England are in the quarter-finals of the Euros. Gareth Southgate lined out with eight defensive players against Germany, and it worked out for him. England deservedly won the game against a very poor German team.
Naturally, and understandably, the English press is ecstatic. And very excited. England recorded their first win over Germany at Wembley since the 1966 World Cup final, ironically breaking the curse in a game that was supposed to be played in Dublin.
They've also opened up a path to the final that has Fleet Street salivating. Yes England making a quarter-final is no big deal. Doing so without any giants of European football in their path to the final is.
Ukraine, fresh from a grueling extra-time win over Sweden, and several poor performances in the tournament, await in the next round. Southgate's men will have to leave Wembley for the first time, but only for one game before meeting Denmark of the Czechs in the semi-finals back at Wembley. If they win that, it's a home final. Look, we'd be getting excited too at this stage.
Then again, their path through Russia three years ago was similar, and Croatia proved a step too far.
For the English papers, today isn't the day to grumble about tactics or players selected. The Spirit of '66 is strong, and the Lionhearts are set to go all the way. Could they do it even better without boring us all to tears? Those debates are for later in the week. For now, bask in some true British glory. The Three Lions are on their way to ending 55 years of hurt! (Though, surely it's not actually 55 years of hurt. 53 at the most. And even then, was there that much hurt not winning the 1968 European Championships?)
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