TONIGHT at 8pm, the eyes of the entire nation will be focused on England as they play Spain.
Events do not come bigger than this – our first-ever final on foreign soil.
And the prospect that the Three Lions become immortal like our 1966 World Cup winners.
Tonight’s match is a reminder of how quickly things change.
Just a fortnight ago, boss Gareth Soutgate was pelted with beer by disgruntled fans in the wake of the goalless draw with Slovenia.
And Gary Lineker branded the team’s performance against Denmark as s**t.
But the England manager and his young side remained resilient throughout and were refreshingly candid about their early shortcomings.
These Three Lions have none of the ego of previous stars, who reacted to criticism like sullen teenagers.
And they are not haunted by the agonising failures of the past.
Only five of today’s first XI were even alive when Gareth Southgate missed his fateful penalty against Germany in the 1996 Euros semi-final.
Captain Harry Kane was just two – tucked up in his Chingford cot well before extra-time.
In that 1996 team there was just one black player, Paul Ince.
As he writes movingly in today’s paper, the 2024 team is the most diverse ever.
This Three Lions side is a mirror of our modern nation.
And in Gareth Southgate, the nation has a thoughtful manager who exudes the finest qualities of this country.
He recognises the privilege of his role – and the responsibility which comes with it.
Legendary manager Bill Shankly once said: “Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I assure you, it’s much more serious than that”
Gareth has become one of our greatest England bosses by proving the opposite.
See how star Phil Foden flew home to be present for the birth of his third child.
These Three Lions may be young and fearless.
But they are trusted and behave like adults.
Many of them have spoken touchingly about the sacrifices made by their parents to set them on the road to stardom.
The circus of boorish antics which surrounded tournaments of years gone by has been banished forever.
Tonight comes the hour for this team to repay the faith placed in it by Gareth and the nation.
But whatever the result, players and manager have shown it is possible to succeed while behaving with dignity.
Now, come on England.
