Euros Champions

And they did it. The Lionesses, having promised great things throughout the tournament, finally delivered on the greatest stage of all - a Wembley final, against Germany, in extra time. It was a stunning achievement, and even if the decisive goal was a tad scrappy, England’s first goal was a thing of beauty - a glorious pass from Keira Walsh, calmly controlled by Ella Toone and exquisitely chipped over the approaching goalkeeper. Just sublime.

There were some disappointments. The fascination of wondering how they might deal with the threat of Alexandra Popp was deflated by her withdrawal because of injury - desperate for her, and a serious blow to her team. And I didn’t enjoy the final few minutes, when England’s women ushered the ball to the corner flag, and stood over it, making sure no useful play could take place. Yeah, it’s what the men would have done. Maybe it’s what German would have done. But it was a contrast with the positive, creative way they’ve approached the rest of the tournament.

But it is an amazing achievement, and particularly for Sarina Wiegman and her team. Managers don’t usually want to field the same starting eleven for six games running, but if they do they’re stopped from doing so by injury or suspension. Not here. The same starting eleven, every time. When asked for her secret, Wiegman sometimes refers obliquely to “agreed behaviours”. That seems to mean constructive criticism and honesty, within a commitment to total confidentiality - no rumours on social media., no leaking to the press. And it’s worked like a dream. Just imagine, if we had a government practising teamwork like that, how different everything would be. Including the way we feel.

PS If you want my poetic summary of the whole tournament, look at “Dreamland” in Poems from the News.