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2 months ago
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Gareth Southgate has led England to a second successive European Championship final
Gary Rose
BBC Sport journalist in Berlin
Gareth Southgate says he is "not a believer in fairytales but is a believer in dreams" as he prepares to lead England in Sunday's Euro 2024 final against Spain.
The men's team is looking to end their wait for a first trophy at Berlin's Olympiastadion since last winning the 1966 World Cup.
Southgate featured as a player at Euro 1996, which was played in England but won by Germany.
Asked if he felt it was fate the Three Lions now have the chance to win a European Championship in Germany, he said: "I am not a believer in fairytales but I am a believer in dreams.
"We have had big dreams and felt the importance of that, but you have to make those things happen.
“The run we’ve had, the late goals and penalties, doesn’t equate to it being our moment. We have to make it tomorrow and perform.
"It would be a lovely story and it's in our hands but the performance is the most important thing."
'I want the players to be fearless'
Back in that 1996 tournament, Southgate missed the decisive penalty in the semi-final against Germany.
The current England team have also gone through difficult experiences at recent tournaments, losing on penalties to Italy in the final of Euro 2020 and exiting at the quarter-final stage at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after losing to France.
They were seconds away from going out of the Euros at the last-16 stage against Slovakia until Jude Bellingham's overhead kick took the game to extra time and Harry Kane’s header sealed victory.
Since then, they have beaten Switzerland on penalties and came from behind to see off the Netherlands to reach the final.
And Southgate believes his players should go into Sunday's final against a strong Spain side better for past experiences.
"I don't have any fear about what might happen [against Spain] because I've been through everything," Southgate added. "I want the players to feel that fearlessness. I want them to be able to be the best version of themselves because whatever happens we're so strong as a group."
More to follow.
