Preparations for England’s first major tournament final reach their conclusion as Gareth Southgate’s side take to their Blankenhain training pitches for the last time ahead of the Berlin showpiece against Spain on Sunday.
The Three Lions are carrying the hopes of the nation after booking their place in the final thanks to Ollie Watkins’ 90th-minute winner against the Netherlands in the semi-final.
England had come in for heavy criticism for their dour performances at the start of the tournament but a dramatic last-16 win over Slovakia and a penalty shoot-out triumph against Switzerland – ahead of the Netherlands result – has transformed emotions towards the team.
Southgate was able to give defender Luke Shaw more minutes in the last-four victory, meaning his squad is absent of any fitness concerns going into the clash against La Roja.
Players took to the training pitch on Saturday morning under the watchful eye of the England manager and his assistants for their final session.
Gareth Southgate has led England to two major tournament finals in his four competitions as head coach
The final touches are being put on England’s preparations for the clash against Spain on Sunday night
Luke Shaw (middle) has been able to regain his fitness during the tournament, having been sidelined through injury since February
Phil Foden turned in one of his best performances in an England shirt in the semi-final win over the Netherlands
Jude Bellingham is hoping to cap off a remarkable season for club and country, having already claimed the LaLiga title and Champions League with Real Madrid
Spirits looked high among the players, who are 90 minutes, or more, away from etching their names into the history books.
It remains to be seen whether Sunday’s final will be Southgate’s final game as England manager, with rumours rife pretournament that he would bow out at the end of England’s campaign.
He revealed on Friday that he wants to lead England to only the second major tournament in their history so badly that it hurts and admitted the game will define his legacy as the Three Lions boss.
‘I know the job now and I’m my own biggest critic, reviewing everything clearly.’ He said. ‘I know there is a body of work there and how we’ve worked with different groups of players to get the outcomes we have.
‘I want to win so much it hurts, don’t get me wrong, but I can handle whatever comes. I know it’s not going to change what the dog thinks when I walk back through the door.’
He added: ‘It will,’ when asked how the game against Spain will affect people’s perception of his time with England. he admitted. ‘But in the eyes of others.
Trent Alexander-Arnold will hope to make an impact off the bench as he did in the quarter-final win over Switzerland
Kyle Walker is expected to continue in the right centre-back position he has played in England’s last two knockout games
England captain Harry Kane declared himself fit for the contest after picking up a knock on the foot against the Dutch
Jordan Pickford has been a safe pair of hands in the England net during the tournament, while supporters know the Everton stopper can also be called upon if the final goes to penalties
‘Age and experience has made me more comfortable with who I am, what I’m good at, what I need to be better at. I completely understand that in the end winning and what that means completely changes how you’re going to be viewed by other people.’
England go into the game as second favourites with them coming up against a Spain side that have been in devastating form throughout the competition. By contrast, the Three Lions have looked underwhelming at times but their semi-final victory confirmed that they have grown into the tournament.
Among the siling faces on Saturday morning was skipper Harry Kane, who has declared himself fit to start against the Iberian giants as he sets his sights on another major tournament Golden Boot.
The captain suffered a foot issue in winning the penalty that saw his team equalise against the Netherlands in Wednesday’s semi-final. Southgate said the blow contributed to his decision to substitute Kane in the euphoric win.
But when asked by reporters about his availability for the final, Kane said: ‘I’m all good.’
Kieran Trippier also had a groin problem in midweek but Southgate expects both he and Kane, who has not had a scan, to be fit. Kane and his team-mates will split a bonus pot worth up to £10million if they lift the trophy on Sunday night.
Declan Rice (middle) will have the huge task of handling Spain’s midfield, while semi-final hero Ollie Watkins (right) and Ivan Toney (left) have proved effective off the bench
Both Ezri Konsa (left) and Eberechi Eze (right) have impressed when called upon by the England manager during the tournament
Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon has fund minutes hard to come by at the tournament but that does not appear to have dampened spirits
A number of players are also in line for personal bonuses through their individual endorsement deals. For instance, Kane is likely to net a reward if he wins the Golden Boot, as a result of his deal with Sketchers.
Kane is the joint-top scorer with three goals, along with Spain’s Dani Olmo and a host of other players who are no longer in the tournament.
