Julius Okorie
Britain’s King Charles has hailed Three Lions of England over their last-gasp 2-1 victory over Netherlands in the Euro 2024 semi-final on Wednesday night, but hopes he will be spared the drama of late goals or penalties in Sunday’s final in Berlin.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelSubstitute Ollie Watkins scored in the 91st minute to send England through to their second successive European Championship final after beating the Dutch in an exhilarating encounter.
With the match looking set for extra time, Watkins received a pass from fellow sub Cole Palmer and fired a sweet strike into the far corner.
”My wife and I join all our family in wishing you the warmest congratulations on reaching the final of the UEFA European Championship and in sending our very best wishes for Sunday’s match,” he said in a message to England coach Gareth Southgate and his players.
king Charles Sends Save Our Hearts Plea To Lions Ahead Final
”If I may encourage you to secure victory before the need for any last minute wonder-goals or another penalties drama, I am sure the stresses on the nation’s collective heart rate and blood pressure would be greatly alleviated! Good luck, England.”
England, who had needed penalties to beat Switzerland in the quarter-finals and scored with all five of their spot kicks, face Spain in Sunday’s final, three years after losing to Italy in the 2021 decider.
READ ALSO Settled: England To Battle Spain In Euro Final Sunday In Berlin
Semifinalists Netherlands and France have no further business in Germany after their ouster from the tournament.
Recall that France who were seen as the favourites to win the 2024 European Championship in Germany after finishing second in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, were knocked after losing 2-1 to Spain.
In most major football tournaments like the FIFA World Cup, the Africa Cup of Nations, and Copa America, France would be expected to wait behind for the third-place match, but the European Championship doesn’t have room for that.
By UEFA laws, Euro 2024 will not feature the third-place match, just like in the previous editions of the tournament.
The last time the European Championship featured a third-place match was in 1980. Czechoslovakia and Italy are the last two countries to play in the defunct phase of the tournament. Czechoslovakia won the game 9-8 via penalties after the regulation time ended in a 1-1 draw.
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
