the 30 journalists who have recently been detained, at least half have worked under Mr Love within the past decade. Several of them have protested their innocence and claimed that their work was misrepresented... or words to that effect."

 

"So you think Michael Love might be behind all this?"

 

"I am generally not an apprehensive fellow, Mr Catterall, but it is becoming increasingly difficult to disbelieve that a conspiracy against certain sections of the media industry. This does seem to be somewhat Orwellian, do you not think?"

 

Catterall was confused. "Or-what?"

 

"Orwellian. Have you not read the novel 'Nineteen Eighty-Four' by George Orwell?"

 

"No, I haven't, actually. The only Orwell book I've read was 'Animal Farm', and that was a long time ago - in my final year at school, in fact. Jenny might have read it, though she's more into crime novels herself."

 

"I understand, Mr Catterall. I am aware that these recent events will greatly alarm you, considering that you have been outspoken in your support for the Labour Party for the best part of your adult life."

 

Catterall said, "Yeah, I am. Well... thanks for letting me know about this, David. I kinda wish you hadn't laid it all on my plate right now, though, to be honest."

 

"My apologies, Mr Catterall. I wish Christopher and I could explain his findings in greater detail, but we appreciate that you have other priorities at this present moment."

 

Catterall half-laughed, "Yeah, that's putting it lightly."

 

"May I wish you the very best of fortune for Monday night."

 

"Cheers, David."

[Drogba11CFC]

Looks like the plan (if it is one) could backfire spectacularly.

[CFuller]

2 minutes ago, Drogba11CFC said:

Looks like the plan (if it is one) could backfire spectacularly.

Perhaps. There's more to come on that story soon, but for the time being, I'll be focussing more on the Euros, and - to a lesser extent - on Catterall's family. Speaking of the latter, there'll be more on that this afternoon.

[CFuller]

***

 

The first week of UEFA Euro 2020 was coming to an end. Early on Friday evening, England manager Mark Catterall went to the restaurant at the Hotel D'Angleterre with his assistant Michael Burke and central defenders Michael Keane and John Stones.

 

As Catterall sat at his table opposite Keane, he noted the restaurant's choice of music, asking Burke, "Is it me, or are the Danes obsessed with Europop?"

 

"It's Friday night, so of course dance music will be all the rage here," replied Burke, who was sitting next to his manager at the same table as Stones. "Mind you, it's a bit early to play Whigfield, ain't it?"

 

"There's never a right time to play this crap, not even on Saturday night. If they put on bloody 'Barbie Girl' as well, then I'm walking out and never coming back!"

 

Keane quipped, "Good on ya if they do. We put up with enough rubbish music as it is, what with Burkey over here!"

 

"Yeah, that's a fair point, Keano," Stones concurred, before turning to Burke and saying, "C'mon, Mick. Spill't beans. You ain't knocked ol' Sheeran off t' Number 1 spot, ain't ya?"

 

The UK Singles Chart was updated every Friday evening, listing the country's best-selling songs based upon physical sales, downloads and streaming. Burke's charity remake of 'Three Lions' with Blossoms and David Baddiel had been made available for digital download the previous week, and the wait to find out whether the single was a success would soon be over.

 

Catterall accessed the Official Charts Company website on his phone, and he let out a hearty chuck. Burke asked him, "So, where am I? Number 1?"

 

Catterall shook his head, and then twice more when Burke asked if he was in the top 10 or even the top 20.

 

"You're number 57!" Catterall eventually answered, prompting Keane and Stones to burst out laughing.

 

Burke asked, "What's wrong with that?"

 

"You charted below 'Don't Go Breaking My Heart' by Reg & Pauline!" Catterall responded as he passed his phone to Stones. He was referring to Reg Deane and Pauline Roy - two karaoke-singing stars of the new ITV2 reality show 'Finsbury Fogeys', which centred around the lives of several 60-something retirees in central London.

 

After reading the screen on Catterall's phone, Stones laughed, "Reg & Pauline! Man, that's summat special to come below them two in t' charts!"

 

Burke groaned, "It's that one line, ain't it? The one where I sang about Phil Jones gurning? Phil ain't in the team; in fact, he weren't even in the preliminary squad!"

 

Catterall asked, "Why didn't you think of that when you recorded it, then, you daft 'apeth?"

 

"I recorded it before you announced the squad! If I'd known you'd leave Jonesy behind, I'd have changed it to summat else! I dunno... something about Raheem Sterling!"

 

"Well, it's not the first time that's happened, is it?" Catterall replied, somewhat sympathetically. He was referring to the 1998 version of 'Three Lions', which included the lyrics, "Gazza good as before." Paul Gascoigne was subsequently left out of that year's FIFA World Cup squad by then-England boss Glenn Hoddle.

 

Keane then caught a glimpse of a woman to his left-hand side, prompting him to tell Catterall, "Hey, boss! I think someone here wants to see you!"

 

Catterall glanced to his right and then called, "JENNY?"

 

"Hey, Mark!" Jenny smiled as she walked over to the table, with Mark quickly getting off his seat to greet her. The couple then shared a hug as Mark mumbled, "I didn't think you were coming."

 

"Yeah, well, I managed to get a week off," Jenny said.

 

Burke then intervened, "Don't you worry about Luke; Julia's taking care of him."

 

As he released Jenny from his arms, Mark asked Burke, "So you knew about this?"

 

"Jenny and Julia gave me the heads-up last night. I thought I'd keep it a nice surprise for you."

 

Mark then held Jenny's left hand, and his voice started to crack as he said, "You don't know how much I've missed you these last few days."

 

Keane then joked, "Oh, boy, here come the waterworks!"

 

"Yeah, we missed you so much as well," Jenny told Mark. "But after Tuesday's result, I thought I'd find a way to come over and be with you. I thought that'd make you happy, and that in turn would make the team happy."

 

"Well, you've deffo made us right happy, Mrs C," Stones quipped. "No more Mr Misery Guts, eh?"

 

Jenny then explained to Mark, "Anyway, I booked a hotel on the other side of the city..."

 

"Cancel the booking," Mark insisted. "You're my wife, so you're rooming with me."

 

"That's nice, Mark, but I don't want to distract you too much."

 

"You won't be distracting me! Besides, we should be together as much as we can while we're here. We don't get much time as a couple without having a kid to look after."

 

"No, you don't," Burke agreed, before saying tongue-in-cheek, "You have 23 to look after here."

 

Jenny asked the players, "You won't mind me being around the hotel, will you?"

 

Keane shook his head. "Nah, I won't mind. But only if my missus can come over as well!"

 

Stones feigned exasperation as he replied, "I thought you were alright roomin' with me, Keano! I thought it reminds you of home when I keep asking you to pick t' dirty clothes off t' floor!"

 

Mark conceded, "Alright then. You can bring your wives and girlfriends over... no, sorry, I mean wives or girlfriends. I don't want anyone giving Raheem any ideas!"

 

Keane smiled, "Sure thing, gaffer."

 

Burke then asked Mark, "Ah, yes. I've just remembered summat else, Mark. How's yer mum?"

 

Mark replied, "She's back home now. Gemma called me on Wednesday night to say she was out of hospital and on the mend."

 

"She still having chemo?"

 

"Yeah, as far as I know."

 

"Well, it's good to hear Barbara's recovering... well, as much as she can be."

 

Stones added, "Yeah, I hope she gets well, boss. You don't really wanna fret 'bout yer folks being ill when you're out t' country, do ya?"

 

"No, you bloomin' don't," Mark replied. He then asked Jenny, "Quick question, love. What d'you remember about 'Nineteen Eighty-Four'?"

 

Jenny answered, "1984? That was the year after I was born, so... not much."

 

"I meant the book by Orwell. Have you read it?"

 

"Yeah, I have. That was a while ago, mind. Why are you asking?"

 

Mark shrugged, "No reason. Just something I was wondering the other day."

[CFuller]

***

 

Heading into just their second group game of UEFA Euro 2020, England were already finding themselves under intense pressure. They had needed a 73rd-minute goal from Harry Kane just to take a point in their opener against Turkey and avoid what would've been a soul-crushing fourth defeat in five matches.

 

England's next game took place five days later, again at Copenhagen's Telia Parken. Romania entered this competition as the team that many pundits saw as Group C's outsiders, yet a goalless draw against Switzerland had suggested they were more robust than the critics reckoned.

 

There was no reason why the Tricolorii could not frustrate the Three Lions as well, even though their last meeting in Bucharest two years earlier had ended in a comprehensive 4-0 win for the English. Christoph Daum was a wily tactician, and the 66-year-old German wasn't afraid to play a pragmatic game to frustrate his opponents.

 

The centre of Daum's backline featured two Serie A defenders at the opposite ends of their careers. The cool-headed 30-year-old Napoli star Vlad Chiriches was partnered with the brash but highly-rated AC Milan teenager Mihai Şomfălean, who'd just completed a season-long loan at Alavés in La Liga.

 

Chiriches' Napoli team-mate Florin Andone - a scorer of 25 international goals in a mere 37 caps - led the attack, with Borussia Dortmund's Ianis Hagi sitting in the hole behind him. There were four British-based players in the Tricolorii squad, including Celtic goalkeeper Silviu Lung jr, who was the son of Romania's legendary gloveman from the 1980s - erm, Silviu Lung sr.

 

As far as England's starting line-up was concerned, Mark Catterall retained only four of the players who'd kicked off the draw with Turkey. Joe Hart, Michael Keane, Nathaniel Clyne and Kane all started back-to-back matches, with Hart taking the captain's armband in place of the benched Jordan Henderson.

 

Kane had won his 50th England cap against Turkey, and it was now the turn of Tottenham Hotspur colleague Eric Dier to reach his half-century. The 26-year-old would play in the anchoring role of a four-man diamond, ahead of which were Kane and his new strike partner Marcus Rashford.

 

34-year-old central defender Gary Cahill appeared for the 70th time in an international career that was nearing its conclusion. Either side of him and Keane were the full-backs - Calum Chambers on the right, and the right-footed Clyne on the left. Liverpool's wing-back was having to fill in for the stricken Luke Shaw, as although Danny Rose had resumed full training following a knee injury, Catterall would not risk starting him just yet.

 

Turkey had recorded a surprise 2-1 win over Switzerland in Munich earlier that day, with goals from Gökhan Töre and Enes Ünal securing the points. Whoever won between Romania and England - if there was to be an outright winner - would join the Crescent-Stars at the top of Group C and put themselves firmly on course for the Last 16.

 

It was Romania who attacked first. After four minutes, Udinese's inside-forward Florin Tănase - who'd been in fantastic form for the Serie A side this season - rolled a short pass to attacking midfielder Hagi about 25 yards from goal. 21-year-old Hagi had scored just once in his first 20 senior caps, but an ambitious long-range shot wasn't particularly far from the target.

 

With Shaw on the sidelines, and neither Rose and Raheem Sterling fully fit to play following their injuries, England didn't really want to lose another player. Catterall's worst fears appeared to come true when box-to-box midfielder James Ward-Prowse slipped on his ankle in the sixth minute. The Tottenham man was feared to have twisted his ankle, but after being assessed by the England physios, he was given the go-ahead to continue.

 

Romania would develop an injury concern of their own in the 13th minute. The strong Marseille midfielder Dragoş Nedelcu was taken out by a rough challenge from Dier, sustaining a dead leg in the process. Nedelcu would play through the first half in some pain, but he wouldn't see out the full match.

 

Having conceded a free-kick deep in the English half, Dier then redeemed himself by blocking the powerfully-struck set-piece - from Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Alexandru Maxim. One of Maxim's fellow British-based Romanians would come good at the other end four minutes later, as Lung caught a long-distance half-volley from Ward-Prowse.

 

England were trying to "flood the midfield", as Catterall would often say, and put Romania under extended pressure. Against a team defending as narrowly and deeply as the Tricolorii, though, they were largely limited to hit-and-hopers. Cahill put one such effort wide in the 28th minute, causing his manager to grow increasingly agitated.

 

Catterall would become even more annoyed when playmaker Jack Wilshere was cautioned for a clumsy tackle on Romanian left-back Alin Toşca after half an hour. His other attack-minded midfielder Ross Barkley was looking slightly more comfortable, testing Lung with a powerful shot in the 38th minute. The enigmatic Evertonian would have another go four minutes later from a free-kick, which was superbly blocked by Hagi in Romania's defensive wall.

 

The half ended with a second English booking, for Ward-Prowse following his trip on Maxim. Ward-Prowse would be replaced during the break, with captain Henderson entering the fray as England's new anchor man, and Dier pushing slightly further forward.

 

Dier's new remit was to hassle the Tricolorii players and try to win the ball firmly and fairly. He did win the ball firmly in tackling Romania right-back Paul Papp after 58 minutes, but not fairly. Dier too would have to play through the rest of the match while walking a disciplinary tightrope.

 

The opening stages of the second half had been very cagey, with England looking marginally the most likely team to break the deadlock. After 63 minutes, Dier's searching ball to Chambers on the right was met by a first-time cross into the box from the full-back. His delivery found Rashford, who got above Chiriches to win the header but could not keep it on target.

 

Catterall then made his final two substitutions almost immediately afterwards. He didn't want to risk Dier collecting another yellow card and being suspended from the upcoming match with Switzerland, so he brought Leicester City's box-to-box midfielder Danny Drinkwater on in his place. He then replaced the very disappointed Kane up front with Chelsea's Callum Wilson.

 

Catterall had kept faith in his wrong-sided left-back Clyne, who was putting in a surprisingly strong shift at both ends. In the 68th minute, Clyne played an excellent long ball with his right foot to Wilson in the Romania box. Şomfălean superbly knocked the ball away from Wilson, but Rashford attempted a follow-up shot that deflected off Chiriches and went wide.

 

Shortly after their latest missed opportunity, England received yet another yellow card. Barkley was their fourth player to incur the wrath of Italian referee Daniele Orsato following a clash with Romanian midfielder Paul Anton.

 

Romania then threatened to hit the Three Lions on the counter-attack in the 75th minute, when a heavy touch from the advancing Rashford saw Chiriches intercept the ball and pump it ahead of Andone. The intelligent 27-year-old striker broke through England's offside trap and bore down on goal. Much to the England fans' relief, the ageing Cahill still had just enough pace to put Andone under pressure, thus making his shot easier for Hart to push behind.

 

A series of excellent interceptions from Clyne then helped to keep the Tricolorii at bay, with a spirited performance ultimately seeing him receive the 'man of the match' award from the tournament sponsors. However, the 29-year-old Londoner would have mixed feelings at the final whistle.

 

Though England upped their attacking game in the final 10 minutes, the breakthrough just wouldn't come. Wilson struck Drinkwater's excellent lofted ball on the half-volley in the 82nd minute, only to see Lung palm it clear. Drinkwater fired wide a chance of his own in the 84th minute, before Lung kept out a strong 25-yarder from Barkley in the 87th.

 

England's final opportunity was a last-minute Wilshere free-kick, awarded after Barkley had been tripped by Romania's Brazilian-born substitute winger William. That set-piece clattered off Andone in the wall, and another Romanian substitute - the young Arsenal midfielder Vlad Dragomir - eventually removed the danger.

 

The final whistle blew not long afterward. Romania 0, England 0. The Three Lions had failed to win in six successive matches for the first time since 1993, during their disastrous 1994 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign under Graham Taylor. Did the current manager not like that?

 

Romania had ground out their second goalless draw of the tournament, while England would also head into the final round of group matches on two points. The pair were two adrift of Group C leaders Turkey, and one ahead of table-proppers Switzerland.

 

21 June 2020: UEFA European Championship Group C - at Telia Parken, Copenhagen

Romania - 0

England - 0

ENGLAND LINE-UP (4-3-1-2): Joe Hart; Calum Chambers, Gary Cahill, Michael Keane, Nathaniel Clyne; Eric Dier (Danny Drinkwater), Jack Wilshere, James Ward-Prowse (Jordan Henderson); Ross Barkley; Harry Kane (Callum Wilson), Marcus Rashford. BOOKED: Wilshere 30, Ward-Prowse 44, Dier 59, Barkley 68.

 

In the BBC Sport studio in Salford, Gary Lineker asked his pundits, "So... two draws from two? It could have been a lot better for England, couldn't it?"

 

"Well, it couldn't have been much worse, Gary," Alan Shearer moaned. "England's display tonight was nothing short of diabolical. They had to go out there and take the game to Romania, ask questions of their defence. I didn't see enough of that until about 10 minutes from the end. Pointless."

 

Martin Keown - who played alongside Shearer at UEFA Euro 2000 - said, "You know what that reminded me of, Alan? Romania and England were like two washed-up boxers tiredly sparring at each other, and neither of them wanting to take any risks. I felt like I was watching one of Audley Harrison's fights from back in the day!"

 

Shearer added, "Mark Catterall likes to talk about 'flooding the midfield'. He could've flooded the studio, because England were on the brink of boring me to tears! Playing fancy football in the middle of the park with no service for the strikers is enormously frustrating from a supporter's point of view, and from a team's point of view, it just isn't going to win you matches."

 

Lineker asked, "So what do you want to see England do differently against Switzerland?"

 

Keown replied, "Me and Alan have been saying that England should be more direct, like many of the great England teams of the past. If your players don't have the skill set to play like Barcelona, you really shouldn't bother. Instead, you should play to your strengths, increase the tempo, get the ball up the park a bit quicker. You can't faff around on the ball in this day and age."

 

Lineker then said, "So it's two points each after two games for England and Romania. The situation in Group C could become so complex on Wednesday that we might have to call on the mathematical brain of Professor Roger Penrose to work it all out. In the meantime, let's ask the Cheeky Girls for their thoughts."

 

Gabriela Irimia - one half of the Romanian-born pop duo - said, "It is not ideal that we haven't won a match yet, obviously, but we have a very resilient defence, so I am not worried too much. Our young centre-half Mihai Şomfălean played incredibly well tonight, winning 17 headers and making 29 interceptions. As far as Romanian defensive performances are concerned, that was up there with Miodrag Belodedici's spirited display against the United States in our final group game at the 1994 FIFA World Cup."

 

Her twin sister Monica added, "I am still confident that Romania can qualify for the Last 16. We would have to defeat a talented and well-knit team from Turkey to make sure of qualification, but even a third 0-0 stalemate might be enough. That would depend on at least two of the other 3rd-placed teams either finishing on two points, or on three points with a negative goal difference. I cannot see either Serbia or the Republic of Ireland registering a better record than us in Group A, so we would only need one more group to work out in our favour."

 

A dumbfounded Lineker turned to the camera and remarked, "Well... we might not need Sir Roger after all!"

 

England's fate was not much more certain than it had been at the start of the day. A win against Switzerland three days later would secure qualification for the Last 16, whereas a defeat would almost certainly mean elimination.

 

If the match was to end in yet another draw, the Romania vs Turkey result would carry even greater significance. A Turkish win would send England through, while a Romanian victory would put them into the next phase. Another deadlock would see the 'goals scored' columns decide which of England or Romania would qualify in 2nd, and which team would come 3rd, which would possibly be enough to progress depending on how the other groups panned out.

 

In other words, the Three Lions' situation was as clear as crystal. Maybe.

 

2020 UEFA European Championship Group Stage Results

GROUP A: Portugal 2-1 Croatia, Serbia 0-0 Republic of Ireland

GROUP B: Armenia 1-1 Netherlands, Slovenia 1-2 Spain

GROUP C: Turkey 2-1 Switzerland, Romania 0-0 England

GROUP D: Russia 0-0 Montenegro, Denmark 0-3 Germany

GROUP E: Italy 1-2 Belgium, Wales 2-4 Ukraine

GROUP F: Austria 0-3 France, Georgia 1-2 Sweden

[CFuller]

***

 

Monday morning, 22 June 2020. Mark and Jenny Catterall were asleep in their hotel room. At 7:30am on the dot, they were awoken by the ring of their telephone.

 

Mark and Jenny both arose and stretched their arms before Mark answered the phone with a weary, "Hello?"

 

"Good morning, Mr Catterall," came the cheery reply from a woman with a strong and bubbly Scandinavian accent. "This is your wake-up call."

 

"Oh, right. Ta, love."

 

"Would you like breakfast in bed?"

 

Jenny nodded as Mark replied, "Yes, we would. I'll have the usual, and Jen, you'll have..."

 

"I'll have, er..." Jenny hesitated, "a full English."

 

"A full English, please - bacon, sausages and eggs."

 

"Ja, we will arrange that for you. And when do you want it served?"

 

"8 o'clock, please."

 

"Certainly, sir. Have a nice morning."

 

Half an hour later, after the Catteralls had washed and changed, there was a knock on the door. Jenny answered it and was greeted by a 20-something blonde-haired woman - the same one who'd given the wake-up call.

 

"Good morning again, Mr and Mrs Catterall," the woman said. "I have your breakfast, and the English newspapers for Mr Catterall."

 

Mark said, "You don't need to be so polite, love. Just call me Mark."

 

"Yeah, and my name's Jenny."

 

"Oh, okay," the attendant laughed. "In that case, you can call me Sara."

 

"Ah, that's Sara as in, like, Sara Lund, right?" Jenny asked, referring to the main character in the Danish crime drama 'The Killing'.

 

"Ja, like Sara Lund! Many of you English people say that to me, even though I am young and blonde, and Sara Lund is older with dark hair."

 

Jenny then welcomed Sara inside, and the attendant placed the breakfast tray on the bed. She then asked, "Would you like anything else?"

 

"No, we're alright, Sara," Mark said. "I've gotta be at work in an hour, so..."

 

"Oh ja, of course. Last night was not a good result, no?"

 

Mark sighed, "You could say that. I would use some stronger words to describe it."

 

Sara laughed before saying, "Okay, ja, I will not keep you any longer. Have a nice day, Mr and Mrs Catterall."

 

"Thanks, Sara," Jenny said as Sara made her way out. "We'll see you soon!"

 

Mark then tucked into his breakfast - dark toast, as per usual - while he perused the British newspapers, which had been flown in from London overnight. They would not make particularly happy reading.

 

The Guardian's front page carried the headline, "Another Danish disaster for ineffective England." On the back page of The Times was the heading, "Catterall on the brink after bore draw." The Daily Express let out a desperate plea on their front page, asking, "Can SOARING house prices help us NOW?"

 

"EUROTRASH," was what The Daily Mirror went with, under the sub-heading, "Winless England face another early European exit."

 

The Sun was - surprise, surprise - most critical of Catterall. The top of their back page read, "With England on their worst run since 1993, it's time to..." In the middle of the page, the manager's head was depicted on the body of the portly cartoon cat Garfield, with the large headline at the bottom ominously reading, "PUT THE CATT DOWN."

 

Mark tossed his copy of The Sun across the room in anger, and fumed, "We've not even finished the Group Stage yet, but those b******s are already calling for my head!"

 

"Alright, love, take it easy," Jenny sighed as she reassuringly put her left arm around her husband's shoulders. "They're just idiots who write whatever their readers want them to. This'll all blow over when you beat Switzerland."

 

Mark shouted, "IF we beat Switzerland, Jen... IF!"

 

"I was only trying to help," Jenny said as she recoiled. She then sighed before asking Mark, "This isn't like you at all, Mark Catterall. You used to be the confident, glass-half-full type. Now you're doubting whether your team will win on Wednesday?"

 

Mark groaned, "I'm really not sure where we're at right now. It's just... it was going so well, for three-and-a-half years. Then the Euros come on the horizon, and now it's like we've forgotten how to beat half-decent teams!

 

"These journos... some of them can be blood-sucking c***s, sure, but they're not idiots. Ava Leggett's told me this a hundred times: they're as passionate about England football as I am, and they know what they want to see from the team. If we aren't performing, they will let me know about it."

 

Jenny suggested, "I'm no expert, but can you just tell the players to... you know, work harder?"

 

"If only it were that simple, Jen! We put everything into Turkey, we put everything into Romania... and what did we get? One goal, two points! It's not about the quantity of the work you put in; it's about the quality, and we're not showing that right now."

 

Jenny stared wistfully at the ceiling, and then looked back at Mark to tell him, "Like I said, I'm not an expert when it comes to football. I think you need to talk to your coaches about this."

 

"Of course. We've got to get to the bottom of why we haven't been performing... before it's too late."

 

"Great. So I suggest you get that breakfast down you and hit the training ground. You don't want Wednesday to be your last match, do you?"

[CFuller]

***

 

Having made a sluggish start to UEFA Euro 2020, England manager Mark Catterall knew that he couldn't take any chances in the Three Lions' final group game against Switzerland. It was now more important than ever that he got his tactics spot-on, and that his team wholeheartedly bought into his gameplan.

 

Following Monday morning's training session, Catterall and his coaches turned their focus to tactics. During the tactical discussion in the main meeting room, coach Glenn Hoddle took the lead.

 

Hoddle began, "Right, lads. You should know by now that it ain't gonna be easy on Wednesday. Switzerland might have lost to Turkey yesterday, but they're a gifted bunch of players who will attack us at any given opportunity. It's vital you keep your shape at the back."

 

Catterall stated, "Gary [Cahill], Keano [Michael Keane], you two did a good job of shutting out Romania last time. Stonesy [John Stones] will probably come back in for one of you, but let's see how you are on Wednesday."

 

"I'll be ready, gaffer," Cahill stated. "I may be getting on a bit, but I feel better and fitter than ever."

 

Hoddle asked, "You sure you can handle [Breel] Embolo on Wednesday, though? He's a pacey lad with bundles of energy, and he'll never stop working on the football pitch. You might have your work cut out with him."

 

Assistant manager Michael Burke said, "I wouldn't worry too much, Glenn. Embolo played 28 games for Manchester City last season and only scored twice."

 

Catterall argued, "It was Embolo's first season after his big move from Germany, though, weren't it? A lot of those appearances were from the bench as well, so if anything, he'll be fresher and even more determined to prove a point."

 

"Who's that other striker Switzerland have?" Cahill asked. "It's Haris something, ain't it?"

 

"Seferovic," Hoddle said. "Now he's come off a promising first season with Brighton, getting a dozen goals and half a dozen assists. Seferovic is big, strong, not very mobile, but he's as likely to help his team-mates score as he is to score himself."

 

"So he's a bit like Emile Heskey then?"

 

"Yeah, pretty much... except Seferovic has actually gotten better with age. Anyway, whether it's him or Embolo who gets the nod, you'll need to be fully prepared."

 

"Now, in terms of the full-backs, I think changes might be in order as well, depending on whether Luke or Rosie are fit," Catterall said. He subsequently asked his left-backs, "How are you two lads feeling right now?"

 

"I'm ready to go again, gaffer," Danny Rose replied enthusiastically. "My knee's all good now."

 

Luke Shaw was also insistent that he was ready to play, having returned to light training after suffering a groin strain against Turkey. "Yeah, me groin's still a bit sore, but I reckon I'll be ready."

 

"Well, I'm not so sure, Luke," Catterall said. "You've still got another week until you're 100%. I can't really take the risk before then. But if you can get back up to speed over the next couple of days, Danny, we'll probably bring you back him and move Nat [Clyne] over to the right."

 

"Cheers," Rose smiled.

 

Catterall continued, "Switzerland play in a 4-2-3-1 formation, so we're likely to be outnumbered in midfield. Even so, I trust Jordan [Henderson] to give more protection to our centre-halves, in case their attacking midfielders [Valentin] Stocker and [Xherdan] Shaqiri start to threaten. I expect nothing less from my skipper."

 

Hoddle then said, "The Swiss full-backs love to bomb forward, so they're going to leave plenty of space to exploit at the back. Also, our resident weather girl here reckons the conditions will suit... er, let's call it 'industrial' football."

 

David Platt explained, "We expect heavy rain at just after 5:35pm on Wednesday evening, so towards the end of the first half. The temperature will also hit a peak of 25 degrees Centigrade, though it will feel a degree or two colder, so try not to tire yourselves out, fellas."

 

"Thanks for that, Carol Kirkwood," Hoddle half-laughed. "So yeah, we're going to play a 4-2-3-1, and we're gonna play with a bit more urgency than we did in the last few games. We want Jordan's passing to be a bit more direct and wider, so we can make the most of those spaces out wide I was talking about."

 

Catterall said, "We're looking at playing Marcus [Rashford] on the left wing and Rolando [Aarons] on the right. I know you both prefer to be on the other side, but I reckon you've got enough ability with both feet to either stay wide or some inside if you have to."

 

"Sure, I'm happy with that," Rashford nodded. There was also a nod of agreement from Aarons, who was back in training after briefly returning home to be questioned by police about an alleged assault in east London before the Euros. The West Ham United forward provided substantial evidence that he wasn't the perpetrator, and he was subsequently released without charge.

 

"We've still got a few question marks about who else will play with midfield and who'll be up front," Catterall admitted, before turning to Harry Kane. "But I don't think we'll pick you this time, Harry."

 

"Yeah, I ain't gonna lie that I'm not sick as a parrot, y'know, but it's for the best," Kane conceded. "Last time I went out there, I didn't get no goals, so maybe it's time to give Studge [Daniel Sturridge] or Callum [Wilson] another bite at the whip, y'know. It's a team game at the end of the day."

 

"I appreciate your honesty, Harry," Catterall nodded. He then told Sturridge and Wilson, "So there's a challenge for you two lads. Show me that you're ready to start on Wednesday; prove to me that you can still do it on the big stage."

 

Hoddle said, "Whichever of you gets the nod will want to take advantage of the lack of pace in the centre of that Swiss defence, particularly Schär."

 

"That's the Hoffenheim defender Fabian Schär, not the Armenian-American singer Cher, though their names sound similar," Platt happily clarified, even though he arguably didn't need to. "Schär probably believes in life after love, just like his famous namesake, but I don't believe he is very quick off the ground. Think Roger Federer, when he gets arthritis in a decade or two's time."

 

Hoddle muttered to Burke, "Is there an off switch on that bloody thing?"

 

Burke whispered, tongue-in-cheek, "I think the instruction manual says there's a reset button somewhere around the groin area. I'd rather not know exactly where it is, but maybe a good kicking will help you find out."

 

"Thanks, Mick. Maybe I'll try that next time."

[CFuller]

***

 

After beginning their UEFA European Championship campaign with back-to-back draws, England had now reached the point where they could ill afford to slip up again. Their final Group C match against Switzerland at the Telia Parken had the potential to either make or break their tournament.

 

England went into this match sitting 2nd in Group C. A win would qualify the Three Lions for the Last 16, no questions asked. A draw was also likely to just about see them through, at least as one of the best 3rd-placed teams. Were they to lose, though, they would exit the tournament in disgrace, and Mark Catterall's 50th match as England manager would almost certainly be his last.

 

While England faced the Swiss in Copenhagen, group leaders Turkey would play Romania in the other group decider in Munich. Victory for Turkey would guarantee them top spot - and a theoretically easier Last 16 match against a 3rd-placed side - but anything else would open the door for either the English or the Romanians to overtake them.

 

For this potentially career-defining match, Catterall fielded England in his typical 4-2-3-1 formation. Goalkeeper Joe Hart and right-back Nathaniel Clyne continued their runs of starting every group match, with Clyne reverting to his usual role after a courageous performance as a makeshift left-back against Romania.

 

The left-back role was taken up by Danny Rose, who was fit again and ready to make his first appearance at the tournament after recovering from a twisted knee. There would also be a first start up front at Euro 2020 for Valencia's Daniel Sturridge, with his former Liverpool team-mate Jordan Henderson retaking the captaincy in midfield.

 

Catterall's England had won each of their previous two meetings with Vladimir Petkovic's Switzerland, including an excellent comeback victory in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Quarter Final. That had represented Switzerland's best run at a major tournament since the 1950s, but the Nati now needed a revenge win just to qualify for the knockout phase.

 

Petkovic had a full complement of players to choose from, and some of his key men would be very familiar to the Three Lions. 23-year-old striker Breel Embolo had just completed his first season at Manchester City, though he only found the net twice in 28 appearances following a £47million move from Schalke 04.

 

Two Swiss starters who were thoroughly enjoying their time in the Premier League were Chelsea's attacking wing-back Ricardo Rodríguez and Stoke City's enigmatic attacking midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri. There was also the tough-tackling Granit Xhaka, who had been in and out of the Arsenal side for four years but was a core part of his national team. Indeed, the 27-year-old had captained the Nati since Stephan Lichtsteiner's retirement the previous summer.

 

Xhaka was exhausted following two tireless performances earlier in the group phase. Therefore, it was Ajaccio's playmaker Olivier Custodio who wore the Swiss captain's armband and exchanged pleasantries with Henderson and German referee Deniz Aytekin before kick-off.

 

England launched their first attack after four minutes, with Marcus Rashford - playing on the left wing - winning a corner off Swiss right-back Michael Lang. Sadly for the Three Lions, Henderson's corner delivery to the far post was comfortably headed away by Custodio.

 

England then had to defend a corner themselves two minutes later, after Valentin Stocker's shot had clattered off Gary Cahill and deflected behind. Again, the delivery from Custodio was poor, and Hart comfortably claimed it.

 

The first proper shot at either end came after 10 minutes, and it went England's way. Rose didn't take too long to get back up and running, as he floated in an excellent cross, only to see Rashford flick it dismally wide. Another wayward England header came four minutes later from Manchester City defender John Stones, who failed to capitalise on a Henderson corner.

 

Switzerland then went close to opening the scoring themselves after 15 minutes. Rodríguez might not have yet made a full recovery from a foot injury he'd sustained in the Nati's group opener against Romania, but he looked back to his best when playing a one-two with Vincent Sierro. Unfortunately for the Swiss supporters, that move would end with Freiburg midfielder Sierro pulling a glaring opportunity wide.

 

Sierro's miss would eventually prove costly for Switzerland. After 28 minutes, Rose surged past Lang and played a weighted ball to Rashford, who broke away from Swiss centre-half Fabian Schär to claim it. The Wolfsburg forward then crossed first-time to Sturridge, setting up a fantastic finish at the back post for England's frontman.

 

Catterall's charges were now leading a match for the first time at this European Championship. Within a couple of minutes, they would be even further ahead. Dele Alli's excellent tackle on Switzerland midfielder Denis Zakaria started a counter-attack that he would finish moments later. The Tottenham Hotspur workhorse found space to run onto a Sturridge through-ball and slip it beyond goalkeeper Roman Bürki for his first England goal since 2017.

 

England's goal/assist triangle would be completed in the 34th minute. Zakaria's careless trip on Alli gave the Three Lions a free-kick some distance from goal, but Henderson still managed to lift an excellent long delivery into the 'D'. Alli then cushioned it to Rashford, who found the far corner with his first goal at a senior international tournament!

 

In just six minutes, England had scored three goals to put themselves well on course for the Last 16. They even topped Group C for a while... until Turkey opened the scoring against Romania after 38 minutes.

 

The Three Lions eased up a bit after their triple-whammy, giving Switzerland some time to try and push for a potentially revolutionary goal before the interval. The Nati racked up a few corners, and Embolo had an angled effort pushed behind by Hart in the 44th minute, but that was as good as it would get for them.

 

Switzerland suffered a significant blow on the stroke of half-time, when Stocker twisted his ankle. Stocker was one of three Swiss players, alongside full-backs Lang and Rodríguez, who would be substituted before the second half.

 

Catterall was now looking ahead to the next round, as his half-time changes showed. Clyne and Henderson were taken off, with Calum Chambers and Eric Dier taking their places at right-back and central midfield respectively.

 

Rolando Aarons was the only member of England's attacking quartet who hadn't scored in that first-half rout. He arguably should have put that right in the 51st minute.

 

Rose's centre into the area clipped the heel of Switzerland's teenage substitute defender Mario Ricca and deflected to England midfielder Danny Drinkwater. The Leicester City man played a cheeky backheel to Alli, who moved the ball across for Aarons on the edge of the six-yard box. Aarons should've made it 4-0 from there, but the West Ham United forward struck the ball far too viciously and sent it soaring high into the stand.

 

Aarons had another attempt six minutes later, driving in an excellent Drinkwater pass from the edge of the area. Bürki pushed it wide, thus redeeming himself somewhat after a dreadful opening half for Borussia Dortmund's number 1.

 

On 65 minutes, Rose floated a delightful cross that fell perfectly for Alli, who disappointingly couldn't keep his header from looping over the bar. Alli would soon be rested for the closing stages, with Harry Kane being given 20 minutes to try and follow up his earlier goal against Turkey. He could not.

 

Switzerland were now whimpering out of the tournament, with Petkovic's frustration growing after midfielders Shaqiri and Custodio were booked midway through the half. Mind you, there was a brief spell in the closing stages when it looked like the Nati would snatch a consolation goal.

 

Hart's second half had been a quiet one until he was forced to push a dangerous Shaqiri centre behind nine minutes from the end. England's vice-captain, who'd taken the armband after Henderson's substitution, would be called into action again a minute later. Hart caught a last-ditch drive from Werder Bremen forward Admir Mehmedi, who then missed another chance for Switzerland just before full-time.

 

England would finish the match with back-to-back clean sheets, and - more importantly - secured a welcome return to the winners' enclosure. The Three Lions were roaring again.

 

24 June 2020: UEFA European Championship Group C - at Telia Parken, Copenhagen

Switzerland - 0

England - 3 (Daniel Sturridge 28, Dele Alli 30, Marcus Rashford 34)

ENGLAND LINE-UP (4-2-3-1): Joe Hart; Nathaniel Clyne (Calum Chambers), Gary Cahill, John Stones, Danny Rose; Danny Drinkwater, Jordan Henderson (Eric Dier); Rolando Aarons, Dele Alli (Harry Kane), Marcus Rashford; Daniel Sturridge.

 

England had made heavy weather of Group C, but nevertheless, they had survived it. They qualified for the Last 16 alongside Turkey, who had secured top spot courtesy of Hakan Çalhanoglu's hat-trick in a 3-1 victory over Romania.

 

As the 2nd-placed team in Group C, England now knew that they would play the Group A runners-up in the Spanish city of Bilbao. To be specific, standing between the Three Lions and the Quarter Finals would be Croatia.

 

Croatia's road to the Last 16 had also been a rocky one. The Vatreni kicked off Group A with an unconvincing goalless draw against Serbia, followed by a narrow 2-1 defeat to holders Portugal. They then squandered a two-goal lead in their final group match against the Republic of Ireland and appeared to be heading for an early exit until late goals from Ante Coric and Nikola Kalinic saved their skins.

 

This knockout match would be played at Athletic Bilbao's San Mamés stadium on 27 June. England would only have two days' rest, compared to three days for their opponents, but the Three Lions were still rated as slight favourites by the bookmakers. Whoever prevailed would secure a Quarter Final meeting with either Germany or Slovenia.

 

In the ITV studio, ex-England striker Ian Wright was in a confident mood, saying, "I ain't worried about Croatia, to be honest. With all the attacking talent we've got and all the energy those boys have, I think we can deal with Croatia's defence, which looks too slow and chaotic for me.

 

"To tell you the truth, I weren't feeling this way two hours ago. After those first two group games against Turkey and Romania, I thought we'd gone back to our old ways of getting complacent and failing to take our chances. But that six-minute spell in the first half - with Studge, Dele and Marcus all scoring - was the most exciting for an England fan in years. It's amazing how something like that can turn your mood around 360 degrees."

 

Presenter Mark Pougatch corrected him, "Actually, Ian, I think you meant to say 180 degrees. If you turned around 360 degrees, you'd turn full circle and be right where you started."

 

"Maths weren't my strongest subject at school, Mark," Wright laughed.

 

Sitting next to Wright was former right-back Gary Neville, who said, "I know exactly what Wrighty is saying. England put on a wonderful, wonderful attacking display during those six minutes or so. They increased the pace just when they had to, and the forwards were proactively exploiting all the spaces Switzerland were leaving them. To tell you the truth, we've not seen enough of that from the team this year."

 

Pougatch asked, "Mark Catterall has been tinkering around with his tactics for some time now. Should he now commit to the 4-2-3-1 going forward?"

 

Neville sighed, "There are two trains of thought here. On the first train, you think that Mark Catterall is an expert tactician who has methodically worked out a specific gameplan for every opponent. On the second train, you think that the England players don't look quite so coherent as a team unless they know precisely what their roles are. Catts' unpredictability in terms of tactics is probably England's biggest strength, but it could be their downfall further along the line against a more cute team than Switzerland."

 

Wright nodded, "Yeah, what Gary said. Also, I like trains."

 

2020 UEFA European Championship Group Stage Results & Tables

GROUP A: Republic of Ireland 2-4 Croatia, Portugal 2-0 Serbia

 

                                   P     W     D     L     F     A     GD    PTS
1.    Q     Portugal               3     3     0     0     5     1     4     9
2.    Q     Croatia                3     1     1     1     5     4     1     4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.          Serbia                 3     0     2     1     0     2     -2    2
4.          Rep of Ireland         3     0     1     2     2     5     -3    1

 

GROUP B: Armenia 0-2 Slovenia, Spain 2-1 Netherlands

 

                                   P     W     D     L     F     A     GD    PTS
1.    Q     Spain                  3     3     0     0     9     3     6     9
2.    Q     Netherlands            3     1     1     1     5     3     2     4
3.    Q     Slovenia               3     1     0     2     3     5     -2    3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.          Armenia                3     0     1     2     2     8     -6    1

 

GROUP C: Romania 1-3 Turkey, Switzerland 0-3 England

 

                                   P     W     D     L     F     A     GD    PTS
1.    Q     Turkey                 3     2     1     0     6     3     3     7
2.    Q     England                3     1     2     0     4     1     3     5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.          Romania                3     0     2     1     1     3     -2    2
4.          Switzerland            3     0     1     2     1     5     -4    1

 

GROUP D: Denmark 1-2 Russia, Montenegro 0-3 Germany

 

                                   P     W     D     L     F     A     GD    PTS
1.    Q     Germany                3     3     0     0     7     0     7     9
2.    Q     Russia                 3     1     1     1     2     2     0     4
3.    Q     Denmark                3     1     0     2     5     6     -1    3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.          Montenegro             3     0     1     2     1     7     -6    1

 

GROUP E: Italy 0-0 Wales, Ukraine 0-2 Belgium

 

                                   P     W     D     L     F     A     GD    PTS
1.    Q     Belgium                3     3     0     0     5     1     4     9
2.    Q     Italy                  3     1     1     1     3     3     0     4
3.    Q     Ukraine                3     1     0     2     5     6     -1    3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.          Wales                  3     0     1     2     2     5     -3    1

 

GROUP F: Austria 2-1 Georgia, Sweden 1-1 France

 

                                   P     W     D     L     F     A     GD    PTS
1.    Q     France                 3     2     1     0     9     1     8     7
2.    Q     Austria                3     2     0     1     5     5     0     6
3.    Q     Sweden                 3     1     1     1     4     5     -1    4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.          Georgia                3     0     0     3     2     9     -7    0

 

2020 UEFA European Championship Last 16 draw

England (C2) vs Croatia (A2) - in Bilbao, Spain

Spain (B1) vs Denmark (D3) - in Brussels, Belgium

Germany (D1) vs Slovenia (B3) - in Dublin, Republic of Ireland

Portugal (A1) vs Ukraine (E3) - in Copenhagen, Denmark

Turkey (C1) vs Sweden (F3) - in Glasgow, Scotland

Italy (E2) vs France (F1) - in Budapest, Hungary

Russia (D2) vs Belgium (E1) - in Bucharest, Romania

Austria (F2) vs Netherlands (B2) - in Amsterdam, Netherlands

[CFuller]

Chapter 38 - Crunch Time

 

England's football team had spent the last 19 days in the Danish capital of Copenhagen. Now, though, it was time to bid farewell to the home of bacon, Nordic noir and The Little Mermaid. The second leg of their UEFA Euro 2020 tour was about to get underway.

 

Shortly after finishing their lunch on Thursday afternoon, the Three Lions prepared to board the coach that would take them to Copenhagen Airport - situated in the suburb of Kalstrup. They would then fly out to Bilbao in Spain, where they would prepare for Saturday evening's Last 16 match with Croatia.

 

Before the coach departed, manager Mark Catterall said an emotional farewell to his wife Jenny, who had helped keep him company for the past week.

 

"Thank you for coming to visit me, love," Mark said as he hugged Jenny.

 

"The pleasure's mine," Jenny replied. "I'll always be around if you need me."

 

"So what do you do now? Are you going back home right away, or will you be staying here for a bit longer?"

 

"I've still got another day here. Sofie Gråbøl's got a meet-and-greet in the city tomorrow afternoon. You know how much I love her in 'The Killing', so I wouldn't miss that for the world."

 

"Speaking of that, I hope you bring one of her sweaters back home with you," Mark said saucily. "You'd look lovely in one of them."

 

Jenny laughed, "I'll think about that!" She then continued, "I'm flying back to Birmingham tomorrow evening, and then it's back home - to see our little boy!"

 

"How has Luke been with Julia?"

 

"Oh, Julia's said he's been good as gold while we've been away! I might have bought a few gifts for him as a reward."

 

"That sounds nice. What about me, eh?"

 

"Nice try, mister," Jenny retorted. "You'll find out when you come home... and I hope that's not on Sunday!"

 

"Yeah, I hope I don't see you for another week either. But are we still good for Skyping of an evening?"

 

"Absolutely," Jenny nodded, before giving Mark another hug. "Now you take care, big boy."

 

"You too, love," Mark smiled. The couple then exchanged a kiss before going their separate ways.

 

Mark and his England team arrived at the airport bang on time, and then boarded a four-and-a-half-hour flight to Bilbao. They would arrive in the largest city of Spain's northern Basque Country region at 6:30pm local time - a little over 48 hours before their opening knockout game of the Euros.

 

The subsequent coach drive to the team hotel - just off the Bay of Biscay - should have taken half an hour. However, about halfway through the journey, disaster struck. The coach suffered a tyre puncture after driving over a shard of broken glass and had to stop just outside a fuelling station.

 

While the bus driver changed the punctured tyre, most of the England players and staff took this opportunity to depart the coach and stretch their legs. As Catterall and his attacking coach David Platt were exploring their local surroundings, they were stopped by a stranger - a tall, slender, middle-aged man with greying curly hair.

 

"Kaixo?" he cried. "Ingelesez?"

 

"I don't speak Basque, or even Spanish for that matter," Platt told Catterall. "But I think that bloke is asking if we're English?"

 

"Thank you, Rosetta Stone, I would never have guessed that!" Catterall replied sarcastically. He then told the stranger, "Yes... we are English," and pointed to the Football Association badge on his jacket.

 

"Ah, England football!" the man nodded, in broken English. "I think I know you."

 

"Yes, I am Mark, Mark Catterall - the England football coach."

 

Platt then introduced himself, "And I am David Andrew Platt. I played 62 times for England and made 134 league appearances for Crewe Alexandra."

 

"He don't need to know all that, David," Catterall said bluntly. "So what's your name, mate?"

 

"I am Dunixi," the man replied. "I am... er, what you say, sell newspaper. [Points to his left] Shop that way. I walk home now, be with wife and son."

 

"Ah, I've got a son as well. He is 12 years old. But I don't like newspapers; they write a lot of bad stuff about me!"

 

"Si, si, newspaper can be very mean," Dunixi smiled. "Tell me, hombre... do you know 'El Burro Inglese'?"

 

"That doesn't sound Basque to me," Platt said.

 

Dunixi corrected him, "Is not Basque, is Castellano, or - what you say - Spanish. 'El Burro Inglese'; it mean 'English Donkey'."

 

"I can't say I know what you mean," Catterall said.

 

Dunixi explained, "This man, 'El Burro Inglese'... he is most hated man in all of Euskadi [Basque Country].

 

"He big, tall, strong... speak like, er, Frank Lampard. He come to little town of Elgoibar, nobody know him. Two month later, he leave. Elgoibar is ruin. Women cry, children cry, men not work, tourism stop... economy dead."

 

"How come?" Catterall asked.

 

"Because he coach Elgoibar football team, and they not win five matches. FIVE MATCHES! Elgoibar never feel so sad. Then 'El Burro Inglese'... he leave. Town no recover after that."

 

"Blimey!" Catterall exclaimed. "To think I failed to win six matches in a row and still survived!"

 

Platt asked, "So, lad, do you know what became of this 'English Donkey' then?"

 

"I do not know," Dunixi admitted, before his voice grew ominous. "People say he return home, to the land of famine, poverty, crime, death, taxes, Ray Parlour. The place you call... Romford."

 

The bus driver then came over to say, "We're ready to go now, Mark. It was just a flat tyre, that's all."

 

"Cheers, Colin," Catterall nodded, before turning back to Dunixi. "It was nice speaking to you, mate."

 

Dunixi said, "Good luck, Señor. Don't forget 'El Burro'!"

[CFuller]

***

 

It was the morning before England's opening match in the knockout stages of UEFA Euro 2020. The team would have a full day's work at Athletic Bilbao's training ground ahead of their do-or-die meeting with Croatia.

 

As always, England manager Mark Catterall watched on as his coaches delivered their orders to the players. About halfway through the first morning session, Catterall summoned some of his trusted lieutenants for a discussion over one of the team's potential weak areas.

 

England had brought over a couple of quality right-backs in Liverpool's Nathaniel Clyne and Everton's Calum Chambers. However, both men were showing signs of tiredness, having played in the final group match against Switzerland a couple of days earlier.

 

"We need to discuss the right-back situation," Catterall began. "I don't think we can play either Clyne or Chambers tomorrow."

 

Glenn Hoddle responded, "You're kidding, right? We've gotta have a right-back somewhere... unless you're talking about a sudden change of formation."

 

"No, Glenn. I'll be sticking with the 4-2-3-1."

 

"Technically, that formation's a 4-3-3..." David Platt began before Catterall interrupted him, "That's neither here nor there, David."

 

"So you're thinking of playing someone else in that role?" assistant Michael Burke asked Catterall.

 

"Yes, Mick," Catterall nodded, "but here's the thing. We don't have someone who can easily fill in there. We need [Danny] Rose on the left, 'cos [Luke] Shaw ain't fit right now."

 

Hoddle asked, "What about [Michael] Keane or [John] Stones? They can do a job on the right flank... right?"

 

"They're our centre-backs. We can't go moving them around. And Eric Dier's worked so hard these last few weeks that he's struggling for stamina, so I don't think he'd be a good choice at right-back either."

 

"And unless you're a masochist, Catts, I wouldn't even think about putting Gary Cahill out wide," Burke suggested. "Gary's a great defender and all, but these days, he's slower than Harry Kane at a spelling bee."

 

Platt conceded, "Well, lads, I guess we have reached an impasse. Either one of the other players will have to step forward, or we'll have to ask UEFA if we can bring Phil Neville out of retirement. I know Phil used to be a left-back in his day..."

 

Burke then turned towards the players and called out, "Alright, lads! The boss wants a word! Come on!"

 

The players gathered round as Catterall addressed them, "Okay, you lot, we've got a bit of a conundrum. We need to pick a right-back for tomorrow. Nathaniel, Calum, you've served us well, but I think you two deserve a rest."

 

Clyne and Chambers nodded in reluctant agreement while Catterall continued, "We're gonna play a training match now - 20 minutes, 11 vs 11. I'd like to ask the midfielders and forwards if any of you would like to play at right-back for one of the teams?"

 

One man stepped forward. Tottenham Hotspur midfielder James Ward-Prowse declared, "I'd be up for it, gaffer."

 

Catterall said, "I weren't expecting you to come forward, James, but I admire your balls," There were a couple of sniggers amongst the other players, prompting the manager to stress, "NOT IN THAT WAY!"

 

Ward-Prowse said, "Yeah, boss, I might be a midfielder, but I'm always happy to play wherever."

 

Burke quipped, "Alright, then, Wardy. How's about we put you in goal against [Mario] Mandzukic tomorrow?"

 

Ward-Prowse raised a wry smile as Catterall said, "I know you're a versatile player, James. I've watched God knows how many of your games over the years. I don't remember you ever playing at right-back, though - not for Southampton or Tottenham, at least."

 

"Just give me a chance," Ward-Prowse insisted. "I'll show you what I can do."

 

Catterall nodded, "Alright. You're on."

 

The training match began a few minutes later, pitting a team of players wearing yellow bibs against a side not wearing bibs. As Shaw was unable to participate due to his injury, Neville eagerly took his place at left-back on the 'bibs' team. Goalkeeping coach Tim Flowers oversaw proceedings as a makeshift referee.

 

Early in the match, 'no-bibs' winger Rolando Aarons took the ball up his left flank, only to be floored by a crunching tackle from 'bibs' right-back Ward-Prowse. Aarons cried, "REFEREE!"

 

Flowers blew his whistle and declared, "Foul!" However, play continued with Ward-Prowse taking the ball upfield as the 'no-bibs' players attempted unsuccessfully to close him down and dispossess him. Meanwhile, Flowers tried to stop play with a couple more blasts of his whistle and then shrugged, "Ah, forget it."

 

Ward-Prowse's one-man crusade took him from the edge of one penalty area to the other. Just before the ball could cross the byline, he whipped a cross into the 'non-bibs' six-yard box. He picked out his 'bibs' colleague and Tottenham club-mate Harry Kane, who leapt up and headed the ball past a helpless Jack Butland.

 

"Wow!" Burke gasped. "He's a real box of tricks, ain't he?"

 

Catterall was still unconvinced, saying, "The other team gave James too much room. Let's see how he does under more defensive pressure."

 

Later in the match, Aarons took on Ward-Prowse again. On that occasion, Aarons turned sharply to avoid the latter's standing tackle and dribble into the penalty area. He then centred the ball to Dele Alli, whose first-time shot was parried by 'bibs' goalkeeper Joe Hart.

 

Aarons beat opposing defender Gary Cahill to the loose ball and looked a dead cert to stroke it into the net from a tight angle. However, he didn't bank on Ward-Prowse getting back to fairly slide the ball from his feet at the latest possible moment.

 

"Great tackle, James!" Neville called out, as Catterall and Burke applauded.

 

"What are you thinking now, Catts?" Burke asked.

 

Catterall replied, "I think we might have found our right-back."

 

The match finished 1-1, with Marcus Rashford grabbing a late equaliser for the 'non-bibs' team, but Ward-Prowse's performance had most certainly caught his manager's eye. Catterall told him, "That was incredible, James. Looks like you've got the gig for tomorrow."

 

"Brilliant," Ward-Prowse smiled. "I'm gonna give everything out there and show you were right to pick me."

[CFuller]

***

 

England's dreadful start to 2020 was now a distant memory. Following a run of six games without victory, a 3-0 thrashing of Switzerland in the Three Lions' final Group C match at the UEFA European Championship had restored their fans' faith. Now they were right in the meat of the tournament itself - the knockout phase.

 

After two-and-a-half weeks in Copenhagen, England had moved on to newer surroundings for the next phase of their quest to win the European Championship. Their next stop was Bilbao, where they would meet Croatia in the Last 16.

 

The 53,332-capacity San Mamés stadium was the home of La Liga ever-presents Athletic Bilbao - the only other team to share that distinction with Spain's traditional giants of Barcelona and Real Madrid. Opened in 2013, it replaced Athletic's former ground of the same name.

 

England's gruelling road to the knockout stages had taken its toll. Having had just a couple of days' rest following their final group match against Switzerland, few of their star men were in prime condition to play another match after such a short turnaround.

 

With the prospect of an early exit looming, manager Mark Catterall had little choice but to risk his big guns. Captain Jordan Henderson, left-back Danny Rose and centre-half John Stones were showing signs of fatigue but still had to soldier on in an attempt to pull England through another round. They were among six players who started back-to-back matches, the others being ever-present goalkeeper Joe Hart and forward Rolando Aarons.

 

Despite his 'man of the match' performance against Switzerland, Dele Alli wasn't quite in fit enough shape to start another fixture. Neither was right-back Nathaniel Clyne, who'd been in the XI for all three of England's round-robin matches. With Clyne's main rival Calum Chambers also struggling for fitness, Catterall decided to gamble on fielding James Ward-Prowse - primarily a midfielder - on the right side of his four-man defence.

 

Catterall was pleased to welcome back Luke Shaw to the bench, 11 days after the Manchester United left-back had pulled his groin in the first group match with Turkey. Shaw was very unlikely to play in this fixture, but the manager remained hopeful that he could feature at some point in a potential Quarter Final the following week.

 

Were England to win, they would advance to Munich to face either Germany or Slovenia. A potential renewal of the Anglo-German rivalry at the Allianz Arena - with a Semi Final place on the line - was something that would leave pundits and punters alike salivating.

 

Of course, one could not completely discard the prospect of an all-Yugoslav clash between Slovenia and Croatia in the last eight. Croatia were regarded by many as a team who could consistently punch above their weight on the international stage, as their world ranking of 8th suggested. They also had a history of crushing English hopes of a continental title, inflicting an infamous 3-2 Wembley defeat that cost the Three Lions a place at Euro 2008 and Steve McClaren his job.

 

On that fateful night in 2007, Croatia's future midfield talismen - and 'El Clásico' rivals - Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic were just starting their international careers. Having gone on to collect 215 caps between them, the pair each announced their retirements from Vatreni duty after the 2018 FIFA World Cup, in which their side had been knocked out by Switzerland at the Last 16.

 

With Modric and Rakitic out of the picture, head coach Ante Cacic had passed creative duties on to the next generation. Modric's 26-year-old Real team-mate Mateo Kovacic was now Croatia's vice-captain and primary playmaker, with the slightly older Inter Milan star Marcelo Brozovic his regular partner in midfield. Kovacic and Brozovic had started together in two of the Vatreni's three group game, and they would link up again here after the latter had served a one-match suspension.

 

As he had done for most of the past decade, target man Mario Mandzukic - now aged 34 and at Napoli - would lead the Croatian attack. He was the Vatreni's record scorer, and two goals shy of an international half-century.

 

As was to be expected in the first knockout round of a competition, things were tense to begin with. England and Croatia won a corner apiece during the first 10 minutes, but a goal did not seem to be imminent.

 

From the 11th minute onwards, though, England showed greater ambition than their rivals. Forward Raheem Sterling, whose contract at Manchester City was just days from expiry, had two hopeful shots blocked by Croatia's Chinese-based right-back Sime Vrsaljko in the space of four minutes. Meanwhile, midfielder Ross Barkley firing a free-kick over the bar in the 12th minute after Aarons had been tripped by Brozovic.

 

Vatreni goalkeeper Lovre Kalinic's first save came on 15 minutes, when he tipped over a cross from England's makeshift full-back Ward-Prowse. Henderson's corner didn't amount to anything, but when Mandzukic brought Sterling down just outside the Croatian area just moments later, the Three Lions skipper was given another set-piece opportunity.

 

Henderson lobbed his free-kick square to Sterling on the edge of the six-yard box. The diminutive attacker - all 5ft 7in of him - beat Vrsaljko to reach the ball and nod it on to Aarons, who thundered a stunning drive into the top corner of Kalinic's net! England had broken the deadlock after 16 minutes.

 

Having effectively cost his team a goal, Mandzukic was desperate to make amends for Croatia quickly. The veteran striker's first chance to do so came just two minutes later, when he rushed onto a Vrsaljko centre close to the England goal. However, Mandzukic could only fire it against Hart's left-hand post, and Michael Keane hacked the ball clear.

 

Another Croatian would be thwarted by Hart's right-hand post in the 22nd minute. After being fouled by Rose, Wolfsburg winger Josip Brekalo lifted his free-kick over the England wall and against the upright. Ward-Prowse then showed his defensive qualities by clearing the ball into touch.

 

Incredibly, the woodwork would deny the Vatreni for a THIRD time just two minutes later. This time, it was Marko Rog's free-kick that bounced behind off the crossbar after Keane had upended the Napoli midfielder close to the penalty area. Another two minutes after that, Rog saw his promising through-ball into the box pulled wide by Brekalo.

 

England's discipline was soon becoming a real problem for Catterall. When Henderson upended Rog in the centre circle after half an hour, the Three Lions skipper received a booking from German referee Felix Brych. Catterall urged his players to cool down, but he wouldn't exactly be the personification of cool-headedness a minute later.

 

England stretched the play further wide, with Aarons on the right flank moving the ball out long to Rose on the left flank via Harry Kane in the centre. Rose controlled the striker's excellent pass and then crossed into the penalty area, where Aarons had moved forward to head in his second goal at the back post. Catterall and his coaching staff celebrated in the England dugout, as the Three Lions were now 2-0 up.

 

England would carry their strengthened lead into the half-time interval, as the defence had limited Croatia to just one more shot - a hopeless long-ranger from Hoffenheim forward Andrej Kramaric in the 38th minute. Kramaric used to play for Leicester City, don't you know?

 

Catterall's only real worry at the break concerned Jack Wilshere. The Arsenal attacking midfielder twisted sharply on his ankle four minutes from time, leading to his substitution prior to the resumption. Barkley also came off, with Tottenham Hotspur midfielders Alli and Eric Dier entering the fray.

 

Dier wasted a chance to further increase England's advantage two minutes into the second half. After a Henderson cross in the box was blocked by Rog, Rose took the loose ball and pondered whether to move it on or go for goal. He ultimately decided to play it back to Dier, whose crashing drive flew well off target. Rose had another moment he would rather forget a minute later, receiving a yellow card for a trip on Brekalo.

 

Croatia then looked to counter, but their finishing continued to elude them. Mandzukic's poor header from a Brekalo header in the 49th minute was followed shortly afterwards by a similarly poor strike from Vrsaljko. The Vatreni then had a major stroke of luck in the 52nd minute, with a close-range Sterling header rattling their woodwork before Kalinic smothered the ball.

 

England were now looking more vulnerable to counter-attacks, and more liable to concede fouls. When Dier cynically tripped Mandzukic to stop a breakaway move in the 54th minute, he was issued with his second booking of the tournament. He would therefore be suspended from the Quarter Final, were the Three Lions to hold onto their lead.

 

A third goal would've effectively secured victory for England, who had another chance to get that after exactly an hour's play. Three of Dier's Tottenham club-mates linked up brilliantly, as Kane's searching pass to Ward-Prowse was followed by an excellent floated delivery to Alli. Dele struck the ball on the volley, but Kalinic displayed lightning-quick reactions to push it away.

 

After Mandzukic missed another Croatian chance in the 63rd minute, Catterall decided to make further changes. Henderson was saved for the prospective Quarter Final, with Marcus Rashford coming off the bench to replace him. As a result of that personnel change, Alli dropped back into central midfield, Sterling replaced him in the 'hole' behind Kane, and Rashford slotted into the left-wing role.

 

Sacrificing his captain was a major gamble on Catterall's part. It looked like backfiring when Croatia attacked hard in the final 20 minutes. Kramaric spurned a couple more opportunities in the 71st and 76th minutes, though a slightly more threatening effort from Rog in the 72nd did at least draw a catch out of England's stand-in skipper Hart.

 

With nine minutes to go, England made one last major push for another goal. Aarons controlled a Ward-Prowse throw-in and cut past Brozovic before curling a shot towards Kalinic's top corner. The West Ham United ace hit it with far too much power, thus denying himself a sublime solo goal, not to mention a hat-trick.

 

Croatia would soon throw everything they had left at the Three Lions. A low drive from Brozovic in the 87th minute was clawed behind by Hart, who then produced a fantastic acrobatic save from Rog two minutes later. After Hart stopped a final attempt from Rog in injury time, the final whistle brought great relief to the English contingent.

 

England only had 40% of possession, thanks in part to some particularly wayward passing in a second half that Croatia clearly enjoyed the better of. Ultimately, though, the Vatreni's awful finishing had been as decisive as Aarons' first-half brace for the Three Lions.

 

27 June 2020: UEFA European Championship Last 16 - at San Mamés, Bilbao

England - 2 (Rolando Aarons 16,31)

Croatia - 0

ENGLAND LINE-UP (4-2-3-1): Joe Hart; James Ward-Prowse, Michael Keane, John Stones, Danny Rose; Ross Barkley (Eric Dier), Jordan Henderson (Marcus Rashford); Rolando Aarons, Jack Wilshere (Dele Alli), Raheem Sterling; Harry Kane. BOOKED: Henderson 30, Rose 48, Dier 54.

 

England had never previously won a UEFA European Championship knockout match on foreign soil. They were now 90 minutes away from a third European Semi Final... and a return to Wembley Stadium, where anything could potentially happen.

 

Before that, though, the Three Lions had to get through a Quarter Final. They would shortly leave Bilbao behind and head to Munich, where they would face either Germany and Slovenia.

 

Speaking on ITV after the match, former England full-back Lee Dixon said, "The key to England's victory tonight was their wide play, without a shadow of doubt. When they stretched that Croatian defence out wide, they were able to create a lot of space for the forwards to exploit. England might not have had the majority of possession, but whenever they did attack, they attacked with real purpose.

 

"That second goal in particular shows where this game was won and lost. You have Harry Kane providing the link-up play between Rolando Aarons and Danny Rose. Brekalo should be a lot, lot closer to Rose, who has plenty of time to control the ball and send a delivery to the far post. Then you've got Aarons running behind Sosa, who isn't paying any attention to him; he was far too busy tracking the flight of the ball. Aarons flicks in a powerful header, it's 2-0, and there's no way back for Croatia."

 

Eniola Aluko - who won over 100 England caps over the course of her international career - said, "Rolando Aarons is a player that I really enjoy watching whenever he's in full flow. He's a very dynamic forward who's always thinking ahead. In that move Lee was talking about, he caught Sosa unawares at exactly the right time."

 

Presenter Mark Pougatch said, "Now let's have a look at his first goal. Talk us through it, Eni."

 

Aluko continued, "Mark must have got the boys working their socks off over this routine, because it's so brilliantly choreographed. Rather than picking out Harry Kane or Michael Keane, as perhaps the Croatians were expecting, Henderson delicately chips it towards Sterling on the edge of the box. Sterling wins the header, which catches the Croatians by total surprise and leaves them wide open for Aarons to crack in a laser. It was a brilliant move by England."

 

Former Croatia defender and manager Slaven Bilic - now in charge of Crystal Palace - groaned, "It wasn't brilliant at all. Croatia tonight were... I don't think I can say on TV at this hour, but you know what I mean. Sterling beating Vrsaljko to a header... it is a national embarrassment! Lovren had to get everybody organised, including him and Sosa, but it was a mess, and England punished us!"

 

Pougatch asked, "Now, Slaven, what did you make of Croatia's performance at the other end of the pitch?"

 

Bilic grew even more exasperated as he growled, "Again, it was shameful. I have seen better shooting from Andy Carroll, it was that bad! Mandzukic should have retired after Russia and left the national team with some dignity, like Modric and Rakitic, but he was too proud. He thought he could carry on being great when he obviously could not.

 

"If I wanted to be Croatia coach again, I would retire not just Mandzukic, but the whole team. As you say, rip it up and start again. Sadly, it will not make a difference, because the FA is corrupt, and our conservative Government is corrupt also. The people at the top of Croatia only care for money and for themselves, not for football or for the people."

 

Dixon then said, "But as poor as Croatia were, you have to say that England were professional and clinical. This feels like a completely different team to the one that couldn't beat Turkey or Romania. This feels like a team that can replicate what they achieved in Russia and reach the latter stages. Yes, they might have to face Germany next, but I don't think this group of players will necessarily be scared of playing them."

 

24 hours later, England learnt who they would be facing in the last eight. Slovenia's dreams of a first major Quarter Final were reduced to rubble late on, as goals in the 88th and 89th minute from Kevin Volland and Timo Werner saw Germany secure a 2-0 victory in Dublin. One of international football's great rivalries was set to be renewed.

 

Ironically, England's Last 16 win over Croatia came on the 10th anniversary of their most recent competitive match against their next opponents. The Mannschaft had humiliated England 4-1 in the first knockout round of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. On 3 July 2020, the Three Lions would finally get their shot at revenge.

 

Meanwhile, three big beasts were unceremoniously dumped out of the competition earlier than expected. World champions Belgium were humbled 2-1 against Russia, while their neighbours from the Netherlands suffered a shock home defeat to Austria. Perhaps most surprisingly of all, Spain's hopes of a third European title in four attempts were quashed by a rare goal from Denmark centre-half Andreas Christensen.

 

Portugal moved a step closer to retaining their title by sauntering past Ukraine, while France made similarly light work of Italy, and Turkey's 2-0 victory over Sweden also saw them through. With a healthy mixture of traditional powers and dark horses having made it to the elite eight, the excitement surrounding this European Championship was only going to grow.

 

2020 UEFA European Championship Last 16 Results

England 2-0 Croatia

Spain 0-1 Denmark

Germany 2-0 Slovenia

Portugal 3-0 Ukraine

Turkey 2-0 Sweden

Italy 1-4 France

Russia 2-1 Belgium

Austria 2-1 Netherlands

 

2020 UEFA European Championship Quarter Final draw

England vs Germany - in Munich, Germany

Denmark vs France - in Rome, Italy

Turkey vs Russia - in St Petersburg, Russia

Portugal vs Austria - in Baku, Azerbaijan

[CFuller]

***

 

Following their exploits in the Basque Country, it was Bavaria that called next for England's footballers. They arrived in Munich just after midday on Monday 29 June - four days before their UEFA Euro 2020 Quarter Final against Germany.

 

Germany would be training at Bayern Munich's state-of-the-art complex at the Säbener Straße upon their return from Dublin, where they had beaten Slovenia 2-0 in the Round of 16. With head coach Roger Schmidt having drawn many of his key men from the 28-time national league champions, it was the obvious choice for the Mannschaft to prepare for their next match.

 

With Bayern out of the question, England would instead have to look across the city for an alternative training base. 1860 München had just finished bottom of the Bundesliga in their first top-flight season since 2003/2004, extended an invitation to Mark Catterall's team to use their facilities.

 

1860's training camp was situated on the Grünwalder Straße - a short drive from their former ground on the Grünwalder Stadion. To fans of the iconic comedy show Monty Python's Flying Circus, that stadium was famous as the site where the Philosophers' Football Match sketch was filmed.

 

The Three Lions also happened to share a nickname with their temporary hosts, who gave them a warm and very friendly welcome. Upon arriving at the training ground for the first time on Monday, the English players were greeted with a banner that read, "Willkommen, Münchner löwen!"

 

After their first training session, the squad and coaching staff had lunch at the canteen. Catterall sat with his assistant Michael Burke and FA chairman Clark Gregory, who remarked, "It's not like the Germans to be so welcoming, is it?"

 

"It ain't the 1940s anymore, Clark," Catterall replied. "I've been to Germany a few times in the past, and the people have always been very friendly and charming. They certainly love their football as well, to put it lightly."

 

"Yes, but they hate the English, don't they?"

 

"Not really. This England-Germany rivalry only really matters to us because of the World Wars. German fans don't really care if they lose to England; they actually consider Italy and the Netherlands to be greater rivals."

 

Burke smiled, "You're, like, the David Starkey of football history, aren't you?"

 

"I think you'll find David Platt is the David Starkey of football history. Ask him about Central American football, and he'll give you every little detail about the 1970 World Cup qualifier between El Salvador and Honduras. Spoiler alert: it got a bit aggressive."

 

"Cheers for that. I'll know who to call if I get insomnia then."

 

Gregory glanced at a nearby table, where wingers Rolando Aarons and Raheem Sterling were sitting with goalkeeper Joe Hart. He remarked, "I can't believe you've still got those two around."

 

"What are you on about?" Catterall asked.

 

"Sterling and Aarons. One's a troublemaking thug; the other's an oversexed egomaniac!"

 

"Won't you just stop believing everything The Sun prints? Sterling's nothing like that at all if you actually speak to him for once in your life! As for Aarons, the police didn't charge him with anything, so he's innocent as far as I'm concerned."

 

Burke nodded, "Well said, Catts."

 

Catterall then got up from his chair and said, "That reminds me, though. I've been meaning to have a word with those two lads, and now's as good a time as any."

 

"Erm... Catts?" Burke asked. "You ain't finished your Brussels sprouts yet."

 

"You can have the rest, Mick," Catterall said before making his way to the other table.

 

Gregory then grumbled, "I wouldn't if I were you, Burke. You do know that's not authentic German food? I suspect those Krauts might be trying to give us food poisoning."

 

Aarons, Sterling and Hart were still enjoying their lunch when Catterall approached them and asked, "D'you mind if I sit with you lads for a bit?"

 

"Sure, gaffer," Hart nodded, inviting Catterall to sit next to him. Aarons and Sterling were sat together at the opposite end of the table.

 

"What do you want, then, boss?" Sterling asked.

 

"I just wanted to have a word with you and Rolando. See how things are family-wise. I want you both in a good frame of mind in case you're needed on Friday."

 

"I'm good, thanks," Sterling nodded. "Amy broke up with me on the phone yesterday, so now I'm down to two girlfriends... but what can you do?"

 

Aarons said, "And everything's fine with me, boss."

 

"Do you feel that a weight's been lifted from your shoulders after... what happened?"

 

"Yeah, I do. I was really relaxed the other day, and now that the police aren't on my back, I reckon I'm only gonna get better."

 

"Good to hear. I know you didn't attack that poor fella, but... just try to keep out of trouble from now on, will you?"

 

Aarons nodded, "Sure thing. I'm just trying to be the best footballer I can be."

 

Catterall asked Hart, "I don't wanna leave you out of this, Joe, so how are you right now?"

 

"Never been better, gaffer," the Manchester City keeper smiled. "I was a bit low on confidence after the Italy game, but three straight clean sheets have got me believing in myself again. I'm not worried about what Germany will throw at me."

 

"Good, good."

 

"I've read some stuff on Twitter saying that our new coach at City wants a new goalkeeper... but I'm trying to keep that out of my mind right now."

 

"That's exactly what you should be doing. As long as we're still in the Euros, you should only be thinking about your country and not your long-term future. The same goes for you, Raheem."

 

Sterling said, "Actually, boss, I've already thought about my future. I'm staying at City."

 

Hart beamed, "Attaboy, Raheem!"

 

Catterall gasped, "What? Why?"

 

"My agent Aidy [Ward] says that City have offered me a new deal, and a pay rise. Stefano [Pioli, City manager] wants to give me a chance, apparently."

 

"But I thought you were happy at Sampdoria and thinking of staying there after your loan?"

 

"Yeah, Italy was great, man... but I love the Premier League. I was getting a little homesick as well, to be fair."

 

"Right, I can understand why you wanna play in the Premier League again... but Pep [Guardiola] didn't think you were good enough for City, so why would you expect Pioli to think otherwise? I'm sure a club like Arsenal or Chelsea - or maybe even West Ham United - might give you more first-team football and still pay you handsomely."

 

"Yeah, West Ham's where it's at, mate," Hammers winger Aarons said.

 

"Why are you trying to make my own choices?" Sterling argued at Catterall. "I might be a London boy, but Manchester's my home now. If I'm gonna go somewhere else, there'd have to be a real good reason, y'know!"

 

Catterall retorted, "I called you up for the Euros because I thought you were knuckling down and trying to make the most out of your career. Now I see that you're as lazy as you always were!"

 

"LAZY? What the f***, dude?"

 

"You're happy to coast along on your huge wages and not have to work hard for them. You got your big move from Liverpool five years ago and now you think it's easy money all the way!"

 

"Hey, I'm doing what I do for the same reasons as you! I wanna support my mum and my kids for the rest of their lives, just like you do!"

 

Catterall raised his voice further, "At least I'm putting my talents to good use! If you wanna play reserve games in Bury for the next few years and wonder why you've only got 34 England caps instead of 84, then by all means go ahead! But if you don't wanna be remembered as another David Bentley or Jack Rodwell, now's a good time to think things through again."

 

Sterling shook his head, "Too late. I've already decided. As long as City still want me, I'm staying."

 

Catterall sighed, "There's no point trying to change your mind, is there? Very well, Raheem. It's your career; just don't come crying to me if you feel like you've wasted it."

 

Catterall then stormed back to his tunnel, where Burke asked, "Sterling again?" Catterall nodded, prompting Burke to say, "Hate to say I told you so, Catts, but... tick, tick, boom."

[CFuller]

***

 

1 September 2001. The England football team's most recent visit to Munich. That date would go down in history as one of the Three Lions' finest hours.

 

Sven-Göran Eriksson's England had arrived in Germany's third-largest city effectively needing to beat the Mannschaft - traditionally one of their fiercest rivals - to keep alive their hopes of automatically qualifying for the FIFA World Cup. The pressure was firmly on the Three Lions at the Olympiastadion, and even more so when target man Carsten Jancker gave Germany the lead after just six minutes.

 

Then, in the 12th minute, the whole game turned on Michael Owen's half-volley from a header by his Liverpool team-mate Nick Barmby. England were level, and when another Liverpool youngster - a certain Steven Gerrard - produced one of his trademark long-range wondergoals on the stroke of half-time, the momentum was most certainly with the visitors.

 

Owen doubled the English lead early in the second half, and another goal from the 21-year-old hotshot midway through secured a famous hat-trick. Eriksson's men weren't finished yet, however. When Emile Heskey - yet another player who plied his trade at Anfield - tucked away Paul Scholes' through-ball, he rounded off England's most convincing victory on German soil.

 

England's 5-1 win spurred them on to top their preliminary group and secure an automatic place at the World Cup, held the following summer in South Korea and Japan. Germany would have the last laugh, though, as they got through a play-off and then made it all the way to the Final in Yokohama, where Brazil's goalscoring phenomenon Ronaldo tore them to shreds.

 

England and Germany would not meet in competition again until the 2010 World Cup, when the Mannschaft ran out convincing 4-1 winners in a controversial Last 16 match in Bloemfontein, South Africa. How things could have been different had a Frank Lampard equaliser not been wrongly chalked off just before half-time. Ten years after that, their rivalry would be renewed.

 

As far as Munich's footballing venues went, the Olympiastadion had recently been overshadowed by the modern Allianz Arena - home to the mighty Bayern Munich as well as their local rivals 1860 München since 2005. It was at the grand 75,000-seater where two of football's greatest nemeses would go toe-to-toe again, in the Quarter Final of the 2020 UEFA European Championship.

 

Germany were the hot favourites, and understandably so. Not only did they have the luck of the draw in terms of playing their Quarter Final match on home soil, they had also not lost to England at a major tournament for 54 years. Add to that the fact that they were the only Quarter Finalists not to have conceded a goal on their way to the last eight, and it wasn't hard to understand why so few punters were betting against the Mannschaft.

 

Head coach Roger Schmidt had taken the reins from Joachim Löw in 2018 following Germany's shock exit from that year's World Cup to Chile in the Last 16. The former Bayer Leverkusen boss had built his team around players based at either his former club - the reigning back-to-back Bundesliga champions - or Bayern. Amongst those who played for the former were defenders Benjamin Henrichs and Jonathan Tah, and box-to-box midfielder Leon Goretzka.

 

Bayern provided much of Germany's experience. Goalkeeper and captain Manuel Neuer (34), centre-half Mats Hummels (31) and original 'raumdeuter' Thomas Müller (30) had all been core Mannschaft players for a decade and were integral in their World Cup success of 2014. Euro 2020 was set to be their last hurrah on the international stage.

 

With plenty of rest between England's Last 16 win over Croatia and the Quarter Final, Catterall had almost his entire team to choose from. The only definite absentees were Eric Dier, who was serving a suspension, and Jack Wilshere, who was likely to miss the rest of the tournament with a twisted ankle.

 

Catterall reinstated his leading full-backs Nathaniel Clyne and Luke Shaw, the latter of whom had been out since the opening round of fixtures with a groin injury. He fielded his team in a 4-3-1-2 formation, with Harry Kane being partnered in attack by Callum Wilson, who made his first start at this event.

 

Anticipating that Germany would attack from the outset, England decided to push up the pitch and give the Mannschaft as little room as possible. The four-man defence also put an offside trap into action, catching Müller out as early as the third minute.

 

Shortly after that offside call, England put together their first attacking move. Kane latched onto a Wilson pass and had a pop from 20 yards out, though it didn't exactly trouble Neuer between the German sticks. Kane would then be caught offside by the Mannschaft's own trap five minutes later, but the Tottenham Hotspur striker was basically just getting warmed up.

 

When England captain Jordan Henderson showed Toni Kroos just outside the Three Lions' area in the 11th minute, Germany were awarded a free-kick in a promising position. Real Madrid midfielder Kroos lofted the set-piece to Hummels, who outjumped his England centre-back counterpart Michael Keane but couldn't prevent his header from bouncing past the far post.

 

Keane would be rather less vulnerable in the 13th minute, authoritatively flicking a Leroy Sané cross away from Germany striker Timo Werner. The England players then streamed forward for a counter-attack, which culminated in Dele Alli picking out Kane in a wide-open channel. Kane surged into the penalty area, and once Neuer charged off his line, he pulled the trigger. The underdogs had gone 1-0 up.

 

Germany's shellshocked defenders were having to rush back again in the 16th minute. England midfielder Barkley lifted the ball ahead of Kane, who broke clear of his marker Hummels and looked ready to pounce once more. On that occasion, Kane's ambitious attempt was well off target.

 

The Mannschaft would have another scare after 19 minutes. Shaw's cross from the left flank almost deflected into the net off an unwitting Hummels, but Neuer secured the ball just in time.

 

A minute later, Alli's confident header interception of a Kroos corner set the wheels in motion for England to counter again. Within moments, Clyne had brushed past Germany left-back Yannick Gerhardt and squared the ball into the penalty area, where Kane tapped it comfortably into the corner of the net.

 

The home fans at the Allianz Arena could hardly believe what they were seeing. England were fearlessly pushing Germany and taking the game to their esteemed hosts. The Three Lions won a host of corners over the next few minutes as they looked to bolster an already strong lead. They wouldn't convert any of them into chances, though one attack on 25 minutes could easily have given Kane his hat-trick.

 

Barkley hooked an excellent long ball from the halfway line to Wilson just outside the German box. Wilson's attempted through-ball took a nick off Tah's thigh and found Kane, who had plenty of time to either go for goal or tee up a simple finish for Alli. He chose the latter, and drove the ball wide.

 

If Kane's miss indicated that England were starting to realise the enormity of their situation, then so did a wasteful clearance from Keane in the 33rd minute. The Manchester City defender swept up Gerhardt's attempted ball down the line for Sané, but his attempt to remove the danger wound up at the feet of Julian Brandt. The 24-year-old right-winger, who became the most expensive German footballer ever after his £67million transfer from Leverkusen to Bayern the previous summer, unleashed a powerful drive that Hart superbly caught.

 

The latter stages of the first half would see England spurn further opportunities to establish a 3-0 lead. Kane's third goal continued to elude him when he was thwarted in the 41st minute by Neuer. The experienced German sweeper keeper rushed forward to push behind a strike from Alli a minute later, as well as an effort from Wilson just before half-time.

 

Neuer's late heroics meant that England weren't quite home and hosed at the interval. They had 45 minutes to protect a two-goal advantage, and they would have to do it without their captain. Henderson had landed sharply on his heel after jumping to win a header late in the first half, and the Liverpool midfielder would be replaced with Everton's Calum Chambers before the resumption.

 

Meanwhile, Schmidt made his first two substitutions, with Brandt and Sané making room for Bayern striker Kevin Volland and Borussia Dortmund winger Marco Reus. The latter could've claimed one goal back for Germany in the very first minute of the second half. However, after turning sharply past Clyne to receive Kroos' pass into the England box, Reus sent an awful shot flying over the crossbar.

 

Kroos was very unlucky not to score after 51 minutes. Keane's interception of a Reus corner only went as far as Reus, whose initial shot rebounded off Alli before the second was deflected behind off Clyne. This time, Kroos took the corner himself, but his inswinger was not an effective one and would eventually be cleared by Clyne after a mini-scramble.

 

Having survived the opening exchanges of the second period, England pushed forward again in the 54th minute. A lovely direct pass by Wilson picked out Kane, who again managed to get past Hummels before his bullet was pushed away by Neuer.

 

Four minutes later, the Germany backline was ripped apart again. Shaw nodded a Neuer goal kick forward to Kane, who then spotted Alli making a run into space. As German defenders crowded around Alli, the ball was moved on to Barkley, who had plenty of time to delicately lift the ball over Neuer and make it 3-0 to the Three Lions!

 

It was now imperative that Germany replied quickly if their campaign wasn't to fizzle out completely. A flicker of hope emerged in the 64th minute, when Reus sent a fabulous long ball over a high English line and to the Mannschaft's final substitute Mario Götze. The Dortmund midfielder - who'd famously scored the extra-time winner at the 2014 World Cup Final - provided Werner with a cross into the six-yard box. From so close to goal, Werner really should've done more than simply head the ball into Hart's grasp.

 

Werner's miss was telling, and Germany would lose all confidence by the 67th minute. After the Mannschaft failed to clear their lines following a Barkley free-kick, Alli threaded the ball through for Kane to thrash in his long-awaited third goal. The German players looked to the assistant referee by the goal, but no offside decision was forthcoming. Kane had his hat-trick, and England an unbelievable FOUR-NIL advantage!

 

Kane was immediately taken off and rested for the Semi Final, with Marcus Rashford given a chance to impress in the final quarter of this match. Catterall also decided to substitute Keane in the 75th minute and play Gary Cahill at the back for what little time now remained.

 

Any German goal was now likely to be of little consolation to most spectators at the Allianz Arena. Götze struck the post with a volley from right-back Henrichs' cross in the 76th minute, but that was about as close as the Mannschaft would come to saving some face.

 

England were now playing with complete freedom, which allowed them to create further scoring opportunities as full-time loomed. There were a couple of openings for Rashford, but the Manchester United striker - and former Wolfsburg loanee - would not add his name to the scoresheet. A fantastic save from Neuer in the 87th minute was followed by a horrific miss in the 89th, after the outstanding Three Lions midfielder Danny Drinkwater had played Rashford clean through.

 

England's return to Munich had given them another night to remember. An astonishing 4-0 win over Germany had sent the Three Lions into the Semi Finals of the European Championship for the first time in 24 years.

 

3 July 2020: UEFA European Championship Quarter Final - at Allianz Arena, Munich

England - 4 (Harry Kane 13,20,67, Ross Barkley 58)

Germany - 0

ENGLAND LINE-UP (4-3-1-2): Joe Hart; Nathaniel Clyne, Michael Keane (Gary Cahill), John Stones, Luke Shaw; Jordan Henderson (Calum Chambers), Ross Barkley, Danny Drinkwater; Dele Alli; Callum Wilson, Harry Kane (Marcus Rashford).

 

Back in Salford, BBC presenter Gary Lineker revelled in England's victory, wittily telling former Germany striker Jürgen Klinsmann, "Two World Wars, one World Cup, and one European Championship Quarter Final. Doo-dah."

 

Klinsmann sighed, "I cannot believe what we have just watched. Germany were super bad. In fact, we were arrogant as well. We thought we could destroy you with pace and through-balls, but we did not think about the defence. We did not think about Harry Kane."

 

Lineker remarked, "That hat-trick from Kane was England's first at a major tournament for 34 years. The last man to score one... a certain handsome crisps salesman from Leicester."

 

Another ex-England marksman - Alan Shearer - said, "The quality of Harry Kane's finishing tonight was unbelievable. The way he used his pace to catch Mats Hummels out time and time again was astonishing.

 

"To be fair, though, Kane wouldn't have done all that if it hadn't been for the service he got from Barkley and Alli. Those two fellas haven't done enough in an England shirt for me, but under immense pressure tonight, they were magnificent. Up against one of the strongest teams in Europe, if not the world, they dictated the midfield and bullied the defence from kick-off to full-time."

 

Lineker then said with some trepidation, "I think I can sense another 'but' coming here."

 

"But... I have to agree with Jürgen here. Germany were horrendous; that was the worst I've seen them play EVER. They have become far too reliant on many of the world champions from 2014 when it was high time they brought a new generation in. The German FA should be embarrassed that they let this happen, and quite frankly, WE should be embarrassed that it was only 4-0!"

 

Klinsmann added, "Alan makes a good point. We changed the coach after Russia but we did not change the team. Neuer was still there, so too Hummels, [Jérôme] Boateng. That is a very old defence.

 

"I am also sad we did not see a lot of Kai Havertz, the playmaker at Leverkusen, because the DFB needed to focus on him and our other young prospects ahead of Morocco 2022 and Canada 2026."

 

Lineker then said, "Okay, we've spoken about Germany for 20 seconds, so let's spend the next 20 minutes waxing lyrical about England's performance." He then pointed at the third studio guest sitting to the right of Klinsmann and Shearer, asking him, "How would you sum up your feelings right now, Sooty?"

 

The yellow glove-puppet bear looked stunned. Indeed, one could say he had been rendered speechless.

[mark wilson27]

Cracking result against the Germans, things are looking good so far

[CFuller]

7 hours ago, mark wilson27 said:

Cracking result against the Germans, things are looking good so far

Being an England pessimist, I never really thought we'd win that match, let alone by four goals. I was stunned at how easy Germany made it for us; their defending was almost non-existent. I don't expect things to be quite so straightforward against our next opponents, and you'll find out who they are in the next update.

[CFuller]

***

 

There was an air of excitement in the England dressing room. The Three Lions had just thrashed Germany 4-0 in Munich to reach the Semi Finals of UEFA Euro 2020, representing only the third time they had progressed that far at a European Championship.

 

Harry Kane was the man of the hour, having bagged three of the four goals. He was congratulated by attacking coach David Platt, who told him, "You were incredible, Harry! That's 28 England goals you've scored now - one more than I ever got!"

 

Kane said, "Cheers, Dave, but y'know, I don't think about records. All I care about is going out there, getting some goals, winning games, y'know, all that good stuff."

 

"Get one more goal, lad, and you'll be among the top 11 England scorers of all-time - level with Frank Lampard and Vivian Woodward!"

 

"Yeah, y'know, obviously Frank was a great player, y'know, a top player. Don't know who Viv Woodward is, to be fair, y'know. Did you used to play with him?"

 

A huge roar then went up across the dressing room when manager Mark Catterall entered. Left-back Luke Shaw called out, "There's the man who helped us beat the Germans! Sir Winston Catterall!"

 

Catterall raised a wry smile at Shaw's remarks. As the room slowly quietened down, Catterall addressed his players, "Lads, I thought you were bloomin' marvellous out there. You carried out the gameplan to the letter. Germany didn't know what had hit them!

 

"You're in the Semi Finals now, but don't get complacent just because we've got home advantage from now on. Wednesday's match will be tougher than anything you've come up against so far. Denmark and France are two brilliant teams with outstanding technical players, so we'll have to be prepared for a battle, whoever we face.

 

"Enjoy the rest of the evening, lads, but remember that I want you up bright and early tomorrow. We've got a flight to catch."

 

Catterall was then applauded by his players, including captain Jordan Henderson, whose right foot was now heavily bandaged.

 

"We wouldn't have gone this far without you, boss," Henderson said as he put his hand on Catterall's shoulder.

 

Catterall said, "Don't thank me; thank yourselves. You're the ones who made it happened. Anyway, Jordan, how's your heel?"

 

Henderson sighed, "It's not great, to be honest. The physio says I can't train for a week, so that's me out of the Semi. Hopefully, I'll be fit for the Final if we go through."

 

"That's good to hear, Jordan, but don't think too far ahead," Catterall said. "There's still lots of work to be done."

 

After showering and changing, the England players returned to their lodgings in Munich, staying for one more night before their return to the United Kingdom. The squad landed back on home soil the following morning, arriving in Birmingham after a two-hour flight. They were then driven to the team hotel near St George's Park in Staffordshire, where they would continue their preparations for the Semi Final.

 

Unsurprisingly, the hype surrounding a potential end to England's half-century of hurt was only growing as far as the sports media were concerned. The 4-0 demolition of Germany received almost blanket coverage on Sky News, let alone Sky Sports News, from Friday night until Saturday lunchtime. To be fair, it had been a slow news week, with Sky's main story on Friday morning being that former Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson had fallen off a scooter in north London.

 

As for the newspapers, even the Daily Telegraph were getting carried away, as their chief football writer wrote, "The 2018 World Cup was a boon to many long-suffering England supporters, though there was no stand-out result to stir belief that victory at a major championship was possible. The ruthless and efficient manner in which Germany were despatched at the Allianz Arena indicates that, for the first time in many years, England are bona-fide contenders."

 

The tabloids had shown even less restraint. The Daily Mirror channelled their inner Basil Fawlty with the front-page headline: "DON'T MENTION THE FOUR: Kane destroys Germany as England reach Euro Semis". The Sun also referred to previous Anglo-German hostilities, albeit in a rather less subtle manner, by declaring, "BLITZKRIEG! Hat-trick Harry bombs clueless Krauts".

 

Later on Saturday evening, Catterall and some of his players sat down to watch TV coverage of the last of the Quarter Finals. They already knew that holders Portugal would contest the first Semi Final with Russia, following the latter's penalty shoot-out win over Turkey at the end of a goalless draw in St Petersburg. Now it was time for the Three Lions to discover who they would be playing next.

 

France - runners-up at their last two major tournaments - were expected to overwhelm Denmark at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. Les Bleus had blitzed through to the Quarters with 13 goals from their first four matches, while the Danes had been very fortunate to get this far after losing two group games.

 

The knockout stages of Euro 2020 had thrown up more than a few shocks, and after a goalless first half, another looked to be on the cards. Then, in the 47th minute, the pressure of being the new tournament favourites really took its toll on France.

 

The French defence was left horribly exposed when Danish playmaker Christian Eriksen's pass into the area was squared by Nicolai Jørgensen to Yussuf Poulsen on the left side. Poulsen's first strike was pushed back towards the RB Leipzig striker by Les Bleus captain Hugo Lloris, who then watched the follow-up fly past him and into the net.

 

Things then got a bit heated, with plenty of tough tackles flying in, mostly from the Danish Dynamite. The referee would ultimately hand out a total of seven yellow cards - five to players in red jerseys. Despite their lack of discipline, it was Denmark who would keep cool when it mattered most.

 

With seven minutes to go, Denmark right-back Daniel Wass evaded the presence of France's left-back Theo Hernández to play in Poulsen, who drilled his second goal into the far corner. The Danes were on their way to London after a 2-0 win, while Didier Deschamp's French side would have to stew over another golden opportunity that had gone begging.

 

England could now make concrete plans for a Semi Final against Denmark at Wembley on 8 June. Win that, and they would return four days later, with the opportunity to lift the Henri Delaunay Trophy for the very first time.

 

As the final whistle blew, England assistant manager Michael Burke sighed, "So... it's the Danes. Again."

 

"Yeah, that ain't going to be easy," Leicester City midfielder Danny Drinkwater admitted. "We all remember what happened last time, don't we?"

 

Catterall was more upbeat, claiming, "What happened in Copenhagen doesn't matter now. As far as Denmark are concerned... it's one thing to beat us on their own pitch when there's nothing riding on it. Trying to do that at Wembley in a tournament Semi Final is completely different."

 

"I agree," Joe Hart nodded. "We should beat them, but we've got to stay focussed. There are no easy games in international football... except when you're playing Gibraltar, maybe."

 

Catterall then felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. Upon discovering that he was receiving a call from his sister Gemma, he stood up and told Burke, "I've got to take this call. I'll be back in a minute..."

 

Mark left the room to answer Gemma's call. Meanwhile, Burke and the players continued to discuss the upcoming test.

 

"The strikers will have to be bang in form on Wednesday," Drinkwater said. "I know Kasper Schmeichel very well from Leicester, obviously, and he's a quality keeper."

 

Burke retorted, "Yes, Danny, but he's not exactly a world-beater like his old man, is he?"

 

"I wouldn't go slagging him off so easily if I were you. It could go to penalties for all we know, and Kasper's a mean beast when it comes to stopping them."

 

Burke scoffed, "Of course, but we have got a keeper who's renowned for saving penalties as well."

 

Hart's eyes lit up, only for Burke to then say, "Freddie Woodman."

 

Hart laughed nervously before asking, "The gaffer's not seriously thinking about putting Freddie in goal, is he? He's a good keeper and a top bloke, all right, but big games like these demand big-game players."

 

Burke stated, "No one's guaranteed a start right now, Joe. Not even you. But if you keep impressing our goalkeeping coach... what's his name... Tom Blossoms?"

 

"Tim Flowers."

 

"Yeah, him as well. Anyway, if you do impress Ted Flanders, then maybe Mark will keep you... hang on a minute. That ain't Mark's ad on the telly, ain't it?"

 

The England contingent cheered as Catterall appeared on the TV screen, promoting the betting company BetVictor. Standing on a training pitch in Copenhagen, the manager recited to camera, "I specialise in 'remote management', but you can now specialise in 'remote management' of your bets with the new BetVictor app. It's now faster and more responsive than ever.

 

"Want to know summat else? BetVictor will refund all losing bets on the Euros if England win the tournament. So if we win, you win as well."

 

Catterall re-entered the room just seconds later, causing Burke to call out, "Hey, Catts! Your advert's on!"

 

Burke then realised that Catterall had a stunned look etched across his face, and then asked, "What's wrong, mate?"

 

"That... was my sister on the phone," Catterall said, his voice wobbling. "It's about our mum."

 

2020 UEFA European Championship Quarter Final Results

England 4-0 Germany

Denmark 2-0 France

Turkey 0-0 Russia (aet, Russia win 4-3 on penalties)

Portugal 3-2 Austria

 

2020 UEFA European Championship Semi Final draw

England vs Denmark

Russia vs Portugal

[CFuller]

Chapter 39 - Homecoming

 

On the morning of Sunday 5 July 2020, Mark Catterall drove to the Blackpool Victoria Hospital in Lancashire with his son Luke. His mother Barbara, who had been battling cancer for several months, had been readmitted to hospital late on Saturday morning.

 

As he and Luke arrived at Barbara's ward, Mark said, "Hello, Mum. It's Mark... and Luke."

 

"Oh, hello," Barbara smiled, her voice somewhat drowsy as she lay in her bed. "I wasn't expecting you."

 

Mark said, "When Gemma called me last night and told me what happened, I felt like I had to come and see you. I thought bringing the little fella would help you feel better as well."

 

Holding a blanket, Luke said, "I got something for you, Nan."

 

Barbara gushed, "Oh, a blanket! How thoughtful! That will make me a lot more comfortable."

 

"Mum bought it last month and got it all nice and washed for you. I really wanted to get you some flowers or fruit, but Dad said the hospital might not allow them because they could spread germs."

 

"That's true. I'm sure the hospital would've been fine with the flowers, but not so much the fruit. Besides, my immune system can't handle fruit anymore."

 

"So what happened, Nan?"

 

"I took a bit of a tumble," Barbara replied. "I fell down the stairs. Again."

 

Mark sighed, "Oh, Lord, not again. We really should've got you a stairlift the first time round."

 

"It's alright, love.

 

"Did you call the emergency services?" Luke asked.

 

"Of course, I did."

 

"You know it's not 999 anymore, right?" Luke smiled, before bursting into song, "0118 999 88199 9119 725... 3."

 

Barbara laughed gently, but Mark wasn't smiling. He rebuked his son, "Don't try and be funny, wise guy. Now's not a good time."

 

As Luke looked towards the floor sadly, Barbara said, "He's only trying to lighten the mood, Mark. I could do with some laughter right about now."

 

"Ah, alright, sorry. So you ain't been feeling too good recently, have you?"

 

"I'd rather... be in my own bed than a hospital one, let me put it that way. Mind you, the doctors and nurses are doing their best to try and make me feel happier and more at ease."

 

Luke then came back into the conversation, gently stroking Barbara's right hand before asking, "You went into hospital last month, didn't you? Are you in the same room?"

 

"Same room, yes," Barbara nodded. "I even recognise a few friends from last time. Elsie, two beds to your left... she's been here for six weeks. There was also a young woman called Tracey across the room who had cancer... but she passed away this morning."

 

Mark said, "That's sad."

 

Barbara's voice then broke as she added, "She was only 31 and all. That's no age."

 

"Jesus," Mark sighed. "That's how old Jenny was when we got married."

 

"It makes you think, doesn't it? And it makes you appreciate what time you have. I've had 72 years so far and have lived a full life. That poor girl never really got a chance."

 

After a brief pause, Barbara said, "Mark. I want to speak to you alone... without Luke."

 

"Okay," Mark nodded. He asked Luke, "You don't mind leaving us two for a while, do you, son?"

 

"No, I don't mind," Luke said. "Meet you soon, Nan."

 

After Luke was escorted out of the room by a young nurse, Barbara told Mark, "Listen, love. I think my time is running out."

 

Mark shook his head. "What, Mum? What are you saying?"

 

"It has been seven months now, and the chemotherapy's just not working. I'm as weak as a kitten..."

 

"That's what chemo can do, though, can't it?"

 

"Let me finish. I'm as weak as a kitten... my bones are like dust... and my body is failing. I can't live like this. I can't let you see me live like this."

 

"So what are you going to do?"

 

"I'm thinking of stopping the chemotherapy... and perhaps..." Barbara then took a gulp before saying, "And perhaps going into palliative care."

 

Mark was stunned. "End-of-life care? Are you sure?"

 

"I've had a good innings, as your father would have said. He did like a bit of cricket, did Brian. Anyway, I would rather go quietly and peacefully... than suffer prolonged pain."

 

"I can understand that, Mum. If that's what you want, that's fine."

 

"If the Good Lord says that my time has come, then I'll go with him. I've lived a life that's been good. I've seen all four of you grow up to have successful careers... well, three of you, actually."

 

"You're not still bitter over Andy, are you?"

 

Barbara slowly shook her head, "Andrew has had a very long time to get back in touch with us. If he doesn't want to say goodbye to his dear mother, then that's his problem."

 

"Fair enough."

 

"But that's enough about me. What about you, Mark? I hear you've had more success in Europe. Both your grandfathers fought the Nazis in the War, and they would have been so proud of how you defeated the Germans."

 

"We might have beaten Germany, but I wouldn't call it success yet, Mum," Mark blushed. "Success would be at least getting to the Final, if not winning it."

 

"And I think you will succeed, love. I hope that God can give me one more week, so I can see my big boy win the European Championship. Then I really would die happy."

 

"We'll see what we can do."

[CFuller]

***

 

After a grand tour of 12 cities, the 2020 UEFA European Championship had reached its grand climax. The four remaining teams would now descend on London's Wembley Stadium to determine which of them could claim to be the best in Europe.

 

The first of the Semi Finals took place on 7 July, with holders Portugal - spearheaded as always by the legendary Cristiano Ronaldo - facing up against surprise packages Russia. The Selecção das Quinas set out their stall early, with André Silva of Paris Saint-Germain driving them into the lead after just three minutes.

 

Despite some somewhat industrial tactics from Russia, Portugal continued to dominate proceedings, though they wouldn't strengthen their advantage until the 81st minute. Gonçalo Guedes - Manchester City's new club-record £81million signing from PSG - scored from the penalty spot after compatriot Paulo Oliveira had been pushed in the Russian penalty area by Fedor Smolov.

 

Portugal were awarded another penalty on 84 minutes, this time after Georgy Djikia got too aggressive with Oliveira. This time, Guedes' spot-kick crashed against the woodwork, but it didn't matter. Russia's last hope of saving themselves was snatched away when left-back Sergey Petrov received a second yellow card in the penultimate minute.

 

Portugal ran out 2-0 winners and were within 90 minutes of successfully defending the Henri Delaunay Trophy - a feat previously achieved only by Spain in 2012. Fernando Santos' side would now wait for their Final opponents to be determined the following evening.

 

There was a fever-pitch atmosphere at Wembley less than 24 hours later, on the evening of 8 July. The second Semi Final would see England - the host nation for these latter stages - do battle with Denmark for the second time in almost exactly a month.

 

It already seemed an age ago that Denmark had dismantled England 3-1 at the Telia Parken in Copenhagen, in what was both sides' final match before the tournament began. Few could have imagined that they would collide again so soon - and at this stage of the Euros, no less.

 

Coached by Åge Hareide, Denmark had followed up their demolition of England by putting four goals past a sorry Montenegro side in their Group D opener. Despite subsequently losing to Germany and Russia, the Danish Dynamite snuck through to the Last 16 as one of the better 3rd-placed sides.

 

It was in the knockout phase where the Danes really came alive. Centre-back Andreas Christensen headed in the solitary goal that accounted for Spain in the Last 16, while a brace from Yussuf Poulsen scalped France in the Quarter Finals. Goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel was now potentially two games away from a shock European Championship triumph to rival that of his father Peter's legendary team from 1992.

 

Denmark had shown an awful lot of fighting spirit against France - perhaps a bit too much for Hareide's liking. The 66-year-old Norwegian would head into the Semi Final without four players, including his two-goal hero Poulsen, who had incurred suspensions against Les Bleus. Full-backs Nicolai Boilesen and Daniel Wass, along with Chelsea midfielder Pierre-Emile Højbjerg, would also have to watch the match from the stands.

 

Of those players Hareide did still have at his disposal, his main asset was still undoubtedly Tottenham Hotspur's Christian Eriksen. Accompanying the 28-year-old in midfield would be two other players with Premier League experience - Crystal Palace destroyer Thomas Delaney, and former Middlesbrough and Stoke City playmaker Viktor Fischer, who now played in Germany for Hoffenheim.

 

Meanwhile, Mark Catterall had most of his England squad to choose from. Jack Wilshere's twisted ankle was keeping him out for another match, and though captain Jordan Henderson was passed fit to play after damaging his heel in the Quarter Final thrashing of Germany, he was only given a watching brief.

 

With Henderson rested, Joe Hart once again assumed the England captaincy. The Manchester City goalkeeper's back four consisted of his club-mate Michael Keane in the centre alongside CSKA Moscow's Gary Cahill, with Danny Rose and Calum Chambers on the flanks.

 

Tottenham's James Ward-Prowse and Eric Dier were in midfield, behind a potentially fearsome attacking quintet of Marcus Rashford, Raheem Sterling, Rolando Aarons, and the tournament's joint-top scorer Harry Kane. Kane had been out on his own with four goals - three of which had been scored against Germany - until Portugal's Silva matched him in the first Semi Final.

 

England had previously reached the last four of the Euros in 1968 and 1996, only to fall at the penultimate hurdle on each occasion. The latter defeat was especially galling, as they had lost on penalties to Germany at the old Wembley Stadium, behind the Twin Towers. Would the rebuilt ground, and its arch, provide better luck for the Three Lions?

 

At first, it looked like the situation was affecting England more than it was Denmark. The Danish Dynamite won a corner after just two minutes, when right wing-back Jacob Bruun Larsen's cross was turned behind by Hart. Denmark's wing-back on the left flank - Riza Durmisi - saw his delivery headed away by Keane, and a follow-up cross was safely gathered by Hart.

 

Four minutes later, Danish striker Martin Braithwaite - the man who'd scored the opener in that previous meeting back in Copenhagen - was tripped by Dier. Spanish referee Antonio Miguel Matéu Lahoz issued an early booking to Dier, who'd already received two yellow cards earlier in the tournament and served a suspension against Germany.

 

After a nervy start, England began to attack their visitors in the ninth minute. Shortly after his corner kick was intercepted, Ward-Prowse retook the ball and crossed to Kane at the back post. A good connection would've made Kane the outright leading scorer at Euro 2020 again, but he could only flick Ward-Prowse's delivery long.

 

A few more England corners followed over subsequent minutes, but the Danes stood their ground. It arguably helped them that the English front four were struggling to get shots on target. Manchester United youngster Rashford looked a bundle of nerves in the 18th minute, miscuing a shot from a Dier pass that perhaps should've at least got close to Schmeichel.

 

Denmark's goalkeeper would have his first meaningful work to do in the 26th minute, catching a drilled cross from Chambers on England's right flank. Schmeichel then faced his first shot on target just moments later, with Sterling's crashing drive giving the Leicester City icon a stern test from 25 yards out.

 

Durmisi also went for the spectacular at the other end shortly afterwards. The diminutive Sampdoria left-back had scored just once in a five-year international career with the Danish Dynamite, and it wasn't hard to see why when his edge-of-the-area shot sailed into the stand.

 

When Ward-Prowse messed up a headed interception from Denmark captain Simon Kjær's long ball in the 31st minute, the visitors were gifted another opportunity. Feyenoord striker Nicolai Jørgensen ran onto the ball and had a pop from distance, though he only found the sponsor boards.

 

Jørgensen later damaged his heel in a heavy collision with Cahill on 43 minutes. He played on for the rest of the period, even half-volleying Jannik Vestergaard's direct ball inches wide just before half-time. However, Hareide decided not to risk him aggravating his injury, so Marcus Ingvartsen replaced him up front for the second half. Another change by the Danish manager saw the tiring Eriksen cede his spot to Huddersfield Town midfielder Philip Billing.

 

Catterall also made two changes in personnel after a goalless first period. The 4-2-3-1 made way for a 4-4-2 diamond, with midfield men Danny Drinkwater and Dele Alli taking the places of Aarons and Sterling.

 

The opening stages of the second half were fairly uneventful, save for Schmeichel's comfortable 50th-minute catch from a Ward-Prowse corner. A minute later, Hareide sensed that one of his Danish defenders was struggling for fitness. He substituted Vestergaard, with former Aston Villa centre-half Jores Okore - now playing for FC København - coming on to add some more energy to the backline.

 

England had enjoyed an extra day's rest on Denmark and were now hoping to take advantage of their opponents' increasing tiredness. In the 57th minute, Chambers whipped an excellent cross into the box for Kane, who tried to beat Schmeichel at his near post. The goalkeeper had other ideas.

 

On 63 minutes, Denmark summoned up the energy to put together another attack. Bruun Larsen's cross found Delaney in the English area, but the tenacious 28-year-old had to shoot with his weaker right foot and predictably couldn't keep his effort on target.

 

Three minutes after that, Ingvartsen's drive from the 'D' was deflected behind the England byline off Cahill. Dier comfortably cleared Durmisi's corner and kicked off a counter-attack from the Three Lions, though that ended with Schmeichel making light work of a deep Rose cross.

 

England's next attacks were somewhat disappointing for many at Wembley. A rare Cahill strike in the 71st minute was charged down by Valencia defender Erik Sviatchenko, whose club-mate Daniel Sturridge would soon replace Rashford in the England frontline. Four minutes later, Billing produced another excellent Danish block from Alli's half-volley.

 

Further attempts by Drinkwater and Ward-Prowse during the final 15 minutes of normal time failed to find the target. The home crowd gradually grew louder and more passionate, hoping to spur the Three Lions on to a dramatic winner in the two minutes of stoppage time that would follow.

 

In the last of those extra minutes, Drinkwater cut out a drilled cross from Durmisi deep in the England half. Drinkwater moved the ball forward to Kane, who wonderfully lobbed it ahead of his new strike partner Sturridge. The 30-year-old surged clear of Delaney to breach the defence and go one-on-one with Schmeichel. This was his big chance to claim victory for England.

 

Sturridge entered the Danish area as three red shirts approached him from behind. The striker tried to cut the ball past Schmeichel from a tight angle, but the goalkeeper blocked the shot with his left thigh. Okore then hacked the ball into touch, though that still left England with about half a minute to produce one last moment of magic.

 

After collecting Rose's throw-in from the left, Sturridge drifted past Delaney and lobbed the ball into the box. Kane got above a crowd of defenders to meet the delivery with his head, but the connection wasn't powerful enough to beat Schmeichel. Shortly after the Danish custodian secured the ball, Matéu Lahoz blew his full-time whistle.

 

England 0, Denmark 0. This Euro 2020 Semi Final was heading into extra-time.

[CFuller]

***

 

After 90 gruelling and goalless minutes at Wembley, the England and Denmark players were out on their feet. It would take at least another half-hour to determine which team made it through to the UEFA Euro 2020 Final, but some players could be excused for showing signs of tiredness.

 

When Michael Keane tried to sit down on the turf while England manager Mark Catterall was addressing his team, the Manchester City defender was instructed to remain standing.

 

"Don't sit down, Michael," Catterall demanded. "You can't show Denmark anything that says you're struggling. You need to stay strong and throw everything you have left at them. I don't want you leaving here tonight with any regrets."

 

Catterall had briefly considered replacing Keane with his City team-mate John Stones, even going so far as to ask the fourth official for clarification on whether teams could use more than three subs. The Swedish official said that the UEFA ruling which allowed teams to bring on a fourth substitute if a match went into extra-time only applied to the age-group European Championships. It was not in effect at the senior tournament.

 

"That's bollocks!" Catterall exclaimed. "How the f*** has that rule not been brought in to this tournament?"

 

"Return to your area please, sir," the official stated. "And if you swear at me again, I will report the referee."

 

Catterall let out a sigh of frustration as he returned to his technical area. He then grumbled to his assistant Michael Burke, "Those f***ing jobsworths at UEFA don't give a s*** about player welfare!"

 

"Just let it go, Catts," Burke said. "We'll be fine, trust me."

 

Each side therefore had to plough on with just the 11 players who were on the field when Spanish referee Antonio Miguel Matéu Lahoz blew his whistle to kick off extra-time. Stamina would now be as important a factor in the outcome as ability, if not more so.

 

England attacked from the outset, with Dele Alli putting a weighted pass into the Danish penalty area just moments after kick-off. The ball evaded its intended target of Daniel Sturridge, but Denmark's chief ball-winner Thomas Delaney knocked it behind for a corner instead of taking any chances.

 

James Ward-Prowse's corner was hacked away by Danish skipper Simon Kjær, though the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder would get another chance to make something from a set-piece. As the first minute of extra-time neared its conclusion, Denmark defender Jores Okore hacked English counterpart Gary Cahill down on the edge of the box. Matéu Lahoz awarded England a free-kick in a dangerous position.

 

Ward-Prowse was a master when it came to free-kicks, and he would show that here. He floated the ball majestically beyond the Danish wall, and just past the dive of goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel. Wembley suddenly erupted. England were leading 1-0 in a Euro Semi Final.

 

Denmark now had to push the hosts and go on the attack. Delaney was caught offside twice in the 93rd and 97th minutes, though the Crystal Palace midfielder's runs showed good intentions.

 

When Danish winger Jacob Bruun Larsen tackled England middleman Danny Drinkwater to win the ball in the 99th minute, he played a hefty long pass to Martin Braithwaite just inside the English half. Braithwaite then hit a glorious searching pass to substitute striker Marcus Ingvartsen on the left. Ingvartsen breezed past the strong but sluggish Cahill to go one-on-one with the onrushing Joe Hart, who was helpless to prevent the ball from slipping past him.

 

Ingvartsen was making just his third senior appearance for Denmark. The 24-year-old Chievo Verona striker had drawn them level with his maiden international goal.

 

The Danish Dynamite were now ready to explode, with Hoffenheim midfielder Viktor Fischer looking set to give them the lead in the 101st minute after being played in by Braithwaite. Fischer drove the ball towards Hart's top-right corner, but the England captain got just enough of his glove to the ball to divert it away.

 

The Three Lions would then have a chance to restore their lead two minutes before half-time. Daniel Sturridge found Harry Kane just inside the Danish area, but the Tottenham forward's fierce drive was parried behind by Schmeichel. Nothing came of the subsequent Ward-Prowse corner, and the scoreline remained 1-1 heading into the final 15 minutes.

 

There were cries for an England penalty in the 107th minute. Delaney was accused of pushing Kane in the Danish area as both men went after a long ball from Three Lions right-back Calum Chambers. The referee did blow for a foul against Delaney, but only awarded England a free-kick - right on the 18-yard line.

 

Being so close to goal didn't give Ward-Prowse much to aim at. Although this free-kick did clear the wall again, there was to be no repeat of his heroics at the start of the first extra half. Instead, it sailed comfortably over Schmeichel's crossbar.

 

England were very much the more aggressive team in the closing stages. Drinkwater hit a fantastic long ball ahead of Kane in the 114th minute, only for a superb saving tackle from Danish defender Erik Sviatchenko to prevent Kane from getting a shot in.

 

Kane was also involved in what would prove to be the final attack of the match. As extra-time went into stoppage time, Kane lobbed Drinkwater's pass out left to Sturridge. The Valencia forward got past Bruun Larsen to strike the ball on the half-volley, but Schmeichel held his nerve once more, tipping the ball behind.

 

Time had now run out for either team to break the stranglehold. With the final score at 1-1, penalties would be required to determine whether England or Denmark would earn the right to play Portugal in the Euro 2020 Final four days later.

 

England's record from shoot-outs was abysmal. They had not prevailed in such a situation at senior level since defeating Spain in the Euro 1996 Quarter Final, also at Wembley. However, their Under-21s and Under-20s had each won major championships on penalties in 2019, so perhaps England's spot-kick curse had already been broken.

 

England captain Hart won both coin tosses with Kjær, and he elected for his team to take the first penalty right in front of the West Stand, which was chock-full of home supporters. The Three Lions' nerve would be tested straight away, but Kane showed no signs whatsoever of cracking under the strain. He emphatically drove his opening spot-kick into Schmeichel's top-left corner, and England were off to a flyer.

 

Fischer's opening penalty for Denmark also went to the keeper's left. Similarly, Hart was unable to keep it out, and thus both teams had got off the mark immediately. One-all.

 

Alli also demonstrated great composure to convert England's second penalty, leaving Riza Durmisi under real pressure to do likewise for Denmark. The Sampdoria left-back drove the ball down the middle of the goal... and straight at Hart, who palmed it wide.

 

The Three Lions had a clear advantage, or at least they did until Drinkwater came up against his Leicester team-mate Schmeichel. It was the latter who prevailed, pushing Drinkwater's tame penalty onto his left post to cancel out that save from Hart just moments earlier.

 

Like most of those who'd come forward before him, Braithwaite sent Denmark's third spot-kick to the left of his opponent. However, Hart guessed correctly again, delighting the home supporters with an excellent save. England were still leading 2-1 after three rounds of penalties.

 

Sturridge was next up for England, and an unstoppable drive to Schmeichel's right made it 3-1. That meant Hart would now only need to save from Sviatchenko to send the Three Lions. He did get a glove to the Valencia defender's kick, but it wasn't quite enough to keep it out. England's lead had been cut to 3-2, but now they were effectively 'serving' for the match.

 

England's hopes and dreams rested on the shoulders of their left-back. If Tottenham's Danny Rose could get the better of Schmeichel, he would put his country into a maiden European Championship Final.

 

The 30-year-old Yorkshireman looked the epitome of coolness when he placed the ball on its spot. Rose took a few steps back and nodded to himself before running back to the spot and planting a left-footer to his left-hand side. Schmeichel correctly dived to his right, but the shot was just too powerful.

 

A cacophony of cheers went up across Wembley as Rose wheeled away, roaring in ecstasy as his team-mates sprinted towards him. Meanwhile, any hint of impartiality in the commentary of ITV's Clive Tyldesley went out the window as he screamed, "YESSSSSS!!! Football's coming home, ladies and gentlemen! ENGLAND ARE IN THE EUROPEAN FINAL!"

 

England had beaten Denmark 4-2 on penalties. They were now 90 minutes from continental glory.

 

8 July 2020: UEFA European Championship Semi Final - at Wembley, London

England - 1 (James Ward-Prowse 92)

Denmark - 1 (Marcus Ingvartsen 99)

[after extra time, England win 4-2 on penalties]

PENALTY SHOOT-OUT: Kane 1-0, Fischer 1-1, Alli 2-1, Durmisi saved, Drinkwater saved, Braithwaite saved, Sturridge 3-1, Sviatchenko 3-2, Rose 4-2.

ENGLAND LINE-UP (4-2-3-1): Joe Hart; Calum Chambers, Gary Cahill, Michael Keane, Danny Rose; James Ward-Prowse, Eric Dier; Rolando Aarons (Danny Drinkwater), Raheem Sterling (Dele Alli), Marcus Rashford (Daniel Sturridge); Harry Kane. BOOKED: Dier 6.

 

Tyldesley wasn't the only ITV employee to let his emotions run wild after Rose's decisive penalty. A video of pundits and former England team-mates Lee Dixon, Gary Neville and Ian Wright celebrating their country's victory quickly went viral on the internet.

 

Once the trio had calmed down and regathered their thoughts, presenter Mark Pougatch asked them, "Ask a silly question, fellas, but how are you feeling right now?"

 

Wright replied rather hoarsely, "I'm over the moon, man. 24 years - that's how long we've waited to win a shoot-out. And to do it in a Semi Final as well, in front of our own fans, is really special."

 

Dixon said, "As a former full-back myself, I am so pleased for Danny Rose that he scored the winning penalty. He showed tremendous composure just when the country depended on him. There were no nerves at all in his run-up or in his striking of the ball. Kasper Schmeichel is one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League, but Rose didn't give him much of a chance with his penalty.

 

"I've been following Rose's career for a long time, and the progress he's made over recent years has been great to see. For whatever reason, it took him longer than we maybe expected to bloom as an international defender, but now he's 30 and arguably in his prime. We're very lucky as a nation to have been blessed with two outstanding left-backs in Luke Shaw and Danny Rose, and Mark might have a tough decision to make on Sunday as to which one starts."

 

Neville said, "I'd be very surprised if Shaw didn't start the Final. Those lads who played tonight will only have three days to recover beforehand, so you can expect Catterall to make a whole raft of changes and perhaps rest those who are still struggling. The line-up we'll see against Portugal will be a lot closer to his strongest XI than we saw tonight."

 

Pougatch asked, "England were clearly missing Jordan Henderson and Jack Wilshere tonight; hopefully they'll be back for Sunday. What did you make of the England midfield without two of its key cogs?"

 

Neville responded, "You could tell that we were missing some of the stability Henderson gives us. Eric Dier is a wonderful, wonderful ball-winner, but as a holding player, I had too many doubts about him. You need a cool, calm head sitting between the defence and the midfield, and Dier is a bit too reckless as far as I'm concerned.

 

"In terms of James Ward-Prowse, I thought he acquitted himself very well. He's unbelievably versatile and has a vast skill set, and the impact he made at both ends of the pitch was always very positive. He also obviously takes a mean free-kick, as we saw right at the start of extra-time. That should have been the match-winner for me."

 

Dixon added, "I thought England dozed off after that free-kick, thinking that they'd broken Denmark's spirit when, in fact, they came back even more determined. As Denmark pushed higher up the pitch, and England lost focus. You can see right there that only one white shirt was picking out Braithwaite's ball across to Ingvartsen - a 34-year-old Gary Cahill. Once Cahill was left as the last man between Ingvartsen and the goalkeeper, you always felt that an equaliser was on the way, and so it proved."

 

Wright nodded, "Yeah, we can't go doing that against Portugal, else [Cristiano] Ronaldo and Bernardo [Silva] will destroy us. I love how Catts takes the game to his opponents, but every now and then, he just needs to be a bit more measured, a bit more controlled. If we're gonna have any chance of winning the Final on Sunday, he will have to strike a better balance between defence and attack."

 

2020 UEFA European Championship Semi Final Results

England 1-1 Denmark (aet, England win 4-2 on penalties)

Portugal 2-0 Russia

[CFuller]

***

 

Having spent the night at a luxury hotel by the River Thames, Mark Catterall and his England team travelled back to their St George's Park base early on Thursday morning. All along the route from west London to Staffordshire, they were greeted by scores of cheering supporters, all of whom were showing their appreciation for a tremendous run that was now on the verge of ending in triumph.

 

Early on in their journey, many of the players listened to a pre-recorded message from Prime Minister Jeremy Corbyn, who told them, "On behalf of every football supporter across the United Kingdom, I would like to congratulate them on your qualification for the Final of the UEFA European Championship. You have all shown a great deal of resilience, work ethic and humility during the tournament, and we are all tremendously proud of your achievements so far.

 

"All I ask of you now is to simply put on one final lion-hearted performance on Sunday and secure the country's first major international trophy since that unforgettable evening of 30 July 1966. Come on, England!"

 

Meanwhile, Catterall perused a collection of national newspapers. As expected, many of the front and/or back pages were dominated by an iconic photograph of Danny Rose roaring in delight after he converted the winning penalty against Denmark. The Tottenham Hotspur left-back featured prominently on the front of the Daily Mirror, which bore the headline: "ENGLISH ROSE: Danny's penalty sends England into Euro Final!"

 

The Sun pictured Rose blowing a kiss towards members of his family in the Wembley crowd under the headline: "KISS FROM A ROSE: X Marks the spot for Catts' Lions".

 

Just weeks after calling for Catterall to be sacked following two unconvincing draws in the Group Stage, The Sun also issued a grovelling apology, with their new chief football writer stating, "Many of us journalists have been quick to dismiss Catterall as an egocentric left-wing buffoon with ideas above his station. As it turned out, we were wrongly writing off the greatest football coach this country has produced since Brian Clough."

 

"England break penalty curse and close in on history" was the headline on The Times, while The Daily Mail simply asked, "IS THIS OUR YEAR?", above the tag-line, "Only Ronaldo stands been England and Euro glory".

 

Catterall was reading an article in The Times when he felt his phone vibrate. He quickly answered the impending call, from his sister Gemma.

 

"Hello, Gemma," Mark answered, with a sense of foreboding. "What is it?"

 

"Mark, you have to come to the hospital... as soon as you can," Gemma said, her voice strained with angst.

 

"What's wrong? Has summat happened to Mum?"

 

"Just come!"

 

When the England coach stopped at St George's Park two hours later, Catterall hurriedly told his assistant Michael Burke, "I've gotta shoot off. I think Mum's taken a turn for the worse."

 

"Do what you have to, Mark," Burke said. "I'll look after the team for you."

 

"Cheers, mate. See you later."

 

Mark quickly left the England party and drove north-west to Blackpool, arriving at the Blackpool Victoria Hospital just before 2:00pm. He was immediately greeted in the meeting room by Gemma, who looked like she had been crying.

 

"Mark," Gemma sighed. "You're the last one here."

 

Mark looked to his left and found his other sister Joanne seated anxiously alongside her wife Katie. To the side of them was Andrew - the fourth Catterall sibling, who had not been in touch with the family for several years.

 

Mark gasped, "Andy, what the f-", before spotting that Andrew too appeared to have tears in his eyes.

 

"Oh... God, no!" Mark stammered, before collapsing into Gemma's arms and burying his head on her shoulder.

 

Gemma told him, "I'm afraid so, Mark. Mum slipped into a coma last night, and she ain't waking up."

 

Joanne then stood up to explain, "Her vital organs have failed. She's on life support, but the docs say she won't survive much longer. We've been waiting for you to arrive before we..."

 

"I know, Jo," Mark choked, as he stood back up and took off his glasses to rub his eyes. "Let's not... prolong the agony."

 

Joanne said, "Dr Vaswani will be here any moment. I'll ask her if we can say goodbye to Mum... and then we'll end it."

 

Andrew then spontaneously burst into tears, sobbing, "I'm so sorry, Mum! I wish... I wish I saw you again sooner!"

 

A minute later, Dr Samia Vaswani arrived to explain to the Catteralls the procedures of switching off life support for their mother Barbara. They were then taken to her bedside to deliver their final farewells.

 

Youngest sibling Andrew was first to speak, saying, "Goodbye, Mum. I'm sorry that... we didn't end on good terms, and I'm sorry I didn't reach out sooner. I hope you'll forgive me. I'll always love you."

 

Gemma then spoke as she held back more tears. "Thank you for always being there whenever we needed you. Thank you for helping make us what we are today. And tell Dad we still miss him very, very much."

 

Her twin Joanne said, "I couldn't have wished for a more caring, thoughtful mum than you. I'll always remember how helpful you were that day... when I told you I was gay. You were just as much a friend as you were a parent."

 

Mark - the eldest sibling - was the last to say goodbye. He spoke softly as tears slowly trickled down his face, "I don't know what else to say, Mum. You've done everything you could to help us succeed in all our lives, in all our careers, and we'll always be thankful.

 

"England won last night. That was for you. And if - when - we win again on Sunday, I hope you and Brian are sharing a ginger ale somewhere. The drink's on me!"

 

After giving Dr Vaswani the go-ahead to switch off Barbara's life support machine, Mark said, "Ta-ra, mum. See you around," and then burst into sobs.

[CFuller]

***

 

After his mother's death on Thursday, England manager Mark Catterall was granted a short spell of compassionate leave by the Football Association. Assistant manager Michael Burke took charge of England training at St George's Park on Friday while Mark and his siblings made arrangements for Barbara's funeral.

 

Catterall spent a couple of nights in Blackpool before returning to Staffordshire on Saturday afternoon. From there, he travelled with the England team to north London, where they would spend the evening before the biggest match of their lives - the UEFA European Championship Final, against defending champions Portugal.

 

Tottenham Hotspur had given the Three Lions permission to use their facilities at Bulls Cross in Enfield on the morning of Sunday 12 June 2020. No club had more representatives in the England squad than Tottenham's five - Dele Alli, Eric Dier, Harry Kane, Danny Rose and James Ward-Prowse.

 

While at Bulls Cross, England's two injury doubts were put through their final fitness tests. Captain Jordan Henderson was passed fit to lead the team out at Wembley Stadium that evening. His fellow midfielder Jack Wilshere, whose ankle injury was originally feared to be tournament-ending, was given the all-clear to take his place on the substitute's bench, having recovered more quickly than anticipated.

 

Meanwhile, Catterall conducted a host of interviews with Britain's major TV networks. ITV, Sky News, Channel 4, the BBC - they all wanted a word with the first man to lead England into the Final of a senior football tournament since Sir Alf Ramsey in 1966.

 

It perhaps went without saying that there was an air of excitement and anticipation across the country. It was estimated that nearly 30 million Britons would tune in to either BBC One or ITV for the match, which would make it the most-watched television broadcast in the United Kingdom since the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales in 1997.

 

As BBC presenter Gary Lineker and ITV anchor Mark Pougatch prepared to begin the biggest battle for viewers in years, the England team coach departed their hotel at 5:00pm. With thousands upon thousands of people lining the streets of north and west London, what should've been a half-hour drive south-west to Wembley took more than three times as long. They eventually arrived at 6:35pm, which was still more than an hour before kick-off.

 

The players and backroom staff were given an emotional guard of honour by FA and Wembley staff as they got off the coach at the Wembley car park. Even the manager's eyes welled up a bit as a group of rowdy England supporters chanted, "There's only one Mark Catterall! There's only one Mark Catterall!"

 

Another group of fans could be heard chanting, "It's coming home, it's coming home, it's coming! FOOTBALL'S COMING HOME!" Burke's cover version of 'Three Lions' with Blossoms and David Baddiel, which had initially flopped upon release, had soared into the Top 5 of the UK Singles Chart off the back of England's most recent victories against Germany and Denmark.

 

As the England team made their way towards the home dressing room, Catterall was greeted by FA chairman Clark Gregory, who said, "Evening, Mark. You ready for this?"

 

"You bet I am, Clark," Catterall nodded confidently as Gregory pulled him to one side.

 

"We've got plenty of time to kill, so how about I invite you upstairs, into the VIP area?" Gregory suggested. "There are some great men I'd love you to meet."

 

Gregory then showed Catterall into Wembley's VIP section, where FA chief executive David Whiteman delivered a hearty welcome, "Mr Catterall! We are so privileged to have your company before the big match!"

 

"The privilege is mine, David," Catterall blushed.

 

"I heard about your dear old mother. Daphne and I send our condolences."

 

"Thanks, David. I wish she could've been with us today, but I know she's watching somewhere."

 

Gregory then pointed Catterall to a table, at which sat four of the surviving members of England's 1966 FIFA World Cup-winning squad. Hat-trick hero Sir Geoff Hurst was accompanied by defender George Cohen, backup goalkeeper Peter Bonetti, and former record goalscorer Sir Bobby Charlton.

 

"Would you like to meet some of the men you're hoping to emulate?" Gregory asked.

 

Catterall nodded, "I'd love to."

 

Catterall then walked over to the 'table of legends' and said, "Good evening, gentlemen."

 

Hurst smiled, "Ah... Mark Catterall! The new Sir Alf! They'll be calling you Sir Mark if our boys win tonight!"

 

"I'm not sure about that, Geoff," Catterall laughed. "We've still got a long way to go to match your achievements."

 

"You never know, Mark. Tonight could be the start of something special. I'm pleased to still be alive to see it."

 

Charlton asked Catterall in his strong Northumbrian accent, "You're... you're Brian Catterall's lad, aren't you?"

 

"I am, Bobby. So you knew Brian, then?"

 

"Oh, yes. I played against his Blackpool team with United in 1971. He were a tough defender, very strong, very talented. He could have played for England if Alf had took more notice."

 

"I've heard a lot of people say that about him. Hearing that from you, though... that really means something."

 

"You're as humble as he was, lad. The FA should be honoured to have you managing England."

 

"Cheers."

 

Catterall continued to talk with the four World Cup winners before moving on. As the manager bade farewell, Hurst told him, "Good luck, Mark... and bring that trophy home!"

 

The manager also greeted several other legendary England players from subsequent generations - Trevor Brooking, Peter Shilton, John Barnes, Andy Sinton, David Beckham, Ashley Cole. Eventually, he came across Wayne Rooney - his former captain, and the Three Lions' most prolific international scorer.

 

"Good evening, Wayne," Catterall smiled. "How have you been?"

 

"I'm great, Mark," Rooney said as the pair shook hands. "How about you?"

 

"A bit nervous, but then again, this ain't just another match," Catterall laughed. He then asked Rooney, "You, er... you don't have any hard feelings about how your England career ended, do you?"

 

"No, we're good. You was probably better off without me, to be fair."

 

"So I hear you're retired now. When did you decide to stop?"

 

"A year ago, after me contract with United ran out. I'm not doing nothing right now. I just stay at home with Coleen and our four kids - Kai, Klay, Kit, and Cass. We've got another on the way now; Coleen's promised she'll name 'em Kane if Harry scores tonight."

 

"Ah... so you're expecting another boy, then?"

 

"No, it's a girl this time. Coleen's well chuffed. She's always wanted a girl."

 

Catterall raised a chuckle, and then said, "Alright, Wayne, I'd best be off, otherwise Burke will have to do my team talk for me!"

 

"Cheers, Mark. Good luck for tonight!"

 

Catterall then made his way towards the exit, only for a woman to exclaim, "Excuse me, Mark Catterall!"

 

Mark turned his head around to see his wife Jenny and their son Luke. Jenny smiled, "You weren't seriously going to leave without seeing us, were you?"

 

Mark stammered, "No, no, of course not!" He then exchanged a kiss with Jenny before gently touching Luke's shoulder, telling him, "Are you excited, Luke?"

 

"I'm really excited, Dad," Luke beamed. "England against the mighty Ronaldo! I am hyped!"

 

"You think we've got a chance, son?"

 

"Definitely. Portugal have one incredible player, but we've got 11 very good ones. And it's about time we won something, isn't it?"

 

"I'll see what I can do."

 

Jenny said, "Whatever happens, it's been an incredible journey, hasn't it? It seems like only yesterday that we were in Copenhagen and you were telling me you weren't confident about beating Switzerland and getting out the group. Now you're 90 minutes away from being a national hero!"

 

Mark laughed, "I'm no hero! Admiral Nelson, now he was a national hero!" He then muttered under his breath, "Even if his views on slavery were a bit backwards by 21st-century standards."

 

"I'm just saying our lives will change forever if you can pull this off."

 

"Of course," Mark nodded. He then took a quick glance at his watch and said, "Okay, I've really gotta scoot off now, so..."

 

"Yeah, of course, go," Jenny said, before Luke added cheerfully, "Good luck!"

 

Mark hugged Jenny and then Luke, telling them, "Enjoy the match!"

 

Jenny smiled, "We'll try to!"

[CFuller]

***

 

The 2020 UEFA European Championship had come down to this. England and Portugal were just moments away from going head-to-head in the Final at the iconic Wembley Stadium.

 

England had reached their first European Championship decider and were on the brink of lifting their first piece of major silverware at senior level in 54 years. Mark Catterall had already overseen a FIFA U20 World Cup win and a European Under-21s Championship triumph during his four seasons at the helm, but lifting the Henri Delaunay Trophy would be unquestionably his finest achievement yet.

 

Most of Catterall's starting line-up for this biggest of matches were drawn from players based in his native north-west. Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart was protected by his club-mates John Stones and Michael Keane in the centre, with Manchester United's Luke Shaw and Liverpool's Nathaniel Clyne on the flanks.

 

Captain Jordan Henderson - also of Liverpool - was accompanied in midfield by Everton's Ross Barkley. Ahead of them were Tottenham Hotspur's attacking midfielder Dele Alli, who'd been arguably one of the leading lights at this tournament. Inside-forwards Marcus Rashford (Manchester United) and Rolando Aarons (West Ham United) had also shone on occasion.

 

The big news concerning Catterall's line-up was that Harry Kane - the Euros' joint-top scorer with four goals - was not in the starting XI. Kane had not fully recovered from playing 120 minutes in the Three Lions' Semi Final shoot-out win over Denmark and was named only on the bench. Instead, it was Valencia's Daniel Sturridge who would lead the line, at least to begin with.

 

Catterall entered the home dressing room about 15 minutes before kick-off. The room fell deafly silent as the 11 players with England's fate in their hands awaited the manager's words of wisdom.

 

Catterall began, "Look, lads. I know you weren't born yesterday, so you don't need reminding of how important this match is. You also don't need reminding of what happened the last major Final that England played right there.

 

"As far as I'm concerned, you can forget about all that right now. What happened in the past has no bearing on tonight. If you all pull together and play to the highest standard you can reach, then you can make this a night to remember."

 

Assistant manager Michael Burke added, "A lot of people have paid an awful lot of money for the chance to see us make history. Most of them have never felt excitement like this before, and they don't wanna be let down. Frankly, fellas, if you need motivation for a match like this, then you're in the wrong line of work.

 

"Cup Finals can bring the very best out of the very best. Now's your chance to prove that you are among the elite."

 

After the bell rang signalling the players to enter the tunnel, Catterall said, "The trophy's just around the corner, lads. Don't let Portugal take it."

 

Substitute Eric Dier got up from his bench and roared, "LET'S F***ING KILL THEM!" as he approached the dressing room door. The Tottenham and former Sporting CP defender then angrily punched the bare wall to the right of the door, only to wince in agony after hurting his right hand.

 

"ARGHH! S***!" Dier screamed as he grasped his injured fingers.

 

Head physio David Fevre examined Dier's hand, telling him, "You've just sprained your knuckles. You're lucky you didn't break any bones, you muppet!"

 

Captain Henderson then delivered a rather more sensible rallying cry, declaring, "Let's go, lads! IT'S NOW OR NEVER!"

 

England's players roared with passion as they followed Henderson out of the room and into the tunnel, though one player could be heard saying, "Actually, we could still win something in 2022, right?"

 

In the opposing dressing room were the men currently in possession of the European Championship. Fernando Santos' side had won six consecutive matches at the loss of just three goals, with defensive resilience playing a significant role in putting them on the verge of defending their trophy.

 

Both of the Selecção das Quinas' full-backs - Raphaël Guerreiro on the left, and Nélson Semedo on the right - were regular features in the Manchester City defence. Midfielder João Mário and forward Bernardo Silva played on the opposite side of Manchester and had won the Treble in 2019/2020.

 

Portugal's talisman, as ever, was a certain bronzed Madeiran perfectionist who used to call Old Trafford his home. Nearly 17 years after his international debut, Cristiano Ronaldo - now aged 35 but still in imperious form for Real Madrid - was about to feature in a Portugal jersey for the 179th and final time. He had scored 99 international goals up to this point, and it would surely be poetic were he to reach the ton here.

 

However, it wasn't Ronaldo who led the Portuguese team out onto the Wembley turf, walking alongside Henderson and his English compatriots. Ronaldo had voluntarily resigned as Portugal captain in 2018, with Sporting midfielder Adrien Silva succeeding him in that role.

 

There was actually a third Silva in Portugal's new 'golden generation'. Paris Saint-Germain striker André Silva was level with Kane on four goals for the tournament, but the 24-year-old would also start this match amongst the substitutes.

 

After rounding renditions of national anthems "God Save The King" and "A Portuguesa", the 16th European Championship Final got underway. It was Portugal who kicked off, and there were few surprises when they created the first scoring opportunity after just five minutes.

 

Guerreiro intercepted an attempted Clyne pass to Aarons and then found Ronaldo, who hoofed it between England's centre-halves for lone striker Diogo Jota to run onto. The 23-year-old from Porto had a pop from 25 yards out, but Keane got a thigh to the ball to deflect it safely towards Hart.

 

Portugal goalkeeper Anthony Lopes' first save of the match, after 13 minutes, was also a comfortable one. Henderson took the ball off Adrien Silva just inside the Selecção half and then attempted a 50-yard chip over Lopes. In truth, the Lyon custodian was never going to be seriously troubled from so far out.

 

Shaw's trip on Bernardo Silva in the 16th minute gave Portugal their next opportunity. Ronaldo whipped in a free-kick with the hope of sealing his international history, but a superb reflex save from Hart kept the megastar waiting.

 

England had more defending to do a minute later. Keane got in a way of a vicious strike from Bernardo Silva, while Shaw then tackled the rebound away from his United team-mate Mário.

 

Keane was proving a tough player to get past as far as Portugal's attackers were concerned. After 23 minutes, the 27-year-old Mancunian dispossessed Jota with a brilliantly-timed slide challenge that left the latter badly hurt. Jota soldiered on through obvious pain for the rest of the half, but he wasn't quite as threatening to England again and wouldn't return after the interval.

 

Barkley gave Portugal plenty to think about at the other end on 28 minutes. The Liverpudlian midfielder enjoyed England's best scoring chance yet when he crashed a free-kick against the crossbar. Selecção defender Rúben Dias had to hack the rebound behind just before Aarons could reach it.

 

Having come close to giving England the lead via a free-kick, Barkley stopped Portugal doing likewise at the other end a minute later. His determined block in the English wall deflected away a fierce strike from Bernardo Silva. That was followed shortly afterwards by the game's first booking, issued by Czech referee Pavel Kralovec after an injured and frustrated Jota fouled Stones.

 

Barkley had a couple more attempts at goal in the 32nd and 34th minutes, only for the ball to sky over Lopes' crossbar on each occasion. Afterwards, the Three Lions would seldom threaten a Portuguese defence that was being protected strongly by captain Adrien Silva.

 

As for England's backline, they continued to show the resilience that had resulted in them only conceding twice throughout the course of the tournament. Ronaldo and PSG midfielder Renato Sanches each saw attempts blocked in the closing stages before Guerreiro flighted a free-kick over in the 43rd minute.

 

The half-time whistle blew a few minutes later, with the scores still at 0-0. Santos looked visibly more concerned than Catterall as both managers went down the tunnel and prepared to make changes that would surely either make or break their European Championship dreams.

[CFuller]

***

 

Portugal's wily coach Fernando Santos made two changes to his line-up for the resumption of the Euro 2020 Final. Midfield creator Rúben Neves and striker André Silva were brought on as the respective replacements of João Mário and Diogo Jota.

 

In the England dressing room, Mark Catterall acted with rather less urgency than his Portuguese counterpart. Catterall's only personnel change during the interval was in attacking midfield.

 

Dele Alli had enjoyed the tournament of his life, but the Final was a bridge too far for the Tottenham Hotspur playmaker, who'd run out of steam after the first 45 minutes. Alli's club-mate James Ward-Prowse, who had himself won plenty of new admirers during these Euros, would come on in his place.

 

Both managers demanded more fight of their respective teams at half-time. Santos was undoubtedly annoyed, though, to see Neves recklessly fly in on Marcus Rashford and receive a yellow card just seconds after the restart. The young Porto midfielder was already walking a disciplinary tightrope.

 

Portuguese pulses would race again in the 48th minute, with goalkeeper Anthony Lopes having to desperately track back and tip over a wicked Ross Barkley cross before it could fly into his top corner. Lopes had another scare a minute later after his clearance was intercepted by Rolando Aarons. The England forward exchanged passes with Ward-Prowse before sending a tame shot straight at the goalkeeper.

 

The temperature then rose a few notches, with England captain Jordan Henderson being booked on 52 minutes for bringing Renato Sanches to ground with an outstretched leg. Sanches himself would be cautioned by referee Pavel Kralovec four minutes later, having clattered into Rashford. Barkley's subsequent free-kick led to another save from Lopes.

 

Portugal's legendary attacker Cristiano Ronaldo barely threatened England's goal until later in the 56th minute. That was when he jumped salmon-like above defender John Stones to get his head to a free-kick delivery from Bernardo Silva, which he could only nod into Hart's grasp.

 

As Catterall continued to assess the situation and weigh up his options, Santos took further action for Portugal by making his final substitution after almost exactly an hour. Sanches' race had been run, so Barcelona midfielder André Gomes would be involved for the next 30 minutes, if not longer.

 

With few chances being created from open play, this was turning into a battle of free-kicks. The first telling blow would be dealt from such a situation after 65 minutes.

 

Bernardo Silva fearlessly dribbled into the England half upon receiving a pass from Neves. He rode past a mistimed slide tackle from Henderson, only to be knocked down by Stones as he neared the penalty area. Kralovec blew his whistle and awarded Portugal a free-kick, 25 yards from goal.

 

This was very much Ronaldo's domain. The preening 35-year-old stood in his trademark free-kick pose - legs apart, eyes on the goal - before swinging the ball towards the target. His free-kick swerved over the England wall, in which Ward-Prowse appeared to duck, and found the 'postage stamp' of the goal frame. Joe Hart did not have a prayer.

 

Cometh the hour, cometh the man. Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro had scored his 100th international goal - a feat only Iran's Ali Daei had previously achieved in the men's game. It was surely his most important ever.

 

With England 1-0 behind, Catterall now had to go for broke. He switched to a 4-4-2 diamond and used up his two remaining substitutions. Eric Dier - his right hand now bandaged up after an earlier confrontation with a wall - joined the midfield in place of Aarons. Meanwhile, home fans were more relieved than delighted to see Harry Kane finally come off the bench, replacing Daniel Sturridge to recreate a popular strike partnership with Rashford.

 

Whenever Portugal had a narrow lead, though, they tended to sit on it. Santos wasn't regarded as one of world football's most pragmatic tactical geniuses for nothing, and he instructed his players to keep things even more compact at the back. England wouldn't have much room to exploit in the Portuguese third.

 

The Three Lions produced nothing in the first seven minutes following Ronaldo's opener. A chance finally arose when Bernardo Silva's trip on England left-back Luke Shaw earned him a yellow card, and the hosts a free-kick. Ward-Prowse swung it into the box from out wide, but Lopes charged forward to comfortably pluck it out of the air.

 

Ward-Prowse's next attempt came rather later, in the 82nd minute, The England fans held their breaths as Ward-Prowse closed in on a left-wing centre from Shaw, only to groan in frustration when his drive was deflected behind by the Selecção's Real Sociedad defender Paulo Oliveira.

 

Portugal were now protecting their lead in numbers, with even attacking players like Bernardo Silva coming in with vital tackles. England simply did not have the tactical nous to break them apart, and thus the Euro 2020 Final descended into somewhat of an anti-climax.

 

England's frustration was clear to see in the final minute of regulation time. Shaw lost his head momentarily, sending Semedo flying on the touchline near Catterall's technical area. A yellow card for the left-back duly followed.

 

After two minutes of injury-time, during which they had never looked like securing a dramatic equaliser, the hosts were at last put out of their misery. Kralovec's final whistle prompted wild celebrations from one team, and scenes of utter despair from another.

 

With a single sensational free-kick from arguably their greatest ever player, Portugal had mounted a successful defence of the European Championship. England's best chance of claiming silverware for over half a century had come and gone.

 

12 July 2020: UEFA European Championship Final - at Wembley, London

England - 0

Portugal - 1 (Cristiano Ronaldo 65)

ENGLAND LINE-UP (4-2-3-1): Joe Hart; Nathaniel Clyne, Michael Keane, John Stones, Luke Shaw; Ross Barkley, Jordan Henderson; Rolando Aarons (Eric Dier), Dele Alli (James Ward-Prowse), Marcus Rashford; Daniel Sturridge (Harry Kane). BOOKED: Henderson 52, Shaw 90.

 

After just over 11 hours of football, England's players were physically and mentally spent. Many collapsed to the turf in exhaustion as their Portuguese counterparts wildly celebrated victory. Meanwhile, Catterall graciously shook hands with Santos and offered his congratulations before walking onto the pitch to console his team.

 

Ten minutes later, the beaten finalists made their way up Wembley's famous 107 steps to collect the runners-up medals at the Royal Box. They were greeted by Prime Minister Jeremy Corbyn, UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin, and the FA's own President - William, Prince of Wales.

 

After collecting their medals, the England contingent watched on as their Portuguese conquerors moved up the steps to collect theirs. At the back of the line was Selecção captain Adrien Silva, who was handed the Henri Delaunay Trophy by a smiling Čeferin before hoisting it triumphantly into the air. On another night, it could well have been Henderson in his envious position.

 

In the ITV studio afterwards, a downhearted Ian Wright sighed, "You know, I think we've missed a huge trick here. This was the European Final, in front of our own fans, against basically a one-man team. The lads should've gone for it, but I think they were... a bit scared, y'know. We were scared of failing, and that's what we did. We failed.

 

"Remember the team that gave it absolutely everything in Munich? Remember Harry Kane's hat-trick, and the intensity with which we destroyed Germany? Well, we never saw none of that tonight.

 

"I know that Catts loves Studge like he was one of his kids... and I do too, y'know, but he shouldn't have started. In the biggest game of your career, you need your very best players. Not starting Harry was a mistake, even if he weren't fully fit after Denmark. He can lead an attack on his own, but Danny can't, as you saw when Rúben Dias basically marked him out the game."

 

Lee Dixon said, "I agree with a lot of what you're saying, Ian. Tactically, I don't think Catterall got a great deal wrong, but you have to ask questions about his team selection now. You can prioritise your fittest players, yes, but at the end of the day, this was the European Championship Final. For me, there was no point in leaving Kane on the bench until England went 1-0 down.

 

"I have to say, also, that Dele Alli was hugely disappointing. He has been a fantastic creative outlet for England throughout this tournament, but he was very cautious tonight. He didn't try to penetrate the Portuguese defence all that often, and when we did, he tended to go with the wrong option. Portugal's defence had it a little too easy out there for my liking."

 

Wright then said, "We were saying before kick-off about how great this Final was gonna be. To be honest, it was an awful match, probably the worst Final I can remember, apart from maybe Holland vs Spain at the 2010 World Cup. England never really got going, but Portugal were nowhere near their best themselves. If it weren't for Ronaldo's free-kick, we wouldn't remember none of this in five, ten years' time."

 

Dixon added, "That was a fantastic free-kick, to be fair, but England's defending of it was very poor. I swear I even saw James Ward-Prowse duck down to get out of the way of Ronaldo's strike. As a defender, I thought that was unforgivable. Instead of putting his body on the line for his country, Ward-Prowse put his own safety above the team's, and that's something he simply cannot afford to do again moving forward."

 

The BBC's punditry team were also very critical of England's performance, with Alan Shearer in particular refusing to hold back. The former Three Lions captain stated, "Tonight was an absolute disgrace. This was a return to the bad old days when England would collapse into themselves whenever they came up against a decent team.

 

"In a way, we were very, very lucky to even get this far. We got away with draws against Turkey and Romania because we turned up for that final group game with Switzerland. Apart from that game, and the Quarter Final with Germany, the performances have generally not been anywhere near what you'd expect from this group of England players."

 

Another ex-England captain - former Manchester United centre-back and current Milton Keynes Dons manager Rio Ferdinand - added, "Nobody on our end was taking any risks. Nobody was taking the game by the scruff of the neck. On the Portuguese side, you had Cristiano, who was a man on a mission after being injured in this match four years ago. He wanted to make this his Final, which he did.

 

"The only time I can think of when an England player showed any passion, any commitment was when John Stones fouled Bernardo to give away the free-kick what Cristiano scored. It was badly mistimed, yes, but at least he was willing to take one for the team and stop that attack. I just hope Stonesy don't dwell on that too much, 'cos he's a top, top defender, and he could be absolutely pivotal for us when the World Cup comes round."

 

Presenter Gary Lineker asked, "How do you rate England's chances at the next World Cup? Do you see them having any chance of winning in Morocco in two years' time?"

 

Ferdinand nodded, "Absolutely, Gary. I'm 110% certain we'll be there or thereabouts. We don't have a team full of elite players, but Catts has got a lot out of them. He's took us to 3rd in the World Cup and now 2nd in the Euros, so now it's all about taking that last, final step onto the top of the podium. For me, we just need another top midfielder to come through and another striker to challenge Harry Kane."

 

Shearer argued, "Personally, I think the FA have to make some changes at the top for us to stand a chance in Morocco. I'm not entirely convinced Catterall is still the right man to lead England forward. Okay, he's taken us this far, but to win things, you need to be absolutely ruthless. If you're playing it safe in a major Final at Wembley, if you're not being proactive, what hope is there for you?"

 

Lineker said, "So, football may or may not be coming home soon, depending on which side of the fence you're on. Now, where do you think England go from here, André?"

 

Everton's suave Portuguese manager André Villas-Boas said, "In terms of going forward, you have to say... er.... the outlook is... er... significantly positive from an England point of view. You must look at the eventuality of... er.... upgrading the senior set-up by replacing some experienced but less-skilled players with developable technicians from up-and-coming businesses... erm, I meant less glamourous clubs. This should be an integral component of the FA's thought process with regards to... er... taking England to the next level of their project road-map.

 

"I also believe that... er... Mark Catterall should go out of his comfort zone and... er.... outsource some of his workload with the development squads to other departments. I mean, what is this 'remote management' bollocks? Did Don Draper come up with that?"

 

As he turned to the camera and smiled awkwardly, Lineker muttered, "I took a 500 grand pay cut to keep this job, you know. I could've been sunning it up in Dubai if I hadn't."

 

The Euros might not have ended in success for England, but some of their players would come away with their reputations enhanced. With four goals, Kane finished amongst the top scorers, becoming the first Englishman to do so in this competition since Alan Shearer in 1996. However, he would not take away the Golden Boot. That award went to André Silva, who'd scored his four goals whilst playing fewer minutes than either Ronaldo or Kane.

 

Kane was also surprisingly left out of the championship's Dream Team. Alli was the only England player named in the starting line-up after some fantastic performances, especially against Switzerland and Germany. Clyne and Stones were both amongst the substitutes.

 

Kane and Alli would look fondly on Euro 2020 in time. Right now, though, their anguish couldn't be more palpable.

 

2020 UEFA European Championship Final Result

England 0-1 Portugal

 

2020 UEFA European Championship Award Winners

Best Player: Ousmane Dembélé (France).

Golden Boot: 1st - André Silva (Portugal, 4 goals). 2nd - Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal, 4 goals). 3rd - Harry Kane (England, 4 goals).

Best Young Player: Oleg Kalinin (Russia).

Goal of the Tournament: 1st - Roman Zobnin (Russia, vs Denmark - Group Stage). 2nd - David Alaba (Austria, vs Portugal - Quarter Final). 3rd - Saúl (Spain, vs Armenia - Group Stage).

 

Dream Team: Hugo Lloris (France); Nélson Semedo (Portugal), Rúben Dias (Portugal), Andreas Christensen (Denmark), David Alaba (Austria); Marco Reus (Germany), Dele Alli (England), Adrien Silva (Portugal), Ousmane Dembélé (France); André Silva (Portugal), Diego Costa (Spain).

Substitutes: Manuel Neuer (Germany), Mehmet Topal (Turkey), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), Antoine Griezmann (France), Gonçalo Guedes (Portugal), Nathaniel Clyne (England), Moussa Dembélé (France), John Stones (England), Leroy Sané (Germany), João Mário (Portugal), Hakan Çalhanoglu (Turkey), Raphaël Guerreiro (Portugal).

[mark wilson27]

Unlucky sir but congratulations on getting this far. Hopefully its onwards and upwards from here.

 

[CFuller]

9 hours ago, mark wilson27 said:

Unlucky sir but congratulations on getting this far. Hopefully its onwards and upwards from here.

It wasn't a particularly good performance from us, but to be honest, I'm not surprised. It was a real struggle to get to the Final, and I can't really complain about being beaten by one moment of brilliance.

As you'll read in the next update, there'll be at least one more tournament cycle for Mark Catterall. Before that, though, the Under-19s will end this season with their European Championship. That's the last trophy we need to complete a clean sweep with the age-group teams.

[CFuller]

***

 

England's great UEFA Euro 2020 adventure was over. The Three Lions had survived a few early scares and gone all the way to the Final, only for their Wembley party to be spoiled by one sublime free-kick from Portuguese demi-god Cristiano Ronaldo.

 

After returning from the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia having finished 3rd, England's players had been honoured with an unforgettable homecoming parade in London. There was to be no repeat of those scenes after the Euros, with the Football Association only intending to organise a formal celebration if they had lifted the Henri Delaunay Trophy.

 

On the Monday morning after the disappointment of the night before, the England team was broken up until September. The players returned to their clubs, where they could expect to be given some much-needed rest before preparing for the new domestic and European seasons.

 

As for manager Mark Catterall and his assistant Michael Burke, they would now face an end-of-tournament debrief at Wembley Stadium. FA chairman Clark Gregory and chief executive David Whiteman would ask the pair for their thoughts on how the tournament had panned out, and on what more could be done to increase the chances of England's next tilts at major silverware being successful.

 

"Good morning, gentlemen," Whiteman began, as he invited Catterall and Burke to take their seats in the FA boardroom. "And may I offer to you my sincerest congratulations on your achievements this summer."

 

"Thank you, David," Catterall said. "It were a struggle at times, but we came through all that, and I hope we did the country proud."

 

Gregory said, "You've done more than that, Mark. You've made the public believe that England can win things again."

 

Whiteman continued, "Admittedly, we are minorly disappointed that the result of last night's match did not have the outcome many of us desired. Indeed, several board members at the Football Association are of the belief that an enormous opportunity has been left unexploited."

 

Burke admitted, "I think the occasion got to some of the lads, to be fair. A lot of them, they hadn't gone through anything like it before. They'll be all the better for this experience in the future."

 

"This was a long, hard tournament for us," Catterall added, "A few of the players - Dele Alli, Harry Kane, maybe even Jordan Henderson - weren't fit enough to give their all last night. I think, in the end, we paid the price for taking so long to beat Denmark."

 

"Your uprightness is an admirable quality, Mr Catterall," Whiteman nodded. "And I suppose we can excuse you for not defeating one of the pre-eminent footballers of his and any generation."

 

Gregory said, "We could do with having our own Cristiano Ronaldo, that's for sure. I don't mean any disrespect when I say this, but you aren't going to win World Cups or European Championships with players like Danny Drinkwater and Ross Barkley."

 

"We have to make do with what we've got, Clark," Catterall stated, "but I agree with you to a point. I think we've got to the stage where we need to phase out the older players and push the next generation forward."

 

Burke added, "We've got World and European champions at youth level. Me and Mark, we want to develop that 'golden generation', and build a team that can compete with the very best."

 

Gregory tutted, "I don't like the phrase 'golden generation'. Look at what happened to the last lot we gave that name. They couldn't even keep a shot on target from 12 yards out, for Christ's sake!"

 

"I think this new generation's the real deal. I honestly think so."

 

Catterall told Gregory, "Those 'newgens' you introduced me to a few years back; I think they're almost ready. I'm expecting a few of them to be playing regular Premier League football next season - Loz Warner, Glenn Sheppard, Peter Turner, Neil Campbell. I'm also looking forward to seeing more of Willie Field at Liverpool; he could be the best young striker England have had since Wayne Rooney."

 

Burke offered up the names of some slightly older players who were establishing themselves in the top flight, "Then you've got the likes of Josh Tymon making waves at Arsenal. Callum Gribbin was fantastic at Norwich last season, as was JRC [Joe Rankin-Costello]. If they carry on as they are, they'll be ready for the seniors very soon."

 

Whiteman agreed, "That does sound like a well-advised plan to my ears. What about your ears, Mr Gregory?"

 

Gregory said, "As long as it doesn't jeopardise our hopes of getting to the 2022 World Cup, I'm happy to let you do that. Speaking of that, we need to discuss contracts with you two."

 

Catterall and Burke had each signed four-year contracts with the FA upon taking the helm at the senior team in 2016. Those deals had now expired, but Whiteman immediately offered to extend the pair's employment for two more tournament cycles - until the end of Euro 2024.

 

After Catterall and Burke each agreed to have their contracts extended, Gregory told them, "I'm sure the fans will be delighted to have you on board again. Neither of you read The Sun, I take it?"

 

Burke shrugged his shoulders and asked rhetorically, "Is the Pope a Buddhist?"

 

"I'll take that as a no. Anyway, they've done a poll of 5,000 England fans, and 87% wanted you to stay on as manager, Mark. That's quite a vote of confidence, isn't it?"

 

Whiteman smiled, "Prime Ministers would be envious of such a high approval rating."

 

"And after the tournament you've had, we both reckon you deserve some time off."

 

"The Under-19s squad will be partaking in their European Championship in Northern Ireland tomorrow. In typical circumstances, we would have no qualms about Mr Catterall managing the team remotely, but in light of his recent bereavement, we feel that compassionate leave would be more appropriate."

 

Catterall claimed, "I'll be fine, gents. Trust me."

 

Gregory insisted, "We're not asking you to take time off, Mark. We're telling you to."

 

"The loss of a parent is a traumatic experience for any person, Mr Catterall," Whiteman stated. "My dearest parents passed away in the 1970s, but with a stiff upper lip, I continued to work through my grief, only accepting compassionate leave for their funerals. With the benefit of hindsight, that is a decision I have the deepest regrets about."

 

Gregory tried to reassure Catterall, "The Under-19s will be in good hands, Mark. Ledley King has got some excellent results with the team, and I'm sure he'll do so again in your absence."

 

Whiteman then suggested, "There is an alternative plan, Mr Gregory. We could instead ask Mr Burke to assume control of the 'remote management' aspect of our European Under-19s Championship."

 

"Thanks for the offer, Mr Whiteman," Burke said. "Like you say, though, I need some time with my family, some time away from football. Before we got back from Munich, I hadn't seen Julia or our kids in something like four weeks."

 

"That is quite understandable, Mr Burke."

 

"I guess that's it, then," Gregory wrapped up. "Once again, thanks for coming to speak to us. We'll see you two again in a few weeks, when the UEFA Nations League starts up."

 

Whiteman added, "And do not forget that I will always be here to explain the competition format to you again, if need be. One could be excused for forgetting how that particular system works by now!"

 

Catterall and Burke said their farewells to the FA executives before parting ways themselves. As Catterall was about to leave Wembley, his mobile phone rang. His now-retired tactical coach Glenn Hoddle was on the other end.

 

Catterall answered the call, "Glenn? How are you? I weren't expecting you to call!"

 

"I'm good, thanks, Catts. How'd the meeting go?"

 

"It went great. We're officially staying on for another tournament, maybe even two!"

 

"Oh, fantastic! I'm sure you and Mick will do great at the next World Cup."

 

Catterall asked, "So what were you calling about?"

 

Hoddle replied, "Well, I never had the time to say my goodbyes last night. I'm just calling to wish you two all the best for the future, and I hope you'll find a top coach to replace me soon."

 

"I'm confident we will, Glenn. We've got a few weeks to rest up and think things over, and then we'll move on towards the World Cup."

 

"You know, Mark... I always thought you'd become one of the best managers in world football. Ever since that first England training session I had with you in 1996, I thought you'd follow in my footsteps and become very successful. Of course, I thought the same about Paul Ince as well..."

 

Catterall smiled, "You were a big influence on me, as much so as Kenny Dalglish at Blackburn, Peter Reid... and my parents, obviously, God rest their souls."

 

"Yeah, it's a real shame about your mum. When's the funeral, out of interest?"

 

"Thursday 23rd, in Lytham St Annes. Jenny's already put an invitation in the post for you."

 

"Cheers, Mark. I'll make the time to be there."

 

"I'd love to see you there," Catterall nodded. "So what are you gonna do with your time, now that you're done with coaching?"

 

"I'll still be doing commentary for BT Sport, as always. ITV have offered me the chance to work with them on England games again. They need someone to take over from Andy Townsend, now he's got that job presenting 'Cliché Bingo' on Channel 5."

 

"Well, I'm sure you'll do... alright with them."

 

"Cheers," Hoddle said before signing off. "Right, I'm gonna go now. Best of luck once again, Mark."

 

"All the best to you too, Glenn. It's been a pleasure to have you on my coaching team."

[CFuller]

Chapter 40 - Luck Of The Irish

 

England's pursuit of the UEFA European Championship had ended in glorious failure, with a narrow 1-0 defeat to holders Portugal in the Final at Wembley. However, there was another opportunity for the country to claim some silverware in the summer of 2020.

 

As the senior England team were bringing their tournament towards its conclusion, the Under-19s were making plans for their own European Championship. They made the short flight to Northern Ireland early in July, with the aim of returning early in the month with the trophy in their possession.

 

The Young Lions were into their third straight European finals at Under-19s level, though they had only progressed as far as the Semi Finals in their previous two attempts. Their Irish odyssey would begin on 14 July, with the Final scheduled for 25 July.

 

England had come unstuck against eventual winners Portugal at the previous year's championships in Armenia. They wouldn't have to worry about the holders this time around, as the Esperanças had been eliminated at the Elite Round stage. In fact, none of the champions from the previous five editions - also including Spain, France and Serbia - had made it through to these finals.

 

There were a few major nations who had qualified. Germany were pursuing their first European title at this age group since 2014, while Italy's last triumph dated back to 2003. The Netherlands had never won this competition but would always be a force at any level.

 

The Czech Republic were flourishing at youth level, with some of their players at these finals having finished runners-up to England at the 2019 FIFA U20 World Cup. Greece, Georgia and the host nation completed the eight-team line-up.

 

Even-numbered European Under-19s Championships carried the extra prize of qualification for the following year's U20 World Cup. Only the four Semi Finalists would automatically qualify for that tournament, which would take place in Poland in 2021.

 

The sides discovered what awaited them in the Group Stage when the draw was made early in June.

 

2020 UEFA European Under-19s Championship Group Stage draw

GROUP A: Czech Republic, Georgia, Italy, Northern Ireland (hosts)

GROUP B: England, Germany, Greece, Netherlands

 

England had been drawn into 'easy' groups at recent European Championships, but they were not so lucky this time around. With both Germany and the Netherlands to contend with, the Young Lions would do well simply to get out of the group.

 

England had faced the Netherlands at this stage 12 months previous, taking the lead before going down 2-1. Among the leading Oranje talents were Feyenoord creator Anouar Baltham, who'd spent the end of the previous season on loan at Fulham, and PSV midfielder Jan Bergsma, who was already established in the national Under-21s team.

 

Germany's formidable line-up was headed by Dominic Gerber - a 17-year-old striker with the world at his feet. After scoring 17 goals in just 19 matches for Bayern Munich's reserve team, Gerber was the subject of a surprise £5million January transfer to second-tier side Eintracht Frankfurt, where was now honing his skills at senior level.

 

Greece were the group underdogs, but they had some exciting talents of their own. Chief among them was Liverpool's 6ft 5in centre-half Thanasis Maliaritis, who was back in the UK following a full season out on loan with Elche in La Liga.

 

England's group campaign would begin against the Netherlands in Lurgan on 14 July. They would then travel to the capital city Belfast for a similarly tough test with Germany two days later. If results didn't go well, then the Young Lions' return trip to Lurgan to face Greece on 19 July would see them playing simply for pride.

 

With England manager Mark Catterall given some time off following a gruelling few weeks, it was up to head coach Ledley King to lead the Young Lions to glory. Catterall's only involvement in the team's quest for honours was to select the 18-man final squad.

 

ENGLAND UNDER-19s squad - for 2020 UEFA European Under-19s Championship

NAME                      POSITIONS           D.O.B. (AGE)     CLUB            HEIGHT WEIGHT     VALUE
Brian Farrell             GK                  14/02/2001 (19)  Chelsea         6'2"   12st 6lbs  £170K   
Josh Vokes                GK                  15/04/2002 (18)  Tottenham       6'2"   12st 6lbs  £425K   
Peter Turner              D (RC), WB/M (R)    09/03/2001 (19)  Chelsea         5'11"  11st 11lbs £400K   
Joe Mooney                D (RC), DM          28/01/2002 (18)  Man City        6'1"   12st 12lbs £475K   
Andrew Gray               D (RC), M (C)       20/11/2001 (18)  Brighton        6'0"   12st 8lbs  £54K    
James Errington           D (C), ST (C)       08/02/2001 (19)  Watford         5'8"   11st 0lbs  £800K   
Andy Hunt                 D/WB (L)            12/01/2002 (18)  Gillingham      5'11"  12st 1lb   £400K   
Ted Lapslie               D/M (L)             18/06/2002 (18)  Arsenal         5'11"  11st 4lbs  £6.5M   
Stephen Nugent            D/M (C)             04/06/2002 (18)  Man Utd         6'2"   12st 3lbs  £1.8M   
Leon Rowe                 WB (L), DM, M (C)   19/07/2001 (18)  Leeds           5'8"   11st 0lbs  £450K   
John Harrison             M (R), AM (RC)      25/07/2001 (18)  Liverpool       5'7"   9st 12lbs  £1.4M   
Graham Hartmann           M (RC), AM (C)      24/05/2001 (19)  Reading         5'9"   10st 12lbs £450K   
Calum Wilson              M (L), AM (RLC)     07/04/2001 (19)  Arsenal         6'0"   12st 3lbs  £425K   
Neil Campbell             M (C), AM (RC)      23/05/2001 (19)  Wolves          5'10"  11st 2lbs  £2.3M   
Glenn Sheppard            M (C), ST (C)       08/08/2001 (18)  Chelsea         5'11"  11st 11lbs £2.7M   
Charles Ameobi            M/AM (L), ST (C)    29/07/2001 (18)  Arsenal         5'7"   9st 12lbs  £3.8M   
Reece Nicholls            AM (L), ST (C)      16/03/2001 (19)  Chelsea         5'9"   11st 4lbs  £9.25M  
Willie Field              AM (LC), ST (C)     20/03/2002 (18)  Sheff Wed       5'9"   10st 12lbs £575K   

 

The big surprise inclusion in the England squad was that of midfield playmaker Neil Campbell. The wonderkid from Wolverhampton Wanderers had already lifted the U20 World Cup and won five caps for the Under-21s, so there was a sense that he might have outgrown the Under-19s. However, Catterall wanted his best players available for the group phase, so he obtained permission from Wolves for Campbell to travel to Northern Ireland.

 

Campbell had come off the back of an excellent season in the Championship, helping Wolves win promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs. A few of his colleagues were also hoping to be playing regular top-flight football once this competition was over.

 

Chelsea strikers Reece Nicholls and Glenn Sheppard were both wanted by Scottish Premiership champions Celtic following productive loan stints in the Championship. They - alongside club-mates Brian Farrell and Peter Turner - were the other players besides Campbell who rejoined the Under-19s, having been capped by the Under-21s. Incidentally, this would be Turner's third consecutive European Championship.

 

Arsenal left-flankers Charles Ameobi and Ted Lapslie had also played at the previous Euros, and they would be joined this time by fellow Gunners prospect Calum Wilson. Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Josh Vokes and Liverpool winger John Harrison were other veterans from the Young Lions' unhappy experience in Armenia.

 

Two players who'd featured alongside Harrison in Liverpool's youth teams last season also travelled with the squad. Striking sensation Willie Field would join Sheffield Wednesday - recently relegated back to the Championship - on loan once the tournament was over. Left-back Andy Hunt would also be making a new start, having signed for League One side Gillingham on a free transfer following his release from Anfield.

[mark wilson27]

That is a horrible group, is it a top two and go through or is their chance of an unlucky third place getting you through

[CFuller]

28 minutes ago, mark wilson27 said:

That is a horrible group, is it a top two and go through or is their chance of an unlucky third place getting you through

The top two go through to the Semis, as well as next year's U20 World Cup. There is also a play-off between the 3rd-placed teams for a World Cup spot, but as I've mentioned before, that's a bit bugged.

[CFuller]

***

 

Less than 48 hours after the end of the senior UEFA European Championship, the Under-19s equivalent kicked off in Northern Ireland. England had made the short trip across the Irish Sea as one of eight teams with a shout of being crowned the best national youth team on the continent.

 

Many had tipped the Young Lions to go at least one step further than the Semi Finals, where they had unfortunately stumbled at the 2018 and 2019 tournaments. However, they were in a potentially nightmarish Group B, which also featured the likes of Netherlands and Germany.

 

It was the Dutch who would provide England's opponents on the opening afternoon of the 2020 event. They would do battle at Mourneview Park in Lurgan, County Armagh. That was the home ground of Glenavon, who were one of the stronger teams in the IFA Premiership.

 

Ledley King's Young Lions had not been beaten since their last-four exit to Portugal 12 months earlier. They also boasted the psychological advantage of having defeated the Netherlands in a friendly in November, thus avenging their loss to the Oranje at the previous Euros.

 

England took just 33 seconds to get their European Championship up and running, thanks to a couple of their Liverpool youngsters. Willie Field ran onto Arsenal left-winger Charles Ameobi's knockdown and then lifted it into the opposition box for one of his Anfield club-mates. Right-winger John Harrison got past Dutch left-back Jeroen Oosting to flick in a header that left goalkeeper Thibault Declerck shellshocked.

 

Remarkably, Harrison's goal was not to be the quickest of the day, let alone the tournament. In Group A's evening kick-off, Radek Kucera would put Czech Republic 1-0 up against Northern Ireland after a mere 10 seconds!

 

Almost as soon as England had taken the lead, the Netherlands threatened to cancel it out. Striker Roël Netteb fired a free-kick over the bar in the fourth minute after his PSV colleague Jan Bergsma had been brought down by England midfield counterpart Leon Rowe.

 

A more promising Oranje assault came in the 10th minute. Netteb pulled some English defenders towards him before playing the ball through space to Erik van der Veen. The AZ right-winger advanced into the area, only for his shot to be clawed behind by Josh Vokes in the England goal.

 

The Netherlands' backline faced its next real test on 20 minutes, James Errington's left-wing cross looked like being driven home by Glenn Sheppard until the England striker was dispossessed at the last moment by defender Roger de Groot. A minute after that, Declerck produced an excellent catch from a long-distance drive by midfield destroyer Andrew Gray.

 

Things remained tight throughout the first half, with the Netherlands' best equalising chance arguably coming in the 34th minute, after van der Veen was upended by Young Lions left-back Ted Lapslie. Rene Schoostra lifted in the free-kick, and centre-half Thomas van Veen - who, somewhat confusingly, played alongside van der Veen at AZ - was unfortunate to flick it against the woodwork.

 

Despite the Netherlands' best efforts, Vokes remained unbeaten at the break. The Tottenham Hotspur gloveman only needed to make a couple of saves, the latter of which had come right at the end of 45 minutes. A strike from van der Veen ricocheted off Young Lions defender Stephen Nugent and to Netteb, who dribbled through space before seeing Vokes pluck his lobbed shot out of the air.

 

Netherlands coach Maarten Stekelenburg made all three of his substitutions at half-time in a bid to swing the match firmly in his team's favour. However, it was England who started the second half quicker. Right-back and captain Peter Turner had a long-distance attempt pushed over the bar by Declerck in the 49th minute, while Sheppard was also denied by the Dutch keeper two minutes later.

 

England's fast-paced, direct game was causing the Oranje all sorts of issues. The Young Lions missed another chance to double their advantage on 52 minutes, with Leeds United midfielder Rowe driving a back-pass from substitute winger Calum Wilson inches wide.

 

The Netherlands were soon widening their search for an equaliser and pushing further forward, but that left them vulnerable to potential England counter-attacks. Their worst fears would come true in the 64th minute.

 

Right-back Remco Bonsink's attempted throw to Bergsma was met by a superb interception from Gray, who stepped in and lifted it to Sheppard on the halfway line. Sheppard then spotted Field's run into space, and the Liverpool striker in turn squared it to Harrison on the edge of the penalty area. de Groot tried to get a tackle in, but it was too late to prevent Harrison from beating Declerck for a second time.

 

Two minutes later, a throw-in from Turner found Harrison in the Dutch box. Harrison was dispossessed by a firm challenge from Oosting, but that only diverted the ball back to Turner, whose subsequent cross reached Chelsea team-mate Sheppard. The ball was then moved further inside to Field, who followed up his two assists with a cool finish. 3-0 to the rampant Young Lions.

 

Field was rested for the final quarter of the match after another superb performance in England colours. Manchester City defender Joe Mooney came on to help protect the Young Lions' lead, but just moments after the restart, it looked like England would go even further ahead.

 

Nugent cut out Bonsink's cross into the England box to kick off another strong counter-attacking move. Within moments, Wilson had lifted an excellent 30-yard ball towards Sheppard, whose half-volley missed the net by inches.

 

The Dutch were in total disarray, as one attack in the 83rd minute showed. Substitute striker David Pontes half-volleyed a cross from Oosting against his colleague Netteb's back, and the third member of the Netherlands' attacking trio - Frans van Fessem - was then tackled by Turner.

 

King's starlets were off to the perfect start at the European Under-19s Championship. They went straight to the summit of Group B, with Germany kicking off in second place after their 2-0 win over Greece later that evening. England and Germany would now move on to Belfast, where any winner from their meeting two afternoons later would effectively book their place in the Semi Finals.

 

14 July 2020: UEFA European Under-19s Championship Group B - at Mourneview Park, Lurgan

Netherlands U19s - 0

England U19s - 3 (John Harrison 1,64, Willie Field 66)

ENGLAND U19s LINE-UP (4-2-3-1): Josh Vokes; Peter Turner, Stephen Nugent, James Errington, Ted Lapslie; Andrew Gray (Graham Hartmann), Leon Rowe; John Harrison, Willie Field (Joe Mooney), Charles Ameobi (Calum Wilson); Glenn Sheppard.

[CFuller]

***

 

Giants Park in Belfast was the setting of England's second match at the 2020 UEFA European Under-19s Championship. Having already made light work of the Netherlands, the Young Lions would now have the chance to take full control of Group B by defeating Germany.

 

This match had been eagerly awaited, especially in the wake of England's 4-0 demolition of Germany at the senior Euros nearly a fortnight earlier. It was perhaps worth noting that England had not lost to their great rivals at any level since the appointment of Mark Catterall as manager in 2016.

 

The Young Lions were rated as slight underdogs going into this match, despite very nearly beating the Mannschaft at home in a friendly match in November. Germany went into half-time 2-0 down, but a couple of second-half goals - including a stunner from 'wunderkind' Dominic Gerber - salvaged a draw.

 

Gerber had further enhanced his growing reputation by scoring the opening goal in Germany's 2-0 win over Greece in their Group B opener. The Eintracht Frankfurt striker had played all 90 minutes of that match, so he was rested from the reunion with England two days later.

 

Gerber might not have been featuring here, but Germany did have another very promising striker in Patrick Pröll. The diminutive Bayer Leverkusen prospect possessed plenty of pace and a sweet first touch, so England's defenders would have to be particularly wary of him.

 

Pröll got an early opportunity to show what he could do in the seventh minute, after German team-mate Stefan Fellhauer was felled by England midfielder Stephen Nugent. Pröll took the free-kick from about 25 yards out, swerved it around the English wall, and into the hands of Josh Vokes.

 

The Young Lions' own free-kick specialist gave Germany's keeper a thorough test four minutes later. Watford defender James Errington's long-range attempt was met by a superb fingertip save from Borussia Mönchengladbach custodian Ronny Zander.

 

The opening stages had been tense for both sides, but it was Germany who really settled down first. After 21 minutes, Hertha BSC's attacking midfielder Moses Mathew skilfully chipped the ball up to Pascal Buchheit on the right wing. Buchheit had scored the Germans' first goal in their most recent encounter with England, but he turned provider this time, drilling the ball across the box for Pröll to drive it home.

 

The Mannschaft came close to following up their opener with another goal two minutes later. However, midfielder Claus Distel and then Pröll were each thwarted by successive standing tackles from Errington just inside the area.

 

The Young Lions had one potential equalising chance in the 31st minute. Brighton & Hove Albion right-back Andrew Gray floated an impressive first-time cross to captain Charles Ameobi, but the Arsenal winger's header bounced well off target.

 

England coach Ledley King rang the changes at half-time, with Ameobi and Nugent coming off for Willie Field and Leon Rowe respectively. Just moments after the restart, however, a superb one-two involving Distel and Alek Tkalcic almost resulted in Germany doubling their advantage. It took a last-ditch clearance from Errington to stop Bayern Munich winger Tkalcic's centre from finding Distel in the six-yard box.

 

Errington's interception was clean, but few of England's tackles were. Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Neil Campbell was booked after one particularly poor challenge on Distel in the 49th minute. Somewhat bizarrely, Campbell's booking from the Qualifying Round of last season's Under-19s Euros still carried weight with regards to UEFA's disciplinary rules, and he would therefore be banned from the final group match against Greece.

 

The Young Lions continued to battle for an equaliser early in the second half, though they didn't have much joy. Calum Wilson was caught offside twice, while Graham Hartmann's speculative shot in the 56th minute was blocked by Fellhauer.

 

After 60 minutes, England left-back Andy Hunt's trip on Germany captain Markus Haas conceded a free-kick close to goal. Buchheit swung in the set-piece, and Hunt's missed interception allowed Haas to meet the ball with a header that had to be kept out by Vokes. A couple more headers from Distel and Tkalcic were flicked wide later on, but a second straight German win was now looking increasingly likely.

 

Then, in the 74th minute, an England corner turned the match around. Errington swung his delivery to the near post, where Wilson got ahead of Haas to flick it into the middle of the six-yard box. It was there where Chelsea striker Reece Nicholls, who'd been virtually anonymous all game, popped up to head in the equaliser.

 

Having been pegged back, Germany now had to pursue a late winner. Mathew's 77th-minute free-kick found the side netting, while Pröll's attempt a minute later missed altogether. Substitute Milan Rankovic would also be unsuccessful in his efforts, as his 89th-minute shot was cut out by Hunt.

 

A last-minute header from Turner failed to snatch all three points for England, who had to settle for sharing two with Germany. The pair were now on four points apiece, with England top on goal difference. Greece moved up to three points after beating Netherlands 2-1 to eliminate the Oranje.

 

England now knew that a draw against Greece in Lurgan three days later would secure them qualification for the Semi Finals, not to mention the 2021 FIFA U20 World Cup. A shock defeat would leave the Young Lions hoping that Germany also lost to the Netherlands, who now had nothing but pride to play for.

 

16 July 2020: UEFA European Under-19s Championship Group B - at Giants Park, Belfast

England U19s - 1 (Reece Nicholls 74)

Germany U19s - 1 (Patrick Pröll 21)

ENGLAND U19s LINE-UP (4-2-3-1): Josh Vokes; Andrew Gray (Peter Turner), James Errington, Joe Mooney, Andy Hunt; Neil Campbell, Stephen Nugent (Leon Rowe); Calum Wilson, Graham Hartmann, Charles Ameobi (Willie Field); Reece Nicholls. BOOKED: Campbell 49.

[CFuller]

***

 

England were closing in on a place in the Semi Finals of the UEFA European Under-19s Championship for a third year in a row. They only needed a draw in their final Group B game against Greece in Lurgan to be assured of a place in the last four.

 

Ledley King's Young Lions had their sights set on more than simple progression; they wanted to top the group. With Italy on course to win Group A, and second place likely to go to either the Czech Republic or Georgia, topping Group B was of massive importance. England would do just that if they avoided defeat to Greece and matched Germany's result against the Netherlands, who were already out of the running.

 

Were England to somehow lose against the Greeks, they would need to rely on Germany also suffering defeat against the Dutch if their tournament was to continue.

 

If there were any doubts about England's performance under pressure, they would be quashed in a quick start to the match. Barely a minute into the game, Arsenal left-winger Charles Ameobi breezed past Greek right-back Giannis Pappas and whipped in a cross to Reece Nicholls. The Chelsea striker's header was kept out by goalkeeper Vladimiros Voutsakelis.

 

Willie Field swung a free-kick wide in the third minute, but another Liverpool prospect would help to create the opening goal three minutes later. A right-wing cross from John Harrison eluded both of the Galanolefki's centre-backs, but not his compatriot Ameobi, who tapped it in at the back post for a 1-0 England lead.

 

Greece's left-back and captain Rafail Papastergiou had been thoroughly skinned by Harrison during that attack. Harrison caused Papastergiou even more bother in the 15th minute, dribbling beyond his marker before cutting the ball into the box. Voutsakelis needed to palm the ball away just before it could find Nicholls in the box.

 

England's defence had faced few problems in the opening stages, though a clumsy tackle on Greek winger Panagiotis Kolios resulted in left-back Ted Lapslie receiving their first yellow card in the 19th minute. England would finish a combative match with four bookings, while Greece ended up with five, the first of which was issued to midfielder Sakis Katsamagas in the 20th minute.

 

The Young Lions pursued a second goal midway through the first half. Chelsea midfielder Glenn Sheppard's drive from distance in the 25th minute flew just off target. Harrison was arguably even unluckier, heading an effort into Voutsakelis' hands in the 27th minute before volleying another attempt against the post four minutes later.

 

Three of England's players would be booked in the latter part of the opening period. Captain Peter Turner, centre-back James Errington and ball-winning midfielder Leon Rowe were all issued with cautions by the Italian referee and had to watch their steps afterwards.

 

Greece's hopes were dented somewhat when 15-year-old midfielder Dimitris Gegas was concussed after a clash of heads with Field in the 33rd minute. Despite that, the Galanolefki almost grabbed an equaliser four minutes before half-time. Left-winger Nikos Gotsoulias lifted a free-kick towards the big Liverpool centre-back Thanasis Maliaritis, whose header only just crept past England keeper Brian Farrell's goal.

 

England brought on two substitutes at the break, with defender Joe Mooney and attacking midfielder Calum Wilson taking the places of Errington and Nicholls. Mooney was lucky not to be booked in the 48th minute for a push on Greece's substitute striker Antonis Sofianis, but Wilson would make a more positive impact a minute later.

 

Lapslie and Wilson - two Arsenal youngsters who both grew up in Ealing in west London - respectively started and ended one of the most delightful attacking moves seen by an England team in recent years. Lapslie intercepted a headed clearance from Pappas and knocked it on to Rowe, who passed forward to Ameobi. As the winger squared the ball right to Field, Wilson surged past Greece defender Charalabos Fyssas to receive Field's first-time through-ball and slip it into the far end of the net!

 

England had taken a 2-0 lead in style, but that advantage could have been halved after 61 minutes. Farrell was beaten by a powerful free-kick from Alexis Siokos, but he was relieved to see it fly just over the crossbar. The Young Lions launched their next assault about a minute later, with Harrison sending a tame shot straight into Voutsakelis' grasp.

 

Greece were beginning to believe that they could still get back in the match. Had Farrell not done magnificently to fist behind a strike from midfielder Kostas Piliafas in the 69th minute, it would surely have been game on again.

 

As it was, England resumed normal service by finding the net for a third time after 70 minutes. Brighton & Hove Albion defender Andrew Gray was convinced that he'd scored his first international goal from a left-wing cross by Rowe, but the offside flag went up. The referee's assistant adjudged Wilson to have got a foot to Rowe's delivery when he was in an offside position.

 

Gray might have missed out on his maiden Young Lions goal, but another player would break his duck four minutes before full-time. Leeds United midfielder Rowe celebrated his 19th birthday by smashing the ball home after Fyssas had failed to effectively clear a right-wing inswinger from Harrison.

 

England ran out convincing 3-0 winners to book their place in the Semi Finals, while also ensuring that the Under-20s would get to defend their FIFA U20 World Cup title the following year. That wasn't all, though. Germany had beaten the Netherlands, but only by a couple of goals, which meant the Young Lions had pipped the Mannschaft to top spot in Group B.

 

19 July 2020: UEFA European Under-19s Championship Group B - at Mourneview Park, Lurgan

England U19s - 3 (Charles Ameobi 6, Calum Wilson 49, Leon Rowe 86)

Greece U19s - 0

ENGLAND U19s LINE-UP (4-2-3-1): Brian Farrell; Peter Turner (Stephen Nugent), Andrew Gray, James Errington (Joe Mooney), Ted Lapslie; Glenn Sheppard, Leon Rowe; John Harrison, Willie Field, Charles Ameobi; Reece Nicholls (Calum Wilson). BOOKED: Lapslie 19, Turner 32, Errington 41, Rowe 44.

 

2020 UEFA European Under-19s Championship Group B (Final Standings)

                                   P     W     D     L     F     A     GD    PTS
1.    Q     England U19s           3     2     1     0     7     1     6     7
2.    Q     Germany U19s           3     2     1     0     5     1     4     7
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.          Greece U19s            3     1     0     2     2     6     -4    3
4.          Netherlands U19s       3     0     0     3     1     7     -6    0

 

As expected, Italy won Group A, meaning that they would meet Germany in a titanic Semi Final at Belfast's Giants Park on 22 July. Later that day, England would play out their Semi Final elsewhere in the city, at The Oval.

 

England's opponents would be Georgia, whose final-round victory over Northern Ireland had seen them pip the Czech Republic to second place in Group A. The Young Lions could easily have wound up with worse Semi Final opponents than the 'Jvarosnebi', that was for sure.

[CFuller]

***

 

England had fallen at the Semi Final stage of the 2018 and 2019 UEFA European Under-19s Championship. In 2020, however, there was a real sense that the Young Lions were about to make it third time lucky and move within 90 minutes of becoming continental champions.

 

After progressing from Group B as winners, England had been given a somewhat kind Semi Final against Georgia at The Oval in Belfast. While Georgia was steadily emerging as a decent footballing nation, this was the first time in the history of the 'Jvarosnebi' that they had reached the last four of any European Championship at Under-19s level or higher.

 

All of Georgia's players were based in the local professional league, while most had also represented the country at Under-21s level. The more established players included Dinamo Tbilisi's hard-working right-back Beka Batiashvili and Kolkheti Poti midfielder Zaza Gabelia.

 

Nevertheless, England were regarded as strong favourites to reach the Final. If they were to prevail, they would book another meeting with Group B rivals Germany, who'd eased past Italy 3-1 in the first Semi Final at Giants Park.

 

The Young Lions looked to attack from the outset. Liverpool right-winger John Harrison eyed up his third goal of the tournament after six minutes, but his shot was deflected behind by a tackle from Georgia defender Pridon Bekauri. The Jvarosnebi had their first scoring opportunity a minute later, with Gabelia heading wide from captain Irakli Sichinava's long-distance free-kick.

 

England's opening shot on target, after 10 minutes, came from an unlikely source. Former Liverpool left-back Andy Hunt - now at Gillingham - eventually won the ball after James Errington's free-kick into the Georgian box caused a mini-scramble. Sadly for Hunt, his shot didn't put goalkeeper Lasha Tandilashvili under much pressure.

 

Hunt helped to create another chance two minutes later, with an excellent long throw to Calum Wilson just outside the penalty area. Attacking midfielder Wilson advanced into the danger area before playing the ball to the feet of Reece Nicholls, whose drive was clawed behind by Tandilashvili.

 

Wilson missed the target with another attempt later on, as did Graham Hartmann, though the latter would not spurn his next opening in the 21st minute. An England counter-attack from a poor Georgia corner saw Wilson spray the ball out right to Harrison, who then drilled it across goal for Hartmann to finish at the back post. The Reading midfielder, who would join League One side Rotherham United on loan after this tournament, had got the Young Lions up and running.

 

Four minutes later, the floodgates opened wide for England. Hunt crossed low into the six-yard box for Wilson, whose angled shot between a couple of Georgian defenders was parried back to him by Tandilashvili. The Arsenal forward made no mistake from the rebound, and England led 2-0, though not for long.

 

The Young Lions took another huge step towards the Final after 27 minutes. Hartmann collected the ball from Wilson in plenty of space and then moved it on to Nicholls, who cut past Georgia centre-back Avtandil Ekhvaia and powered an excellent strike into the top corner.

 

The Jvarosnebi's Semi Final dream was becoming a nightmare, though they had a chance to claw something back in a minute later. England defender Stephen Nugent conceded a free-kick for a trip on striker Zaza Kobaladze, and midfielder Temur Archvadze drove in a long-range set-piece thast was parried by Young Lions keeper Josh Vokes.

 

In the 37th minute, though, it was effectively all over. Wilson slotted the ball between Bekauri and Ekhvaia to pick out the run of Nicholls, who broke through the offside trap and then beat Tandilashvili for a second time. England 4, Georgia 0.

 

Bekauri headed wide a potential Georgian consolation goal from Sichinava's corner in the 39th minute. The Jvarosnebi did have something to celebrate about two minutes after that, with Kobaladze's deft volley crushing Vokes' hopes of a clean sheet and giving the scoreline a slightly more respectable look about it.

 

England went into this match with several players risking suspensions, and one of them would overstep the mark just before half-time. Captain Peter Turner went in hard on Georgia left-winger Guram Kvartskhava to receive his second booking of the tournament, which meant he would miss the Final against Germany... if England held on.

 

England didn't merely 'hold on'. Seven minutes into the second half, they removed all reasonable doubt about their place in the decider by taking a 5-1 lead. Substitute holding midfielder Joe Mooney's free-kick ricocheted off the crossbar, but Nicholls made easy work of the follow-up. Nicholls had secured his hat-trick and was now the tournament's leading scorer, with four goals to his name.

 

With such a comfortable lead, the Young Lions could now be excused for wanting to take their foot off the accelerator. They would slow their play down for the last half-hour or so in an effort to conserve energy for the Final.

 

It was not really a surprise that Georgia enjoyed the better of the closing stages, though they needed to seriously up their game if they were to have any chance of mounting an incredible comeback. Their first chance of clawing back a second goal was lobbed over the bar by Gabelia after 62 minutes.

 

Vokes didn't have a great deal to do in the England goal until the 67th minute. The Tottenham Hotspur keeper got his fingers to Georgian target man Givi Khabelashvili's header from Sichinava's cross, making what would prove to be his only save of the entire second period.

 

With the result no longer in question, the closing stages had little in the way of tension. Nicholls did try to bolster his personal tally in the 81st minute, but a brave reaction save from Tandilashvili ensured that the Londoner would have to settle for 'only' three goals.

 

The final whistle ended one of England's most convincing performances in recent years. They were now into their third European Under-19s Championship Final. After finishing runners-up in 2005 and 2009, could the Young Lions now go one step further, and overcome Germany to lift the trophy on 25 July 2020?

 

22 July 2020: UEFA European Under-19s Championship Semi Final - at The Oval, Belfast

England U19s - 5 (Graham Hartmann 21, Calum Wilson 25, Reece Nicholls 27,37,52)

Georgia U19s - 1 (Zaza Kobaladze 41)

ENGLAND U19s LINE-UP (4-2-3-1): Josh Vokes; Peter Turner, Stephen Nugent, James Errington (Ted Lapslie), Andy Hunt; Neil Campbell, Graham Hartmann (Glenn Sheppard); John Harrison, Calum Wilson (Joe Mooney), Charles Ameobi; Reece Nicholls. BOOKED: Turner 45+1.

[CFuller]

***

 

23 June 2020 was a mild summer afternoon on the Fylde coast of Lancashire. Dozens of mourners had gathered at the Lytham Park Cemetery & Crematorium in the town of Lytham St Annes - a 15-minute drive south from Blackpool - to say their final goodbyes to Barbara Catterall.

 

More than 12 years had passed since the four Catterall siblings - Mark, Gemma, Joanne and Andrew - cremated their father Brian, following his death from pancreatic cancer aged 58. Now they were grieving for their 72-year-old mother Barbara, who had battled bowel cancer for over six months before passing away peacefully.

 

As the new oldest surviving member of his family, Mark led the congregation into the crematorium. Alongside him were his wife Jenny, their 12-year-old son Luke, and his teenage daughter Ashley from his first marriage.

 

Gemma, her husband John and their two daughters followed them inside, with twin sister Joanne and her wife Katie next to go. Youngest sibling Andrew - who'd been estranged from his family until Barbara's final days - then entered with his ex-wife Jane and their 15-year-old daughter Ella. Many other friends and family members were in attendance.

 

Mark gave a eulogy early in the memorial service, which he began by saying, "Mum. Nan. Wife. Daughter. Teacher. Friend. Inspiration. All words with which you can describe Barbara Christine Waterworth.

 

"Barbara was the matriarch of the Catterall clan. Together with her beloved husband - our late father Brian - she raised me, Gemma, Jo and Andy to be the men and women that we are today. She taught us so much of what we needed to know to succeed in life and pass her knowledge on to our families.

 

"Barbara was an incredible and formidable woman, not to mention a massive influence on all who knew her. That includes many of her former pupils at Thames School in Blackpool, where she worked for a decade, and Seedley Primary in Salford, where she spent over 30 years. It's not an exaggeration to say that she has inspired thousands of children, some of whom are here today.

 

"Back in the 1970s, new mothers were expected to stay at home all the time to care for their children. Barbara wasn't like that. Shortly after Andy arrived, I would remember her taking me to primary school, where she would work part-time in the mornings. She would then go home at lunchtime to look after Andy and the twins before picking me up in the afternoon.

 

"Barbara loved her work. When the fortunes I made as a professional footballer allowed me to buy my parents a mansion right here on the Fylde coast, Mum could probably have retired from teaching. Instead, the loyalty she had to her pupils meant she would make the same two-hour round trip to Salford every school day for the next 14 years until she eventually retired in 2010. To Barbara, those pupils were just as important to her as her own four children.

 

"Here's to you, Mum. May your soul rest in peace, now that you are back together with Brian, forever and for always."

 

As Mark returned to his seat, the celebrant said, "Many of you who are gathered here today will remember Barbara's love of music, a passion which she held dear throughout her life. That love has since been passed on to her children and her grandchildren.

 

"I would now like to invite Barbara's grandson Luke and her granddaughter Amy-Leigh to the stage, where they have agreed to perform a song together in her memory."

 

Jenny got up from her seat and walked Luke onto the stage. He then gently played his guitar as Gemma's teenage daughter Amy-Leigh softly sang the lyrics to the Oasis song "Half The World Away". The slow, acoustic track was best-known as the theme tune to the BBC sitcom 'The Royle Family', which was one of Barbara's favourite television programmes.

 

Quote

"I would like to leave this city;

This old town don't smell too pretty, and I can feel the warning signs running around my mind.

And when I leave this island, I'll book myself into a soul asylum,

'Cause I can feel the warning signs running around my mind.

 

So here I go; I'm still scratching around in the same old hole.

My body feels young but my mind is very old.

So what do you say? You can't give me the dreams that are mine anyway.

Half the world away, half the world away, half the world away.

I've been lost, I've been found but I don't feel down.

 

And when I leave this planet,

You know I'd stay but I just can't stand it, and I can feel the warning signs running around my mind.

And if I could leave this spirit,

I'll find me a hole and I will live in it, and I can feel the warning signs running around my mind.

 

So here I go; I'm still scratching around in the same old hole.

My body feels young but my mind is very old.

So what do you say? You can't give me the dreams that are mine anyway.

Half the world away, half the world away, half the world away.

I've been lost, I've been found but I don't feel down."

 

When the pair had finished performing, they were greeted with an enthusiastic round of applause. Mark's eyes welled up as he whispered to Jenny, "I've never been so proud of our kid."

 

At the end of the service, the congregation left the crematorium, headed by Mark and the rest of the Catterall family. Mark asked Jenny shortly afterwards, "Sorry for asking this, but would you two mind if I just... had some time on my own for a while?"

 

Jenny said, "Of course we don't mind, love. We completely understand, don't we, Luke?"

 

Luke nodded uncertainly before Julia gently led him towards Gemma and her family, with whom they engaged in a conversation. Meanwhile, Mark made his way to a nearby bench, where he sat down to recompose himself. A few moments later, England assistant manager Michael Burke and his wife Julia came over to console him.

 

Michael began by asking, "Mark? How you feeling, mate?"

 

"I thought things were bad enough when I lost my dad," Mark replied, his voice now a husk. "Now that Mum's gone as well, I feel so... empty."

 

"Yeah, I felt the same way when my parents went. The important thing is to keep all the good memories you had when they were alive."

 

Julia added, "I never met Barbara, but going by what you and your sisters said about her, she must have been an amazing woman."

 

"She was an amazing woman, Jules," Mark nodded. "I've never met anyone as caring or loving as her, not even Kat or Jenny. I'm so honoured, so humbled to have known her for 48 years."

 

Michael said, "I only really knew her from when we were at school, but Barbara was great. In fact, she was like a second mum to me. She would always cook me a great dinner whenever I came round to yours."

 

"Mum did that for pretty much all the friends we had round, to be fair."

 

"And I'll never forget the advice she gave me about how to treat a woman," Michael said, before turning to Julia. "It was just after I met you, actually, on our first day at secondary school."

 

"I did not know that. But yeah, I bet Barbara was a great influence on you, especially after..."

 

Michael sighed, "Yeah... my mother was never the same after we lost Lisa. But like I said, she was like a stand-in mum that I could turn to when times were tough."

 

Mark gently nodded as the trio fell silent. He then said, "I'm... I'm flying out to Belfast tomorrow."

 

"Belfast?" Michael replied, with some bewilderment. "You're going to Northern Ireland, the day after you cremated your mum?"

 

"The Under-19s are in their European Championship Final, aren't they? Against Germany."

 

"The game will be on Eurosport. Why don't you just stay at home and watch it on TV?"

 

"I want to be there in person, like I was when our Under-20s won the World Cup, and when our Under-21s won the Euros. This will be for the full set of youth titles."

 

Julia asked, "Are you sure you want to go back to work so soon? Especially in another part of the country?"

 

"This isn't work for me, Jules. The football will take... this off my mind and help me adjust to what life is for me now. I'm only going away for a couple of days, so Jenny and Luke are fine with it."

 

Michael reluctantly said, "Well, if this is how you want to handle the grieving process, then that's fine. Just remember that me and Julia are only a phone call away if you need us."

[CFuller]

***

 

England were the holders of the UEFA European Under-21s Championship and the FIFA U20 World Cup. There was now one major international trophy that Mark Catterall still needed to collect at youth level (excluding the Under-17s, as that age group was out of his remit).

 

The Young Lions hoped to complete their set of trophies on 25 July 2020, when they contested the UEFA European Under-19s Championship Final with Germany. The Oval in Belfast - the long-time home of perennial IFA Premiership contenders Glentoran - was the setting for a potentially historic occasion.

 

Having sat out the Group Stage and the Semi Final following the recent passing of his mother, England manager Mark Catterall flew out to Northern Ireland on the eve of the big game. Along with head coach Ledley King, he would provide the Young Lions with some invaluable words of inspiration before they took to the field in search of glory.

 

England had never won a European title at Under-19s level, falling short against France and Ukraine in the respective Finals of the 2005 and 2009 tournaments. Their last win in this competition had come back in 1993, when it was known as the UEFA European Under-18s Championship. That England squad featured the likes of Nicky Butt, Sol Campbell, Robbie Fowler, Gary Neville, Paul Scholes... and who could possibly forget Mark Tinkler and Julian Joachim!

 

Looking to follow in their footsteps were England's class of 2020. Chelsea strikers Reece Nicholls and Glenn Sheppard would lead the attack, with Nicholls going into the Final as the tournament's top scorer on four goals. Other Young Lions who had excelled at this tournament included Liverpool winger John Harrison, Reading midfielder Graham Hartmann, and Watford defender James Errington.

 

With captain Peter Turner suspended and vice-skipper Charles Ameobi only fit enough for the bench, it was the Manchester United centre-back Stephen Nugent who would lead England out donning the armband.

 

Germany were also missing a player through suspension, as centre-half Leander Bellinghausen had picked up his second booking of the tournament in the Semi Final win over Italy. His Bayern Munich team-mates Alek Tkalcic on left-wing and Mario Moreira in midfield were likely to provide England's defenders with plenty to think about, as was Borussia Dortmund striker Takis Giannarakis.

 

Though Mannschaft head coach Frank Kramer was an advocate of adventurous attacking football, his team also possessed a solid defence that had conceded only two goals in four matches - the same number as England. Borussia Mönchengladbach's Ronny Zander had been a consistent presence in goal, while 16-year-old Emanuele Amoruso of Bayer Leverkusen was rated as one of Europe's most exciting young left-backs.

 

Germany had opened the scoring in these sides' Group Stage encounter nine days earlier before England salvaged a point. It looked likely in the first few minutes of the Final that the Mannschaft would take another early lead.

 

German right-winger Milan Rankovic won a corner after just three minutes, when his cross deflected behind off Willie Field. Tkalcic's delivery was a poor one, but England would have to defend against another corner two minutes later, following Josh Vokes' frantic save from a fierce strike by Giannarakis.

 

Vokes charged from his goal line to try and intercept Yannick Holzweiler's delivery, only to trip himself up in a crowded six-yard box. The cross deflected off one of his England team-mates and to Moreira, who drove it wide.

 

The Mannschaft had another chance from a set-piece in the 7th minute. Nugent's shove on Giannarakis earned the Mancunian a yellow card, and Germany a free-kick. Tkalcic lifted it into the area for Werder Bremen midfielder Claus Distel, who headed wide.

 

As England's defenders struggled to keep up with the German attackers, they relied on Vokes to keep the deadlock intact. The Tottenham Hotspur keeper tipped behind a deep cross in the 16th minute from Tkalcic, who made an astonishing 20 assists for Bayern's reserve team last season. Tkalcic also took the subsequent corner, only for Neil Campbell to make a confident clearance.

 

England survived a few more German corners before they were finally able to advance towards the opposition area. In the 26th minute, Hartmann drove a fantastic ball through the defence to Nicholls on the left wing. Nicholls' byline cross towards Sheppard was headed away by Nico Kegel, but the Mannschaft centre-half's clearance was not overly convincing. Campbell retook the ball and had a shot saved at the near post by Zander.

 

Both keepers would be tested shortly after the half-hour. Vokes caught a header from Distel in the 33rd minute, while his German counterpart Zander denied Sheppard three minutes later. It wouldn't be long, though, before one of their clean sheets was dirtied.

 

It was Field who inflicted most of the damage, spraying a 38th-minute free-kick wide to right-back Andrew Gray while Germany's players were all clustered in the centre. Gray crossed first-time into the penalty area, where a stunning right-footed volley from Nicholls sent the English supporters into ecstasy. The Chelsea forward's fifth goal of the Euros had moved the Young Lions one step closer to glory.

 

England carried their 1-0 lead into the second half, but they wouldn't hold onto it for long after Azerbaijani referee Samir Kärimov restarted play. Kramer's half-time decision to replace Tkalcic on the left wing with Dursun Kaya would pay off after just 13 seconds, when the 1.FC Köln first-teamer's deep cross was headed in at the back post by Rankovic. Vokes couldn't have done much about it, in all fairness.

 

Germany were level, and by the 49th minute, they were looking good to establish a 2-1 lead. Giannarakis turned past England's half-time substitute Joe Mooney, who'd replaced Leon Rowe in the holding midfield role, before powering a shot inches wide.

 

The Young Lions launched their first attack of the second half after 52 minutes. Distel's headed interception of a Hartmann corner only went as far as Nicholls, who would've further strengthened his hold on the Golden Boot had it not been for the fingertips of Zander.

 

Germany then showed a darker side of their game, with Distel and Holzweiler picking up yellow cards in quick succession. Holzweiler's 56th-minute foul on Field would be punished to devastating effect moments later. Even from 30 yards out, free-kick master Errington fancied himself to drive an unstoppable set-piece into the top corner, thus sending the Young Lions back into the lead.

 

Kramer had replaced the disappointing Giannarakis with Leverkusen starlet Patrick Pröll shortly before Errington's moment of magic. He would make his third substitution in the 69th minute, sending Stefan Fellhauer on to take over at right-back from Amoruso.

 

King had also decided to shake things up midway through the first half as England looked to turn the screw. The coach abandoned the diamond formation with which his team had started the match, switching to their usual 4-2-3-1. Mooney dropped back into defence to take over from Nugent, who was substituted in favour of right-winger Harrison.

 

Adopting a more attacking approach was a risk that backfired for England after 71 minutes. Kaya's German corner was headed across the English penalty area by playmaker Moses Mathew. Kegel nodded his team-mate's flick-on against the post, but Moreira drove home the rebound, and it was now 2-2.

 

The momentum was now back with the Mannschaft... or at least it was until the tide turned again three minutes later. Holzweiler was already walking a fine disciplinary line when he upended Nicholls, prompting Kärimov to issue him with a second yellow card, followed by a red. Germany would have to see out the match with only 10 men.

 

After Holzweiler's dismissal, King opted to reinvigorate England's attack with his third substitution. Campbell had run himself to the ground, so Arsenal's Calum Wilson took his place and moved to the left wing.

 

Despite having the extra man, England could not make it count in the closing stages of the second half. Sheppard's 82nd-minute half-volley was caught by Zander, who otherwise didn't have much to do before Kärimov blew for the end of 90 minutes. Another 30 would be needed to separate two teams who were still locked together after a four-goal thriller.

 

Both coaches made use of their extra substitute before the match resumed. Germany brought on their leading scorer Pascal Buchheit to replace Distel, while the opposition took off theirs. Nicholls' race was run, and so Charles Ameobi entered the fray for the Young Lions. Ameobi would play on England's left wing throughout extra time, with Wilson switching to the right, and Harrison sitting just behind lone striker Field.

 

Ameobi came to the fore in the 94th minute. Wilson sought out Ameobi with an excellent searching ball that Arsenal's 5ft 7in 'pocket rocket' took into the penalty area before driving a tame shot straight into the hands of Zander. That opportunity had come just two minutes after Vokes had prevented right-back Markus Haas from putting Germany ahead for the first time.

 

England's players were now tiring more noticeably than Germany's. In the 104th minute, Buchheit looked to take advantage by dribbling past Hartmann and unleashing a vicious strike that Vokes only just parried away.

 

The half-time break gave England some much-needed respite. As Catterall and his fellow spectators anxiously awaited the final 15 minutes, King urged his players to make one last push towards victory. The next goal would surely be the decisive one.

 

Inspired by King's words, England took the game to Germany after the resumption. Harrison sent a shot high and wide in the 107th minute after a one-two with Sheppard, whose 25-yard drive about four minutes later did give Zander a bit more to worry about.

 

Then, after 113 minutes, Germany started to run out of steam. A laboured Moreira pass deflected off Hartmann before being collected by the England playmaker, who then squared it to Wilson on the right. Wilson lifted it over the Mannschaft defence to Field, who breached the offside trap and whipped a cross into the six-yard box.

 

Field's target was Ameobi, who burst clear of Kaya to meet the delivery at the back post. A delicate but accurate header sent the ball rustling into the net, and another huge roar went up across The Oval. The Three Lions were 3-2 ahead and just seven minutes away from becoming European champions.

 

If Germany were to take the game to penalties, they needed to respond quickly. A minute after Ameobi's potential match-winner, Pröll crossed the ball into England's area in an attempt to cancel it out. The centre was first met by Moreira, whose shot was blocked by Errington before deflecting to Haas. Mooney made another intervention, but Germany had one last attempt through Fellhauer, whose strike took a nick off Gray and won a corner.

 

Kaya sent a hanging ball into the box, but when Field nodded clear, the game was effectively won. 10-man Germany had nothing more to give in the final five minutes or so before Kärimov blew his final whistle.

 

England had completed a clean sweep of the major junior titles. The Under-21s European champions and Under-20s world champions could now add the European Under-19s Championship to their list of honours.

 

25 July 2020: UEFA European Under-19s Championship Final - at The Oval, Belfast

England U19s - 3 (Reece Nicholls 38, James Errington 57, Charles Ameobi 113)

Germany U19s - 2 (Milan Rankovic 46, Mario Moreira 71)

[after extra time]

ENGLAND U19s LINE-UP (4-4-2 Diamond): Josh Vokes; Andrew Gray, Stephen Nugent (John Harrison), James Errington, Ted Lapslie; Leon Rowe (Joe Mooney); Graham Hartmann, Neil Campbell (Calum Wilson); Willie Field; Glenn Sheppard, Reece Nicholls (Charles Ameobi). BOOKED: Nugent 6, Rowe 41, Field 86, Hartmann 97.

 

The Young Lions were overcome with emotion as the magnitude of their achievement slowly sank in. After falling at the Semi Finals of the previous two Under-19s Euros, they had at last made it all the way.

 

Suspended captain Turner was the man who lifted the trophy first, but the headline-maker was undoubtedly Ameobi. The 18-year-old from west London had been part of the England Under-19s set-up for the best part of three seasons, and it was his experience - and his calmness under pressure - that had won the day.

 

As far as the tournament in general went, Harrison was arguably England's key man. He won the Bronze Ball as the competition's third-best player, only ranking below two other exceptional right-wingers. Buchheit collected the Silver Ball for Germany, while Irakli Sichinava was named 'player of the tournament' and took the Golden Ball to Georgia.

 

Nicholls secured the Golden Boot with five goals, finishing two clear of his nearest rivals. The last Englishman to have finished as top scorer at this event was Nathan Delfouneso in 2009. Delfouneso's career had not hit the heights once expected of him, and the former Aston Villa trainee had spent the past four seasons playing lower-league football for Blackpool. Nicholls was perhaps a little more likely to fulfil his immense potential.

 

Five English players were named in the championship's Best XI, with Nicholls being joined by Vokes, Errington, Wilson and Field. Star wingers Ameobi and Harrison had to make do with places on the bench, not that they were particularly distraught.

 

Catterall had firmly established England's youth set-up as the cream of the continent. The pressure was now firmly on the senior team to live up to the growing hype and deliver the goods themselves.

[CFuller]

2019/2020 Season Summary

 

Premier League

Final Table

                                   P     W     D     L     F     A     GD    PTS
1.    C/CL  Man Utd                38    28    6     4     88    19    69    90
2.    CL    Arsenal                38    29    1     8     91    43    48    88
3.    CL    Tottenham              38    26    8     4     64    23    41    86
4.    CL    Man City               38    21    9     8     73    50    23    72
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5.    EL    Norwich                38    18    9     11    56    46    10    63
6.    EL    Chelsea                38    17    11    10    70    44    26    62
7.          Everton                38    17    10    11    52    40    12    61
8.          Liverpool              38    16    12    10    55    43    12    60
9.          Stoke                  38    12    14    12    44    44    0     50
10.   EL    Newcastle              38    12    13    13    66    72    -6    49
11.         Brighton               38    12    10    16    43    58    -15   46
12.         Leicester              38    11    8     19    43    51    -8    41
13.         Watford                38    11    8     19    50    73    -23   41
14.         Sunderland             38    11    7     20    36    58    -22   40
15.         West Ham               38    11    6     21    38    61    -23   39
16.         Crystal Palace         38    9     8     21    49    70    -21   35
17.         Southampton            38    8     11    19    43    70    -27   35
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
18.   R     QPR                    38    8     10    20    36    58    -22   34
19.   R     Sheff Wed              38    8     9     21    34    59    -25   33
20.   R     Fulham                 38    4     12    22    29    78    -49   24

 

Awards

PFA Player of the Year: Robert Lewandowski (Man Utd)

FWA Footballer of the Year: Robert Lewandowski (Man Utd)

PFA Young Player of the Year: Callum Gribbin (Norwich)

Golden Boot: Paulo Dybala (Arsenal, 32 goals)

Manager of the Year: José Mourinho (Man Utd)

PFA Team of the Year: Hugo Lloris (Tottenham); Héctor Bellerín (Arsenal), Eric Dier (Tottenham), Joel Matip (Liverpool), Luke Shaw (Man Utd); Leroy Sané (Man City), Paul Pogba (Man Utd), Juan Mata (Arsenal), Antoine Griezmann (Man City); Robert Lewandowski (Man Utd), Paulo Dybala (Arsenal)

 

Managerial Movements

Southampton - Manuel Pellegrini sacked on 9 November; Carlo Cudicini appointed on 4 December

Stoke - Marcelino sacked on 28 November; Ryan Giggs appointed on 14 December

Watford - Carlo Cudicini moved to Southampton on 4 December; Ole Gunnar Solskjær appointed on 25 December

Fulham - Ryan Giggs moved to Stoke on 14 December; Robbie Neilson appointed on 30 December

Crystal Palace - Sam Allardyce sacked on 18 December; Slaven Bilic appointed on 3 January

Man City - Pep Guardiola sacked on 15 February; Stefano Pioli appointed on 13 March

Leicester - Brendan Rodgers sacked on 29 February; Steve Clarke appointed on 13 March

Sheff Wed - Nigel Pearson sacked on 17 May; David Wright appointed on 6 June

Liverpool - Roberto Mancini sacked on 20 May; René Weiler appointed on 9 June

 

Leading Transfers

DATE        NAME                      POSITIONS           FROM            TO              FEE (POTENTIAL)
01/07/2019  Raphaël Guerreiro         D/WB (L), M (C)     Dortmund        Man City        £72M
01/07/2019  Alessio Romagnoli         D (C)               Milan           Chelsea         £53M
02/08/2019  Breel Embolo              M/AM (R), ST (C)    Schalke         Man City        £47M (£61M)
10/07/2019  Emil Forsberg             M/AM (L)            RB Leipzig      Liverpool       £44.5M (£60M)
30/07/2019  Alexander Isak            ST (C)              Dortmund        Man Utd         £40M
01/07/2019  João Mário                M/AM (C)            Inter           Man Utd         £38M (£45.5M)
02/09/2019  Josh Tymon                D (L)               West Ham        Arsenal         £28M
01/07/2019  Jorrit Hendrix            D (C), DM, M (C)    Inter           Tottenham       £27.5M (£44M)
05/07/2019  Kieran Tierney            D (L)               Liverpool       Arsenal         £26M (£34.5M)
16/01/2020  Hakim Ziyech              M (C), AM (RLC)     Ajax            Liverpool       £24M (£27M)

 

Also in England

Championship

Promoted: West Brom (1st), Bournemouth (2nd), Wolves (3rd)

Also in Play-Offs: Brentford (4th), Burnley (5th), Leeds (6th)

Relegated: Rotherham (22nd), Sheff Utd (23rd), Millwall (24th)

 

League One

Promoted: Bristol City (1st), Coventry (2nd), Portsmouth (5th)

Also in Play-Offs: Walsall (3rd), Wigan (4th), Plymouth (6th)

Relegated: Doncaster (21st), Scunthorpe (22nd), Blackpool (23rd), Fleetwood (24th)

 

League Two

Promoted: Port Vale (1st), Chesterfield (2nd), Dag & Red (3rd), Wycombe (5th)

Also in Play-Offs: Shrewsbury (4th), Barnet (6th), Bristol Rovers (7th)

Relegated: Tranmere (23rd), Mansfield (24th)

 

National League

Promoted: Aldershot (1st), Lincoln (5th)

Also in Play-Offs: AFC Telford (2nd), Boston Utd (3rd), Ebbsfleet (4th)

Relegated: York (21st), Morecambe (22nd), Chelmsford (23rd), Forest Green (24th)

 

National League North

Promoted: Kidderminster (1st), Mansfield (4th)

Also in Play-Offs: Salford (2nd), Braintree (3rd), Chorley (5th)

Relegated: Gainsborough (20th), Worcester (21st), Buxton (22nd)

 

National League South

Promoted: Maidstone (1st), Havant (2nd)

Also in Play-Offs: St Albans (3rd), Billericay (4th), Margate (5th)

Relegated: Salisbury (20th), Slough (21st), Concord (22nd)

 

Promoted from Regional Leagues

Blyth, Leamington, Lowestoft, North Ferriby, Solihull Moors, Wealdstone

 

Domestic Cups

FA Cup: Man Utd 2-0 Arsenal

EFL Cup: Newcastle 1-0 Tottenham

Community Shield: Man Utd 3-0 Stoke

EFL Trophy: Walsall 3-3 Brighton U23s (6-5 penalties)

FA Trophy: AFC Telford 2-1 St Albans

 

Europe

UEFA Champions League: Man Utd 4-0 Real Madrid - at Johan Cruijff Arena, Amsterdam

UEFA Europa League: Bayern 4-1 Liverpool - at Estádio do Dragão, Porto

UEFA Super Cup: Barcelona 1-0 Tottenham (aet) - at St Mary's Stadium, Southampton

 

Awards

Best Player in Europe: Lionel Messi (Barcelona)

Golden Shoe: Paulo Dybala (Arsenal)

Golden Boy: Kai Havertz (Leverkusen)

 

Dutch Eredivisie

Top Three: Vitesse (1st), AZ (2nd), Ajax (3rd)

Relegated: Excelsior (17th), Sparta (18th)

Promoted from Eerste Divisie: Heracles, VVV

 

French Ligue 1

Top Three: PSG (1st), Monaco (2nd), Marseille (3rd)

Relegated: Montpellier (18th), Nantes (19th), Troyes (20th)

Promoted from Ligue 2: Lorient, Nancy, Lens

 

German Bundesliga

Top Three: Leverkusen (1st), FC Bayern (2nd), RB Leipzig (3rd)

Relegated: Augsburg (17th), 1860 München (18th)

Promoted from 2. Bundesliga: Karlsruhe, Freiburg

 

Italian Serie A

Top Three: Juventus (1st), Napoli (2nd), Inter (3rd)

Relegated: Cagliari (18th), Verona (19th), Pisa (20th)

Promoted from Serie B: Crotone, Atalanta, Ternana

 

Portuguese Primeira Liga

Top Three: Porto (1st), Sporting (2nd), Benfica (3rd)

Relegated: Moreirense (17th), Feirense (18th)

Promoted from LigaPro: Chaves, Académica

 

Russian Premier League

Top Three: Zenit (1st), Krasnodar (2nd), Spartak Moscow (3rd)

Relegated: Tosno (15th), Orenburg (16th)

Promoted from FNL: Ural, Fakel

 

Scottish Premiership

Top Three: Celtic (1st), Aberdeen (2nd), Rangers (3rd)

Relegated: St Johnstone (11th), Falkirk (12th)

Promoted from Championship: Hamilton, St Mirren

 

Spanish La Liga

Top Three: Real Madrid (1st), Atlético (2nd), Barcelona (3rd)

Relegated: Alavés (18th), Las Palmas (19th), Osasuna (20th)

Promoted from La Liga 2: Córdoba, Málaga, Oviedo

 

Global

FIFA Club World Cup: Barcelona 6-2 Tigres (aet) - at Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne

 

Awards

Ballon d'Or: 1st - Lionel Messi (Barcelona), 2nd - Paulo Dybala (Arsenal), 3rd - Luis Suárez (Barcelona)

FIFA World Player of the Year: 1st - Lionel Messi (Barcelona), 2nd - Neymar (Barcelona), 3rd - Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)

World Soccer World Player of the Year: 1st - Lionel Messi (Barcelona), 2nd - Paulo Dybala (Arsenal), 3rd - Luis Suárez (Barcelona)

FIFA/FIFPro World XI: Manuel Neuer (Bayern); Nélson Semedo (Man City), Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus), Raphaël Varane (Real Madrid), Lucas Digne (Barcelona); Eden Hazard (PSG), James Rodríguez (Real Madrid); Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Paulo Dybala (Arsenal), Neymar (Barcelona); Luis Suárez (Barcelona)

 

Leading Transfers (not including Premier League)

DATE        NAME                      POSITIONS           FROM            TO              FEE (POTENTIAL)
07/07/2019  Julian Brandt             M/AM (RL)           Leverkusen      FC Bayern       £67M
10/01/2020  Moussa Dembélé            ST (C)              Leverkusen      PSG             £45M
15/07/2019  Nadiem Amiri              AM (C)              Hoffenheim      Leverkusen      £40M
09/08/2019  Johannes Eggestein        ST (C)              Werder Bremen   RB Leipzig      £34M
23/08/2019  Theo Hernández            D/WB (L)            Benfica         FC Bayern       £33.5M (£48M)
05/01/2020  Jesús Corona              AM (RLC)            Porto           Hebei CFFC      £30M
26/07/2019  Samu Castillejo           M (L), AM (RL)      Arsenal         Inter           £29.5M (£42.5M)
31/01/2020  Willian José              AM (C), ST (C)      Gladbach        Dortmund        £29.5M
30/08/2019  Emre Mor                  M (R), AM (RC)      Everton         Real Madrid     £29M (£42.5M)
09/01/2020  Dani Carvajal             D/WB (R)            Real Madrid     PSG             £29M (£41M)

 

[CFuller]

Chapter 41 - Out With The Old

 

It was perhaps fair to say that the summer of 2020 had been an emotionally exhausting one for England manager Mark Catterall.

 

The England senior team had recovered from some dreadful pre-tournament results, and a couple of early Group Stage draws, to progress all the way to the Final of UEFA Euro 2020. Sadly, their dream of lifting the Henri Delaunay Trophy would be snatched away by a certain 35-year-old footballing virtuoso from Madeira.

 

Catterall had sadly lost his mother shortly before that Wembley showdown with Portugal. He reluctantly took compassionate leave afterwards, while the Under-19s would soon go one better than their senior counterparts, winning their European Championship at the expense of Germany.

 

England now held major championships at Under-19s, Under-20s and Under-21s level. The only thing missing from Catterall's CV now was a significant title with the first-team, which he would hope to put right in 2020/2021.

 

After a short holiday with his wife Jenny and their son Luke, Mark returned to work in mid-August. The 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers were still quite far away, but he was now focussing on the UEFA Nations League, which would start up in September.

 

France had won the inaugural UEFA Nations League in 2019, beating Switzerland in the Final. Those two were joined in the new Division A season by England and nine other major European nations, all of whom would aspire to lift the trophy in 2021.

 

The 12 top-tier teams were again divided into four groups of three teams. Matches would take place on a home-and-away basis in September, October and November. The group winners would then progress to the Semi Finals, which would take the following June. Meanwhile, the bottom teams would be relegated from Division A and replaced by the winners of Division B.

 

Croatia, Netherlands, Russia and Sweden had all dropped out of Division A in 2019. Austria, Czech Republic, Poland and Republic of Ireland came up from Division B to make their top-tier debuts.

 

The group draw took place in June, before the start of the European Championship. This was how it panned out:

 

2020-2021 UEFA Nations League Division A draw

GROUP 1: France (holders), Italy, Poland (promoted)

GROUP 2: Austria (promoted), Belgium, England

GROUP 3: Czech Republic (promoted), Germany, Portugal

GROUP 4: Republic of Ireland (promoted), Spain, Switzerland

 

And so England would once again meet up with Belgium. Catterall would have a couple more chances to exact revenge on the Red Devils, who had ended his team's FIFA World Cup aspirations in 2018 at the Semi Final stage.

 

Having gone on to emphatically beat France 4-0 in the World Cup Final, this Belgian 'Golden Generation' had been strongly fancied to claim the European title as well. However, a shock Last 16 exit to Russia resulted in head coach Roberto Martínez being unceremoniously sacked. The wily Romanian Mircea Rednic was the man surprisingly chosen to take Martínez's place.

 

Alongside two of the leading lights in world football were Austria, who'd been promoted to the Nations League's top tier after its opening season. Despite pushing eventual European champions Portugal close at the Quarter Final stage, the Burschen were not highly-fancied to cause any major surprises here.

 

Austria would open up Group 2 by hosting England in Vienna on 4 September. The Belgians would enter the fray on 8 September by welcoming the Austrian underdogs to Brussels.

 

There was sure to be plenty of hype around England and Belgium's reunion at Wembley on 9 October. The home of English football would then be readied for the visit of Austria four days later. If they were to have any realistic chance of topping the group, those two matches were must-win for the Three Lions.

 

Catterall's men would wrap up their group campaign in Brussels on 13 November, before the climax between Austria and Belgium four days afterwards. Once that match had been concluded, the three teams would learn who had qualified for June's Semi Finals, who had been consigned to Division B, and who had been left to ponder their own relative mediocrity.

 

England's free dates would be filled by a couple of friendly matches. By total coincidence, a fixture with Portugal in Leiria on 8 September was arranged several weeks before the two sides would contest the European Championship Final. As regards Catterall's plans for 17 November, Wembley would stage a first-ever senior meeting between England and one of Africa's most prominent footballing nations in recent times - the Ivory Coast.

 

Those were the matches in store for Catterall over the coming months. As for the short-term, though, he was still looking for a new tactical coach to succeed his recently-retired mentor Glenn Hoddle.

 

Catterall sat down at his office one weekday afternoon with his assistant Michael Burke to interview one of the leading candidates. Catterall began, "I'm glad you could come along to speak with us. You're one of the most experienced England internationals on the coaching scene, and we'd be very interested in having you on board."

 

"Thanks for inviting me," smiled Tony Adams. The 53-year-old former central defender had won 66 caps for England between 1987 and 2000, featuring at four major tournaments. Adams had also made over 500 top-flight appearances as a one-club man with Arsenal, whom he captained to Premier League and FA Cup success in 1998 and 2002.

 

Burke said, "Of course, it's one thing to be an elite defender, but it's quite another to take that experience into being an elite coach. Sure, Bobby Moore might have led us to World Cup glory however long ago it was, but he weren't a great success at Southend United, was he?"

 

"Perhaps not, but I'd say my managerial record speaks for itself."

 

"Yeah, your record," Burke sighed before reading through Adams' CV. "Says here you flopped at Wycombe Wanderers... and then you flopped at Portsmouth."

 

Catterall argued, "To be fair, Mick, I don't think José Mourinho could have made a success out of Pompey back then."

 

"You're not wrong, Catts," Adams nodded. "I did qualify Qarabağ for the UEFA Europa League in 2011, though."

 

Burke was still unconvinced. "I ain't no expert on Azerbaijani football, Tony... but didn't you have loads of resources with them lot?"

 

Adams quickly changed the subject, "I also worked with Feyenoord's youth team for a bit."

 

Catterall asked, "So you know how to coach young players and get the best out of them?"

 

"I'd like to think I'm a father figure around them younger lads. You have to demonstrate a sense of discipline, obviously, but you also need to show the kids that you care about them. They're almost as important to your football team as your fans."

 

"I think we might be on the same wavelength there, Tony."

 

"Yeah, I think that and all. I've brought along a DVD so you can see just what I'm like as a coach."

 

Having read through more of Adams' CV, Burke pointed at one of the pages and asked, "What's this Granada stuff about? Looks like you typed up something about Nigel Reo-Coker but then scribbled it out."

 

Adams laughed awkwardly, "Can we pretend that never ever happened? PLEASE?"

 

"Okay, then," Catterall nodded. "How's about we watch your DVD, then?"

 

The trio then watched a few minutes of Adams in coaching action, after which the interviewee asked, "So? What did you fellas make of that?"

 

Burke replied, "Your tactical philosophy seems to be very... defensive-based, shall we say?"

 

Adams said, "I've always been a defence-first kind of guy. There's a reason they used to call us 'boring, boring Arsenal' back in the day. And weren't it Sir Alex Ferguson who said something like attack wins you matches, but defence wins you titles?"

 

"Good point," Catterall nodded.

 

"But we're alright at the back, aren't we?" Burke asked. "If anything, it's the attacking side of our game where we need to do a lot of work."

 

"If England's defence was so shipshape, Mick, how d'ya explain what happened in them two friendlies before the Euros? There's no chance Italy or Denmark would've exploited all that space and torn us to shreds under my watch. That backline needs to be a lot narrower and more rigid against them top, top teams, else we've got no chance of winning anything, let alone the World Cup in two years!"

 

"Whoa," Burke gasped. "You've got us there, mate."

 

Catterall stated, "It's about time we had someone as frank as you are. I know people like Alan Shearer and Danny Mills have a go at us all the time... but from you, Tony, your criticisms come across as constructive, honest and sincere. If something's not right, you're not afraid to point it out."

 

"Didn't you used to be like that, Mark?"

 

"That's true, Mick. I think all that business with Ashley and then..." Catterall then swallowed before continuing, "my mum... has really mellowed me."

 

"Sounds like we could do with Tony, then, don't it?"

 

"Maybe so," Catterall said. He then turned back to Adams and told him, "I think that'll do us for now, Tony. No guarantees yet, obviously, but I think you've made a strong case for the job."

 

"Brilliant," Adams beamed. "I'm itching to get back into coaching, and I'd love it if you gave me a shot."

 

Catterall offered to shake Adams' hand, saying, "We'll be back in touch soon. Expect a call in the next fortnight."

 

Adams exchanged handshakes with both Catterall and Burke before heading towards the door with a spring in his step. Before he could leave the room, Catterall interrupted him, "Before you go, Tony... there's one more thing. You're from Romford, aren't you?"

 

Adams hesitated before saying, "Erm... sorta. I was born there, but I was brought up in Dagenham. Why d'you ask?"

 

"You don't know about this 'El Burro Inglese' fella by any chance, do you?"

[CFuller]

***

 

Mark Catterall and his daughter Ashley Minton were sitting on a sofa at the Sky Sports News studio in west London. The pair were quickly being briefed on set by the Football Association's communications director Ava Leggett before they were to be interviewed live on air by presenter Hayley McQueen.

 

Leggett asked Ashley, "How are you feeling, Ash? A bit nervous?"

 

"Kinda," Ashley smiled awkwardly. "I watch Sky Sports News near enough every day, but I never thought I'd get to be on it!"

 

Mark reassured her, "I'm sure you'll be fine. You've done interviews with radio and newspapers before, haven't ya?"

 

Ashley nodded, and Leggett said, "Just act natural and let your real self come out, Ashley. I wish I could give you the same advice, Mark."

 

"I ain't gonna go ranting and raving about anything, if that's what you're thinking," Mark stated.

 

"Hope not," Leggett muttered before stepping off the set. Meanwhile, McQueen arrived on set and greeted both Mark and Ashley before sitting on another sofa opposite the pair.

 

"So, here you are: Sky Sports News," McQueen smiled. "Great, isn't it?"

 

Ashley said, "You bet. I've watched you and all the other presenters on the telly loads of times, and now I've got goosebumps from actually meeting you!"

 

"I just get shivers when I think of your old man, Hayley," Mark quipped, referring to her father - former Scotland and Manchester United defender Gordon McQueen. "I know he played for United and the Jocks... but I s'pose you're alright!"

 

McQueen smiled before whispering, "Almost time, guys," as the runner counted down until SSN went back on air.

 

Once she was given the go-ahead, the presenter turned to the camera and smiled, "Welcome back to Sky Sports News, where I am delighted to say we're now joined by the England manager Mark Catterall and his daughter - the Liverpool Women midfielder Ashley Minton. Welcome, guys."

 

"Good to be here," Ashley said.

 

"Firstly, I want to ask you how it feels to be a father and daughter at the top of professional football - Mark having played for and managed England, and Ashley having won the WSL earlier this year?"

 

Ashley answered first, "It's surreal, really. Dad's obviously been an inspiration through much of me life. I don't know much about his playing days, 'cos I weren't around when he won the Premier League with Blackburn or played for England, but you couldn't escape it. Mum and Dad got divorced when I was six, but even when I first dreamed of playing football, Dad was the guy I really looked up to."

 

Mark then came in, "I'm sure you know the circumstances behind me and Kat - Ash's mom - splitting up. I still have regrets to this day, but I'm just thankful that Ashley has allowed me back into her life, because she's turning into a brilliant footballer... and an even better young woman.

 

"Two years ago, I had no idea that Ashley was even interested in football, let alone playing it. Her Mum phoned me up one night and asked if she wanted me to come to her first game. To be honest, I would've been less surprised if she said Ash had gone to Thailand to become a Buddhist monk! But yeah, I went up to Widnes and she did great. I knew then that she was more than just a chip off the old block."

 

McQueen said, "And obviously, Ashley, you proved that by helping Liverpool win the WSL last season. What are your aims now, having become a league champion at just 20 years of age?"

 

Ashley replied, "It would be a dream to win the Champions League with Liverpool one day, for sure, but my next step has to be England. It's up to me now to keep my performances up and start the new season strongly, and then hopefully [England manager] Emma Hayes will consider me for some friendly matches before the Euros. It's really exciting for me as a female England fan that we're hosting a big women's tournament right here, and I wanna be part of that."

 

Mark added, "I won 29 caps for England over my career. I would be amazed if Ashley didn't go on to get at least double that before she's finished."

 

"No pressure, Ashley," McQueen smiled. "Now let's turn to you, Mark, because it's been a positive summer for you as well."

 

"In terms of my career, yes. Not so much my personal life, but let's not go into that right now. Getting to the Final of Euro 2020 has given the whole country a huge boost, even if things didn't end as we hoped they would at Wembley. This is a team with boundless potential, but it's no good if we don't fulfil that at the next few tournaments. We don't want to be another 'Golden Generation' dreaming of what might have been."

 

"So your aim for the World Cup in two years' time is..."

 

"To qualify, first and foremost. If we can get that over and done with quickly, great. And if we perform like we know we can, then absolutely, we can reach the Semi Finals again, if not go even further."

 

"Before the World Cup qualifiers start, though, you've got the Nations League to concentrate on. Austria and the world champions Belgium are in your group. Do you see the Nations League as a chance to get some silverware and confidence before the World Cup, or is it just another distraction?"

 

"I love the Nations League," Mark said. "They give you some intriguing match-ups against teams that are around the same level as you, and of course, they add a competitive edge that just isn't there in friendlies. We'll definitely want to win our group and qualify for the Semi Finals in June, even if that means our World Cup qualifying schedule has to be changed around a bit."

 

Ashley said, "Yeah, I enjoy the Nations League as well. It probably won't work in women's football right now, cos the gaps in quality between national teams are much bigger, but I hope it comes into our game one day."

 

McQueen then asked Mark, "And what about the state of English football at youth level? The Under-19s won their European Championship last month, which means England have won three youth tournaments since you became manager four years ago. How have you managed to get the best out of those emerging talents, and it is possible to create an ongoing... a dynasty of success, if you will?"

 

Mark answered, "When I took this job in 2016, the FA didn't have a proper plan in terms of youth development. The youth teams all played different styles of football, and there was a boot-camp mentality at tournaments. Even worse, there was no proper pathway from the Under-19s to the Under-21s and then to the seniors.

 

"I've changed that by taking control of the Under-19s and Under-21s, and making sure that everyone is relaxed and singing from the same hymn sheet. You're seeing now that the work I've put in is bearing fruit. Players like Brendan Galloway, James Ward-Prowse and Freddie Woodman have come up into the seniors from the Under-21s, and there are many more youngsters on the edge of joining them as well.

 

"I'm also encouraged that the Government is doing more to get more boys and girls from all walks of life into football, which will give the England men's and women's teams greater pools of talent. A few years ago, you would find that working-class, inner-city kids were being put off organised football because the last Government had made it... ridiculously expensive for them. As far as I'm concerned, football - and all sport for that matter - should be free for everyone, and it pleases me that the current regime shares my views."

 

McQueen appeared a little taken aback. "That is some answer, Mark. Of course, we don't really expect anything less from someone who's renowned for being very outspoken."

 

"That's Dad for you," Ashley laughed. "He is always honest about things, and he'll tell it to you straight, whether you like it or not. You might remember he banned me and the other England Under-19s girls from playing in Russia last year, 'cos of the racism over there. We had this huge falling-out over it, but I later realised he was only doing it for our own good. That's why I have so much respect for him."

 

McQueen then said, "Let's move on to the new Premier League season, which kicks off this weekend. Can either of you see anyone stopping Manchester United from winning a record fourth straight title?"

 

Ashley shook her head. "United are out of this world. Premier League champions, European champions, and soon they'll be world champions, I'm sure. When you look at all them great midfielders and attackers they've got - Paul Pogba, [Anthony] Martial, Bernardo [Silva], [Robert] Lewandowski, [Alexander] Isak... and who's that French fella they've just bought off Dortmund?"

 

"Ousmane Dembélé."

 

"Yeah, Dembélé. Anyway, they're all world-class players, and they're bringing more in each year. Even Manchester City can't really compete with them no more. Arsenal might go close again, but I'm afraid to say as a Liverpool girl that we won't be nowhere near them this season."

 

Mark sighed, "As England manager, it really is sad to see how United and José Mourinho are treating Marcus Rashford. He had a strong year in Germany with Wolfsburg last season, and then he helped us finish runners-up at the Euros. Mourinho should at least give Marcus a chance to get back into United's squad, but with Dembélé coming in, it's going to be really difficult for him now."

 

McQueen argued, "But surely the addition of more elite players should only encourage English youngsters like Marcus Rashford and Brendan Galloway to get better and earn their places in the first-team at United and other big clubs?"

 

Mark replied, "The thing is, Hayley, there's now so much depth in United's squad that Rashford doesn't have much chance of getting into the 18 now, let alone the first 11. United are a great club that used to pride itself on blooding youth players and representing their community. They had a youth graduate in every matchday squad for the best part of 80 years before Mourinho came along and stamped on tradition for the sake of quick success.

 

"If I was in Marcus' shoes, I would look to move permanently to a club where I would be respected and allowed to play regularly. The same goes for Raheem Sterling if Stefano Pioli can't find a place for him at Manchester City."

 

"Okay," McQueen laughed somewhat awkwardly. "We're almost out of time, so I guess we'll leave it at that. Mark, Ashley, many thanks for joining us today live on Sky Sports News."

 

A few minutes later, having left the set, Ashley and Mark returned to Leggett, who was checking through her mobile phone. She turned up to Mark and hissed, "What did I say to you about not trying to be yourself, Mark?"

 

"You should know what I'm like by now, Ava," Mark said. "If I feel something ain't right, I will come out and say it."

 

Leggett sighed, "Alright, all is forgiven. At least you know when to stop... unlike Clark effing Gregory."

 

"What going on, Ava? Has he said something stupid again?"

 

"Believe me, I tried to keep this quiet to stop the press getting on our backs again... but now the Daily Telegraph have taken the story and run with it!"

 

Leggett navigated to the Daily Telegraph's website on her phone, which she then showed to Mark. The England boss recoiled in disgust and growled, "Oh, FOR F***'S SAKE, Gregory! What the hell have you got yourself into?"

[CFuller]

***

 

The feelgood factor surrounding English football after the national teams' European Championship exploits at senior and Under-19s level had not lasted very long. Just as a new domestic season was getting underway, the Football Association was tarnished by another scandal.

 

The FA had long been dogged by claims that it was an old boys' club. The board was perennially dominated by white men who were on the wrong side of 50, while the pitifully small representation of women had barely improved in the four years since Clark Gregory was appointed as chairman.

 

Since the sacking of vice-chairwoman Connie Millstone in 2019, Angela Ruskin had been regarded as the FA's most senior female executive. The 48-year-old had chaired the Cambridgeshire FA for five years, having previously carved out a successful career in investment banking.

 

Ruskin was a woman of determination, and a fierce advocate for greater diversity within the boardrooms of football associations and clubs. In mid-July, just a few weeks after England's run to the Final of UEFA Euro 2020, she announced her intention to challenge Gregory's position as chairman of the FA.

 

Ruskin stated, "The FA should represent everything that English football is all about, but it does not. To put it bluntly, not enough women, and not enough black or ethnic minority people, have been given the opportunity to express their opinions in the boardroom and make a real difference.

 

"The roles of Chairman and Chief Executive at the FA have almost always been the preserve of ageing white middle-class men ever since its formation. Even today, in 2020, it is run by a 60-something, Cambridge-educated man who has a tendency to express misogynistic and xenophobic views. It is no wonder that people regard the FA as being a long way behind the times.

 

"If I become the FA's new chairwoman, I will look to bring this organisation into the 21st century. I want to create a Football Association where anyone can succeed, regardless of their gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, or background."

 

The Guardian contacted Gregory for a response to Ruskin's challenge. He was reported to have quipped, "People like Angela Ruskin are barely able to run a kitchen, let alone a football association."

 

Gregory's comments sparked anger, and he was forced into a grovelling apology. Public scrutiny would grow nearly a month later, when The Daily Telegraph secretly recorded a dinner conversation between Gregory and a leading football agent. Gregory was recorded as saying, "Ruskin must be having a laugh if she honestly believes she can challenge me. The football fans of this country will never take her seriously.

 

"Don't get me wrong. I'm a big supporter of any strong and powerful woman. Margaret Thatcher was one of the greatest post-war leaders this great country has ever had, and Theresa May... was also Prime Minister. However, there are certain jobs that are best left to us blokes.

 

"You remember Connie Millstone's tenure as vice-chair of the FA, don't you? I think she proves what can happen when you put a woman in charge of English football."

 

The scandal would come to a head on the afternoon of Friday 18 August. England manager Mark Catterall was at his office at St George's Park when he received a phone call. It was from Gregory, who instructed him to meet him at The Devonshire - a historic pub in Belper, Derbyshire - later that day.

 

"There's something I need to say to you," Gregory stated. "It cannot wait."

 

Catterall arrived at The Devonshire about an hour later, greeting Gregory with a firm handshake.

 

"I'm glad you could come, Mark," Gregory said, his usually gruff East Midlands accent now somewhat strained and slurred. The half-empty glass of lager on his table provided further evidence that he was somewhat drunk.

 

As Catterall took a seat, Gregory continued, "This was my father's local, this pub. Archie Gregory, his name was. When he wasn't running the Thorntons chocolate factory, you'd always find him here, playing darts and chugging down pints of larger - often at the same time.

 

"He was a proper man. As far as he was concerned, there was nothing a belting on the arse couldn't teach you that a book could. I've still got some bruises to prove it. These days, you can't even lay a finger on your children without having social services come round!"

 

Catterall was already growing impatient. "When are you gonna cut right to it, Clark?"

 

"Sorry, Mark. I won't keep you too long."

 

Catterall asked, "Anyway, couldn't you have told me over the phone? I was supposed to pick Luke up from summer club today."

 

"No, this is something I need to say to you face-to-face."

 

Catterall sighed, "It's not about... what you said about Angela Ruskin, is it?"

 

Gregory admitted, "Maybe I went a little too far with my comments about her."

 

"A LITTLE too far?" Catterall exclaimed. "You basically said that women were nothing more than housewives!"

 

"Keep your voice down," Gregory hissed. "And that's not even what I said. My words were mis... misconstrued."

 

"Good grief! Now you're backtracking! Did you say that Angela Ruskin could barely run a kitchen, or didn't you?"

 

Gregory sighed, "Yes, I did say that... or at least that's what those left-wing pansies at The Guardian will have you believe."

 

"I don't have to listen to this," Catterall fumed as he got up from his chair. "You're just a chauvinistic dinosaur who still thinks it's 1977! The sooner someone replaces you, the better!"

 

"Sit back down, Mark. That's exactly what I wanted to talk to you about."

 

"You're not quitting, are you? You are?"

 

Gregory nodded reluctantly, "People like me, Mark, are just not fit for this world. As much as I hate it, it's fashionable to be a liberal snowflake in this day and age. You can't tell people how you really feel anymore without it blowing up in your face.

 

"I know when it's time to hand over the baton. I'll announce my resignation tomorrow."

 

Catterall sat back down and said, "I know we don't always see eye-to-eye, but I think you're doing the honourable thing here. For once in your life."

 

Gregory half-laughed, "I'm a stubborn old sod most of the time, aren't I? But no, like I said, my time's up. Nancy and I will be retiring to the Peak District, where we'll watch our grandchildren grow up."

 

"Good for you... but what happens next?"

 

"David Whiteman will take over as chairman until a permanent successor is announced. Heaven forbid it's that Ruskin woman, though."

 

Catterall asked, "Seriously, Clark, what problem do you have with Ruskin?"

 

Gregory whispered, "Between you and me, Mark... Angela Ruskin is a self-centred bitch who's only in this football business for her own benefit. She claims to be all about diversity and inclusiveness, but when you drill down further, she's actually a greedy, ruthless businesswoman. She would trample over schoolkids to pick up a penny."

 

Catterall responded democratically, "I'd prefer to make my own judgement on Angela Ruskin if she does take over, thank you very much. But if it is her, I'd presume David's finished, then?"

 

"Is he heck!" Gregory grumbled. "There are only two species on this planet who could survive a nuclear explosion - cockroaches, and David bloody Whiteman. He'll outwork and outlive us all, the stubborn b******."

 

Catterall then took another swig of his pint and continued, "You know... I had serious doubts about you when you first applied for the England manager's job. I thought you were brash and arrogant; I thought you were big for your boots. But it turns out you're a bit like my old man Archie... only taller, and with less hair. You know exactly what you want, and you never stop working to get it."

 

"Thank you," Catterall responded. "And I feel like I've grown as a manager over these last four years."

 

"Indeed, you have. You proved me and the critics wrong about this 'remote management' lark. You changed the game."

 

"I wouldn't quite go that far," Catterall blushed.

 

"Previous England managers were either too strict like Fabio Capello or too pally-pally like Steve McClaren. But not you; you're different. You've let your players express themselves on the pitch, but you've also given them the hunger and the discipline that they lacked before."

 

"I think that's a fair assessment."

 

"Keep at it, Mark. I want to see England win another World Cup in my lifetime... and I think you can do that."

 

"I hope I can deliver," Catterall said as he offered Gregory another handshake. "Thanks for giving me the opportunity."

 

"Thank you for accepting it, Mark," Gregory stated. "And I hope you continue the good work, even if my successor tries to burn it to ashes."

[CFuller]

***

 

England might have progressed all the way to the Final at UEFA Euro 2020, but Mark Catterall was not a manager who would trade off past glories. He would always start off a new tournament cycle with a clean slate, meaning that the 23 players who had taken part in the Three Lions' European Championship run would have to win back their places for the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

 

One player had already been informed that he no longer had an international future. Gary Cahill might have won 73 caps for England, but the spirited centre-half was now 34 years old and in the final year of his three-season contract with CSKA Moscow. It now looked likely that Cahill would see out his club career in Russia.

 

Another England stalwart was also having to ponder life after international football. 33-year-old Joe Hart had been the Three Lions' first-choice goalkeeper for a decade now, winning 106 caps since his debut back in 2008. However, Hart's hopes of keeping the number 1 jersey had been dealt a huge blow when Manchester City signed a new custodian over the summer.

 

The new man between the sticks for City was 28-year-old Argentina international Gerónimo Rulli. Having kept 15 clean sheets in La Liga for Real Sociedad the previous season, Rulli was signed up by new Citizens boss Stefano Pioli for a cut-price £12million.

 

This wasn't Rulli's first time at the Etihad Stadium. After two successful loan spells at Real, Rulli first signed for City from Uruguayan hoarders Deportivo Maldonado for £4million in July 2016, only to immediately rejoin his old Spanish side on loan for a third time. Los Txuri-Urdin then bought him permanently for £6.5million the following January. Even to this day, some of the brightest minds in professional sport - and Joey Barton - were still unable to figure out the purpose of Rulli's initial transfer to City.

 

Anyway, that transfer saga was in the past, and Rulli was now very much a Citizen. He immediately displaced Hart from Pioli's starting line-up, producing two strong displays on his first PL outings whilst keeping back-to-back clean sheets in the UEFA Champions League Playoff win over Young Boys.

 

Hart was now out of favour at the Etihad, though England centre-halves Michael Keane and John Stones were still considered first-team regulars under Pioli. The same could not be said of two of their compatriots - midfielder Will Hughes and winger Raheem Sterling, who each found opportunities with City hard to come by again following successful loan stints at Chelsea and Sampdoria respectively.

 

Sterling's agent Aidy Ward was still optimistic that his client would still become a Sky Blues success. He boasted, "Raheem's one of the most talented forwards in European football, and I'm sure City will have him back in their first-team soon. They wouldn't have given him a new contract after the Euros otherwise, would they?

 

"Look... it'll only take a few injuries to [Antoine] Griezmann, [Yannick] Carrasco, [Kevin] De Bruyne, [Breel] Embolo, [Leroy] Sané, [Gabriel] Jesus, [Gonçalo] Guedes, [Josip] Brekalo, and then Raheem will be back on the bench. Probably. Unless Stefano decides to give Phil Foden a go."

 

Across the city, Manchester United began their pursuit of an unprecedented fourth consecutive PL title under José Mourinho. The Red Devils got off to an inauspicious start, only managing a 1-1 home draw against Sunderland before being held to a goalless stalemate at Stoke City.

 

Left-back Luke Shaw was the only Englishman to start in both of those opening matches for United. Centre-halves Phil Jones and Brendan Galloway had each featured in the Sunderland draw, but neither they nor fellow defender Chris Smalling could be seen at the Bet365 Stadium.

 

Galloway, Jones and Smalling had all demanded transfers away from United in pursuit of regular first-team football. Smalling hadn't played a single league match for the Red Devils last season, so when Sunderland offered the 30-year-old a lifeline by attempting to sign him for £10.75million, he probably could've been expected to take it. As it transpired, he failed to agree personal terms with the Black Cats, and the transfer consequently fell through.

 

Several clubs from La Liga and the Bundesliga had enquired about taking Galloway on loan for the season. Their advances were turned down, however, as Mourinho intended to give the Zimbabwe-born 24-year-old a significant role in his squad rotation system for the foreseeable future.

 

Intriguingly, Mourinho had stated in pre-season that he would give more league opportunities to another young-ish English centre-half. Axel Tuanzebe had played exclusively in cup competitions in the 2019/2020 season, having come off a productive loan spell with Stoke. Having built up his physical strength and become more tactically aware over recent months, United's manager was now prepared to give the 22-year-old his big break.

 

Mourinho aimed to integrate forward Marcus Rashford, also 22, into this team more regularly after a successful year on loan at Wolfsburg. However, Rashford's hopes were almost immediately undermined when United paid Borussia Dortmund £82million for one of world football's pre-eminent wingers - French virtuoso Ousmane Dembélé.

 

A couple of exciting English talents were loaned out from Old Trafford to Premier League rivals. Attacking midfielder Stuart White and target forward Mark Leonard, both 19, would spend the new season gaining top-flight experience at Newcastle United and West Bromwich Albion respectively.

 

After two PL matches, there were three teams who still had perfect records. Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur were expected to provide Catterall with a significant chunk of his England players over the forthcoming years.

 

Jordan Henderson would continue to marshal the midfield as captain for both Liverpool and England, while the uncapped Ben Chilwell was in his second season as the Reds' first-choice left-back. Nathaniel Clyne had made the right-back slot at Anfield his own for half a decade, but he was now under serious threat from the much younger Giovanni Troupée - a £20million summer signing from Sunderland.

 

Adam Lallana's six-year stay at Liverpool ended with the expiry of his contract. The 32-year-old attacking midfielder subsequently announced his retirement from professional football, following a 14-year career during which he had won exactly 50 caps for England.

 

Jack Wilshere hoped to keep his starting berth in Arsenal's midfield, while the fast-improving Josh Tymon was strongly challenging Scotland's Kieran Tierney at left-back. The Gunners' exciting winger Reiss Nelson rejoined Leicester City for a second loan spell, while 18-year-old full-back Ted Lapslie went on loan to Watford.

 

Meanwhile, Tottenham had the usual six English suspects in their first-team. Dele Alli, Eric Dier, Harry Kane, Danny Rose and James Ward-Prowse were all at least semi-regulars for Jaap Stam's side, as was - just about - Kyle Walker. It didn't look like anyone else would join them soon.

 

Everton had kept hold of goalkeeper Freddie Woodman, right-back Calum Chambers, centre-half Mason Holgate and attacking midfielder Ross Barkley over the summer, despite strong rumours surrounding transfers for the latter two.

 

Callum Wilson remained the lone Englishman in the senior ranks at Chelsea, who loaned their promising teenage right-back Peter Turner out to Stoke. Incidentally, Turner was sent off on his Premier League debut against Leicester.

 

Norwich City bolstered a strong English contingent by signing 25-year-old Sam McQueen from Burnley for £5million and instantly making him their first-choice left-back. Who was to say that McQueen wouldn't soon follow new team-mate Michail Antonio into the national team?

 

Mind you, it didn't look like former Norwich right-back Adam Smith would be adding to the solitary cap he had picked up against Austria the previous October. The 29-year-old Londoner had just dropped into the Championship after signing a permanent deal with Sheffield Wednesday.

 

Leicester had several potential internationals at Catterall's disposal. After the Foxes' dreadful start to the season, though, the England manager could perhaps be excused for avoiding the likes of Reece Burke, Danny Drinkwater and Demarai Gray. The Foxes began their first full campaign under Steve Clarke's management by losing 3-0 at home to Stoke, 4-0 at newly-promoted AFC Bournemouth, and then 4-3 against League One side Plymouth Argyle in the EFL Cup. Yes, that was quite dreadful, wasn't it?

 

West Brom were perhaps more interesting to Catterall. Shaun Derry's Baggies went into the new campaign with two 20-year-olds making up the heart of their defence. Youth product Adam Mingay had broken into Albion's first-team the previous season, while his partner Alistair Rattray had performed solidly since arriving on loan from Southampton.

 

That was the state of play as 'Catts' prepared to begin his third tournament cycle as England manager. Many supporters were expecting this to be the cycle in which the senior team really started to enjoy the fruits of his labour.

[CFuller]

Chapter 42 - In With The New

 

It was the final Wednesday afternoon of August, and the Catterall family were paying a visit to their local Costa coffee house on Orchard Street in Burton-upon-Trent. Mark had just finished another shift at St George's Park, while Jenny had taken the day off work to take Luke to the cinema.

 

As the family sat down at a table to drink, Mark asked his 12-year-old son, "Did you enjoy the film today, Luke?"

 

"It sounded really exciting at first," Luke replied. "But then it was just like every other superhero film I've been to."

 

Mark smiled, "You must be getting cynical in your old age."

 

"I suppose. Maybe I just don't like them films anymore."

 

Jenny suggested, "Well, the next time we go to the movies, Luke, maybe we should watch that Romanian comedy crime thriller everyone's raving about."

 

"What's that, then?" Mark asked.

 

"It's called 'Cine la ucis pe Gary Stevens?' It's about the accidental death of a former England footballer in Bucharest."

 

"Is that the Gary Stevens who played for Everton, or the one who played for Tottenham?"

 

"Why are you asking me?"

 

Luke replied, "I'm good, Mum. I think I still need to master English before I start learning another language."

 

Mark's phone then vibrated in his pocket. As he brought it out, he muttered, "Jesus... I can't catch a break!"

 

Luke suggested, "You should turn it off when you don't want to be disturbed."

 

"Thanks for the advice, wise guy," Mark grumbled. His voice then perked up as he answered the call, "Hi, Wayne." That in turn made Luke raise his eyebrows with interest.

 

After listening to the response, Mark nodded, "Ah, that's great news! It'd be great to have another England old boy working with the Under-19s."

 

Luke whispered to Jenny, "Is that Wayne Rooney he's talking to?"

 

"Maybe," Jenny said. "Then again... England old boy. It could be Wayne Bridge."

 

"He slept with that girl from The Saturdays, didn't he? Or was that John Terry?"

 

Mark continued his discussion and then lowered his phone to ask Luke, "Wayne Rooney's on the phone, son. Would you like to speak with him?"

 

"I'd love that," Luke said, his voice growing noticeably excited.

 

Mark nodded in acknowledgement and then told Rooney, "Right, Wayne. I'll let you go now, 'cos there's a certain someone who really wants to speak to you."

 

Rooney replied, "Of course, Mark. Talk soon."

 

Mark then placed the phone on the table facing Luke, who greeted Rooney, "Hello, Wayne! It's Luke!"

 

"Oh... hey there, Lukey boy! How's you been?"

 

"I'm good, thanks! What about you?"

 

"I'm great. Your Da' just gave me a job coaching the Under-19s with Ledley King and Frankie Lampard."

 

"That sounds good! You must be really excited to be back in football after you stopped playing!"

 

Rooney's excitement was evident as he said, "I'm chompin' at the bit, la'! It's been a year since I left United, and I've always wanted to get into coaching. Now I wanna... inspire the next generation, y'know."

 

"You inspired me when you were playing for United... even if you got a bit rubbish when José [Mourinho] became manager!"

 

Rooney laughed, "Yeah, you could say that! Anyway... what are you up to, Luke?"

 

"I'm on my holidays right now, but I go back to school in..."

 

Jenny said, "Two weeks."

 

"Yeah, two weeks. I'm gonna work really hard at school this year, 'cos Mum and Dad have promised me something very special for my 13th birthday if I do."

 

"Well, you keep at it, Luke. Maybe we'll talk again soon if your Da' is okay with it."

 

"I'd like that."

 

"Okay. Nice to speak with you, Luke. Now can you pass me back to your Da'? I need to ask him something real quick before I go."

 

Mark retook the phone and asked Rooney, "What is it, Wayne?"

 

"Well... I know it's been three years now, but I'm still gutted I never got a proper send-off with England. I was wonderin' if you would... play me for 20 minutes in one of them friendlies."

 

"Erm... why?"

 

"It just really bugs me that I got stuck on 122 caps. I wanna get it up to 123, 'cos that's a much cooler number. So if you could give me a run-out against the Ivory Coast in November, I'd really appreciate it."

 

"You haven't played any competitive football in over a year!"

 

"I know... but Manchester United have just bought a club in the Ivory Coast. I'm sure they'll give me a two-month trial and build up me fitness in the meantime. I mean... if Usain Bolt can do it..."

 

Mark sighed, "I'm sorry, Wayne, but no is no. If I give you a token cap to wrap up your England career in a ribbon and bow, all the other ex-players will be badgering me for one. Before you know it, Phil Neville will be at my door asking if I could give him a go in Kazakhstan!"

 

"I see. Don't worry 'bout it, then. Speak to you again soon, then. Ta-ra."

 

"Ta-ra, Wayne," Mark signed off before Rooney hung up. Luke then turned his head to Mark and raised a huge beaming smile.

 

"That was very thoughtful of you, Mark Catterall," Jenny said softly to her husband. "You didn't have to do that for Luke, you know."

 

"Well, it's been a while since you spoke to your idol, isn't it, Luke?"

 

"Yeah. I still remember that day when we met at Wembley. Thanks for letting me talk to him again."

 

"You're welcome."

 

"You don't, er... have Paul Pogba's number as well, do you?"

 

Mark smiled and said, "Drink up, son. Your coffee's getting cold."

[CFuller]

***

 

While Mark Catterall was making changes to his England coaching set-up, the Football Association was set for a major overhaul at the top. The resignation of Clark Gregory after four years as chairman had left the FA in need of a new leader.

 

The frontrunner to succeed Gregory was businesswoman Angela Ruskin, about whom the now erstwhile chairman had made controversial comments that hastened his departure. Having led the local FA in her home county of Cambridgeshire for half a decade, she now had her eyes on English football's top job.

 

Ruskin's only rival was former striker Chris Sutton, who had played for the likes of Norwich City, Blackburn Rovers and Chelsea during the 1990s. He also won one cap for England in November 1997, but his international career was cut very short when he refused to play for the B team against Chile a few months later. After retiring from playing, he had carved out a career as an outspoken, sharp-tongued pundit with BT Sport and the BBC.

 

The FA board held a vote on who would replace Gregory in an emergency meeting on 28 August. Chief executive and interim chairman David Whiteman was adamant that as little time as possible would be wasted on electing a new chair.

 

Prior to the vote, Sutton had branded Ruskin as "a clueless bureaucrat" while stating that he would bring "passion and leadership" to English football's governing body. In turn, Ruskin said that electing Sutton would "increase the public's perception of the FA as an Old Boys' Club".

 

The battle to take charge of Wembley was a short and bitter one, and it was ultimately one-sided. Sutton picked up as many votes as he had international caps, with Ruskin being almost unanimously selected as the first woman to lead the Football Association in its 157-year history.

 

"This is a historic day for football, and for a proud day for all women in this country," Ruskin declared. "In 21st-century Britain, there should be no barrier to success for anyone, regardless of gender.

 

"Under my leadership, I will make sure that all England teams will continue to thrive and challenge for major championships. I look forward to meeting with our senior-team managers Mark Catterall and Emma Hayes over the coming days to determine the course of action we must take to make our visions a reality."

 

Ruskin had her first meeting with Catterall at Wembley two days later. The England men's manager had travelled down from his home in Staffordshire to announce his squads for the September internationals.

 

Ruskin welcomed Catterall into the boardroom with a firm handshake, saying, "It's so great to meet you, Mark. I hope we can have a long and successful working relationship."

 

"The feeling's mutual, Ms Ruskin," Catterall nodded, only for his new boss to insist, "Please. It's Angela."

 

Ruskin then introduced Catterall to the FA's new vice-chairman. At the tender age of 31, Dexter Poyner was by far the youngest man ever to have been appointed to such a senior role with the organisation. The Cambridge-educated mathematician had short brown hair and wore rimmed glasses, prompting Catterall to ask jokingly, "And you must be David's grandson, I presume."

 

David Whiteman - who had, as expected, been retained under the new regime - remarked, "I can completely understand why you would make that presumption, Mr Catterall, but there is no familial connection between Mr Poyner and I."

 

Poyner shook hands with Catterall and told him, "A pleasure to meet you, sir. I've heard so much about the success you had this summer."

 

"Thanks," Catterall nodded.

 

"It's just a shame the Spanish were that little bit better in that final game, weren't they?"

 

Catterall looked at Poyner with some bemusement before Ruskin suggested, "How about we just sit down to discuss our future plans?"

 

Ruskin and the three men all took their seats before the new chairwoman said, "First off, Mark, I want to reassure you straight away that we won't be making any immediate changes regarding the leadership of the men's team. Of course, we must constantly think about how we can evolve as a Football Association, but for this season at least, we will allow you to continue all your duties from the previous four years."

 

"Cheers," Catterall said. "Obviously, we're now planning for the UEFA Nations League and then the World Cup qualifiers, but this is a big season for our youth teams. We want to keep our monopoly on all the youth titles, if possible."

 

Ruskin stated, "I'd hardly call it a monopoly, Mark. For one thing, the men's Under-17s didn't even qualify for last year's World Cup, let alone win it. The women's youth teams don't hold any of the European or world championships, either."

 

"I was just talking about the youth teams I'm in charge of: the Under-19s, 20s and 21s."

 

"Ah, right, of course. It would be a remarkable achievement if England could keep winning, but it's hardly the be-all and end-all. As long as we believe those teams are still making progress, we will allow your 'remote management' approach to continue."

 

"Understood."

 

Whiteman then interjected, "With regards to other matters, Mr Catterall, I would like to inform you that Ms Ruskin has officially sanctioned the submission of a proposal for the Football Association to stage the UEFA European Championship in the year 2028."

 

Catterall nodded, "Okay. Sounds good."

 

"It was the idea of the recently-departed Mr Gregory to submit a bid to UEFA before the formal deadline next month. Following the enormous success of hosting the final three matches of this year's Championships, the board have agreed that we are now in a position to make plans for a full tournament."

 

Ruskin said, "I know how disappointed you were about England losing the bid for the 2030 World Cup, despite the best efforts of the previous vice-chairperson. I have therefore instructed Dexter to lead our bid team and help us sway UEFA when they vote in March."

 

Poyner smiled, "It's a project I'm very excited about. I'm hoping to - as the popular song goes - bring soccer back."

 

"Hosting Euro 2028 is an important part of our long-term strategy at the FA. Not only would it bring vast revenue to the organisation, but with our existing infrastructure, it would also be relatively inexpensive. Believe me, we wouldn't be taking the gamble if it wasn't."

 

Catterall asked, "What do you mean?"

 

Whiteman warned, "An examination of this organisation's financial records does not make for pleasant reading, Mr Catterall."

 

"To get straight to the point, Mark, we're heavily in debt," Ruskin said. "It amounts to roughly £50million, including the outstanding arrears for the new Wembley Stadium. For far too long, we have been spending well beyond our means on frivolous activities, such as allowing leading male executives to take personal jollies as far as Marrakesh. That stops now."

 

Catterall was stunned. "So that's why Gregory was thinking of selling Wembley a couple of years ago, was it? He wasn't thinking of improving grass roots football?"

 

"No, he was trying to clear up a huge mess of his own making. I wouldn't trust that wretched man as far as Barbora Špotáková could throw him."

 

Poyner said, "So yes, I'm crunching the numbers and figuring out how we could cut costs and spend more efficiently. What would you and your staff think of having to pay to park outside St George's from now on?"

 

"I wouldn't mind," Catterall shrugged. "We can afford to, obviously, but I'm sure you can think of some even better ideas."

 

"I'm not a Bachelor of Economics with Honours for nothing, sir," Poyner smiled. "Also, how would you feel about us rebranding all the pitches and locker rooms at St George's, and renaming them after famous figures in English football?"

 

"Haven't they already been named after famous figures in English football? We've got the Billy Wright Changing Room, and so on."

 

Ruskin said, "Yes, but they're almost all named after white men. Not enough women or ethnic minorities are represented. We feel strongly that it's a wrong that needs to be righted."

 

"Well... I s'pose it can't hurt."

 

A few hours later, Catterall formally announced his squad for England's first two matches of the new season, both away from home. The Three Lions would visit Austria in their UEFA Nations League opener on 4 September. They would then cross swords once again with Euro 2020 foes Portugal - minus Cristiano Ronaldo - in Leiria four days later.

 

The Under-21s squad for their next two European Championship qualifiers was also announced. After hosting Greece in a potentially tricky match in Manchester, David Byrne's Young Lions would face an arguably less daunting proposition away to Macedonia.

 

The Under-19s could also look forward to a home game with their Greek counterparts, albeit on the other side of the Pennines in Doncaster. Following that, head coach Ledley King would take his top teenage talents to Belgium for another friendly match.

 

ENGLAND squad - for matches vs Austria (A) and Portugal (A)

NAME                      POSITIONS           D.O.B. (AGE)     CLUB            CAPS  GOALS HEIGHT WEIGHT     VALUE
Jack Butland              GK                  10/03/1993 (27)  Stoke           11    0     6'5"   14st 13lbs £19.25M 
Jordan Pickford           GK                  07/03/1994 (26)  Sunderland      0     0     6'2"   12st 1lb   £7.75M  
Freddie Woodman           GK                  04/03/1997 (23)  Everton         2     0     6'1"   11st 2lbs  £4.5M   
Calum Chambers            D (RC)              20/01/1995 (25)  Everton         19    0     6'0"   11st 6lbs  £13.75M 
Mason Holgate             D (RC)              22/10/1996 (23)  Everton         2     0     5'11"  11st 13lbs £19.5M  
John Stones               D (RC)              28/05/1994 (26)  Man City        47    1     6'2"   12st 3lbs  £36.5M  
Eric Dier                 D (RC), DM, M (C)   15/01/1994 (26)  Tottenham       54    6     6'2"   13st 7lbs  £38M    
Brendan Galloway          D (LC), DM          17/03/1996 (24)  Man Utd         2     0     6'2"   14st 0lbs  £25M    
Nathaniel Clyne           D/WB (R)            05/04/1991 (29)  Liverpool       46    0     5'9"   10st 7lbs  £15.25M 
Luke Shaw                 D/WB (L)            12/07/1995 (25)  Man Utd         41    2     6'1"   11st 11lbs £37M    
Danny Rose                D/WB/M (L)          02/07/1990 (30)  Tottenham       37    2     5'8"   11st 6lbs  £14.75M 
Lewis Cook                DM, M (C)           03/02/1997 (23)  Bournemouth     0     0     5'9"   11st 2lbs  £9.5M   
Jordan Henderson          DM, M (C)           17/06/1990 (30)  Liverpool       73    3     6'0"   10st 7lbs  £15M    
Rolando Aarons            M/AM (RL)           16/11/1995 (24)  West Ham        22    8     5'9"   10st 5lbs  £11.75M 
Nathan Redmond            M/AM (RL), ST (C)   06/03/1994 (26)  Southampton     16    4     5'8"   11st 6lbs  £14.25M 
Jesse Lingard             M/AM (RLC)          15/12/1992 (27)  Celta           6     0     5'6"   10st 3lbs  £17.75M 
James Ward-Prowse         M/AM (RC)           01/11/1994 (25)  Tottenham       17    3     5'8"   10st 5lbs  £23M    
Dele Alli                 M/AM (C)            11/04/1996 (24)  Tottenham       58    6     6'1"   12st 1lb   £35M    
Ross Barkley              M/AM (C)            05/12/1993 (26)  Everton         37    4     6'2"   11st 13lbs £29M    
Jack Wilshere             M/AM (C)            01/01/1992 (28)  Arsenal         70    11    5'9"   10st 3lbs  £19.25M 
Daniel Sturridge          AM (C), ST (C)      01/09/1989 (30)  Valencia        48    27    6'0"   12st 6lbs  £6.75M  
Harry Kane                ST (C)              28/07/1993 (27)  Tottenham       56    28    6'3"   13st 0lbs  £34M    
Callum Wilson             ST (C)              27/02/1992 (28)  Chelsea         37    12    5'11"  10st 7lbs  £29M    

 

Catterall dropped four players from the England side that had finished runners-up at UEFA Euro 2020. The most significant absentees were Gary Cahill and Joe Hart, neither of whom were expected to play at international level again.

 

While Cahill was winding down his career at CSKA Moscow, Hart had found himself displaced as Manchester City's first-choice goalkeeper by Gerónimo Rulli. The 33-year-old's Citizens team-mate Raheem Sterling was also left out of Catterall's squad, following the pair's dispute during the European Championship.

 

Michael Keane's absence was due to him twisting his ankle in training a few days before the squad announcement. That left his fellow central defender John Stones as the only Manchester City player in this England side.

 

Box-to-box midfielder Danny Drinkwater had also lost his international place after an awful start to the season at Leicester City. The last player to be dropped was young forward Marcus Rashford, who'd yet to play a competitive match for Manchester United since his loan stint at Wolfsburg.

 

One of Rashford's United colleagues was back in favour. Central defender Brendan Galloway had waited nearly 18 months for an England recall since making his senior international debut in the opening Euro 2020 qualifiers. The former Everton man had featured just 14 times for the Red Devils in his first full season at Old Trafford, but a couple of substitute appearances early this term suggested that José Mourinho was prepared to give him more opportunities.

 

Catterall was also happy to reinstate the Red Devils' former attacking midfielder Jesse Lingard, who'd enjoyed two-and-a-half solid seasons in La Liga with Celta Vigo. Lingard had yet to reproduce his club form for England, which perhaps explained why he hadn't been awarded any caps since November 2018.

 

Finally, there were a couple of uncapped players in the side. Sunderland's consistent custodian Jordan Pickford had been an unused member of two previous England squads, but the 26-year-old had been promised by Catterall that he would finally be given a chance here, fitness permitting. Pickford was set to battle it out with Jack Butland and Freddie Woodman for the right to become the Three Lions' new number 1 in the post-Hart era.

 

There was also a maiden call-up for AFC Bournemouth midfielder Lewis Cook - the latest European Under-21s champion from 2019 to graduate to the senior set-up. Cook had enjoyed a strong 2019/2020 season in the Championship, and the creative playmaker had shown signs early this term that he could maintain that momentum in the top flight.

 

ENGLAND UNDER-21s squad - for matches vs Greece (H) and Macedonia (A)

NAME                      POSITIONS           D.O.B. (AGE)     CLUB            CAPS  GOALS HEIGHT WEIGHT     VALUE
Brian Farrell             GK                  14/02/2001 (19)  Bury            1     0     6'2"   12st 6lbs  £150K   
Will Mannion              GK                  05/05/1998 (22)  Huddersfield    8     0     6'2"   13st 5lbs  £6.5M   
Aaron Ramsdale            GK                  14/05/1998 (22)  Luton           0     0     6'4"   10st 7lbs  £99K    
Alistair Rattray          SW, D (C)           17/02/2000 (20)  West Brom       0     0     5'10"  11st 4lbs  £1.4M   
Trevoh Chalobah           D (RLC), WB (L)     05/07/1999 (21)  Chelsea         6     1     6'4"   12st 6lbs  £825K   
Peter Turner              D (RC), WB/M (R)    09/03/2001 (19)  Stoke           1     0     5'11"  11st 11lbs £700K   
Joe Rankin-Costello       D (RC), M/AM (RLC)  26/07/1999 (21)  Burnley         12    0     5'10"  11st 6lbs  £7.25M  
Ben Sheaf                 D (RC), M/AM (C)    05/02/1998 (22)  Sheff Wed       5     1     6'0"   12st 6lbs  £4.5M   
Adam Mingay               D (C)               19/04/2000 (20)  West Brom       2     0     6'0"   11st 9lbs  £825K   
James Errington           D (C), ST (C)       08/02/2001 (19)  Rangers         0     0     5'8"   11st 0lbs  £2.5M   
Trent Alexander-Arnold    D/WB (R), DM        07/10/1998 (21)  Derby           19    0     5'6"   9st 10lbs  £6.25M  
Ted Lapslie               D/M (L)             18/06/2002 (18)  Watford         0     0     5'11"  11st 9lbs  £7M     
Josh Tymon                D/M (L)             22/05/1999 (21)  Arsenal         10    0     5'9"   11st 2lbs  £16M    
Leon Rowe                 WB (L), DM, M (C)   19/07/2001 (19)  Coventry        0     0     5'8"   11st 2lbs  £525K   
Sam Field                 DM, M/AM (C)        08/05/1998 (22)  QPR             12    2     5'10"  12st 1lb   £7.5M   
Jonathan Leko             M (R), AM (RL)      24/04/1999 (21)  Brighton        6     1     6'2"   11st 2lbs  £6M     
Reiss Nelson              M (L), AM (RL)      10/12/1999 (20)  Leicester       14    4     5'10"  11st 11lbs £6M     
Callum Gribbin            M (C), AM (RC)      18/12/1998 (21)  Man Utd         6     1     5'11"  11st 13lbs £12.5M  
Charles Ameobi            M/AM (L), ST (C)    29/07/2001 (19)  Huddersfield    0     0     5'7"   9st 12lbs  £4M     
Stuart White              M/AM (C)            12/10/2000 (19)  Newcastle       4     0     5'10"  11st 4lbs  £7.75M  
Lawrence Warner           AM (RC), ST (C)     28/12/2000 (19)  Brighton        4     1     6'0"   12st 6lbs  £12.5M  
Reece Nicholls            AM (L), ST (C)      16/03/2001 (19)  Reading         2     0     5'10"  11st 4lbs  £10M    
Eddie Nketiah             ST (C)              30/05/1999 (21)  Cardiff         9     6     5'10"  11st 6lbs  £6.5M   

 

Catterall had already overseen a high turnover of players during a frustrating European Under-21s Championship qualifying campaign. That would continue here, with six uncapped players named in the latest squad.

 

There were a host of promotions from the Under-19s team who'd become continental champions a few weeks earlier. Arsenal left-winger Charles Ameobi, who'd scored the winner in the Final against Germany and was now on loan with Huddersfield Town, was amongst eight players who were rewarded for their exploits in Northern Ireland.

 

James Errington, Ted Lapslie and Leon Rowe would all have opportunities to win their first Under-21s caps off the back of their Under-19s success. Chelsea trio Brian Farrell, Reece Nicholls and Peter Turner had already featured at this level before.

 

Southampton defender Alistair Rattray, who'd caught Catterall's eye while on loan at West Bromwich Albion, was another player in line to make a first appearance for the Under-21s. The other rookie was former Bournemouth goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale - now the number 1 at Luton Town in League One.

 

Injury prevented Wolverhampton Wanderers' midfield wonderkid Neil Campbell - yet another European Under-19s champion - from returning to the Under-21s. Also absent was tough-tackling midfielder Tom Davies, who'd struggled to break into the Watford line-up after joining them on loan from Everton. Davies' suspension from the match against Greece also played a significant role in his exclusion.

 

ENGLAND UNDER-19s squad - for matches vs Greece (H) and Belgium (A)

GOALKEEPERS: Tom Burnett (Exeter), Jackson Stevens (Chelsea), Josh Vokes (Tottenham)

DEFENDERS: James Brown (Liverpool), Ray Butterfield (Oxford), Luther Davis (Chelsea), Jordan Laing (Peterborough), Joe Mooney (Barnsley), Stephen Nugent (Burnley), Taylor Randall (Middlesbrough), Nick Ward (Arsenal)

MIDFIELDERS: Darren Bennett (Carlisle), Paul Hancock (Hull), Owen Hibbs (Swansea), Ben Logan (Watford), Tommy Miles (Arsenal), Petros Mavros (Hull), Christian Smith (Derby), Ashley Wells (Reading)

FORWARDS: Ollie Elmes (Liverpool), Willie Field (Sheff Wed), Andre Forbes (West Ham), Anthony Hayward (Arsenal)

 

At least four of England's European Under-19s champions would still be around to defend the title. Goalkeeper Josh Vokes, defenders Joe Mooney and Stephen Nugent, and striker Willie Field would provide the experience in a new-look Young Lions team.

 

Arsenal had three representatives in the squad. Centre-half Nick Ward had played at this level previously, but midfielder Tommy Miles and striker Anthony Hayward were newcomers. A similarly strong Chelsea contingent consisted of New Zealand-born goalkeeper Jackson Stevens, Hull City's loanee midfielder Petros Mavros, and uncapped left-back Luther Davis.