11 Jul Come on England!
I was on the same flight as the German national team out of Russia and am now following the World Cup action too in front of the TV. Of course, the tournament still interests me. I must admit that as the Germans are out of the tournament, I’m supporting the English team.
Will “The Sixties” be reloaded? I can imagine “Sgt. Southgate’s…”
I can now fully concentrate on the “Motherland of Football” and enjoy Harry Kane’s goals. Recently, over breakfast, I read former Liverpool legend Didi Hamann’s expert opinion in BILD: “If the English win against Columbia in the round of sixteen, they will make it to the final.”
The “Three Lions” not only won against Falcao and Co, they also broke their penalty curse (apologies to England: Against Germany, that wouldn’t have happened for sure… ;-)).
I immediately sent a text message to Didi Hamann: “What do you say about England, now???” Two minutes later, Didi replied: “They will make it to the final, where they can beat everybody, apart from Brazil.”
Brazil is already out. So: Come on, England!
Didi is coming home – with me
Before the tournament, Didi and me, we thought that England is going to have a big role in this tournament. That for, we were in England together before the World Cup. Two hours by car, north from London: for a visit to the St. George’s Park, the Englisch training-center.
The introduction for this report, which was published in SPORT BILD, went as follows:
Behind reception are two big monitors, showing highlights of England’s greatest matches. On the first floor, there is a massive slogan: “Together for England! “. On every door you find the “Three Lions” emblem. And locked in a cabinet is the famous cover of the legendary Beatles album –“Sgt. Pepper”. The only slight difference is that it shows the 1966 World Cup winners with captain Sir Bobby Moore.
Welcome to St. George’s Park, the heart of the English Football Association!
The Football Association (FA) opens its doors to SPORT BILD. As representative of the four times World Champion, Germany, the England “legionnaire”” Didi Hamann (44) accompanies me…
The report in Germany. This is where the English football heart beats
The FA welcomed us very nice. Andy Walker, the manager of communication of the association, prepared an exclusive tour through the St. George’s Park. That since we met Dan Ashworth, Technical Director of the association and director of the St. George’s Park, U-17-coach Steve Cooper (current World Champion) and GM Holly Murdoch. An area with over 130 hectares, 12 fields, the football-hall, the spa, the canteen and the dressing room – they showed us everything!
Dietmar Hamann, Holly and me at the soccer hall
In the lobby, which is used by both the FA and the Hilton are England’s most recent trophies. The youth teams, the U-17 and the U-20 won the World Cup in 2017 and the English U-19 became European Champions. Before the quarterfinals I wrote to Andy Walker again and wished him all the best for the rest of the tournament. I stress that Didi and I would like another visit and maybe, next time, there will be another trophy – a golden one. Andy replies with two crossed fingers. England hopes to win its first title since 1966 (at the moment, their opponent in the final escapes me).
Foto shooting with Dan Ashworth, Didi and trophies
I remember the words with which St. George’s Park-boss Ashworth welcomed us: “Why are you visiting us? If somebody has to learn something, then we have to learn from you. You are world champions! “
But not for long….
P.S. The Guardian invited me to write my opinion of England
How other nations rate England’s hopes
Thank you for the warm welcome, St. George’s Park