Reading the Game ⚽ Euro 2024 edition!

The Independent’s football newsletter ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     [The Independent](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoc5jWP0SfaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvP2xpZD0xam8wNzg0ZzU2cXkmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1SZWFkaW5nIHRoZSBHYW1lIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMTItMDctMjAyNCZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfRm9vdGJhbGxfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZo7WE5FmR94hfFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) [The Independent](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoc5jWP0SfaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvP2xpZD15ajhnNzk3N2Y5YmcmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1SZWFkaW5nIHRoZSBHYW1lIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMTItMDctMjAyNCZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfRm9vdGJhbGxfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZo7WE5FmR94hfFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) Friday, July 12, 2024     ~/AAAHagA~/RgRoc5jWP0S0aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvYXV0aG9yL21pZ3VlbC1kZWxhbmV5P2xpZD16YzhnOWM4cmY2MDMmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1SZWFkaW5nIHRoZSBHYW1lIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMTItMDctMjAyNCZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfRm9vdGJhbGxfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZo7WE5FmR94hfFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj ~/AAAHagA~/RgRoc5jWP0S0aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvYXV0aG9yL21pZ3VlbC1kZWxhbmV5P2xpZD10emhpcnpieG1rMGcmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1SZWFkaW5nIHRoZSBHYW1lIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMTItMDctMjAyNCZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfRm9vdGJhbGxfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZo7WE5FmR94hfFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj   ~/AAAHagA~/RgRoc5jWP0SuaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvP2xpZD02ZGI5cHVtMDF4cHAmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1SZWFkaW5nIHRoZSBHYW1lIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMTItMDctMjAyNCZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfRm9vdGJhbGxfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZo7WE5FmR94hfFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj A mood transformed, after a campaign turned on its head What a difference a series of [late wins, a spectacular last-minute bicycle kick and a run to a final](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoc5jWP0TgaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvb2xsaWUtd2F0a2lucy1lbmdsYW5kLWdvYWwtZXVyby0yMDI0LWIyNTc4MDA2Lmh0bWw_bGlkPWljYzE1cW50bzZtZCZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVJlYWRpbmcgdGhlIEdhbWUgTmV3c2xldHRlciAxMi0wNy0yMDI0JnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9Gb290YmFsbF9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgpmjtYTkWZH3iF8Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~)make. The mood in the England camp is now completely transformed from what it was even 10 days ago. There is a real buzz, and proper belief ahead of Sunday’s Euro 2024 final against Spain. The complaints and debates from the start of the campaign now feel… irrelevant. This is not one of those squads that gets to a final feeling the weight of everything any more, as has happened with previous sides who make it this far. [England are mentally and emotionally revitalised](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoc5jWP0TqaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvZ2FyZXRoLXNvdXRoZ2F0ZS1ldXJvLTIwMjQtZmluYWwtZW5nbGFuZC1zcGFpbi1iMjU3ODA4Ni5odG1sP2xpZD1uNTE5M3Q4Y256MGomdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1SZWFkaW5nIHRoZSBHYW1lIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMTItMDctMjAyNCZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfRm9vdGJhbGxfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZo7WE5FmR94hfFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj). Although the camp has a considerable respect for Spain and how they’ve played at this tournament, England naturally go there feeling like they’re equals - and can better the Spanish as potential champions. How couldn’t they? Although they have not hit the levels of Luis de la Fuente’s side in terms of performance, they have shown different qualities [that have fostered real belief](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoc5jWP0TfaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvZGVjbGFuLXJpY2UtZW5nbGFuZC1ldXJvLTIwMjQtc3BhaW4tYjI1NzgzNTMuaHRtbD9saWQ9eG4wb3VodGxlMjZwJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249UmVhZGluZyB0aGUgR2FtZSBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDEyLTA3LTIwMjQmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX0Zvb3RiYWxsX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmaO1hORZkfeIXxSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~). No one will say this outright but there is that “name on the trophy” feel. Gareth Southgate is openly talking about “togetherness and spirit”. That’s what England feel they have now, with the crowd behind them. Real encouragement has also been taken from the first half against the Netherlands. Although many might point at the more typically restrained approach in the second half, this is seen as the tactical back-and-forth of a big game with so much on the line. Ronald Koeman responded to England’s first half by going man for man in midfield to stop the overloads, and Southgate responded with his subs. It has led to this, the third-biggest day in the national team’s history. It may end up as more. That is why the Football Association do want Southgate to stay no matter what happens. There was perhaps the first hint that he might in the aftermath of the semi-final, as he began to talk about the youth of the team and what it might be able to do in the USA for 2026…   Support The Independent Join The Independent's mission for truth. With your support, we challenge the status quo, uncover crucial stories, and amplify unheard voices. Your contribution ensures our independence and fuels honest, transparent journalism. Whether $5 or $50, every donation matters. Support us today to keep truth free. [SUPPORT US](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoc5jWP0SlaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvZG9uYXRlP2xpZD13eDMwbDFoOWJ1dW8mdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1SZWFkaW5nIHRoZSBHYW1lIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMTItMDctMjAyNCZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfRm9vdGJhbGxfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZo7WE5FmR94hfFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) The big debate doesn't mean a big decision for Southgate There is one escalating debate on the outside of the camp, despite all the good feeling within. That is whether Southgate should now drop his long-term leader and top scorer in Harry Kane. The forward, despite protestations to the contrary, still doesn’t look at his sharpest. Spain’s way of playing also means that a pacy forward - like Ollie Watkins or Ivan Toney - can surely do so much more damage. We pointedly say it’s a debate on the outside, though, because there’s no debate within. It just isn’t a live issue. There is virtually no chance Southgate won’t start Kane. That isn’t necessarily as seismic as such decisions used to be, of course. The number of subs possible means teams and games can be completely changed. Expect one of Watkins and Toney to come up by the 90th minute, if not both. [More interesting is the rest of the team](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoc5jWP0TkaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvZ2FyZXRoLXNvdXRoZ2F0ZS1lbmdsYW5kLXNwYWluLWV1cm8tMjAyNC1iMjU3ODM0OS5odG1sP2xpZD0xbm9iNDVreTJkNTImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1SZWFkaW5nIHRoZSBHYW1lIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMTItMDctMjAyNCZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfRm9vdGJhbGxfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZo7WE5FmR94hfFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj), and whether Southgate finally starts Luke Shaw. That is surely to be the case after his solid appearance against the Dutch. It would also mean Southgate finally gets the balance he has wanted all tournament for the most important game. That is one other factor bolstering confidence. Otherwise, it seems likely England will again go with this three-man defence that can become a four in attack. It allows the greatest solidity, and fluidity. Much tougher run gives the Spanish much deeper conviction The problem with England’s confidence and feeling of fate on their side, is that Spain can have the same mindset but even deeper. Their performances have been much better. They’ve had a much more difficult run of games [but have come through with conviction](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoc5jWP0TZaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvc3BhaW4tZXVyby0yMDI0LWZpbmFsLWVuZ2xhbmQtYjI1Nzg0NDcuaHRtbD9saWQ9eGcycGgyOHdkd2J0JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249UmVhZGluZyB0aGUgR2FtZSBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDEyLTA3LTIwMjQmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX0Zvb3RiYWxsX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmaO1hORZkfeIXxSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~), including maybe the biggest last-minute winner of all in knocking out hosts Germany in extra-time. And that’s the other side of it. They didn’t just have to play European giants in Croatia, Italy, Germany and France. They beat all of them, and were superior in every single game. That has ensured they have become the first side to ever win six from six in the history of the European Championship. No one has gone into a final on that kind of form. The closest was France 1984, who won four from four in a smaller tournament. After that it’s France 2016, who won five of their six getting to the final, drawing 0-0 with Switzerland in a dead-rubber group game. They were beaten 1-0 by a relatively moderate Portugal in the final. That was perhaps the closest the European Championship has gone to a Hungary 1954 or Netherlands 1974 in the “team of the tournament” not actually being winners, but nowhere near the same scale. Spain not winning would be. This is what England are up against. Southgate’s squad have, like everyone else, been blown away by Yamine Lamal. Declan Rice summed it up: “I was trying to get a scholarship when I was 16 and you’ve got Yamal putting one in the top bins.” The English midfielder of course went on to praise his likely direct rival on Saturday in Rodri. The belief in Spain is that the Manchester City midfielder has now grown into by far the best in his position in the world. He might even be a Ballon D’Or contender, if the award didn’t seem so subject to celebrity and glamour these days. Rodri, however, has so many admirers. Klopp makes decision on a surprising approach If Southgate does end up staying with England, it may end up changing the thinking on another job. There is a belief in the game that he might have come into the discussion for the USA, ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Even if he were to leave, it seems unlikely he would go for a job that could feasibly compete with England so soon. One person who [definitely won’t be taking the job in the near future](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoc5jWP0TgaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvanVyZ2VuLWtsb3BwLXVzbW50LW5ldy1jb2FjaC1tYW5hZ2VyLWIyNTc4MjcwLmh0bWw_bGlkPWxlbzVmZHF4eXR0ZSZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVJlYWRpbmcgdGhlIEdhbWUgTmV3c2xldHRlciAxMi0wNy0yMDI0JnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9Gb290YmFsbF9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgpmjtYTkWZH3iF8Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~)is Jurgen Klopp. As first reported by the Independent, the US soccer federation did reach out to the German through intermediaries. It has an attractiveness, especially with that 2026 World Cup, and how the entire football world is now targeting the states as the big next market for the game. Klopp, however, stayed firm in his will to take proper time off.   Best of Euro 2024 ~/AAAHagA~/RgRoc5jWP0TlaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvZ2FyZXRoLXNvdXRoZ2F0ZS1lbmdsYW5kLWV1cm8tMjAyNC1tYW50cmEtYjI1Nzc4ODMuaHRtbD9saWQ9dnBwdWRwZXhqZHdyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249UmVhZGluZyB0aGUgR2FtZSBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDEyLTA3LTIwMjQmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX0Zvb3RiYWxsX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmaO1hORZkfeIXxSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~ [The Gareth Southgate mantra defining England’s Euro 2024 charge](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoc5jWP0TlaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvZ2FyZXRoLXNvdXRoZ2F0ZS1lbmdsYW5kLWV1cm8tMjAyNC1tYW50cmEtYjI1Nzc4ODMuaHRtbD9saWQ9ODA5d2k4YXRqODBwJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249UmVhZGluZyB0aGUgR2FtZSBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDEyLTA3LTIwMjQmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX0Zvb3RiYWxsX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmaO1hORZkfeIXxSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~)~/AAAHagA~/RgRoc5jWP0TraHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvZW5nbGFuZC1zd2l0emVybGFuZC1ldXJvLTIwMjQteGhha2EtZGVjbGFuLXJpY2UtYjI1NzMzOTUuaHRtbD9saWQ9b2R0c2owejV2Y3hjJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249UmVhZGluZyB0aGUgR2FtZSBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDEyLTA3LTIwMjQmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX0Zvb3RiYWxsX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmaO1hORZkfeIXxSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~~/AAAHagA~/RgRoc5jWP0TraHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvZW5nbGFuZC1zd2l0emVybGFuZC1ldXJvLTIwMjQteGhha2EtZGVjbGFuLXJpY2UtYjI1NzMzOTUuaHRtbD9saWQ9djZ0M2EyeGtjN2F3JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249UmVhZGluZyB0aGUgR2FtZSBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDEyLTA3LTIwMjQmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX0Zvb3RiYWxsX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmaO1hORZkfeIXxSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~ ~/AAAHagA~/RgRoc5jWP0TraHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvcGhpbC1mb2Rlbi1lbmdsYW5kLW5ldGhlcmxhbmRzLXNwYWluLWV1cm8tZmluYWwtYjI1Nzc4OTAuaHRtbD9saWQ9c2IwNjFxaThqdGxqJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249UmVhZGluZyB0aGUgR2FtZSBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDEyLTA3LTIwMjQmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX0Zvb3RiYWxsX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmaO1hORZkfeIXxSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~ [The night Phil Foden finally joined the Euro 2024 party and gave England a gameplan to beat Spain](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoc5jWP0TraHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvcGhpbC1mb2Rlbi1lbmdsYW5kLW5ldGhlcmxhbmRzLXNwYWluLWV1cm8tZmluYWwtYjI1Nzc4OTAuaHRtbD9saWQ9ajZpNXV5b3VlN3k1JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249UmVhZGluZyB0aGUgR2FtZSBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDEyLTA3LTIwMjQmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX0Zvb3RiYWxsX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmaO1hORZkfeIXxSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~)~/AAAHagA~/RgRoc5jWP0TmaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvY29keS1nYWtwby1uZXRoZXJsYW5kcy1nb2xkZW4tYm9vdC1wcmV2aWV3LWIyNTczODU5Lmh0bWw_bGlkPTNzc3ZpdnJwOGpyaCZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVJlYWRpbmcgdGhlIEdhbWUgTmV3c2xldHRlciAxMi0wNy0yMDI0JnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9Gb290YmFsbF9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgpmjtYTkWZH3iF8Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~~/AAAHagA~/RgRoc5jWP0TmaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvY29keS1nYWtwby1uZXRoZXJsYW5kcy1nb2xkZW4tYm9vdC1wcmV2aWV3LWIyNTczODU5Lmh0bWw_bGlkPWVla3E5cDU0YTF2YiZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVJlYWRpbmcgdGhlIEdhbWUgTmV3c2xldHRlciAxMi0wNy0yMDI0JnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9Gb290YmFsbF9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgpmjtYTkWZH3iF8Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~   Miguel's Dispatches Germany is a brilliant country and it’s been a privilege to be here for a month. Of my personal favourite cities of the 12 I visited, the favourites were Dusseldorf and, of course, Munich and Berlin. It makes it all the more baffling that so much of German infrastructure seems to try to stop you spending time and money enjoying the country. Much has been made of the poor state of the train system, and it’s been no exaggeration. More incredibly, it actually got worse as the tournament went on. Trains between Dortmund and Munich for the semi-finals were either double-booked, leading to problematic overcrowding and arguments, or in some cases travelling with half the carriages missing. It was similar getting to Berlin for final weekend. The most problematic, however, was Dortmund train station after the England-Netherlands semi-final. By 2.30am, well over three hours after the final whistle, it was impossible to get on some trains as they were so packed. This was despite warnings from previous big games like Denmark-Germany. It meant so much of the month of the tournament was spent needlessly waiting, often irritated in somewhere overcrowded for hours on end. The hosts complained about this more than anyone. After that Denmark game, one travelling fan asked why they were being made to inexplicably wait to go up to a platform as the crowd behind them massively accumulated. “Because Germany is s**t,” came the response from a fan in a home shirt. I wouldn’t agree with that. It’s a great country. It’s just a pity, as the competition closes, it wasn’t as easy to enjoy it as it should have been. It is a legacy that the United Kingdom and Ireland need to watch ahead of Euro 2028.   QUOTE OF THE WEEK     “We know now what we have to do, compared to last time in terms of how to control the game, not to sit back like we did in previous tournaments and when Italy came onto us, we know how we can win this final which I think is a positive.” Declan Rice on what England can take from the defeat to the Euro 2020 final, now they have the chance at redemption   Reading the game quiz Of the 20 players that have finished top scorers at the Euros since it went to a tournament with group stage and proper knock-out round in 1984, only eight did so while their team reached the final. Six are very gettable. One is tough. One is devilish. Name the eight. ([You can find out the answers here](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoc5jWP0TiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvbWlndWVsLWRlbGFuZXktbmV3c2xldHRlci1xdWl6LWFuc3dlcnMtYjIwNzc5NjguaHRtbD9saWQ9cnd2d3RxcDNraHk2JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249UmVhZGluZyB0aGUgR2FtZSBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDEyLTA3LTIwMjQmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX0Zvb3RiYWxsX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmaO1hORZkfeIXxSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~). The answer page will be updated weekly and contains answers from previous newsletters, too)   [INDYBEST](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoc5jWP0SuaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvZXh0cmFzL2luZHliZXN0P2xpZD16bHZqZjBneWszNmQmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1SZWFkaW5nIHRoZSBHYW1lIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMTItMDctMjAyNCZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfRm9vdGJhbGxfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZo7WE5FmR94hfFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) / [BEST BUYS](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoc5jWP0S_aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvZXh0cmFzL2luZHliZXN0L291dGRvb3ItYWN0aXZpdHk_bGlkPWdqZjk4cG13d3AyeCZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVJlYWRpbmcgdGhlIEdhbWUgTmV3c2xldHRlciAxMi0wNy0yMDI0JnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9Gb290YmFsbF9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgpmjtYTkWZH3iF8Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) [England shirt ](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoc5jWP0T7aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvZXh0cmFzL2luZHliZXN0L291dGRvb3ItYWN0aXZpdHkvZm9vdGJhbGwvYnV5LWVuZ2xhbmQtZm9vdGJhbGwtc2hpcnQtZXVyby0yMDI0LWIyNTc3OTA1Lmh0bWw_bGlkPTRxZGFyczQ2OXNxNSZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVJlYWRpbmcgdGhlIEdhbWUgTmV3c2xldHRlciAxMi0wNy0yMDI0JnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9Gb290YmFsbF9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgpmjtYTkWZH3iF8Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) Find out where to buy an [England football shirt](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoc5jWP0T7aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvZXh0cmFzL2luZHliZXN0L291dGRvb3ItYWN0aXZpdHkvZm9vdGJhbGwvYnV5LWVuZ2xhbmQtZm9vdGJhbGwtc2hpcnQtZXVyby0yMDI0LWIyNTc3OTA1Lmh0bWw_bGlkPXc2ZnlmeHlyeWxqdyZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVJlYWRpbmcgdGhlIEdhbWUgTmV3c2xldHRlciAxMi0wNy0yMDI0JnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9Gb290YmFsbF9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgpmjtYTkWZH3iF8Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) as the Three Lions reach the Euro 2024 final. Hurrah!   [Mens yoga](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoc5jWP0TqaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvZXh0cmFzL2luZHliZXN0L291dGRvb3ItYWN0aXZpdHkvbXlwcm90ZWluLW1lbnMteW9nYS1jbG90aGluZy1iMjU3MzkwNS5odG1sP2xpZD1kODZxbGs4ZzJ3MzEmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1SZWFkaW5nIHRoZSBHYW1lIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMTItMDctMjAyNCZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfRm9vdGJhbGxfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZo7WE5FmR94hfFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) Feel like a warrior in your next class – browse the [men’s yoga clothing](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoc5jWP0TqaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvZXh0cmFzL2luZHliZXN0L291dGRvb3ItYWN0aXZpdHkvbXlwcm90ZWluLW1lbnMteW9nYS1jbG90aGluZy1iMjU3MzkwNS5odG1sP2xpZD1lOWhwcGQ4bmxpejImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1SZWFkaW5nIHRoZSBHYW1lIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMTItMDctMjAyNCZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfRm9vdGJhbGxfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZo7WE5FmR94hfFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) that will keep you zen.   ~/AAAHagA~/RgRoc5jWP0SsaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3Vic2NyaWJlL2FwcD9saWQ9a2kzNjRhNzNoYjI3JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249UmVhZGluZyB0aGUgR2FtZSBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDEyLTA3LTIwMjQmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX0Zvb3RiYWxsX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmaO1hORZkfeIXxSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~ ~/AAAHagA~/RgRoc5jWP0StaHR0cHM6Ly9pbmRlcGVuZGVudC5vbmVsaW5rLm1lL25vNXgvZDI1ZTc0Y2M_bGlkPXI4djN3Yzl2MHB4byZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVJlYWRpbmcgdGhlIEdhbWUgTmV3c2xldHRlciAxMi0wNy0yMDI0JnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9Gb290YmFsbF9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgpmjtYTkWZH3iF8Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~   Further Euros reading ~/AAAHagA~/RgRoc5jWP0TcaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvdWVmYS1ldXJvLTIwMjQtZ29sZGVuLWJvb3QtcnVsZXMtYjI1Nzg2NzUuaHRtbD9saWQ9dGVndTZiNWZnbTQ5JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249UmVhZGluZyB0aGUgR2FtZSBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDEyLTA3LTIwMjQmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX0Zvb3RiYWxsX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmaO1hORZkfeIXxSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~ [Uefa confirm baffling Golden Boot decision ahead of Euro 2024 final](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoc5jWP0TcaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvdWVmYS1ldXJvLTIwMjQtZ29sZGVuLWJvb3QtcnVsZXMtYjI1Nzg2NzUuaHRtbD9saWQ9MDdnaG85emUxeHFrJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249UmVhZGluZyB0aGUgR2FtZSBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDEyLTA3LTIwMjQmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX0Zvb3RiYWxsX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmaO1hORZkfeIXxSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~)~/AAAHagA~/RgRoc5jWP0TpaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvZXVyby0yMDI0LXNwYWluLWdlcm1hbnktbGFtaW5lLXlhbWFsLXdpbGxpYW1zLWIyNTczODU2Lmh0bWw_bGlkPWwycGhyMGp6Nnh5aCZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVJlYWRpbmcgdGhlIEdhbWUgTmV3c2xldHRlciAxMi0wNy0yMDI0JnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9Gb290YmFsbF9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgpmjtYTkWZH3iF8Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~~/AAAHagA~/RgRoc5jWP0TpaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvZXVyby0yMDI0LXNwYWluLWdlcm1hbnktbGFtaW5lLXlhbWFsLXdpbGxpYW1zLWIyNTczODU2Lmh0bWw_bGlkPWlpOWVqMThrODV3NCZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVJlYWRpbmcgdGhlIEdhbWUgTmV3c2xldHRlciAxMi0wNy0yMDI0JnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9Gb290YmFsbF9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgpmjtYTkWZH3iF8Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~ ~/AAAHagA~/RgRoc5jWP0TZaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvc3BhaW4tZXVyby0yMDI0LWZpbmFsLWVuZ2xhbmQtYjI1Nzg0NDcuaHRtbD9saWQ9dDh2eDgzc3M3djE5JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249UmVhZGluZyB0aGUgR2FtZSBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDEyLTA3LTIwMjQmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX0Zvb3RiYWxsX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmaO1hORZkfeIXxSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~ [The simple idea that made Spain the most dangerous team in Europe](~/AAAHagA~/RgRoc5jWP0TZaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvc3BhaW4tZXVyby0yMDI0LWZpbmFsLWVuZ2xhbmQtYjI1Nzg0NDcuaHRtbD9saWQ9M28wOGVnZm53ajIxJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249UmVhZGluZyB0aGUgR2FtZSBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDEyLTA3LTIwMjQmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX0Zvb3RiYWxsX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCmaO1hORZkfeIXxSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~)~/AAAHagA~/RgRoc5jWP0TpaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvZW5nbGFuZC1zd2l0emVybGFuZC1iZWxsaW5naGFtLWdvYWwtZXVvci0yMDI0LWIyNTc0MjIzLmh0bWw_bGlkPWo3ODkyMjV6OTJuNSZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVJlYWRpbmcgdGhlIEdhbWUgTmV3c2xldHRlciAxMi0wNy0yMDI0JnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9Gb290YmFsbF9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgpmjtYTkWZH3iF8Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~~/AAAHagA~/RgRoc5jWP0TpaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvZW5nbGFuZC1zd2l0emVybGFuZC1iZWxsaW5naGFtLWdvYWwtZXVvci0yMDI0LWIyNTc0MjIzLmh0bWw_bGlkPTQ2YXM1ZXEweHM2MCZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVJlYWRpbmcgdGhlIEdhbWUgTmV3c2xldHRlciAxMi0wNy0yMDI0JnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9Gb290YmFsbF9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgpmjtYTkWZH3iF8Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~ 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