58 years of hurt. That's a lot of years. And while the Jules Rimet might gleam on, the England men's national team have arguably their greatest opportunity to taste the glory which has been so agonisingly elusive. Berlin awaits.
The Henri Delaunay Cup – the EURO's cherished prize
UEFA
The pressure to succeed, which has magnified upon each misadventure, will be increasingly tangible after the heroics of the women's national team when at the UEFA Euro Championship 2022.
They won, at Wembley, just a year after the men's brutal loss to Italy via penalty shoot-out. The Lionesses achieved what seemed to many in England to be an impossibility - actually winning.
In what has been dubbed the 'Wiegman Era', German coach Sarina Wiegman led the team across the line, perhaps breaking the curse, presiding over a 30 game unbeaten streak and a narrow 1-0 loss in the finals of the 2023 World Cup to Spain.
Wiegman guided the Lionesses to an historic Triumph (Getty Images)
Megan Feringa | The Mirror
Expectations for the men's team are at an all time high.
Three consecutive semi-finals. A finals loss on penalties. The deepest and most talented team in generations. It feels like the culmination - or potentially the final opportunity - for the 'Southgate Project'. Can they finally get over the line?
The fans' hopes are not unfounded; Jude Bellingham has established himself as a leader of the newest generation of Real Madrid 'Galácticos'; John Stones will be bringing treble-winning-Pep-pedigree; Harry Kane is breaking records in Germany, desperate to break his trophies hoodoo.
It seems the time is now.
Coach Gareth Southgate addressing England players in a team huddle after losing to Italy in the Euro 2020 final
Facundo Arrizabalaga | Pool/Getty Images
We can expect to see a slightly altered team from past tournaments with Southgate using friendly and UEFA Nations League fixtures as an opportunity to tinker and finesse.
Pickford continues to lay claim to his spot between the sticks, with competition few and far between.
A back four will likely demonstrate England's confidence and desire to dominate games, leaving the fairly successful five-man-defence behind - they want don't just want to win, they want no doubts left at the final whistle.
Kyle Walker's relentlessly stellar performances will earn him the contested right-back position, whilst the left side of defence remains unclear. Kieren Tripper's experience and consistency should land him the role, despite being somewhat unnatural for the right-sided defender.
It is a foregone conclusion that, barring injury, John Stones and Harry Maguire will complete the defence. Say what you will about Maguire's form for Manchester United, his performances for England have been essential, and Southgate is not one to fix what isn't broken.
The midfield proposes a conundrum. Declan Rice will play, probably in the deeper half of a double pivot. But alongside who?
Kobbie Mainoo has certainly made his case in his debut season, but inexperience and his tender age may be enough to rule him out.
If experience is what Southgate is looking for, many England fans fear Jordan Henderson will get the nod. Having a poor season in Amsterdam after his abandoned 'big project' in Saudi Arabia, surely his race is run?
Experiments of Trent Alexander-Arnold in central midfield have certainly looked promising, but England must be wary of the age-old mistake of playing your best players out of position - just ask Scholes and Lampard.
I imagine the choice will come down to one of Mainoo and Chelsea's Connor Gallagher, a better balance of experience and youthful energy.
Jude Bellingham will be the number ten. Enough said.
The front three also promises to be less of a headache.
Harry Kane, the best striker in the world, will lead the line and continue to captain the team. If England are to succeed, Kane will be the reason - his goals, his assists, and his leadership are integral.
Bukayo Saka is having another impressive season, and despite competition from Jarrod Bowen and Cole Palmer, any team with Saka looks better than without.
For the left hand side Phil Foden must start. Grealish is fantastic, and Anthony Gordon is rapid and clinical, but the man from the blue side of Manchester has been the best player in the Premier League this season and will prove an inspired creative hub for Southgate's men.
So, is it finally coming home?
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