Fans brimming with joy as Eurocup is likely coming home after exciting scenes
England fans are brimming with confidence and predicting Euro 2024 glory after watching Gareth Southgate’s squad train ahead of their crucial semi-final match. The Three Lions are set to face the Netherlands, with a spot in the final against either France or Spain up for grabs after their dramatic penalty shootout victory over Switzerland.
This marks the first time since the introduction of the group stage in 1980 that England has reached the semi-finals of consecutive European Championships. However, their record against the Dutch is less than stellar, having won only one of their last nine encounters. To secure a back-to-back appearance in the Euro finals, Southgate and his team will need to overcome this historical challenge.
Despite this daunting task, England fans have been overwhelmingly impressed by the team’s recent training session. In a notable moment during a small-pitch game, goalkeeper Jordan Pickford showcased his skill by retrieving a loose ball and delivering an exquisite lofted pass to striker Ivan Toney, who volleyed it into the top corner. This display of precision and teamwork has only heightened fan excitement and belief that “football is coming home.”
Social media was abuzz with reactions to Toney’s stunning goal. One enthusiastic supporter declared, “Yeah f*** it, we’re actually winning it all.” Another fan confidently stated, “I’ve seen all I need to see… IT’S COMING HOME!” Calls for Toney to start were loud and clear, with one fan asserting, “We need to find a way to get Toney in the starting eleven. Things happen when he is on the pitch,” while another added, “He’s brimming with confidence right now, play him from the start!” A final comment summed up the general sentiment: “Thing of beauty that. Get in there. Come on lads.”
Ivan Toney has been a standout player, especially noted for his unique penalty-taking method. During the match against Switzerland, Toney maintained intense eye contact with the goalkeeper and never glanced at the ball as he executed his penalty. His unorthodox approach paid off, and he insists he won’t change his technique under pressure.
Reflecting on his penalty routine, Toney said, “I wouldn’t say [I felt] pressure. I always have my own routine, I’m just focused and do what I always do: just take my time and roll it into the back of the net. I never look at the ball. It’s just my routine. Some people may see it as crazy but that’s my routine and I’m going to stick to it. It’s been working and it can work whenever it’s needed.”
Toney also emphasized the importance of patience and readiness, stating, “I’m happy to play my part and patience is key. I’m very impatient but I’ve had to be patient during this tournament. I know my time will come, whether it’s coming off the bench, starting or taking a penalty.” He expressed his confidence in the team’s momentum, saying, “The belief’s always been there. After the last game, it would have been pretty pointless to go out in this game given how hard we’ve worked and the character we’ve showed. We’ve just got to use the momentum kicking forward. Hopefully it’ll take us to the end.”
As England prepares for their semi-final clash, the fans’ optimism and the team’s camaraderie suggest they are ready to overcome any obstacles in their path to Euro 2024 glory.