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Gareth Southgate: “England boss inherited a shambles but is one win from greatness’

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England may be second favourites but the past few days have seen the emergence of a “name on the trophy” feeling of destiny, that the time may have finally arrived when a fresh story of success can be told.

As Southgate, relaxed and smiling on his final media appearance before the match, said: “We have a fabulous opportunity that we set out to achieve from the moment we left [the 2022 World Cup in] Qatar a bit earlier than we would have liked to.

“I’m not a believer in fairytales but I believe in dreams and we have big dreams. If we are not afraid of losing it gives us a better chance to win and I want the players to feel that fearlessness.”

Those of us chronicling the years of disappointment have witnessed all manner of reasons why England have had their noses pressed up against the window while other countries, most notably huge underdogs Greece at Euro 2004, have enjoyed success that has agonisingly eluded them.

In major tournament terms, past history makes the Southgate years seem like a golden era, with a World Cup semi-final, the Euro 2020 final, a World Cup quarter-final, and now this final against Spain on his CV.

It is all a far cry from what went before under his predecessors, when high hopes were dashed as England specialised in falling short.

England visibly wilted in the stifling heat of Shizuoka on the south coast of Japan when losing the World Cup quarter-final to Brazil in 2002, not helped by manager Sven-Goran Eriksson continuing to select David Beckham when clearly not fully fit – a pattern he would repeat with similar results.

The Euros in Portugal two years later was a tale of missed opportunity, ill-luck and “Roomania”, as the 18-year-old Everton phenomenon Wayne Rooney took the global stage by storm.

Rooney’s blockbuster display in the opening defeat to France was followed by two-goal performances in wins against Switzerland and Croatia transforming the silent street footballer – no interviews allowed – into a worldwide story.

Hotel bedroom phones would ring in the middle of night with outlets from around the world demanding any piece of precious information about the new young superstar. Having attended the same school as Rooney, De La Salle in Liverpool’s Croxteth district, became both a blessing and a curse for me.

Sadly it ended in more quarter-final disappointment, Rooney’s broken foot early in the game against hosts Portugal with England leading changed the course of their tournament.

England had a team groaning under the weight of world-class talent but the penalty curse struck again, as did Eriksson’s inability to fashion a balanced midfield out of Beckham, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Paul Scholes.



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Alex Robertson: Cardiff sign Manchester City midfielder

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Robertson is the nephew of former Cardiff player Gavin Rae, who spent four years with the capital club between 2007-11.

Robertson, who used to wear Bluebirds kit as a child, told the club website: “He [Rae] told me a lot of good things about the city and the club.

“Going forward in my career now, this feels like the right place to be. I’m buzzing. It’s been a few weeks coming. I’m so glad it is over the line.

“City have built a great squad for the upcoming season now and I want to be a part of that. The gaffer told me the way he likes to play and what he expects from his players.

“I feel I can learn a lot from him and the more senior players in our squad. I’m ready to go. I’ve got stronger over the last few months.”

Cardiff boss Erol Bulut said: “We’re delighted Alex is here.

“There were six other clubs that were in for him, which shows what a talent he is. We had a meeting 10 days ago and explained our goals for the club and for Alex. Our hopes and plans were aligned.

“Alex can deliver a lot. He’s got quality. He’s technically very good with a great work rate and can add to what we already have. We now have a great mix of youth and experience in the midfield.”



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Olympics high-jump highlights: Injury scare for Murtaz Barshim

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Joint-defending high jump champion Murtaz Barshim puills up with injury during qualifying for the Paris 2024 final, with his fellow gold medallist Gianmarco Tamberi the first to check on his rival.

Follow the Olympics on BBC Sport.

Available to UK users only.



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Paris 2024: Kellie Harrington has ‘no more mountains’ as double Olympic champion retires

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At Roland Garros, the home of French tennis that had been transformed into a boxing arena for Olympic finals, it was more akin to Dublin than Paris.

Before Harrington and Wenlu Yang of China had even entered Court Philippe-Chatrier, you could sense there was something special brewing.

Two fights earlier, Algeria’s Imane Khelif, who put aside noise surrounding her eligibility, guaranteed herself a medal and the atmosphere was electric.

But it was about to be dialled up to 11.

Zombie by the Cranberries blared out just before Harrington entered to a sea of colour and noise.

She was cool and methodical as she strode towards the ring. It was the walk of a champion.

Fifteen minutes later, her calm exterior was shattered as the result was drowned out by a crescendo of noise from the Irish support.

While those in the stands celebrated, Harrington fell to her knees before jumping into the arms of her coaching team and then dancing around the ring.

There was even singing ringside as the Irish party was shaping up to go on well into the Parisian night.

It was an outpouring of joy and elation. Both in the stands and the ring, it was pure pandemonium.

“It was amazing. I said to the coaches after: ‘Is there anything I won’t do?'” Harrington said.

“It was brilliant. The Irish are just great. I never expected anything like that. This is something I’m never going to forget, ever.”



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