First a big thanks to Stevie C and Kev for bringing good content during the tournament. It is always fun to blog about a major tournament with a different perspective to bounce off.
I couldn't bring myself to blog about the final outcome and was thankful when Stevie did so. At the time I was just fuming. I'd said from the outset that I disliked Southgate's caution and that the approach would only be warranted if it yieled a win. That sounds fickle - but frankly I'd rather we were Netherlands - expansive, impressive but knocked out early, than we we England, cautious, with unfulfilled potential and losing finalists. All I get from the tournament is a sense of what if. we proved that we can generally defed when we put 7 or 8 payers behind the ball. We learned that we have some excellent attacking talent and the Grealish can unlock a game. What we didn;t learn was how to go out and win the bloody thing.
Italy deserved it. They did everything that Gareth didn't, in my opinion. They treated the tournament like a special occasion, played with positivity and expansiveness, and took the prize. For England, I just see a horrible waste of a golden opportunity. Nothing ventured.
This is why I didn't post at the time - a full month later and I am still angry. The coke-hoofing, fighting fans didn't help leave a good taste either. I expect we've blow-n all chances of winning upcoming bids to properly host tournaments for the next decade or two.
But - all this aside - the tournament was good. Some strong teams and good performances blessed it. Crowds gradually returning to stadiums was amazing. The new format, actually worked pretty well too. Tournament football is still, to my mind, the pinnacle of the game. I loved the tournament and feel blessed that we only have to wait just over a year until the next one. I look forward to being back, and sharing whatever mayhem unfolds in Qatar in 2022.
Lots of love.
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