Euro 2024 latest: 'We're all behind you,' Starmer tells England team ahead of Spain final (2024)

A confident England supporter got a tattoo featuring the words "England Euro 2024 Winners" three days before the Euros final.

Dan Thomas, 29, got the tattoo ofthe UEFA European Championship trophy and the words on his leg because he believes England will win against Spain.

He spent two and a half hours getting the tattoo at the Reign Barbers and Tattoos parlour in Swindon on Thursday, the day after England defeated the Netherlands and secured their place in the final.

"I thought [England] would get far, so it's come as no shock," he told the PA news agency.

"I'm pretty confident. I think it will happen. I wouldn't have got it done if I didn't think it would happen.

"I think it will be close and I think it will be 1-1, but go to extra time. I think we'll win 2-1 at extra time."

He added:"I went into the studio and just said it would be great to have [the tattoo]. I was joking, but then I thought, 'actually, no, I'm really confident I'm going to get it done' so it was a spur of the moment, last minute thing."

"My tattooist has already told me that as a punishment if they do lose then he's not going to cover it up for at least a year."

By Rob Harris, sports correspondent

This still doesn't feel normal for England.

For generations, it was always other countries reaching finals. Not England.

But this is a men's team transformed by Gareth Southgate - a nation that sees itself as a footballing power, starting to look more like one.

Three semi-finals in four tournaments; back-to-back Euros finals.

Can they finally add silverware by beating Spain tonight to join the Lionesses as European champions?

Read more here:

Sir Keir Starmer has given Gareth Southgate and the England squad words of encouragement ahead of the final.

Here’s what he's said:

"To Gareth and all the England team,

"On behalf of the whole nation, I wanted to wish you all the very best ahead of today's final.

"You should all be proud of what you've achieved so far, and I hope you can take some strength from the millions at home kicking every ball alongside you.

"You don't need a running commentary from a politician on what you should or shouldn't do.

"You're here not because of luck, but because of your graft and hard work. You've earned it.

"As you did three years ago, you've made the country proud. Whatever happens, you should know that you have united the country, and we are all behind you.

"So enjoy tonight. I know that up and down the country, we all will."

Rishi Sunak: I know you'll do us proud

Former PM Rishi Sunak has wished the team luck.

The Conservative Party leader said in a statement: "I send my very best to the England team ahead of tonight's game.

"Over the last few weeks the team have brought us joy, drama and inspiration - and perhaps one too many nerve-wracking moments! But they've kept their focus and have set an incredible example to millions of us in how they've conducted themselves both on and off the field.

"Their progress so far is a huge achievement and we are all united in wanting Gareth and the team to triumph.

"So I send my very best to the whole team - we are right behind you tonight and whatever the result I know you'll do us all proud.Bringithome!”

Lib Dem leader Ed Davey said in his own message: "You've already done so much to make our whole nation proud and we can't wait to gather together to cheer you on one last time. Good luck!"

By Siobhan Robbins, Europe correspondent

The Euro 2024 trophy is within grasping distance, and England fans are here for it.

Football final feverhas gripped Berlin, with an outpouring of positive vibes for the Three Lions.

"Come on England! Lamine Yamal, he's going to get locked up," two young brothers tell me.

Near the Brandenburg Gate fans carry or hang their flags.

"You meet people from everywhere, from all walks of life, it's what it's all about, it's amazing," says Ethan, who has travelled from Hertfordshire with friends Kevin and Joe.

The final is the hottest ticket in town, and they're lucky enough to have secured seats in the stadium.

Prices are now rocketing, with many telling us they've paid £1,500 or £2,000 per person.

It cost Ryhan and his cousin Zane around £14,000 for four of them to get here.

"I'm 38 years old, I've been following them [England] since 1996," Ryhan says.

"My first memory broke my heart. I've just been desperate for England to win something ever since. It means so much to me and the family. Hopefully they bring it home on Sunday."

Read more here...

Football fans are rarely afraid to speak their minds, and we're loving sifting through the blog's comments and seeing what you all reckon will happen tomorrow night.

But of course, there's not exactly a general consensus - is there ever when it comes to football?

We can't share all the comments, but here's five which we feel cover the whole spectrum of fans' point of views:

Why do we get so excited.. 1966 is so long ago, it's more like a distance dream, and each time the boys get close, it all falls down like a house of cards.

Mr Honest

Thank you, Mr Honest, for being so... well, you know.

Stay calm everyone. We're the underdogs but we can do this. But it's going to be very very difficult. Hopefully the result we want will happen.

Jon

Cautiously optimistic there, Jon. Perhaps cooler heads will prevail?

It’s all against England, Spain having an extra day to prepare, England just had a long hard season and not yet played their best. However, England WILL win during extra time, I think Spain are a little too confident and our players will be fired up to win the trophy!

Wenitsdun

A similar approach to Jon here, but with a bit more confidence in the win.

Irrespective of the outcome, let’s remember England is a beautiful country and we will never need a trophy to prove that. Nonetheless, I know they will be winners.

Pam

Fans like Pam, arguably a bit of a rarity, are looking at the final through a wider lens than many. They already see England as incredibly successful - bringing it home is just the ultimate bonus.

Football is definitely coming home where it all started. Good luck to England.

Anonymous

And here we have a fan with total certainty... are you with them?

Let us know in the comments.

BySky News sports correspondentRob Harris

It is inevitable that on the eve of a final - only a third for England's male footballers - they will be asked about why these occasions are so rare for them.

So that is why Gareth Southgate was bringing up his own anguish as a player at Euro '96.

And both the England manager and captain Harry Kane were dwelling on their own more recent penalties pain in the last Euros final at Wembley.

But here was Southgate inside Berlin’s Olympic Stadium reflecting on the “fearlessness” he hopes the team will display against Sunday night against Spain.

Those qualities have been seen in comebacks in the Euro 2024 knockout stage.

As Kane said: "What we've been through with the late goals and the penalty shootout, all that builds resilience and belief.”

And one day, surely that will end all the hurt.

This last news conference before the final seemed all about rallying the country behind them - giving nothing away about how to beat Spain and become European champions.

Do you ever hear stories about what fans have done to make it to a huge sporting event and think to yourself: "I respect it, but there's no way I'd do it"?

Well, we've got a couple of those for you.

MartinRafferty, 44, from Birmingham, said he and friends had driven for 15 hours to reach Berlin - and they don't even have tickets!

"We're going to go to the fanzone to watch it," he told PA news agency.

"It could be a chance of making history tomorrow."

Tony Rudd, 37, made a journey of 26 hours to get to Berlin from his home in Darwin, Australia.

He said: "I made a last-minute decision. I went 'I'm going'."

He said he booked the trip, which cost about £4,500, a couple of hours before boarding and had not yet managed to get tickets for the match.

Mr Rudd, originally from Wigan, Greater Manchester, said his family, including his children, thought he was "mad" to have made the journey.

He added: "I'm just happy to be here. Buzzing."

As promised, here's a few insightful parts of Southgate and Kane's presser just now...

'I'd swap everything in my career for a Euros win'

England's captain didn't mince his words when asked what a win tomorrow would mean for him.

"It's no secret I haven't won a team trophy and every year that goes by, I'm more motivated to change that," he said.

"Tomorrow night, I have the chance to win one of the biggest you could ever win and make history with my nation.

"No question I'd swap everything I've done in my career to have a special night and a win tomorrow evening."

'I don't have fear'

Southgate reflected on what it's meant for him to be able to represent his country as both a player and manager, saying he "couldn't have wished for anything more" and that it's been "the biggest privilege I could possibly have".

He suggested it's because of his experiences on the international stage, both good and bad, that he's not feeling the heat before the final.

"Tomorrow, I don't have fear of what might happen because I've been through everything," he said.

"I want the players to feel that fearlessness, I want them to be the best version of themselves because whatever happens, we're so strong as a group and we support each other.

"I said earlier in the tournament, if we're not afraid to lose, it gives us a better chance of winning. That's very important for us.

"I'm personally excited for tomorrow, to play in a brilliant stadium... we're looking forward to this last step now."

Kane says belief has grown during tournament

The striker said that while England players went into the tournament feeling they could win it, they're now more confident than ever.

"What we've been through with the late goals and the penalty shootout, all that builds resilience and belief," he said.

"We know every team we are going to face is going to be difficult and we never take anything for granted, but we know we have a lot of great players and a great togetherness and we will need all that and more to be successful.

"It's great to be a part of and tomorrow there will be a few nerves and excitement but, ultimately, when you step out on that pitch, it's just about doing your job and doing what we've done throughout the whole tournament."

The Three Lions manager and captain have finished speaking to journalists now.

But don't go anywhere: we'll still highlight some key points you may have missed.