View
comments
After 55 years of heartbreak, it’s the moment we’ve been dreaming of.
Tomorrow night the nation will come to a standstill, united in the fervent hope that Harry Kane will follow in the golden footsteps of Bobby Moore and lead England to glory.
In living rooms and pubs, as many as 35million people will cheer on the Three Lions against Italy in the final of Euro 2020. And almost 70,000 will turn Wembley into a cauldron of noise for the epic clash, which kicks off at 8pm.
Last night Kane, 27, said he felt an extra surge of ‘motivation and confidence’ after being compared to Moore.
Tomorrow night the nation will come to a standstill, united in the fervent hope that Harry Kane will follow in the golden footsteps of Bobby Moore and lead England to glory
The two England captains were born just eight miles away from each other in east London – albeit some 52 years apart.
In a rallying cry to his teammates, Kane said: ‘These are the opportunities you have to grab with both hands.’
Sir Geoff Hurst, who scored a hat-trick in that 1966 World Cup final to beat West Germany 4-2, lent his support to the players yesterday.
The 79-year-old told the Daily Mail: ‘This isn’t a football match, it’s a national event. Millions of people who don’t normally watch football will all be united, cheering England on.
‘We’re very fortunate as a country to have this huge boost to the spirits during the pandemic and if you are going to pick a time to do well, now’s that time.’
He added: ‘Everything about this talented young England squad reminds me of that hard-nosed bunch of professionals we were back in 1966. I see that same camaraderie and determination.’
Villages, towns and cities across England have been bedecked with St George’s flags as the fervour grips the nation. In other developments:
Boris Johnson will announce a special one-off Bank Holiday – likely to
