appointment with history, royal encouragement and third half

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  On the bill: Italy-England

The final of the Euro, Sunday July 11 at Wembley, promises a confrontation of styles. On the one hand, Italy, quadruple world champion, champion of a certain tactical conception of the game based on defense and the famous catennacio. On the other hand, England, a nation nourished by paradoxes, capable of inventing a sport without succeeding in making a place for itself in the list of major competitions, with the only feat of arms a World Cup final, won in 1966.

Whatever the outcome of the final, Roberto Mancini and Gareth Southgate, the two coaches, will leave a mark in their respective countries, proving that old clichés can also fall. From Leonardo Spinazzola to Harry Kane, via Jack Grealish or Lorenzo Insigne, Transalpins and Britons gave the note for a month and released, for a summer, the Old-Contains a torpor imposed by the health context.

Starting off in the group stages with three victories in three games, Italy faltered in the eighth against Austria and in the semi-finals against the Spaniards. But his flamboyant attack (12 goals) and his defense always so sure justify his success. A final that rewards a certain logic, embodied by the crazy ongoing series of 33 unbeaten games, started in September 2018.

Despite a more timid start, with two goals scored in the pool, England displayed a defensive strength that they had rarely known, with only one goal conceded. The British rocket took off from the eighth, chasing its old demons against the usual German scarecrow (2-0) before unfolding against the Ukrainians in quarters (0-4). With eight goals scored in three knockout games, the English have proven their ability to raise their level of play in cleaver matches. It is up to them to conclude in front of their audience to win the first Euro in their history. Opposite, the Squadra Azzura would be spoiled the party to remember the good memories of 1968, the year of their only continental coronation.

We did not expect him at such a level, but Luke Shaw surprised observers, so much he played a crucial role in the English course in this Euro. Recalled in the final list of the Three Lions having played two games in two years, he started as a substitute in the first match against Croatia (1-0). Gareth Southgate decides to establish him at the post of left side, in place of Kieran Trippier, during the shock against Scotland. It is then his first final phase match of a major tournament since the 2014 World Cup. The 25-year-old will never leave the English starting eleven.

This return to grace was far from obvious. At the end of 2015, he suffered a double tibia-fibula fracture that would make him miss Euro 2016. An injury from which he took a year to recover. “I was very close to losing my leg”, he had then confessed. As soon as he returned to competition, he continued with a new injury to the groin at the end of 2016, then an injury to the ligaments of the foot in April 2017. A massacre that kept him from international radar.

Also absent at the 2018 World Cup, the one who has been playing at Manchester United since 2014 seems to finally reach his full potential. The surprise guest is England’s best passer, with 3 offerings issued since the start of the Euro: one during Raheem Sterling’s liberating goal against Germany (2-0), and two more during the success against Ukraine (0-4). Another decisive pass against the Italians would allow him to become the competition’s best passer and, perhaps, European champion. A nice birthday present for the one who will celebrate his 26th birthday on … July 12th.

• Meanwhile… Messi wins his first major title with Argentina

The fifth will have finally been the right one. After three lost finals (2007, 2015 and 2016), Lionel Messi won at 34 his first Copa America for Argentina. Albiceleste got the better of Neymar’s Brazil in the final on Saturday (1-0). Great architect of Argentinian success (4 goals and 5 assists before the final), “La Pulga” won his first major trophy in five finals contested, he who also failed at the 2014 World Cup. The only feat of arms of the six-fold Ballon d he gold with his country dates back to 2008, with a victory at the Olympics.

# CopaAmérica 🏆 ¡Tremendo abrazo between Lionel Messi y Lionel Scaloni! La figura y el DT 🇦🇷 🇦🇷 Argentina 🆚 Brasil… https://t.co/34JfQT3J7C

– CopaAmerica (@Copa América)

• In the skylight: XXL guard of honor for the Three Lions

The Three Lions left their St. George’s Park base camp for the last time in competition on Saturday afternoon. The England players were escorted by an impressive crowd to cheer them on before their arrival at Wembley to prepare for Sunday’s final.

• Corner of blue sky: the puzzle continues for Tokyo

Already faced with the refusal of clubs to release their players, the coach of the France Olympic football team, Sylvain Ripoll, has to face a new absence. Victim of a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament of the left knee, defender Jérémy Gélin had to forfeit the Olympic tournament, which starts on July 22. Authorized to summon 22 players for Tokyo, Ripoll was able to retain only 19, and this, because of the regulations which allow clubs to retain their players, the dates of the Olympics not being counted in the FIFA calendar. Gélin has for the moment no replacement in defense, since the list of reservists is composed only of a goalkeeper (Bertaud) and an attacker (Lihadji). The delegation, now made up of 18 elements, flew to South Korea on Friday evening for a preparation course. With zero certainty, and a lot of questions.

“I want to convey my congratulations, as well as those of my family, to all of you for reaching the final of the European Championship”

The Crown already thanks the Three Lions. Proud of the course of her subjects, Queen Elizabeth II sent her encouragement to the national team on Saturday at twenty-four hours before the final. Present during the victorious final of the 1966 World Cup at Wembley and during the presentation of the trophies at Euro 1996, His Majesty will this time attend the event from his palace. “Fifty-five years ago I had the chance to hand the World Cup to Bobby Moore and saw what it meant for the players, management and technical support to achieve and win the final of a major international football tournament ”, wrote the 95-year-old queen in her post.

The festivities in the streets of London in the event of success of the players of Gareth Southgate cause concern. A “third half” could become a potential source of infections, according to epidemiologist Antoine Flahault. “People come in crowded, very unsecured transport, they are accommodated on site, they go to bars, party, have joyful interactions or, on the contrary, drown their tears. There will be a third half which will probably be a source of infections ”, alarmed the director of the Institute of Global Health at the University of Geneva, questioned by AFP.