Sam Ratcliffe

“I’m not a believer in fairy-tales but I am a believer in dreams.” It sounded more a lyric from an epic song than a line from a football manager previewing a match. But this string of pearls that formed a simple sentence is a mission statement that defines Gareth Southgate’s management. It also shapes the mix of realism and hunger underpinning England’s players as they fight Spain for the right to be crowned kings of Europe. Southgate and his players are fully aware of the calibre of Sunday’s opponents. Spain are favourites with their blend of authority figures like Rodri and precocious flyers like Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams. Spain strode confidently to the final, England mainly stumbled. But they believe in their resilience. Southgate and his players also know all about the years of hurt for England men’s team, stretching to 58 now. They’ve lived through part of it, the losses to Croatia, Italy and France. Southgate himself endured the pain of Euro 96, France 98, Euro 2000 and, watching from the bench, the 2002 World Cup. They know about all the misses down the decades, the missed penalties, a missed Hand of God, a ball over the line missed, the missed chances, let alone the red mist. Now they try to unstitch the long thread of under-achievement from the shirt with Three Lions on it. They believe they can. They know 10s of thousands of fans head here hopefully. The drive up from Blankenhain saw cars with English plates, and even a Dutch one with a passenger defiantly waving a Spanish flag out the sun-roof. England fans pour in from all quarters and in all manner of transport: cars from Coventry, coaches from Victoria bus station, trains and flights via ridiculous locations with tight transfers that would test a sprinter. They believe. Southgate and his players know the country back home wills them on. They’ve seen the videos. Those tuning in will hold their breath and briefly hold their beers in anticipation. England know the euphoria that will sweep the nation if they win. Southgate showed his players pictures of the celebrations that followed Ashes and Rugby World Cup glories. “When you're trying to create dreams, you've got to have a clear picture of what you want to see at the end of it,” Southgate said. He’s full of positivity and realism. “We have to get this trophy to get the respect of the rest of the football world.” History is against England. So is geography. England could write a Baedeker guide of brutal stops on the European tour. Some great cities, some beautiful, but all but one forever associated with anguish in World Cup and European Championship journeys: Florence, Berlin, Naples, Madrid, Frankfurt, Turin, Stockholm, London (Wembley twice, albeit with one glorious riposte), St-Etienne, Charleroi, Lisbon, Gelsenkirchen, Kyiv, Nice and Moscow. Not Berlin again? Please not. Not if England’s belief runs through their every challenge, clearance, break, shot and header. England believe in their dream because they possess an attack that can trouble Spain's defence. Harry Kane is not in peak condition but he loves these big games. Ditto Jude Bellingham. Phil Foden re-finds his Footballer of the Year form. Bukayo Saka cuts inside and cuts defences to ribbons. England also believe in their supreme competitive edge. Jordan Pickford’s language in training at Blankenhain this morning turned the air a very Everton blue but you’d swear by him to protect England’s goal with every skill and sinew he has. England will need all their belief if they are to realise their dream against Spain. If they can close Rodri down, England could edge it. #EURO2024 #ESPENG #ENG