Southgate hoping to make England dream become reality

Gareth Southgate says he doesn’t believe in fairytales, but does believe England’s Euro 2024 dream can come true.

The Three Lions boss spoke to media from around the globe at Berlin’s Olympiastadion on the eve of the clash with Spain in the European Championship final.

🗣️ “Whatever happens on Sunday might define me for others, but won’t define me for myself”

Is it written in the stars for Gareth Southgate’s side? 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏆#Euro2024 | #ESPENG pic.twitter.com/TUZOB2secb

— ITV Football (@itvfootball) July 13, 2024

Southgate has shown his players footage of celebrations in central London after England’s victories in the Ashes and Rugby World Cup as a way of helping them visualise what success in Germany this summer would look like.

He told the media conference: “I am not a believer in fairytales, but I am a believer in dreams.

“When you’re trying to create dreams you need a clear picture of what you want to see at the end of it.

“That lights a small fire for some people. We know what it would mean to everyone at home, and to us. A lot of hard work has gone in.

“Not just this group but all the people over the last six or seven years who played a really big part. We would love to give everyone a special night.”

Asked if England were fated to win the Euros in Germany this weekend, just as Germany did in England 28 years ago, Southgate said: “Fate, the run we have had, the late goals, the penalties – that doesn’t equate to it being our moment, we have to make it happen.

“Of course it would be a lovely story and it’s in our hands, but it’s down to our performance.

“We have had big dreams but you have to make those things happen.”

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Fabulous opportunity

Southgate reported a clean bill of health for his 26-man squad and said there was excitement in the camp.

“Clearly the team have improved over the past few weeks and have showed tremendous character and resilience,” he said, after England grew into the tournament, needing a spectacular Jude Bellingham overhead kick to force extra-time against Slovakia and then penalties to see-off Switzerland.

“We have a fabulous opportunity to achieve what we set out to do, really from the moment we left (the 2022 World Cup in) Qatar a bit earlier than we would have liked.

“We’ve had a long term vision broken down into smaller pieces. We have got good experience of big matches now.

“The players don’t need motivating for a game like this. It’s about making sure the small details are right as fine margins decide games like this – we’ve got to make sure we’re on the right side of them.”

“Do you believe in fate?”

Gareth Southgate tactfully answers question about Euro ’96 😆#BBCEuros #Euro2024 pic.twitter.com/gr2rHirt9b

— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) July 13, 2024