This Sunday, 60 years after their last trophy and with the whole world ropting for them, the Three Lions bravely overcame all adversities and won the 2021 Euro Cup final. What a glorious day. More than 50 thousands English men and women burst into tears as the referee sanctioned the end of the game at Wembley while a whole nation floated into the streets to celebrate.
But we stayed put, seated right where we had been for the last 120 minutes of our lives, because we knew it still wasn’t over. Something was missing. The cup.
Almost 25 minutes after Saka had successfully kicked the ball behind Donnarumma’s back and into the goal, marked with the name of its new owner, the long awaited trophy was brought into the field.
What a beauty, what a moment; not the trophy itself, but the whole picture of the night: an english team winning at an english game in an english stadium. Could it get any better? Yes it could. And it did.
As the team was approaching the stage to receive their medals, UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin paused everything and kneeled. He wanted to speak to someone, a special guest of the night: Little George.
“Would you do me the honor of delivering the cup on my behalf?”. Goosebumps. At last the official recognition of the European bureaucrats that England and the English throne are above all. And it arrived strongly and clearly.
The stadium got quiet, the time still. The whole world paused to look at that historical moment, a once in a lifetime episode, a singularity point in space-time. Prince George of Cambridge, son of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, third heir to the throne of England, crowning captain Kane and the whole nation Champions Europe. England won.
“Long live the Queen! Long Live Harry Kane!” someone screamed as the celebration began. From Piccadilly to Trafalgar square, from London to Manchester, the subjects of the crown sang until the first light of the day for the night we will all remember as the one where Football came home.
I found this essay at the bottom of a trash can the other morning, I wonder what it was about. Mh, who knows.
Anyway, I wish I could write a little more but this month too turned out to be busy as hell between work, other work, other other work, and a few hours watching football. I’ll do better next month I hope.
Meanwhile and before I forget, in case you manage to get eyes on Football, please remember to call +44 303 123 7300. It’s been almost 55 years he hasn’t come back and they are very worried at home. Thanks!
As always, I hope you are happy, healthy, wealthy (if it matters) and that I’ll see you soon.
P.S. I’ll be in Italy starting August 1st until September 10th. I don’t know where yet but whatever, I am sure we can figure something out to meet if you want.