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Leonard Ritterfinale, kickoff in 15 minutes <a href="https://mastodon.gamedev.place/tags/ENGESP" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#ENGESP</a> <a href="https://mastodon.gamedev.place/tags/ESPENG" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#ESPENG</a>

Henry Winter 🤖A few reflections on Spain 1 England 3 in Trnava. How enjoyable to watch an England team play with such freedom. No fear, just belief, togetherness and a dash of daring. No constant sideways passing or backwards, just positivity. Dribbling from deep as Quansah did, taking full-backs on like Hutchinson did or playing with constant control as McAtee did, knowing when to advance and when to take the sting out of the game.McAtee gave one of the most influential performances of his young career. England's captain and all his players stood up to be counted, taking responsibility when danger threatened. Cresswell did in the air and on the ground. Anderson took responsibility for a crunch kick with that late penalty that killed off Spain. Beadle, alert and agile, damaged Spanish belief with that double save from Javi Guerra.Embodying the players’ willingness to sacrifice themselves for the cause and fulfil Carsley’s game-plan was Stansfield with his relentless, selfless pressing from up top. McAtee was named player of the match, Cresswell or Beadle could have won it. So could Stansfield without coming close to what he’s known for – scoring. He just harried the Spanish defence and their No 6, Javi Guerra. Stansfield showed the team spirit, also seen at full-time. Anyone who watched football in the 70s, 80s or even 90s would struggle to call such events a brawl. It was a more a momentary melee and brief bout of posturing. It still highlighted English refusal to back down.England’s advance to the Uefa Under-21 Championships semi-finals with goals from McAtee, Elliott and Anderson felt even more special because they'd accounted for Spain, whose seniors defeated England at last year’s Euros in Berlin. Not revenge, just respect. Spain are so stacked with talent (and Javi Guerra of Valencia is another) that the odds felt stacked against England. Trailing 2-0, then 2-1, Spain threatened to reel England back in until Carsley’s second-half changes kicked in. He switched to a single pivot (the excellent Morton), pushed Scott on, distracting Spain. Carsley then brought fresh legs into midfield (Anderson, Hackney) and a pacy menace on the counter (Rowe, Norton-Cuffy, Nwaneri).Carsley also orchestrated Spain’s defeat in the Under-21s final in Georgia two years ago. That confirmed his burgeoning reputation as a home-grown coach of significant potential. This victory strengthens it further, and will enhance his candidature to succeed Tiuchel next summer – if he wants to be considered. Carsley’s record so far reads: Under-21s Euros champions in 2023; seniors promoted back to Nations League League A in 2024 (with eight debuts); and semi-finalists (so far) of the Under-21s in 2025. Not a bad coaching CV.Carsley respects the Spanish and understood the threat of their 4-1-2-3 system, the tone-setting, move-launching 6 and flying wingers. England pressed non-stop. They had the courage to go one on one, to try and close the opponent down. A tactic far more easily applied at 9pm (local time) with temperature dropping. Wednesday’s semi-final against the Dutch in Bratislava is a 6pm kick-off on a day when the temperature is predicted to hit 33C. Carsley said he already had “a few ideas” on how England would attack the Dutch. “You can guarantee we'll definitely be attacking them again.” As they did the Spanish.Stansfield finally making his first start was vital. He deserves another start on Wednesday. The Dutch will be missing a forward, Mark van Bommel’s son Ruben, suspended after his red card against the Portuguese. England will be without Morton for two yellows, so unfortunate following his tireless shift in midfield.Victory was also rooted in the brotherhood built up over the age-group pathway. Six of Carsley’s squad were in the Under-19s who won their Euros in this Trnava stadium in 2022. The FA increased the international programme, further building experience and bonds. Players enjoy reporting for duty and they really like “Cars” and his assistant Ashley Cole. They like the base with its games room on the banks of the Danube yet five-minute walk (less on a scooter) from the vibrant old town of Bratislava.They are also very aware of the route to the seniors through Under-21 performance. When you see the ambition and maturity of these young players, Tuchel’s commitment to Walker and Jordan Henderson seems even stranger. The kids are all right.All teams are missing players out here. England are without a galaxy of eligible players (either injured, Stateside or considered to have flown the juniors’ nest to the seniors): Delap, Wharton, Branthwaite, Harwood-Bellis, Colwill, Trafford, Lewis-Skelly, Mainoo, Jude and Jobe Bellingham. It’s a strong generation, bringing hope for the future. Long may their fearlessness continue.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ENG" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#ENG</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ESPENG" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#ESPENG</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/U21EURO" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#U21EURO</a>

Henry Winter 🤖Lee Carsley pleased with England Under-21s’ quarter-final win over Spain and the performance but wants more. “This can't be our final, this can't be our highlight of the competition, there are better nights to come.” Loves the fighting spirit of his team, and the way they stand up for each other, but felt the melee with Spain after the challenge on Livramento carried risk. “I think there are better ways to build camaraderie! We had something similar in the final [two years ago]. “Emotions run very high and in those scenarios you don’t want anyone to get sent off, anyone to throw a punch or get themselves in trouble. You try and be as respectful to both sides but you can see how much it means to the players. To represent your country in a quarter-final, it means a lot. We probably have to give them a bit of leeway. Thankfully it didn’t go over the top but it’s still not nice to see. We are always trying to fly the flag and encourage younger players especially to take up football and enjoy the game… but the passion was just a bit much.”  <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ENG" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#ENG</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ESPENG" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#ESPENG</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/U21EURO" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#U21EURO</a>

Henry Winter 🤖James McAtee, player of the match, on the melee at the end. “I never saw the challenge (on Livramento). I saw the boys start going into it, so always going in to help. It’s part of football, and you just have to stick together as a team. It’s a big game, we know that. It’s two big teams in the tournament, so them kicking off, we can’t sit back and just let them do it, we have to give them a bit back, so I am happy with the boys.” <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ENG" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#ENG</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ESPENG" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#ESPENG</a>

Henry Winter 🤖Whistle report from Trnava: Guts and glory, Cresswell and McAtee, Beadle and Anderson, defiance and control. Superb from the Young Lions against favourites Spain. Played with maturity, control, resilience. Carsley’s reputation further enhanced. Holders now play the Netherlands in European Under-21 Championship semi-final in Bratislava on Wednesday.10 things from Trnava …1. England were bolder, quicker to move the ball forward then in group stage. Carsley promised holders would “play with risk and express themselves”. And they did, thrillingly. Hutchinson ran at Pubill, won corner, Scott set-piece caused chaos. Mosquera mistake. McAtee swept loose ball in 1-0 (15).England believed, England expressed themselves. Quansah talked of stepping into midfield more, echoing his old Liverpool team-mate Matip. Now, he glided through the middle, his mooted transfer fee rising? £30m? £40m? Quansah shot, Iturbe fumbled, Elliott pounced. 2-0 (15). A goal created at Kirkby.2. Carsley’s shock, successful tactics caught Spain out. People hold on…Stansfield started. Finally. Vindicated Carsley’s change of tune. Stansfield’s pressing unsettled Spain’s defence. Greated some space for the wingers. Stansfield ran and ran. And ran himself into the ground. Tired after 75, replaced by Nwaneri. But what a selfless shift out of possession especially.3. Gutsy England. Refused to be cowed. Refused to believe in claims of Spanish superiority. Withstood early storm, and pen call on Cresswell hand-ball, overturned on VAR. Seized lead but sat back, Spain accepted invitation. Scott dawdled, Quansah caught Moleiro. Javi Guerra pen 2-1 (38). Gutsy response again. Scott blocked Turrientes shot. Saw game out to h-t.4. Band of brothers’ mentality vital. When Livramento stepped into midfield, Scott, then Elliott covered right-back. Such togetherness in this squad. Carsley and Cole elemental to that. 5. The pain from Spain came mainly from out wide. Diego Lopez a sustained threat down the left. Juanlu, then Raul Moro on right. England resisted them.6. Carsley’s changes worked. Head coach pressed refresh: Anderson and Rowe for Scott and Hutchinson (50). Closed down game: Hackney and Norton-Cuffy for McAtee and Elliott (72). England retained threat on counter. Anderson flick, Rowe brought down by Iturbe, Anderson calm pen 3-1 (93).7. Beadle’s a beaut. Great performance from the keeper. Calm distribution, short and long. Double save from Javi Guerra (61), then low routine stop from Joseph (62).8. Support. Surprisingly, no good luck message from Tuchel. Some England fans and players’ families here. Far more support for Spain. Gate: 8,247 (and about 8,247,000 moths).9. Lucky ground for England: Antonin Malatinsky Stadium. An arena with a shopping mall attached, Basel-style, and a car park underneath, a la Monaco. Scene of Allardyce’s sole senior match (1-0 win thanks to Lallana over Slovakia in 2016). Quansah, Scott and U-19s won Euros here in 2022. Trnava – twinned with Wembley.10. And England refused to back down when it all spilled over at the final whistle. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ENG" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#ENG</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ESPENG" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#ESPENG</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/U21EURO" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#U21EURO</a>

Henry Winter 🤖Jay Stansfield has run himself into the ground for England. Been superb, especially out of possession, pressing. Inevitably tiring. Subbed off for Nwaneri. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ENG" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#ENG</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ESPENG" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#ESPENG</a>

Henry Winter 🤖Carsley and Cole oversee <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ENG" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#ENG</a> starters’ rondo. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ESPENG" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#ESPENG</a>

Henry Winter 🤖Lee Carsley faces one of the most significant games of his coaching career on Saturday night. Beat Spain’s Under-21s – again – and his reputation will be further enhanced. He beat them in the final two years ago, was interim for the seniors after Southgate left, won 5 of 6, got England back into NL League A, promoting youth and was thanked by Jude Bellingham as he "got my pride back in an England shirt, very grateful". Carsley criticised for playing one mad game without No 9s, but Tuchel has hardly settled in smoothly. If Carsley knocks a very talented Spanish side out of the European Under-21 Championship in Trnava, his stock will rise again. He will again be considered a candidate for the seniors role when Tuchel leaves next summer (Howe favourite). This is a tight-knit squad, but not the strongest, beyond obvious stars like Livramento and Anderson and prospects like Nwaneri. Carsley lost some of his better players like Delap and Wharton while the likes of Jude Bellingham, Palmer, Colwill, Lewis-Skelly and Trafford are eligible but have moved on to seniors/CWC. After training in Samorin, Carsley spoke on…On what a major game it is for him…“It's definitely a big game for myself, but more importantly for England 21s, it's a great chance for us to enhance our reputation. I always try and put the players first, beyond myself. I was aware also the attention the senior head coach gets (as interim last year). There's a reason why I've not been tempted to go into senior football. I love this role, I love the development side of it.” Adds… “Maybe it's something in the future I'll do, the route that I'll go down.”On the game’s significance for other home-grown coaches… “We talk about British coaches getting more opportunities. If a British coach can go against the Spanish coach (Santi) and the team can really perform well…it helps, not just myself, it helps British coaches in general.”On his desired style…”It's important that when people back home watch the England Under-21s, they're excited by the way they play. We want to see real attacking football, aggressive football. We want our players to play with risk, to get into (dangerous) parts of the pitch and express themselves.”On whether he will finally start a No 9, Jay Stansfield, or continue with No 10s in a 4-2-2-2... “I try to get away from too much ‘positions’. At one point the other night, we had five attackers on the pitch (against Germany when chasing the game). We're creating a lot of chances. We just have to take them.”On the need to press Spain’s tempo-setting No 6 Javi Guerra, Valencia pivot currently pursued by AC Milan. “There’s definitely a challenge to stop the single pivot. We've got two, three ways that we'll get to the pivot. It's about making sure your angle that you approach is right, the speed that you go at is right, that the team-mates are connected behind you. The most important thing is the mentality to go and press and to stop your opponent playing.”On challenges posed by Spain. “I love the Spanish coaches. I love the Spanish style. Playing against that system is always a challenge because of the single pivot and the spaces they can get into, but also the threat of both wide players with the pace they've got, the 9 (Mateo Joseph) can drop down. Minimum we have to manage and match Spain's intensity and physicality and then impose our own style on them.”On pressure on his players... “There's definitely a responsibility when they put the shirt on in terms of the expectation and the pressure that goes with having to perform. We try and remove that as much as we can, but it's there for everyone to see. If we're going to win major tournaments, these are the moments where we have to step up.” <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ENG" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#ENG</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ESPENG" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#ESPENG</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/U21EURO" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#U21EURO</a>

Henry Winter 🤖Santi Denia, Spain Under-21s coach, on the bad blood (and red cards) between England and Spain at the end of the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/21EURO" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#21EURO</a> final in 2023 in Batumi. He hasn’t got Georgia on his mind. “That’s in the past,” Santi says. “The coach Lee (Carsley), the England FA are gentlemen and I’ve got nothing to say.” On the work both FAs doing with young players, Santi adds: “The two associations are a reference point, though we’d also have to add France, Italy, Portugal and Holland. Both associations are investing in young players and that’s something that coaches have to be grateful for.” <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ESP" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#ESP</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ENG" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#ENG</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ESPENG" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#ESPENG</a>

Henry Winter 🤖Spain Under-21 striker Mateo Joseph’s father is Emile Heskey’s cousin. “He is part of my family but we’ve not seen each other a lot,’’ Joseph says. “What we have spoken about has been football and the truth is I feel lucky to have someone like that in my family. I suppose he won’t want us to win tomorrow, though.” <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ESP" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#ESP</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/U21EURO" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#U21EURO</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ESPENG" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#ESPENG</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LUFC" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#LUFC</a>

Henry Winter 🤖<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ENG" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#ENG</a> training Samorin. Livramento talking at presser later <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/U21EURO" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#U21EURO</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ESPENG" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#ESPENG</a>

Henry Winter 🤖<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ENG" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#ENG</a> training in Samorin in preparation for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ESPENG" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#ESPENG</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/U21EURO" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#U21EURO</a>

Henry Winter 🤖<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ESPENG" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#ESPENG</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/lionesses" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#lionesses</a> leading 1-0 h-t

Henry Winter 🤖60 balls in use for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EURO2024" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#EURO2024</a> final, warm-up, match etc. Uefa techies tracked the balls, found the one with which Mikel Oyarzabal scored winner <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ESPENG" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#ESPENG</a> and auctioned it for <a href="https://twitter.com/UEFA_Foundation" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">@UEFA_Foundation@twitter.com</a> for Children. Raised €31,500 (£27,000) ⚽️

Henry Winter 🤖England were simply not bold or balanced enough. What a contrast to Spain. A look at all the England players and manager. Report from Berlin <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ENG" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#ENG</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ESPENG" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#ESPENG</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EURO2024" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#EURO2024</a> <a href="https://open.substack.com/pub/henrywinterfootball/p/anguish-and-not-enough-ambition-a?r=3osxpq" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://open.substack.com/pub/henrywinte…</a>

Arnie the DXman | HF4I'm looking for notable commentaries from yesterday's <a href="https://mastodon.radio/tags/Euro2024" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#Euro2024</a> final <a href="https://mastodon.radio/tags/ESPENG" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#ESPENG</a>, and found this cracy GOLOLOLOLOL GOLOLOLOL GOLOLOLOLOL GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLL montage from Onda Cero 📻🇪🇸❤ <a href="https://mastodon.radio/tags/radio" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#radio</a><a href="https://www.ondacero.es/deportes/futbol/eurocopa/asi-narrado-alfredo-martinez-historica-final-espana-inglaterra-que-corona-seleccion-como-campeona_2024071466943d5d099c8900016bbc68.html" rel="nofollow noopener" translate="no" target="_blank">https://www.ondacero.es/deportes/futbol/eurocopa/asi-narrado-alfredo-martinez-historica-final-espana-inglaterra-que-corona-seleccion-como-campeona_2024071466943d5d099c8900016bbc68.html</a>

Henry Winter 🤖Spain worthy winners and England still have plenty to learn. Time for Southgate to leave with huge gratitude for the cultural reset. But more can be got out of this talented group. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ENG" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#ENG</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ESPENG" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#ESPENG</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EURO2024" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#EURO2024</a> Report from Berlin <a href="https://twitter.com/talkSPORT" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">@talkSPORT@twitter.com</a> <a href="https://talksport.com/football/1961975/henry-winter-gareth-southgate-england-spain-euro-2024-final/?utm_campaign=native_share&utm_source=sharebar_native&utm_medium=sharebar_native" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://talksport.com/football/19619…</a>

The Athletic | Football 🤖Lamine Yamal and his brother share a moment surrounded by confetti on the Olympiastadion pitch 🇪🇸<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ESPENG" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#ESPENG</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EURO2024" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#EURO2024</a> 📼 <a href="https://twitter.com/BBCSport" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">@BBCSport@twitter.com</a>

The Athletic | Football 🤖🇪🇸 Spain beat England to lift the Women's World Cup final in Sydney in 2023.🇪🇸 Spain beat England to win Euro 2024 in Berlin.A year of joy in international finals for Spain — at England's expense.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ESPENG" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#ESPENG</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Euro2024" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#Euro2024</a>

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