PLAYERS PANEL | IT'S ALL GETTING VERY INTERESTING

The verdict on England's semi-final drama and Sunday's showdown with Spain

We have gathered together a Players Panel, which features players from across all four divisions of the Pitching In Southern League. They will share their thoughts on EURO 2024 as we go through the tournament.

We asked them for their assessment of England’s dramatic semi-final success over the Netherlands and their thoughts on Sunday’s final showdown with Spain…

CONOR McDONAGH | It was without doubt England’s best performance on Wednesday. We probably did get a bit lucky on some refereeing decisions, but England were the better side. The substitutions were perfect and for me, stand performances from Saka, Foden, Mainoo and Stones. Looking ahead to the Fina and Spain have been the most impressive side all tournament. They play sexy football, they have pace, they have everything. However, England can definitely match them. I think the subs coming on for England will be key so if we can keep it 0-0 until the 60th - 70th minute, I think England can win it. It’s coming home!

TOM HANDLEY | The euphoria when Olly Watkins scored in the last minute was superb! We probably edged the game overall, but having said that, I don’t think it was a penalty on Kane. It’s about time England had a little bit of luck in a tournament. It was a much better performance but we’ve got to improve again to put Spain under pressure in the Final. I can’t wait for Sunday; fingers crossed we can get it done without any late drama, but we can’t hide from the fact that Spain have been the best team in the tournament. England to win, let’s go!

DAWID REGULA | The verdict on the semi-final was very impressive, especially the first half. The second half dried up a little bit, but I do like the subs and the time Southgate made them. It was an eight out of ten performance overall for me. I think the Final will be very tough against probably the best team in the tournament, but I just got a weird feeling that England will win it as everything is going their way at the moment. I am going to say England to win on penalties!

AARON ROBERTS | It was a class performance in the semi-final and we should have been three or four goals up. It’s what we needed and the way the game finished was a massive moment in tournament history for us. The message from me now for the Final is just go for it! Finals have been won and lost by poor play, bad referee decisions, goal-line clearances and unexpected heroes… there is no reason we can’t lift it Sunday night!

JOSH COLDICOTT-STEVENS | What a performance from the players on Wednesday! Probably the most entertaining football we’ve played all tournament; every time we got on the ball, we looked like we could make something happen. I was like the rest of the nation screaming and shouting in happiness about Ollie Watkins last minute winner. What a finish and what a team performance! I think we can go all the way; we are in a much better position than last time around, a lot of the players have been to a final recently and know what it takes to win. Spain are unbelievable, but I really think we can do it. The players we have and the subs that come off the bench can 100% win the tournament!

MATT BRITTON | Finally, a performance worthy of the squad we have! I thought we were brilliant first half and were unlucky to go in level. The Dutch goal was probably the best thing that could have happened. Fair play to Gareth, he made subs when it was needed, it was screaming out for Watkins and boy what a turn and finish. Anything can happen in a Final. Spain have been the best team and will go into it slight favourites, I would say. Saying that, we just keep going and keep nicking that bit of luck. I’m just hoping we have that one more left in the bag. I think it will go all the way. England on penalties to lift the trophy, oh my what a night that would be!

OWEN HOWE | I think the performance was good on Wednesday; we seem to be playing better as the games go on. We were comfortable, looked better going forward and what a feeling that was for Ollie to come on and score the winner! It’s going to be tough in the Final, of course. Spain have arguably been the best team this tournament, but I think we have the players and team spirit to put it to them. I think it’s coming home!

ADAM HARRISON | That was by far England’s best performance in the tournament. From 1-11 everyone put a shift in. The tempo they played with was faultless for most of the game when in possession and a lot more forward passes were made. People breaking the lines and also pressing a lot higher as a team. It was some finish by Watkins as well! Southgate has been under a lot of pressure but on Wednesday night he got it absolutely spot on. I think it’s going to be a really tough one to call in the Final. Both teams go into on the back of their best performances of the tournament so far. Personally, I think that if England can repeat what they did against the Netherlands, it will finally be coming home!

FRED BURBIDGE | England’s semi-final saw us put in a much better performance. I think we dominated the game and our quality eventually shone through. Ollie Watkins De De De De. I genuinely think it’s coming home now. We seem to know how to beat teams and we’ve come back from losing positions, which shows great resilience. 2-0 England, Kane and Saka to score.

Thank you to our Players Panel for their thoughts…