1 00:00:06,707 --> 00:00:10,427 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,747 --> 00:00:12,067 Speaker 1: from Newstalk ZEDB. 3 00:00:12,747 --> 00:00:15,507 Speaker 2: Final of Euro twenty twenty four seven o'clock tomorrow morning, 4 00:00:15,547 --> 00:00:20,027 Speaker 2: New Zealand time England v Spain in Berlin. Dominic Fifield 5 00:00:20,107 --> 00:00:24,227 Speaker 2: is commissioning editor at the Athletic Football and hugely experienced 6 00:00:24,267 --> 00:00:27,227 Speaker 2: sports writer. He joined us a preview this one, Dom 7 00:00:27,307 --> 00:00:31,867 Speaker 2: Are you in any way able to succinctly sum up 8 00:00:31,987 --> 00:00:33,387 Speaker 2: England's run to the final? 9 00:00:36,547 --> 00:00:41,667 Speaker 3: Well, start started slowly and have been improving steadily along 10 00:00:41,707 --> 00:00:46,507 Speaker 3: the way, but some good thoughts as well, admittedly, but 11 00:00:47,787 --> 00:00:49,427 Speaker 3: belief is growing. 12 00:00:49,467 --> 00:00:51,707 Speaker 4: I mean, look, it's they weren't impressive in the group. 13 00:00:51,747 --> 00:00:54,307 Speaker 3: We know that Serbia, they beat Denmark, they were lucky 14 00:00:54,347 --> 00:00:58,667 Speaker 3: to get the draw against Slovakia Slovenia at that point 15 00:00:58,707 --> 00:01:00,587 Speaker 3: where that was a goalless draw and it was pretty 16 00:01:00,667 --> 00:01:04,667 Speaker 3: turgid stuff. But then you take the Slovakia game in 17 00:01:04,747 --> 00:01:07,867 Speaker 3: the last sixteen, when you know, when you equalize in 18 00:01:07,907 --> 00:01:10,507 Speaker 3: the ninety fifth minute with a bicycle kick from Duke 19 00:01:10,547 --> 00:01:14,107 Speaker 3: Bellingham and then score again earlier and extra time, you 20 00:01:14,187 --> 00:01:17,027 Speaker 3: start wondering whether your name's on the trophy and whether 21 00:01:17,027 --> 00:01:19,067 Speaker 3: the luck's going to turn to you this time, and 22 00:01:19,107 --> 00:01:23,987 Speaker 3: then with the Swiss likewise going behind late on equalizing 23 00:01:24,027 --> 00:01:26,547 Speaker 3: with a fantastic golf from Bacaya Suka. 24 00:01:27,507 --> 00:01:29,947 Speaker 4: And then prevailing really in the penalty shootout. 25 00:01:30,027 --> 00:01:32,347 Speaker 3: And I have to say that's the first time in 26 00:01:31,667 --> 00:01:35,787 Speaker 3: my life and I'm almost fifty where I've seen England 27 00:01:35,827 --> 00:01:38,507 Speaker 3: going into a penalty shootout and I've been utterly convinced 28 00:01:38,547 --> 00:01:40,467 Speaker 3: that Englam are going to prevail. They were going to 29 00:01:40,507 --> 00:01:43,667 Speaker 3: win that penalty shooter. And I think that it's little 30 00:01:43,667 --> 00:01:48,787 Speaker 3: things like that that actually demonstrates the Gareth Southgate effect 31 00:01:48,947 --> 00:01:52,587 Speaker 3: over this last six years at the Helm or eight 32 00:01:52,667 --> 00:01:55,267 Speaker 3: years at the Helm, sorry, it's really since the Russian 33 00:01:55,587 --> 00:01:59,307 Speaker 3: World Cup in twenty eighteen. There's a belief they're getting better, 34 00:01:59,387 --> 00:02:02,907 Speaker 3: there's a there's a depth of quality and I think 35 00:02:03,187 --> 00:02:07,187 Speaker 3: we'll go into this final tomorrow I'm not favorite, not favorites, 36 00:02:07,267 --> 00:02:11,707 Speaker 3: but with a very good chance of finally ending that drought. 37 00:02:11,947 --> 00:02:15,107 Speaker 5: If they are to do that. Which England players are 38 00:02:15,187 --> 00:02:16,107 Speaker 5: most important? 39 00:02:17,907 --> 00:02:21,947 Speaker 3: Well that's a really good question because I think instinctively 40 00:02:22,547 --> 00:02:25,907 Speaker 3: you say Phil Foden and Due Bellingham, but actually they've 41 00:02:25,907 --> 00:02:30,947 Speaker 3: only fired in fits and starts in this tournament. I 42 00:02:30,947 --> 00:02:34,227 Speaker 3: thought Foden was excellent in the last game in the 43 00:02:34,227 --> 00:02:37,427 Speaker 3: semi final, played really really well against the Dutch in 44 00:02:37,467 --> 00:02:39,547 Speaker 3: the first half and then came off midway through the 45 00:02:39,547 --> 00:02:42,907 Speaker 3: second half. Bellingham has come up with some timely moments, 46 00:02:42,947 --> 00:02:48,867 Speaker 3: but I think he's actually he hasn't quite looked at 47 00:02:48,947 --> 00:02:50,907 Speaker 3: his best, and I think you could probably argue he 48 00:02:50,947 --> 00:02:52,827 Speaker 3: hasn't looked at his best at club level either really 49 00:02:52,867 --> 00:02:54,947 Speaker 3: since the turn of the year, So maybe that's a 50 00:02:54,987 --> 00:02:57,627 Speaker 3: fatigue factor after a massive, massive year in his career. 51 00:02:58,867 --> 00:03:01,307 Speaker 3: But if I was to pinpoint players have to thrive. 52 00:03:02,707 --> 00:03:06,027 Speaker 3: The key to beating Spain, I'm sure is disrupting that 53 00:03:06,067 --> 00:03:10,147 Speaker 3: mid field is stopping from Rodery from dictating the player, 54 00:03:10,947 --> 00:03:13,867 Speaker 3: making sure that the partnership in there is is not 55 00:03:14,027 --> 00:03:16,787 Speaker 3: working as it has been so so brilliant, because if 56 00:03:16,827 --> 00:03:20,227 Speaker 3: you just front Rodriy, then they're danger man up front 57 00:03:20,667 --> 00:03:22,267 Speaker 3: Yamar williams. 58 00:03:23,547 --> 00:03:23,827 Speaker 1: Olmer. 59 00:03:24,627 --> 00:03:27,827 Speaker 3: They they won't get the ball, they won't be able 60 00:03:27,867 --> 00:03:32,707 Speaker 3: to define the space to hurt England. So in that respect, 61 00:03:32,747 --> 00:03:35,347 Speaker 3: I would say that deck and Rice has to has 62 00:03:35,387 --> 00:03:37,427 Speaker 3: to be at this swarming best. 63 00:03:37,467 --> 00:03:37,867 Speaker 4: He has to. 64 00:03:38,147 --> 00:03:40,187 Speaker 3: He's run more than anybody else at this tournament. But 65 00:03:40,187 --> 00:03:43,307 Speaker 3: he's going to have another really, really busy night in Berlin. 66 00:03:43,867 --> 00:03:46,987 Speaker 3: I think Cobby Maynus has got to be all over 67 00:03:47,027 --> 00:03:48,307 Speaker 3: that midfield's got to dominate. 68 00:03:48,387 --> 00:03:51,067 Speaker 4: And whoever joins in. 69 00:03:50,907 --> 00:03:54,827 Speaker 3: That midfield from the back, whether that be John Stones, 70 00:03:54,907 --> 00:03:58,347 Speaker 3: Mark Gay or one of the fullbacks, Kyle Walker pushing 71 00:03:58,427 --> 00:04:01,747 Speaker 3: in here and Trip here, whoever plays, they've just got 72 00:04:01,747 --> 00:04:03,347 Speaker 3: to They've just got to prevail there. 73 00:04:03,387 --> 00:04:04,707 Speaker 4: They've got to hold sway in the middle. 74 00:04:04,707 --> 00:04:08,147 Speaker 3: Because they do that, they have a chance, because they 75 00:04:08,147 --> 00:04:12,627 Speaker 3: will stop Spain playing and maybe maybe some of their 76 00:04:12,667 --> 00:04:18,027 Speaker 3: own individual talents up top, Foden Bellingham, Cane Sucker will 77 00:04:18,027 --> 00:04:18,867 Speaker 3: come to the four. 78 00:04:18,907 --> 00:04:19,787 Speaker 4: And hurt them. 79 00:04:20,307 --> 00:04:21,947 Speaker 5: How big a three do Spain? 80 00:04:22,427 --> 00:04:27,147 Speaker 3: President, You only have to look at their performances over 81 00:04:27,147 --> 00:04:27,587 Speaker 3: the tournament. 82 00:04:27,627 --> 00:04:28,627 Speaker 4: They won all their games. 83 00:04:28,867 --> 00:04:30,987 Speaker 3: No one's ever done that before a Euros of They're 84 00:04:31,067 --> 00:04:33,427 Speaker 3: going through the entire tournament winning every match. 85 00:04:35,187 --> 00:04:35,547 Speaker 4: They've got. 86 00:04:35,707 --> 00:04:38,987 Speaker 3: I think he's seventeen now, Yamal isn't he's He's just seventeen, 87 00:04:39,027 --> 00:04:42,707 Speaker 3: but my word, he plays like he's been playing for years. 88 00:04:42,747 --> 00:04:48,027 Speaker 3: That the kid is his quality. He's providing chances. He's 89 00:04:48,027 --> 00:04:53,907 Speaker 3: scored a wonderful, wonderful goal against the French. He's a 90 00:04:53,947 --> 00:04:58,787 Speaker 3: real talent at Barcelona and illuminating this tournament. Danie Olmo, 91 00:04:58,987 --> 00:05:01,627 Speaker 3: I think has been excellent in that number ten role. 92 00:05:01,787 --> 00:05:04,107 Speaker 3: He's come up with three gals himself. He's up there 93 00:05:04,107 --> 00:05:08,467 Speaker 3: with the Golden Boot potentially with Harry Kane and numerous 94 00:05:08,507 --> 00:05:11,147 Speaker 3: others since uefas strangely changed the rules over night on 95 00:05:11,187 --> 00:05:11,667 Speaker 3: that one. 96 00:05:12,467 --> 00:05:16,547 Speaker 4: But and Nico Williams is just he's lightning quick. 97 00:05:16,627 --> 00:05:18,947 Speaker 3: So they've got they've got an attacking threat and a 98 00:05:19,027 --> 00:05:22,267 Speaker 3: depth as well. I think there they probably lack a 99 00:05:22,307 --> 00:05:25,867 Speaker 3: world class center forward, which is probably cue now for 100 00:05:26,707 --> 00:05:28,427 Speaker 3: Ra Marata to score at Hatchrick in the final. 101 00:05:28,507 --> 00:05:31,747 Speaker 4: But but I mean I think if England, England. 102 00:05:31,467 --> 00:05:33,787 Speaker 3: Will hope that the Alvarra Marata that leads the line 103 00:05:33,827 --> 00:05:38,027 Speaker 3: for Spain is the al Marata that underwhelmed at Chelsea 104 00:05:38,707 --> 00:05:41,387 Speaker 3: as opposed to the player that actually has got a 105 00:05:41,427 --> 00:05:43,867 Speaker 3: decent goals per game record and most of the leagues 106 00:05:43,907 --> 00:05:45,507 Speaker 3: he's played in apart from the Premier League. 107 00:05:46,627 --> 00:05:48,267 Speaker 4: I think that they're slightly short there. 108 00:05:48,307 --> 00:05:51,867 Speaker 3: And I think if you can disrupt Rodery, I mean 109 00:05:51,947 --> 00:05:54,227 Speaker 3: mainly did a wonderful job doing that in the f 110 00:05:54,307 --> 00:05:55,707 Speaker 3: A Cup final at the end of the season for 111 00:05:55,747 --> 00:05:57,387 Speaker 3: Manchester United against Manchester City. 112 00:05:58,147 --> 00:05:59,867 Speaker 4: So there is a bit of previous there. There is 113 00:05:59,907 --> 00:06:00,507 Speaker 4: some hope. 114 00:06:00,707 --> 00:06:04,027 Speaker 3: You look at the quality and logic says that Spain 115 00:06:04,067 --> 00:06:06,667 Speaker 3: should win it, But actually I just feel there's a 116 00:06:06,787 --> 00:06:10,307 Speaker 3: build up of belief around England and and I think 117 00:06:10,307 --> 00:06:13,307 Speaker 3: they've they've learnt their experience from from losing three years 118 00:06:13,307 --> 00:06:15,947 Speaker 3: ago in the final to Italy. We have to remember 119 00:06:15,947 --> 00:06:18,387 Speaker 3: that Spain haven't been in a major final for twelve years. 120 00:06:18,467 --> 00:06:23,827 Speaker 3: It's quite a long time for for a squad, a 121 00:06:23,987 --> 00:06:27,707 Speaker 3: nation of that such football talent, and maybe maybe that 122 00:06:27,787 --> 00:06:30,467 Speaker 3: experience can help England, maybe that maybe they can call 123 00:06:30,547 --> 00:06:33,467 Speaker 3: upon that. I think they they really have been summoning 124 00:06:33,467 --> 00:06:36,507 Speaker 3: that to get through the tighter moments of the tournament 125 00:06:36,547 --> 00:06:37,987 Speaker 3: so far, and they're going to need to do that 126 00:06:38,067 --> 00:06:40,707 Speaker 3: again in Berlin on the on the final evening. 127 00:06:40,987 --> 00:06:43,507 Speaker 5: Dom do we have any clarity about England manager Gareth 128 00:06:43,587 --> 00:06:48,267 Speaker 5: Southgate's future beyond this match when all loose, well not really. 129 00:06:48,267 --> 00:06:51,307 Speaker 3: Before the tournament began, he said that he intimated that 130 00:06:51,387 --> 00:06:54,987 Speaker 3: if if even won the tournament, he probably step aside. 131 00:06:56,827 --> 00:06:59,587 Speaker 4: His contract expires at the end of this year calendar year. 132 00:07:01,787 --> 00:07:05,027 Speaker 3: The FA have since a few stories were written this 133 00:07:05,067 --> 00:07:07,987 Speaker 3: week suggesting that the FA would would definitely go to 134 00:07:08,067 --> 00:07:09,867 Speaker 3: him and I'm try and persuade him to stay on 135 00:07:10,547 --> 00:07:13,187 Speaker 3: regardless of the result in Berlin, and I think there's 136 00:07:13,227 --> 00:07:16,707 Speaker 3: a logic to that. I think it's really strange. I mean, 137 00:07:17,187 --> 00:07:21,427 Speaker 3: the perception of Southgate has shifted again. I think there 138 00:07:21,427 --> 00:07:24,587 Speaker 3: were appeers in this in this tournament, not least when 139 00:07:25,107 --> 00:07:28,747 Speaker 3: he was being people were pelting him with empty beer glasses, 140 00:07:29,187 --> 00:07:32,507 Speaker 3: plastic beer glasses. You should be said again after Slovenia 141 00:07:32,747 --> 00:07:34,667 Speaker 3: and then the goal is drawed. It was it was 142 00:07:34,667 --> 00:07:38,187 Speaker 3: fairly ugly that I think people would felt that he 143 00:07:38,187 --> 00:07:41,347 Speaker 3: would have the handbrake on the team, that the talents 144 00:07:41,347 --> 00:07:43,667 Speaker 3: that we see thriving in the Premier League each week weren't. 145 00:07:43,427 --> 00:07:46,667 Speaker 4: Being able to express themselves. I didn't like the selections. 146 00:07:48,427 --> 00:07:50,307 Speaker 3: They thought there was a bit of blind faith with 147 00:07:50,387 --> 00:07:53,187 Speaker 3: people like Caine who he didn't appear to be functioning 148 00:07:53,227 --> 00:07:57,667 Speaker 3: at full throttle, and that there was a period where 149 00:07:57,707 --> 00:07:59,387 Speaker 3: it was going a bit dicey, and I think England 150 00:07:59,387 --> 00:08:02,107 Speaker 3: went into proper siege mentality mode at at that stage, 151 00:08:02,507 --> 00:08:04,627 Speaker 3: started suggesting that the world was against him and it 152 00:08:04,667 --> 00:08:06,827 Speaker 3: worked for them that's sort of seemed to and through 153 00:08:06,827 --> 00:08:10,067 Speaker 3: that to shrug themselves awake and get back into some 154 00:08:10,147 --> 00:08:13,107 Speaker 3: kind of rhythm in the tournament. But I think that 155 00:08:13,147 --> 00:08:17,827 Speaker 3: would have hurt Southgate hearing that and seeing that amongst 156 00:08:17,987 --> 00:08:20,667 Speaker 3: the supporters of media. You know, he doesn't worry so 157 00:08:20,707 --> 00:08:23,667 Speaker 3: much about the media, and I think but actually the 158 00:08:23,707 --> 00:08:26,867 Speaker 3: grounds well now is he's been vindicated. I mean, everything 159 00:08:26,867 --> 00:08:28,707 Speaker 3: he's done in the last few games has come off 160 00:08:28,747 --> 00:08:31,347 Speaker 3: the substitutions he's made, the timing of them, the way 161 00:08:31,427 --> 00:08:34,827 Speaker 3: they prepared for penalties, the unity within the group and 162 00:08:34,867 --> 00:08:37,027 Speaker 3: the squad, and the fact that people seem to be 163 00:08:37,067 --> 00:08:41,147 Speaker 3: getting behind him and backing him and they are getting results. 164 00:08:41,227 --> 00:08:43,587 Speaker 3: And he is the only England manager that has taken 165 00:08:43,587 --> 00:08:47,427 Speaker 3: England to two major finals and you know, and three 166 00:08:47,467 --> 00:08:50,107 Speaker 3: he's reached three semi finals in four major tournaments in 167 00:08:50,187 --> 00:08:52,427 Speaker 3: charge and the other ones at quarter in Katar And 168 00:08:52,747 --> 00:08:56,547 Speaker 3: he actually look at his record and it's amazing, it's brilliant. 169 00:08:56,627 --> 00:08:59,107 Speaker 3: I mean, it's tournament football at his best. The Blaker's 170 00:08:59,107 --> 00:09:01,627 Speaker 3: got so much experience as a player and as a 171 00:09:01,667 --> 00:09:05,387 Speaker 3: manager in tournaments. He just knows how to find a 172 00:09:05,427 --> 00:09:07,227 Speaker 3: way through the next thing. 173 00:09:07,267 --> 00:09:08,267 Speaker 4: He's got to do is win one. 174 00:09:08,307 --> 00:09:10,387 Speaker 3: And if he does, and he'll have a choice, I 175 00:09:10,427 --> 00:09:13,307 Speaker 3: think there'll be a real clamor for him to stay 176 00:09:13,347 --> 00:09:15,987 Speaker 3: on for the twenty twenty six World Cup in the 177 00:09:16,067 --> 00:09:19,547 Speaker 3: United States, Mexico and Canada. I think people will want 178 00:09:19,627 --> 00:09:23,347 Speaker 3: to see him in charge, and you know it's but 179 00:09:23,387 --> 00:09:24,947 Speaker 3: he may look at it and think, well, what more 180 00:09:24,987 --> 00:09:26,587 Speaker 3: can I do? I've won, it's a trophy and I've 181 00:09:26,627 --> 00:09:29,547 Speaker 3: got an impackable record. Maybe now is the time, Maybe 182 00:09:30,107 --> 00:09:32,507 Speaker 3: his stock will be high at that point that he 183 00:09:32,587 --> 00:09:33,947 Speaker 3: might be able to get a club job, or might 184 00:09:33,987 --> 00:09:36,947 Speaker 3: just be able to go off into the sunset a 185 00:09:37,027 --> 00:09:40,787 Speaker 3: happy man. I think he's been wonderful for England. Wonderful 186 00:09:40,987 --> 00:09:44,307 Speaker 3: in the context of taking up the range in twenty 187 00:09:44,307 --> 00:09:46,707 Speaker 3: sixteen in very difficult circumstances. 188 00:09:46,067 --> 00:09:47,707 Speaker 4: With the national team in a very low EBB. 189 00:09:48,187 --> 00:09:50,507 Speaker 3: But if you look in the last eight years as 190 00:09:50,547 --> 00:09:52,627 Speaker 3: to what has happened in the world, let alone in 191 00:09:52,747 --> 00:09:56,627 Speaker 3: justin England, what he's navigated, the sort of sense of 192 00:09:56,627 --> 00:10:00,027 Speaker 3: reassurance that he's provided with the way he has spoken 193 00:10:00,187 --> 00:10:01,867 Speaker 3: or the way he has behaved or the way he 194 00:10:01,907 --> 00:10:03,947 Speaker 3: has coached the team, and the success he's gleaned for 195 00:10:03,987 --> 00:10:06,267 Speaker 3: the team at a time when we've gone through co 196 00:10:06,707 --> 00:10:11,107 Speaker 3: we've gone through political upheaval in this country and disenchantment 197 00:10:11,187 --> 00:10:13,027 Speaker 3: that's you know, societal problems. 198 00:10:13,427 --> 00:10:15,747 Speaker 4: Garre Southgate has actually been a source. 199 00:10:15,467 --> 00:10:18,467 Speaker 3: Of reassurance for us all and I think we will 200 00:10:18,547 --> 00:10:20,147 Speaker 3: properly miss him if he goes. 201 00:10:20,587 --> 00:10:22,227 Speaker 4: He's been that significant. 202 00:10:22,427 --> 00:10:24,267 Speaker 3: I'll be very surprised if he doesn't end this tournament 203 00:10:24,267 --> 00:10:26,827 Speaker 3: with a knighthood at the very very least. 204 00:10:27,227 --> 00:10:29,467 Speaker 5: Wonderful to get your analysis, Don, Thanks so much for 205 00:10:29,507 --> 00:10:31,427 Speaker 5: joining us across New Zealand. Mate. I hope the game 206 00:10:31,467 --> 00:10:33,947 Speaker 5: goes the way you and your countrymen and women hope 207 00:10:33,947 --> 00:10:36,827 Speaker 5: it does, and look forward to catching up again sometime soon. 208 00:10:37,627 --> 00:10:39,427 Speaker 4: I'll just hope he goes better than the rugby guy. 209 00:10:39,707 --> 00:10:41,787 Speaker 4: Let's see how it goes. Is all the best? Next? 210 00:10:42,627 --> 00:10:44,267 Speaker 5: Yeah, Well, if your sake, I hope it does go 211 00:10:44,427 --> 00:10:46,267 Speaker 5: better than the rugby seven and a half away from 212 00:10:46,307 --> 00:10:49,027 Speaker 5: three Dominic Firefield out of the Athletic in the UK. 213 00:10:49,987 --> 00:10:53,147 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 214 00:10:53,267 --> 00:10:56,547 Speaker 1: to news talks it'd be weekends from midday, or follow 215 00:10:56,587 --> 00:10:58,147 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio.