“He’s a player who understands what games are like” | Relief
Blankenhain (Germany).- 25 minutes from Weimar, one of Germany’s cultural capitals, a young and lively city where you can have dinner at 10:30 pm and there is a certain nightlife on any given summer day, a bubble is emerging. A resort hotel with all the luxury, swimming pools and a goal field, in the middle of a giant grove near the town of Blankenhain. It has a British feel to it, with its rain and greenery, rural and isolated houses and gardens.. It’s easy to imagine how this place turned out to be an island in the storm of the European Championship, how England forged an indomitable character in a tournament in which they were repeatedly outclassed but eventually got there. The goal. Certainly, a hair’s breadth away. They are left with Spain, who they consider favourites.”They were the best in the tournament. They knocked out Italy, France and Germany.“explained Watkins, the hero of the semi-final against the Netherlands, the unexpected protagonist ahead of the final.
“The word ‘bubble’ was the most repeated word in his press conference. Harry Kane or Walker walked through Blankenhain, even through Southgate, coffee in hand, greeting a press that is merciless when it can, even in victory. And Watkins, who indicated who is Spain’s main danger, the man to be feared.”I would single out Rodri for his experience and everything he has shown at City. It is important because of the way he defends, the way he identifies matches.“explained the Aston Villa striker, who even remembered what happened in the last European Cup final played at Wembley, in which Italy beat England three years ago.
“Jorginho was Italy’s key player in that match.“,” recalls Watkins. The Brazilian midfielder, a Chelsea player, was voted UEFA Player of the Year that year and scored England’s equaliser. A few weeks later, manager Thomas Tuchel commented that “that makes him a very important player and a great link-up in midfield, not just for us but for Italy.”Rodri is very talented, he does everything for the team. We have to stop him playing and not make it easy.“, he said. Jorginho gave balance to that Italy and played an outstanding game both in defence and in the game against Mancini’s team, which won that final on penalties.
England have been decimated in midfield this Euro Cup by the pairing of Rice and Mainoo. Although he could hold the ball well (59%), his play was not fluid without the ability to connect with the ball. Bellingham or Foden – with the exception of the match against the Netherlands – and players like Xhaka and Lobotka were the best in Switzerland and Slovakia in the quarter-finals and 1/8 finals respectively.
The figure of Rodri, who once again attracts all the praise in this European Cup after winning the Champions League with Manchester City in 2023, with his goal in the final against Inter (1-0), is the most valuable for Spain and what is observed. over England, even over Lamine Yamal, who is on everyone’s lips, and also over the English journalists who, although it was unusual, asked about his talent: “At his age, I certainly wasn’t ready to play in the final. Having scored a great goal against France, he has incredible ability.“.
Watkins himself advised the Spanish forward based on his experience. “keep your feet on the ground” and have “good people around you”. But he also did not want to delve too deeply into Spain, admitting that “we are focused on what we are doing, on the bubble, we are only thinking about doing it well.”
Autographs, photos and a fan dedicated to England
Several English fans, especially children, travelled to the German town, three hours’ drive from Berlin, to take photos and sign autographs for the players. And they were lucky. A black van took Kane from the hotel to the press room, and shortly before he could get in, he was arrested. English starHaving scored three goals in the European Cup and vying for the top scorer title despite being so far removed from the vulgar English game, he showed his friendliest side.
Fans will also be crucial in the match, according to Watkins, who believes that “They always have a big impact when you play.” and they help you. And in this, England is one step ahead: for every five Englishmen there is one Spaniard.