European Finals.

[TANGODANCER]

I'm pretty sure G.S. isn't going to risk meddling with a winning side, so I'm expecting us to start a la Denmark. He may surprise us with a "Plan B" as we've managed to avoid the best ball passers in France, Spain Holland and Belgium, but that ends here. We can expect nothing less than the full bag of tricks from the Azzuri. Fitness will play a big part in this, and it will surely be a ding-dong diving, fouling, cheating affair from the off. Oh for a Pierre Luigi Collina to ref this (even if he is Italian,) .

He's never picked the same side yet has he? Or did he for Scotland? But I think every other time he's made changes.

I'm pretty sure G.S. isn't going to risk meddling with a winning side, so I'm expecting us to start a la Denmark.



I did state "a la Denmark" rather then generally. I still stand by that, but it's just an opinion.

[Worthy4England]

Harsh on Sterling who has been excellent.

[Bruce Rioja]

I'm hoping that Southgate says "feck this for a game of soldiers - those old bastards in the Italian defence won't know what's hit them. Forwards, get stripped, you're all playing"

[TANGODANCER]

Have to laugh at the number of part-time (no-time) England supporters we've suddenly acquired for tomorrow (yes, my family included,bless em, most of whom think offside is a cut of beef). Any excuse for a party..

Me, my guts are doing somersaults already.

[Worthy4England]

^^ Let 'em party!

[BWFC_Insane]

The thing that made the 90 World Cup so magical was that football suddenly hit the mainstream in Britain. People who had previously no interest suddenly started to realise it wasn’t just a game for hooligans or 22 random blokes pumping a ball round the pitch but was indeed a game of emotions, a reflection of life.

If a similar thing is happening now as a result of this team then for me that’s just great. I don’t think widening participation in the sport is a bad thing. If communities who previously hadn’t connected with the sport do now then great. Because it sustains our sport in the longer term.

[KeyserSoze]

It's quiet. Too quiet

[TANGODANCER]

It's quiet. Too quiet

Okay, here's a loud shout...COME ON ENGLAND..!!!

[BWFC_Insane]

Talk is Trippier in for Saka. Front three of Mount, Kane and Sterling. Back 3. Trips and Shaw wing backs.

My only issue with that is I think Saka running with the ball made the system work against Germany. Not so sure on Mount who hasn’t done that much in an attacking sense this tournament. To me I feel there are stronger front three options. But Gareth has nailed it so far so….let’s do it!

[BWFC_Insane]

Sounds like a minority of England fans doing their best to spoil it. It’s a final a huge day of celebration. There is just no need.

[Prufrock]

Don't like it. Going to be Croatia again. Either out numbered in the middle, or 2v1 down both sides.

Hope I'm wrong (again).

[Harry Genshaw]

Sounds like a minority of England fans doing their best to spoil it. It’s a final a huge day of celebration. There is just no need.

Aye, the Mirrors Oliver Holt(?) Tweeting that there's an absolute riot going on. Not that I'd trust a journos word but something must be going awry

[nicholaldo]

A brilliant start.

What a great cross from the former Holcombe Brook primary school student.

[nicholaldo]

Well, I think that's a good half overall. Italy have won the midfield battle, which is no doubt a concern, but have found it difficult to break through our defensive line, and our wing-backs have caused them problems most of the times times we've gone forward.

[BWFC_Insane]

The spirit and effort and work rate has been outstanding. The first 20 minutes as good as you will ever see. I feel the last 15 minutes contain a warning for the second half. Tactically they were picking off our midfield and we couldn’t keep the ball and they kept popping up in holes. Something could do with a tweak. For me we need some extra pace too as Sterling running at them is our major outlet when under pressure but Mount has lost it too many times for my heart rate.

Come on England.

[Prufrock]

Don't like it. Going to be Croatia again. Either out numbered in the middle, or 2v1 down both sides.

Hope I'm wrong (again).

So far so good

This is going to be horrible. I hope we don't just sit in, but we've defended so well. Rice Kane and Shaw been amazing.

[Worthy4England]

Long 30 minutes, if we don't get the ball...

[BWFC_Insane]

Long 30 minutes, if we don't get the ball...

Got to find an outlet. We can’t keep the ball as it is.

[BWFC_Insane]

Scabby horrible goal to concede. But last half hour let’s face it it’s been one way traffic. Need to change this. You can praise our midfield’s workrate all day but it’s being outplayed by superior footballers right now.

[Worthy4England]

Cheating bastards have just bought David Platt on.