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14th July 2024
07:35pm BST
When England fans were pelting their manager with plastic beer cups after an underwhelming group stage performance, few could imagine they’d be preparing to watch a Euros final featuring Southgate’s squad.
Though they have scraped through thanks to a series of late winners and a nervy penalty shoot-out along the way, the stage with Spain is all but ready.
As dreams of lifting the trophy enter people’s minds, fans also start to think about what life might be like after watching England men lift their first major trophy in 58 years… and more to the point, what that hangover might feel like!
Many have called upon the government to schedule a bank holiday should England win the tournament and they now have a Prime Minister who spoke to ITV before the game on the possibility:
"Well, I don't know about that. Let's get through the next few hours, let's get their hands on that trophy," he said.
"We need to mark it in some way, but we'll have to see what that is. An appropriate way."
In relation to the game itself, Starmer stated how proud of the team he is:
"I'm really pleased they've got this far, they should be so proud, we're all really proud, the whole country behind them.
"I've been at England games so many times, they need to get that combination of being here and getting it over the line."
When asked earlier this week, Starmer remained coy on the possibility:
"Well we should certainly mark the occasion, I don't want to jinx it.
"I went to the last Euros finals, I wouldn't wanna go through that again, so I don't want to jinx anything.
"We must mark it in some way, but the most important thing is getting it over the line on Sunday."
Last year, Keir Starmer shared his stance on a day off ahead of the Lionesses World Cup final against Spain.
Taking to X he said: “It’s almost 60 years since England won the World Cup. I’m never complacent about anything…but there should be a celebratory bank holiday if the Lionesses bring it home.”
The Conservative government who were in power at the time were not on board with the idea saying: “We congratulate the Lionesses on their fantastic achievement in getting to the Women's World Cup final. The current pattern of public and bank holidays is well established and there are no plans to change this.”
They also rejected calls for a bank holiday when the Lionesses won the Euros in 2022.
Starmer has been open to adding an extra bank holiday regardless of any footballing success but has more recently back-tracked on the idea saying it’s not good for the economy.
If he was to grant the nation a day off, he would need the King’s approval so it’s doubtful it would fall the next day.
King Charles has been enjoying the tournament though and may be open to approving the country’s request.
He issued a statement of congratulations to the Three Lions and pleaded with them to keep the drama to a minimum.
He wrote: “My wife and I join all our family in wishing you the warmest congratulations on reaching the final of the U.E.F.A. European Championship – and in sending our very best wishes for Sunday’s match.
"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.”
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