When England's players returned to training on Thursday morning at their home in St George's Park, there was no doubt that the team could feel the joy of the wild celebrations following their victory over Denmark in the European Football Championship semi-finals at Wembley Stadium.
But while the tumultuous celebrations of qualifying for the final were being washed away into the early hours of this morning, England will face an even more difficult test.
🔊🔛🏴
🗣️ SO GOOD.
SO GOOD.
SO GOOD!
#EURO2020 |
#ENG |
@England pic.twitter.com/6rLMFXd4Q7
— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020) July 7, 2021
Despite the overwhelming joy and exhilaration at the return of “football to its homeland” and exaggeration to the extent that one of the match analysts called for today to be considered a national day of celebration, but England has not won anything yet.
Connecting with some of the world's greatest footballers as part of the @Alipay Dream Tour 😍#EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/0fBSZUDsCG
— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020) July 8, 2021
In fact, the only thing that will return to his homeland is the England team, which will return to Wembley to face Italy next Sunday in the final match.
"The team is back to reality this morning. Everyone enjoyed what happened last night, but we must prepare now to face one of the most experienced teams in world football, against Italy," former England winger Chris Waddell and BBC radio analyst said. It will be a tougher match than last night."
🤦 ♂️ Simon Kayer scores the 1 ⃣ 1 ⃣ reverse goal at Euro 2020
💬 Did this goal revive England's hopes of qualifying for the final? #England_Denmark |
#Euro2020 pic.twitter.com/ibgziu9mav
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) July 7, 2021
Roberto Mancini's team has not lost in 33 matches, and reached the final after winning on penalties over Spain in the semi-finals.
This is the second time that England have appeared in the final of a major tournament, but it is the tenth for Italy.
For pundits, former players who have not made it to the finals of the European Championships or the World Cup in their careers, and the long-suffering English fans, the joy is palpable after ending 55 years of waiting.
📹 Watch the last moments of the England-Denmark match
Qualification to the final is the first in the history of England participation in the European Championship
💬 What is your expectation for the upcoming summit between Italy X England??
🏴🇮🇹 #Euro2020 |
#England_Denmark pic.twitter.com/MZ70XC5iTs
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) July 7, 2021
But one of coach Gareth Southgate's most used phrases during this tournament was the need for "players to make their own history" and not feel the burdens of the past.
The players have succeeded in this so far, as England avoided many of the problems of the previous tournaments, by defeating Germany, its traditional opponent in the final price, and not being nervous after being late against Denmark and playing two additional games.
🇮🇹 Roberto Mancini OR Gareth Southgate 🏴: who'll lift the EURO 2020 trophy?
🏆#EURO2020
— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020) July 8, 2021
Italy fighters
In the midst of the festivities on Wednesday, Southgate was back in focus.
"The final matches have to be won. We will regain our focus and prepare properly. We have to recover, it took a lot of physical and mental effort. Italy suffered from that but they have one more day to recover," he said.
🎶 "Southgate you're the one..." #EURO2020 |
#ENG |
@England pic.twitter.com/66o9c3uStB
— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020) July 7, 2021
"Italy is a very strong team. I've been thinking about that for the last two years. They are doing amazing and they have fighters in defense who have gone through everything," he added.
Chiesa, Morata or Damsgaard?
🤷♂️
2️⃣ fine finishes & a thumping free-kick, but which semi-final goal is your favorite?@GazpromFootball |
#EUROGOTR |
#EURO2020
— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020) July 8, 2021
The lasting memory of this tournament for England will not be determined by beating Germany, scoring 4 goals in Ukraine or beating Denmark, but by the result of the final match next Sunday.
Italy knows it all, they have lost their last two finals in Euro 2000 and 2012, but between them they won the 2006 World Cup.
Every Italian fan can remember coach Marcello Lippi's 2006 World Cup winning squad in Germany, but few will remember the losers in the European final.
"We played 3 games to remember. We want to write memories for our country."
Kieran Trippier couldn't watch Harry Kane's extra-time penalty 😬@England #ENG #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/e3AMEdPoeY
— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020) July 8, 2021
The English fans will excel in Wembley, which will receive 60,000 spectators next Sunday, just as it was when the team won its only major title in the 1966 World Cup. The names of the players of this team have never been forgotten, so will the current generation repeat the achievement of the World Cup 1966 generation?