AN England fan that dozed off during England’s 0-0 draw with Slovenia has revealed that he was dreaming of the Three Lions winning the Euros.
Instead, he was awoken to the sound of booing as England fans reacted to their side’s latest drab performance.
Freddie Hahn, 32, a pensions manager from Crawley told the Daily Mail he thought he’d be better off getting some sleep rather than endure watching another poor showing from England.
He said: “It was a very dull game, there wasn’t much going on and I thought I was better off asleep. There was a lot of booing at the end and that woke me up.
“I was actually having a nice dream about England winning the tournament, but I woke up to the nightmare of England’s performance.
“I’d been on the beers all day and just thought it’s better to close my eyes than see what was happening on the pitch.”
Hahn revealed that he had paid 30 euros for his ticket and £500 for travel and accommodation and attended the game with friends from the team he manages, Crawley Devils.
He revealed that he did not join in with fans that booed Southgate due to the two of them both being from Crawley.
He said: “We actually attended the same secondary school. I didn’t boo Southgate when I woke up because he’s from the same place as me and I didn’t want to be too harsh on him.
“But to be honest, I could probably do a better job than him. If I get the Crawley Devils promoted, who knows, England might come calling.”
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He said that he had been enjoying a “lovely day” before the football got in the way of things, saying: “We were staying just outside Cologne and came into the city very early, had a fantastic lunch and started drinking – but not too much.
“I must have had seven or eight pints throughout the day. There was a real party atmosphere and no trouble. It was a fantastic occasion but the only thing that ruined it was what happened on the pitch.
It was a very dull game, there wasn’t much going on and I thought I was better off asleep
Freddie Hahn, England fan
ENGLAND served up another underwhelming performance – but still managed to top Group C.
England dominated the ball, but Southgate will have plenty of questions to answer after a third straight display that lacked inspiration.
SunSport’s Tom Barclay has given his ratings of the England players.
Jordan Pickford – 6
Largely a spectator due to England’s dominance on the ball. Asked the touchline what the Denmark score was during one break in the second half.
Kieran Trippier – 6
The one positive of having a right-footed player playing left-back is that he can dispatch in-swinging crosses, and one such one should have been headed home by Conor Gallagher before the break.
Marc Guehi – 7
Cruyff turn early doors showed his confidence from excellent displays against Serbia and Denmark, and barring one loose pass was good again.
John Stones – 6
One of many to miss his target with his passing. He wasn’t bad but, like others, way off what he has produced for his club.
Kyle Walker – 5
Played so safe, rarely looked to get forward. Was lucky at one point that Pickford was alive to his blast of a pass-back. Sliced cross after break summed up his off-night.
Conor Gallagher – 4
Got the nod after the Trent Alexander-Arnold midfield experiment ended, but was poor, particularly, in possession and replaced at half-time by Kobbie Mainoo.
Declan Rice – 7
Had promised an “in your face” performance from his team, but he was really the only one to produce it. Very good out of possession, much better than against Denmark.
Phil Foden – 7
Liveliest of England’s attacking four by a mile and went close with a stinging free-kick. Booked for dissent, summing up England’s frustration.
Jude Bellingham – 5
Cut a very frustrated figure as he and Harry Kane got in each other’s way at times, while he was often shunted wide left as Phil Foden moved into the middle.
Bukayo Saka – 6
Tapped home on 20 minutes, but it was ruled out for offside in the build-up. OK but once again subbed after the break, perhaps due to fitness concerns.
Harry Kane – 6
Insists he is 100 per cent fit and maybe he is. What is 100 per cent certain is that he has been nowhere near as effective in this tournament as he usually is for England, albeit he was marginally better here.
Substitutes
Kobbie Mainoo (for Gallagher at half-time) – 7
Made a difference when coming on, making England much more positive in their play. So much more confident with his touch than Gallagher.
Cole Palmer (for Bukayo Saka on 71) – 7
Finally made an appearance at this tournament and one clever ball through for Mainoo showed what he can do.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (for Kieran Trippier on 84) – 6
Came on for the final few minutes at right-back, with Walker going to left-back.
Anthony Gordon (for Phil Foden on 88) – 6
Like Palmer, first minutes at the Euros, but too late to make an impact.
He said he is known as an infamous napper by his friends, and they were not surprised by his latest feat.
He continued: “I put it down to my busy life and the fact that I’ve got a young child.
“A lot of people know me as the bloke who falls asleep at parties, but I’ve never done it in a packed football stadium before.
“It was nice to get out to Germany and spend some time with the lads. I didn’t realise that a picture of me sleeping would become such a big thing and my partner and family are having a good laugh about it.
Southgate addressed the criticism he received after the game and said: “I understand it. I’m not going to back away from it. The most important thing is we stay with the team. I understand the narrative towards me.
“That’s better for the team than it being towards them but it is creating an unusual environment to operate in.
“I’ve not seen any other team qualify and receive similar. I’m not going to back away from it.”
England’s draw with Slovenia saw them qualify for the round of 16 as group winners.
They’ll play a team that has finished third in their group in the next round.
KOBBIE MAINOO was always my preference to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold in England’s midfield, writes Jack Wilshere.
I think he showed why in the second half against Slovenia.
But I still feel that it was harsh on Conor Gallagher that he was taken off at half time.
Firstly because it was probably our best half of the tournament.
And secondly, because it didn’t feel like a Gareth Southgate thing to do.
It will knock Gallagher’s confidence for sure.
He will have thought that this was his chance, but he only gets a half.
Having said that, despite the disappointing result, the second half was better and Mainoo proved he is the man – or boy – to play there in future.
Read Jack Wilshere’s post-match verdict in full.
Or check out all of Jack’s Euro 2024 columns.
