Euro 2024 Diary: Deep, deep joy in Dortmund
The future's bright, but definitely not orange as England beat Netherlands to reach final of Euro 2024 on a dramatic evening in Dortmund
Happy Donnerstag!
It certainly is after covering one of the most dramatic games of football I’ve ever had the fortune to watch.
England are in the final of Euro 2024.
Let that sink in.
This team and manager that has been criticised, derided and written-off by so many, has reached its second European Championship final in a row.
To be in the press box in Dortmund on Wednesday evening was an honour, as two hugely talented sides, especially in the opening 45 minutes, went at each other, hammer and tongs, with no let up, relentlessly attacking, with no quarter asked, nor given.
An England fan amid the Dutch support in front of the Dortmund press box holds a red flare moments after Ollie Watkins scored the winner. CREDIT:
I was blessed to have a ringside seat to cover top quality sport.
More than a decade of hard yakka had led me to this point - and I absolutely savoured it.
I marvelled at the skill on show, the talent and technique, the temperament, the commitment, the athleticism, the discipline, the never-say-die attitude from both sides - played out in front of a mesmerisingly gladiatorial air - while savouring the sights and sounds sparked by more than 62,000 passionate fans in such a raucous arena, not to mention the contrast in colour and noise.
I also revelled in trying to discern and decipher the subtle change in tactics that Ronald Koeman and Gareth Southgate attempted, in what appeared to be a gripping game of chess at times.
Not to mention, as I’ve got older and more experienced, simply to take a step back, breathe in through the nostrils and out through the mouth, and savour everything in front of you.
……….
I also broke my golden rule of not reacting in the press box as a journalist.
For when Ollie Watkins fired low past Brighton’s Bart Verbruggen in the 90th minute of an utterly thrilling match, I let out a primal roar.
A guttural holler of delight, of relief, of happiness, of sheer celebration, of deep, deep, joy. I won’t tell you what I shouted in exhortation. Suffice to say it’s probably best I don’t repeat my expletive laden stream of consciousness at what I had just witnessed.
I’ve never done that before in hundreds of games I’ve covered.
Yet I make no apology in doing so.
Because to be there watching Watkins’ magnificent late winner - amid the noise, the colour, the spectacle, the pressure, the atmosphere, the tension, the relief, the catharsis, and the joy, was simply and utterly wonderful.
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Ollie, Ollie, Ollie: Best feeling ever
It had already gone midnight in the cavernous, sweaty, packed press conference room in Dortmund’s Westfalen Stadion, when Ollie Watkins emerged onto the platform.
Match report completed, I raced up from the press box, up yellow and black stairs, to the hallowed area reserved for accredited journalists, squeezed into the room as unobtrusively as possible, while minding not to trip over the myriad of camera wires, and watched from the back row of the crowded conference room, as the softly-spoken striker with the shy smile, meekly walked in, clutching his player of the match award that looked like a miniature UEFA Cup, and spoke modestly about what had just happened.
A reporter congratulated the Aston Villa striker, noting that his life would change forever after his last-gasp heroics.
The humble, unassuming Watkins gave a little smile in acknowledgment, but surely without fully understanding that, life, for the 28-year-old forward would never, ever be the same, moving as he had, from ‘mere’ Premier League striker to national treasure for all eternity. All in the space of a single, life-changing, life-affirming goal.
"I've been waiting for that moment for weeks," said Watkins. Rising to the theme, he added with decency and humility, “It’s taken a lot of hard work to get where I am today, grateful that I got the opportunity and I grabbed it with both hands. I’m delighted.”
Asked if he could have imagined his Dortmund heroics a decade ago, when wearing the No9 shirt during a loan spell at Conference South side Weston-Super-Mare when with Exeter City, Watkins replied with refreshing honesty: "You can dream but I am a realist. I was just focused on getting back into the first team at Exeter.
"I didn't dream about that to be honest. I can't lie and say I did. Scoring for England is amazing but I didn't think I'd do it in a tournament like that."
As I furiously typed down the quotes on my phone, my T-line shorthand isn’t what it was unfortunately, the prevalent feeling was that Watkins' winner more than justified Southgate’s - and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink it has to be said - late decision to go with the former Brentford striker as the man to replace the flagging Kane.
Even if Watkins was undercooked, having only played 20 minutes football during this tournament so far, despite having his best domestic season, the decision proved pivotal.
As did the simultaneous move to swap Phil Foden - having his best game this summer - with the irrepressible Cole Palmer, who was to set up Watkins goal.
With the score deadlocked at 1-1, with the clock set to hit 90 minutes, with both sets of fans cheering themselves to a standstill, as 22 thoroughbred athletes geared themselves up for the prospect of another 30 minutes football, the ball fell to the Devon striker striker - who, don’t forget, was still playing in the fourth tier of English football only four seasons ago at the age of 24.
I looked up from my typing, as Watkins, sat a mere 20 rows ahead of me, shared an endearing vignette.
Watkins recounted with enthusiasm: “I said to Cole Palmer, ‘we’re coming on and you’re going to set me up today.”
I stopped typing, and started listening.
Breathlessly he added: “It happened. I manifested it and asa soon as he turned I knew I needed to make a move.
“You don’t get that opportunity very often so I had to be greedy, I had to take it.”
Ollie Watkins’ shot flies past Dutch keeper Bart Verbruggen and into the far corner of the net, to help England to a stunning 2-1 victory over The Netherlands. CEDIT: The FA
He certainly did.
Earlier, I sat in the vast Dortmund press box, near the Yellow - sorry Oranjie Wall for one night only - the third from last seat in a media row that stretched half the stand, and watched in unfolding disbelief as Palmer played the ball to Watkins.
Who, as I noted in my official match report (at the bottom of this post) still had the attentions of Inter Milan’s Stefan Di Vrij to deal with.
However, the Villa man turned de Vrij to instinctively unleash a low shot that flew across the beaten Verbruggen, and into the bottom corner for one of the most memorable strikes, England have ever scored.
Sitting in front of me, Watkins added: “After seeing it go into the bottom corner I don’t think I’ve hit a ball that sweet before.
“It’s such a special feeling,” he said with a sheepish smile, being careful not to get too carried away. Before adding: “Best feeling ever.”
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‘We all want to be loved’: Southgate’s redemption arc
Gareth Southgate’s primal roar after England beat Netherlands 2-1 in Dortmund. CREDIT: The FA
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What defines being British? Being English?
It’s such a vague term that normally those who try to hijack the definition for their own selfish political terms end up using such faded cliches as to be faintly ridiculous.
Warm beer and cricket on the green, anyone?
No, what I would suggest is the essence of such a notion - if, indeed, you can actually casually label a conception covering 60million people - is far more abstract, and may well be something wished for, longed-for, far, far more than an overarching description that fits, at any rate.
But if I were pushed to attempt to define such a thing - even if such a thing may not even exist - I would suggest the essence of Britishness - Englishness - is a quiet decency. A dignified bearing under pressure.
A considered articulacy that is never showy, or false, containing a gentle empathy and understanding for others that is genuinely authentic rather than fake, crass or vulgar.
An awareness of situations, and perhaps an ability to comprehend what it means to change tack when forces rage against you. While staying true to your principles, ethos, and philosophy. A willingness to help those around you, without screaming about it with false pride.
Where others shout, and lose control, the very best of Britishness - Englishness - offers a wry, self-deprecating line, a calm, composed front, and an ability to ride the rough with the smooth amid life’s sometimes overbearing visscitudes - even if, underneath, there is a vague feeling of quiet despair, weariness and even hurt.
A teak tough, inner strength, that stops you falling apart, an understated power few see, that refuses to be defeated, whatever the seemingly insurmountable odds may be.
Perhaps some, or all of the above, relate more to the human condition than relate to a particular nation. But then, maybe not.
What is certain is that Gareth Southgate embodies all these worthy attributes. And then some.
Was it only two weeks ago that I sat, sadly transfixed in the Cologne press room, watching Southgate - a broken looking Southgate - attempting to shield his players from criticism, while displaying courage.
While attempting to explain just why he could actually understand why people would throw beer at this sensitive, perceptive, successful human being.
While taking responsibility for the whole, entire shambolic farrago.
It was as heartbreaking as it was painful to watch.
Yet it was such theatre. Which is perhaps why the stage play Dear England ran in the west end earlier this year, and will do so again next summer.
But as Southgate endured piercing question after question - with many in the room, including myself thinking the next match would be his last.
It still could be, but instead of a second round exit, or a miserable quarter-final KO, Southgate can choose the manner of his departure now.
And if it comes after Berlin on Sunday, then he has earned the right to do so. A far cry from the depressing aftermath of the 0-0 draw with Slovenia in Mungersdorf.
On Wednesday evening with the clock nearing 1230am Southgate, modest, self-effacing Southgate, walked into the media room Watkins had vacated not too long previously.
And it was there that I pondered on Southgate’s innate Englishness - as offered a wry, self-deprecating line on the players not partying - ‘because we’d already had more than enough of that’ he deadpanned - while offering a calm, composed, dignified front. Humble in victory and defeat.
While showing an ability to ride the rough with the smooth amid life’s sometimes overbearing visscitudes - even if, underneath, Southgate still contained a vague feeling of quiet despair, weariness and even hurt from the events of the last month.
In a revealing final answer to a final question, the press room still packed, still hanging on his every word, despite the clock moving from a late night into the early hours - even if the adrenaline levels in everyone present, would insulate against sleep for many hours yet - Southgate uttered what could be his epitaph.
“Everyone wants to be loved,” he said. And I had to stop writing his quotes down and took a look at him. For he showed a quiet decency. A dignified bearing under pressure.
Exhausted, after nearly a month on the road give or take a few days here and there, I felt my throat catch at such gentle, unembarrassed sensitivity.
……….
Southgate’s final answer of the night in full
"We all want to be loved, right?
“When you are doing something for your country and you are a proud Englishman and when you don't feel that back and get all the criticism it is hard.
“To be able to celebrate a second final is very special. The travelling fans have been amazing. To be able to give them nights like this, and I think we have given them a few over the last six years, it means a lot.
"If I hadn't been on the grass I'd have been celebrating and watching like they were. We are kindred spirits in many ways but I am the one who has to pick the team.
“To give them a night like tonight is very special."
…………..…….
Oranje doom
In the interests of research, I spent an hour among 80,000 exuberant Dutch fans in the centre of Dortmund many hours before kick-off.
It was fair to say Netherlands’ travelling support turned the city orange.
Everywhere you looked there were people clad in orange. Orange football tops, orange t-shirts, orange hats, orange dresses, orange suits, orange face painting, orange smoke.
Amid the ear-bleeding levels of Dutch techno I stumbled across the square where tens of thousands of fans performed the ‘left and right’ dance. It was certainly a spectacle.
But I have to say I didn’t care for it. There was something too self-regarding about it. Something a little too forced in a ‘look at us, aren’t we great’ sort of way.
They might offer large numbers of fans - although with many living less than an hours travel away I would venture the belief that so they should bring large numbers - but they aren’t ‘good’ fans.
Not in the sense that they get behind their team when the chips are down.
Despite being in the overall majority in the stadium, they were quiet for long spells once they realised, in their mistakenly smug belief that England would be a pushover, they simply disappeared.
In as much as tens of thousands of orange clad people can disappear.
Where England fans were relentless in their support during the game, the Oranjie only turned up intermittently, and surprisingly, given how many of them were there, not as loudly as their England counterparts - who, while being outnumbered, where never outgunned.
Still, it made for a nice colourful pre-match spectacle.
While some of them weren’t attempting to attack innocent English fans in bars.
……….
DAILY LIST:
Trains, planes and automobiles
I) Move from my hotel lobby (where I’m writing this, listening to England fans all around me work out how to get to Berlin, how to get tickets for Berlin, and how to simply afford Berlin) to Dusseldorf Hauptbanhof, where I will hopefully catch the train to Brussels.
II) Make sure I get off the train at Brussels and catching the connecting train to London Kings X
III) Make sure I wake up early tomorrow to head to Lord’s to hopefully catch the dying embers of Jimmy Anderson’s 188th - and final - Test match
IV) Pray that I get UEFA accreditation for the final. (I should know by midnight tonight, feel free to cross your fingers and toes for me..)
………..
MATCH REPORT
For what it’s worth, here’s my official match report for the Morning Star newspaper on a night to remember, forever.
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Netherlands 1–2 England: Report by Layth Yousif at Westfahlen Stadion
Substitute Ollie Watkins’ superbly-taken, last-gasp, joyous winner sent England, this England, through to the final of the 2024 European Championships on a dramatic evening in Dortmund.
In Germany’s former industrial heartland Gareth Southgate’s steely Three Lions forged a route to Sunday’s showpiece match in Berlin, where they will face Spain, in their second Euro final in a row.
Watkins, who a decade ago was No9 for Weston-Super-Mare, has now carved his name on a hallowed list of England goalscorers’ in momentous matches – after the 28-year-old Aston Villa forward’s excellent finish was enough to seal victory in Wednesday’s dramatic semi-final against Ronald Koeman’s Netherlands side, at a raucous Westfahlen.
Watkins’ 90th minute strike clinched a remarkable turnaround for Southgate’s previously beleaguered side - and while England fans were outnumbered off the pitch by an estimated 80,000 Dutch fans descending on the centre of Dortmund, turning it orange in the process, the Three Lions’ vociferous and unstinting support was never outgunned.
Speaking after the match, the unassuming Watkins said: “I said to Cole Palmer we were both going to go on the pitch, and he would set me up and it happened.
"You don’t get that opportunity very often and I had to be greedy and take the shot. I don’t think I have hit the ball so sweet like that before."
Southgate’s side showed superb reserves of character and mental fortitude after falling behind for a third successive match.
As expected, boss Southgate made a single change from the team that started the dramatic penalty shoot-out victory over the Swiss in Dusseldorf last weekend - with Marc Guehi replacing Ezri Konza. Dutch boss Koeman also made a single change with former Arsenal academy graduate Donyell Malen replacing Steven Bergwijn.
In a lively start, Xavi Simons dispossessed Declan Rice who slipped, as the 21-year-old Amsterdam-born attacker unleashed a superb long-range strike that flew past Jordan Pickford for the goal of the tournament so far – as the Oranjie Wall behind the action erupted in deep, booming joy.
Unbowed, Harry Kane tested Brighton’s Bart Verbruggen in the Dutch goal on 13 minutes. Two minutes later, Bukayo Saka drove into the box, as Kane fired over the bar with England attempting to get back into the game.
However, with many in the crowd still applauding Saka’s arrowing run which led to the Bayern Munich striker’s shot, VAR instructed referee Felix Zwayer to head to the monitor to review Denzil Dumfries challenge on Kane – which was deemed reckless - moments after the England captain's shot.
To the delight of the tens of thousands of England fans massed behind the goal, Zwayer – who was banned after a match fixing scandal in Germany relating back to 2005 – changed his mind and awarded a penalty.
Up stepped the redoubtable Kane, whose perfectly calibrated spot-kick evaded the despairing dive of Verbruggen to level the scores at 1-1, grabbing his third goal of this tournament, with only 18 minutes gone in a pulsating opening.
Speaking after the match, Koeman said pointedly: “He kicked the ball and the boots touched. We cannot play football properly and this is due to VAR. It really breaks football.”
Kane begged to differ saying afterwards: "My foot is hanging off so he definitely caught me."
Five minutes later, Dumfries, desperate to make amends cleared off the line from Phil Foden after the Manchester City midfielder jinxed into the box.
On 29 minutes, Dumfries was again in the action as the 26-year-old Inter Milan defender emphatically steered his header onto Pickford’s bar from Simons’ corner, but to England’s relief the ball flew over.
Reenergised England – with Foden being on fire – meant it was Southgate’s side’s turn next to hit the woodwork in a thrilling opening half hour, as the Manchester City midfielder’s long-ranger curling effort clipped Verbruggen’s far post.
Koeman – unafraid to make early changes in this tournament - swapped Memphis Depay replaced by Joey Verman on 34 minutes, even if it transpired the influential 30-year-old picked up an injury.
Southgate swapped Trippier for Luke Shaw at the break, with England aiming to utilise a genuine left-footed defender down that troublesome flank, even if it was prompted by the Newcastle defender picking up a groin injury.
Midway through the second half Pickford made an excellent save from Virgil Van Dijk’s effort, before gathering safely from the dangerous Simons with 15 minutes remaining.
Saka steered the ball into the net, promoting momentary celebrations among the England contingent, but the effort was correctly ruled offside after Walker was found to be offside in the build-up.
With ten minutes remaining Southgate swapped Kane for Watkins while Cole Palmer replaced Foden, as the Three Lions hunted a winner.
As the clock ticked down, it was Saka’s turn to go into the book, following Bellingham’s tired challenge on Stefan De Vrij which prompted Zwayer to reach for a yellow card.
Just as many in this raucously atmospheric stadium were gearing up for extra time, up stepped Watkins to write his name into the stars for all eternity.
Palmer, drifting into a pocket of space between the lines, as is his penchant, threaded a cushioned ball behind the Dutch defence to Watkins.
There was still much work to be done by the Villa striker, especially with Inter Milan’s de Vrij at his back, but Watkins held off the challenge before firing through the defender’s legs, across Verbruggen and low into the far corner of the net.
Cue pandemonium amid the delirious England fans, while the majority of Southgate’s bench marauded onto the pitch in celebration.
The Dutch looked defeated, and moments later, with no time to stage a comeback, they were, as the loyal, and long-suffering England fans erupted in deep joy before launching into a 20-minute rendition of ‘Don’t Take Me Home’ – as the players and staff cavorted on the pitch in front of them.
Even Southgate – especially Southgate after all this thoroughly decent man has been through – let out a primal scream at the victory.
Later, a far more composed Southgate said movingly: "We all want to be loved, right?
“When you are doing something for your country, and you are a proud Englishman and when you don't feel that back and get all the criticism it is hard.
“To be able to celebrate a second final is very special. The travelling fans have been amazing. To be able to give them nights like this, and I think we have given them a few over the last six years, it means a lot.
"If I hadn't been on the grass I'd have been celebrating and watching like they were. We are kindred spirits in many ways, but I am the one who has to pick the team. To give them a night like tonight is very special."
Now onto Berlin, with the delicious thought that England’s men’s side could join their Lionesses counterparts in lifting the European Championship – with Southgate’s side aiming to win a trophy abroad for the first time in its history.
