European Championship Quarter-Finals: Ukraine 0 England 4
To be honest, I never was a great fan of Southgate’s, and it concerned me that he might have been (according to rumours) our next manager. But full credit to him, he got us into the Semi-Finals. But we must remember that we didn’t play against a great team, that will come later. Germany were good opponents, but they were a young side and not at their best (yet). But as I said, full credit to Southgate. Get us into the final and hopefully win it, then I would be quite happy to eat my words.
We, the fans, weren’t allowed into the stadium, or I should say, those that live in England weren’t allowed in, but those that were in Italy could go. I say we, I wouldn’t have gone anyway, but I did watch it from the comfort of my living room. As I am saving my money and energy – hopefully – for going back to watching Spurs home, away and abroad.
To the game:
England produced a splendid show as we whipped Ukraine in Rome to set up a Euro 2021 semi-final against Denmark at Wembley. Where there will be 60,000 plus fans cheering the teams on.
The England team followed up their momentous victory over Germany in the last 16 by producing a performance of excellent quality to continue their impressive progress to the last four.
There were some question marks before the German game over Harry Kane’s fitness, as he looked tired. But the German game dispelled any doubts. In the Ukraine game, he was back to his very best by scoring two magnificent goals. The first came four minutes after the start. Good old Harry, we, as Tottenham fans, knew he would turn things around. We’ve seen him week in week out throughout the season and knew what he was capable of.
As for Ukraine, they hardly got a look in and were totally dominated by the England team. It must have been painful to watch if you were a Ukraine supporter? We were on our way to our second successive semi-final when Harry Maguire powered home a header from Luke Shaw’s free-kick seconds after the break. Shaw was outstanding and was the creator once more four minutes later with a perfect cross that was headed in from six yards by Kane.
We were that good that we just overpowered them, then in the 63rd minute, Jordan Henderson got our fourth, his first international goal. But that wasn’t the end of it, the team kept their fifth successive clean sheet to maintain their record of not conceding a goal at Euro 2021. As the song says, it can only get better.
As for your Kane
Well, he pounced for his first, rose to power in a second, which was his 47th England goal, and then almost completed a hat-trick stunningly with a volley that was turned on to the post by Ukraine keeper Georgi Bushchan. He was a constant threat; his lining with Sterling was notable, and he had timed his return to excellent form flawlessly as we are now standing only 90 minutes away from our second major final; 1966’s World Cup was our first. I was 10 then and there.
After Kane’s last two games, you can imagine Denmark’s defence feeling wobbly in the prospects of coming up against him.
Even though I have concentrated on Kane, the other players stepped up to the mark and did us proud. Basically, it was England’s show of squad strength that won it for us. And full credit to Southgate for manoeuvring his squad with great expertise throughout Euro 2021, demonstrating the riches he has at his disposal. Now all he has to do is repeat all that again against Denmark so that we can be in the final against either Spain or Italy. I would imagine it will be Italy.
It was proof, amid an imperious victory, that Southgate’s England squad has the sort of quality and depth that will make them confident they can finally end that 55-year wait for success. Not as long as Tottenham’s wait to win the League title, but long enough.
Some stats for you:
Gareth Southgate is just the second manager to take England’s team to the semi-final of both the World Cup and the European Championship, after Alf Ramsey in 1966 and 1968.
The England team have kept seven consecutive clean sheets for the first time in our history. They have not conceded for 662 minutes.
Raheem Sterling has been involved in 22 goals in his past 21 games for England (15 goals, seven assists), while Harry Kane has been involved in 27 in his past 26 for the Three Lions (18 goals, nine assists).
Sterling has provided six assists for Harry Kane for England in all competitions, more than any England player has assisted another in the 21st Century.
England keeper Jordan Pickford has kept five clean sheets at Euro 2021 – no keeper has ever kept more in a single staging of the competition before.
Well, that’s it, folks, until we do this all over again on Wednesday, at Wembley and in front of a 60,000 crowd. Oh, the kick-off is at 8pm.
Come On, England! We can do it; after all, it is coming home!
All the best, Glenn
My name is Glenn Renshaw.
I am currently a Premium Season Ticket holder (West Stand) in the new stadium. Before that – at White Hart Lane – a season ticket holder in various parts of the ground (mainly in the North stand).
Before becoming a season ticket holder, I stood on the shelf and various other parts of the ground since the 1950s. In 1987 I became one of the first to hold a Spurs Membership card. I was also a life long member of the Spurs supporters club (now defunct).
I go to all home, away and abroad matches.
I was born in 1955, Edgware, London (it was in the late 50s – as a baby – that my dad took me to Spurs to initiate me). I currently live in Berkshire.
I also collect all Spurs books (and have everyone printed), Spurs handbooks (from 1920s onwards, Spurs programmes (since the 40s).
Previously, I wrote for Spurs Fanzines: The Spur, Spur of the Moment, My Eyes have seen the Glory and various other Spurs fanzines’. I also wrote for the SpursWeb app & its website.
I currently write and work for spursnetwork.com and its website. I write its Reviews & Match reports and a lot more.
My other interests are; reading, history, social history, Politics, going to the gym, wine, going out for a meal, music (all sorts), writing, theatre, concerts, going on holidays, socialising etc.
I have been writing blogs/ articles since 1989
If you wish to read more of my blog, please click “here”
