England’s women ended the nation’s 56-year wait for a major football title with a thrilling victory over Germany in the Euro 2022 final. This landmark achievement has set a high bar for the men’s team, who are now gearing up to emulate this success in Euro 2024 under the guidance of Gareth Southgate.

The Historic Win That Inspired a Nation

The England women’s team captured the hearts of the nation with their dramatic win against Germany in the Euro 2022 final. This triumph marked the first major title for England since the men’s team won the World Cup in 1966. The victory not only showcased the talent and determination of the women’s team but also ignited a renewed sense of hope and ambition within English football.

Southgate’s Men Aim to Follow Suit

Having reached back-to-back European Championship finals, Gareth Southgate’s England side is eager to replicate the success of their female counterparts. The pain of their narrow defeat to Italy at Wembley during Euro 2020 still lingers, but it has also fueled their desire to triumph in the Euro 2024 final in Berlin.

“We saw when the women’s team won it, what it meant to them and the nation,” said Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice, a key player for England throughout the tournament. “I see some of the girls at Arsenal and that’s what we want. We want to win and make the nation proud.”

Learning from Past Mistakes

Rice, who was part of the team that lost to Italy on penalties three years ago, believes the experience has made the squad stronger and more determined. Reflecting on the past final, Rice acknowledged, “We were naive in front of our home crowd at Wembley. We know that in the last final we probably just sat off and didn’t attack as much as we should have.”

This time, the team is focused on overcoming Spain, the winners of Euro 2008 and 2012. “Seeing Italy walk up to lift the trophy at your home stadium lives with you as a football player,” added Rice. “But this group of players is so hungry. We know it’s going to be tough and know you can’t overlook Spain, who have been a top nation for so many years.”

Driven by Hunger and Determination

Rice’s sentiments are echoed by his teammates, who are all driven by the desire to achieve greatness. “Everyone is so driven to win this game,” Rice emphasized. The team’s preparation, both mentally and physically, has been intense, with a focus on seizing the opportunity in Berlin.

Defender Kyle Walker also highlighted the benefits of playing the final on foreign soil, which could potentially alleviate some of the immense pressure they faced at Wembley. “The emotion of Wembley was completely different, with miles and miles of people chanting you and cheering you on as you leave St George’s Park,” Walker told BBC Radio 5 Live.

Embracing the Challenge Ahead

Walker believes that the experience of playing in a previous final will be invaluable. “We’re on a different turf now and maybe that might work to our benefit, where there’s not so much pressure on us,” he said. “But as people and players who have experienced these finals before, we have to deliver on the big occasions.”

The drive to win has been a consistent theme throughout the squad. “We are back in another final, which is history itself, but now we are aiming to do one more,” Rice stated. “We don’t want to keep talking about it and getting to finals and be happy with that. We now want to be a country where we win. We want to continue to grow and, for the young players coming in, we want to be a really big force.”

The Road to Victory

As the England men’s team prepares for the Euro 2024 final, they carry with them the inspiration from the women’s team’s historic victory and the lessons learned from their own past experiences. The nation watches with bated breath, hopeful that Southgate’s side will rise to the occasion and bring home the coveted trophy.

In Berlin, England will face a formidable Spanish team, but with their collective experience, hunger, and determination, the Three Lions are ready to make history once again. The entire country stands behind them, united in their belief that this is England’s time to shine.

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