Until recently, it was impossible for an English national soccer team to have so much fun with penalties in a major tournament.

In the tiresome lottery of football, they never drew the lucky ticket in all the long years of suffering, but instead tragically failed again and again when they hit the point.

On July 3, 2018, however, fate turned for the "Three Lions".

England actually won in the round of 16 of the World Cup.

After a penalty shoot-out.

Against Colombia.

Some people still cannot believe it today.

But it is true.

Tobias Rabe

Responsible editor for Sport Online.

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    And it got even better.

    On Wednesday evening, the final shooting from eleven meters with numerous shooters did not decide.

    But the English were twice as lucky.

    The penalty in the extension of the semi-finals of the European Championship was controversial.

    And then Captain Harry Kane went on to play nerves with Kasper Schmeichel.

    The Denmark goalkeeper was actually in the right corner and parried Kane's attempt.

    But the ball bounced back to the feet of the striker who took the second chance.

    And again the English could hardly believe their luck.

    They defeated the brave Danes 2-1 after extra time and are in a European Championship final for the first time in history.

    Fifty-five years after the legendary World Cup final victory over Germany in 1966 at Wembley Stadium, they now want to win another title.

    In the same place, in the now rebuilt football temple, Italy is waiting on Sunday (9 p.m. in the FAZ live ticker for the European Football Championship, on ZDF and on MagentaTV).

    Denmark had taken the lead with a remarkable free-kick from Mikkel Damsgaard (30th minute), and an own goal by Simon Kjaer made it 1-1 (39th).

    "That makes me angry"

    Then Raheem Sterling dribbled into the Danish penalty area in the 102nd minute in extra time. He was almost at the baseline, twisted past the first opponent, ran on to the goal and then fell when a second Dane rushed to the six-yard area. The Danes raised their hands as a sign of innocence, the English raised their hands as a sign of protest. And referee Danny Makkelie whistled and pointed to the penalty spot. The review of video assistant Pol van Boekel did not change the decision. But should such an EM semi-final be decided?

    No, at least thought Danish coach Kasper Hjulmand. “We are very disappointed, it's tough for me to talk about. Maybe I can say that better in a few days, ”he said. "That it will be decided this way - I've read the international press - it was a penalty that shouldn't have been given, that annoys me." Sterling was sure. "It was definitely a penalty," he said. “I went into the box, he stretched his leg, it was a clear penalty.” His coach Gareth Southgate refrained from commenting: “If you look at the entire game, we deserve it. We had more chances. "

    Both coaches were in agreement on the evaluation of the Danish EM, which ended much later than everyone had thought. "They played an unbelievable tournament," said Southgate, who praised the Hjulmand team after the drama about their star Christian Eriksen, who suffered cardiac arrest in the first European Championship game and had to be revived on the pitch, above all from the emotional support they gave Compatriots was carried through the tournament. The Danish coach also said: “These guys are extraordinary, the nation can be proud.” And yet the end was bitter.

    The emotional situation with the English in their stadium was completely different in front of almost 65,000 fans who were completely over the moon. “I've never seen Wembley like this before. To share that with the nation is very special, ”said coach Southgate. “The best thing is that we gave our fans and the nation a fantastic night.” But this night is over at some point and focuses on what's coming next. “What an opportunity, our first European Championship final at Wembley,” said winning goal scorer Kane. "We're enjoying it today, but the focus is now on Sunday."

    And the task will be quite tricky, despite the home advantage that the team enjoyed apart from the quarter-finals against Ukraine in Rome, as Italy are the team that have convinced the most in the tournament so far. “We have followed their progress closely. They play with a lot of energy and it's difficult to score against them, ”said Southgate. “This is the biggest test we could have. But it's wonderful to have this opportunity. "And Kane concluded the evening with the words:" It's just this one home game and we can hardly wait. "

    It was hardly any different for the English media. “England is in a final - a final! - and these are the strangest, rarest and most beautiful words that one can write. Can 55 Years of Pain Really End? Can England defeat the formidable Italians with all their defensive resilience? ”The Times wondered. And the Daily Mail wrote: “England in ecstasy. England are only one game away from football glory after securing a spectacular win over Denmark. Millions of fans are in dreamland. "

    The tabloid The Sun immediately had an invitation ready: “Lions hearts! England storms into the European Championship final after a thriller in extra time. Bring it home now, guys! England is only one game away from its first big title since 1966. ”The Danish media was, however, very disappointed:“ Denmark out of the EM: They gave everything, but there was nothing left to give, ”wrote Jyllands- Post. And the Danish broadcaster DR: "Even the sensational flattery had to bow down in the end when Denmark gave us the last roar."