In a funny sort of way, losing to Germany during the group stages was the best thing that happened to England at this tournament.
Lee Carsley and his staff didn’t see it that way after being unceremoniously turned over by Germany’s second string over in Nitra. They still disagree now.
There were raised voices heard outside the dressing room that night. At half-time a hairdryer was delivered and players returned for the second half much improved. They won that half 1-0 and analysts left with a pep in their step.
As players filtered onto the team bus they did so armed with the knowledge that they were falling below Carsley’s standards in that first half and any hope of success hinged on an almost-immediate improvement.
One senior FA source jotted down that night that England would beat Germany if they got a second crack at them. Tonight in Bratislava, they have the opportunity they wanted.
‘I knew the second half against Germany we clicked,’ Carsley said.
Lee Carsley pictured speaking on the eve of Saturday’s European Under-21 Championship final
Germany beat Carsley’s Young Lions side 2-1 in the group stage earlier in the tournament
‘The resilience they showed, the character they showed, the way they responded there was definitely an improvement.
‘I spoke to them at half-time that when things are 50/50, you make sure you keep moving forward or worst case scenario you stand still. You don’t go backwards and that’s what they did, they moved forward, and those are the type of players we need if are to win at senior level.’
There have been tweaks that have paid off handsomely; adaptability has been one of Carsley’s biggest strengths in Slovakia.
Jack Hinshelwood, who is a very popular member of the dressing room and a player who sources say team-mates were eager to see play, didn’t start the first two games but is now a shoo-in for the final.
Jay Stansfield is another. He won his first start in the quarter-final against Spain and has never released his grip on the shirt since. Those around the camp praise his contagious energy on the pitch and Carsley’s man-management of the League One title winner hasn’t gone unnoticed either.
Much of the build up to this title defence centred around those regular starters that Carsley would be without.
No Liam Delap, who has kept in touch with captain James McAtee with ‘messages every day,’ Rico Lewis, Jamie Gittens or Jobe Bellingham, all away at the Club World Cup. No Jarrad Branthwaite, Taylor Harwood-Bellis or Adam Wharton, all injured, either.
Carsley warned that things would look ‘clunky’ and ‘unorganised’ early on as a result. He wasn’t wrong, even if it wasn’t immediately apparent in the 3-1 opening group win over Czech Republic.
But now he has a group that believe, rather than hope, of getting over the line.
Carsley was not happy with his team during that defeat but they have responded excellently
No 19 Harvey Elliott scored two goals as England beat the Netherlands 2-1 in the semi-finals
‘I’ve got a lot of belief in them,’ Carsley added.
‘They’re an exciting team. They’re really together and they’ve grown as the tournament’s gone on. Hopefully they get what they deserve.’
England manager Thomas Tuchel is making a transatlantic dash and is expected to be in attendance after jetting in from the Club World Cup, while Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann has cut short his yacht retreat in Mallorca to head for Bratislava.
Around 150 friends and family are also making the trip, eager to spur on a group looking to replicate the achievement of Dave Sexton and England’s youngsters who won this tournament back to back in 1982 and 1984.
There is more finesse to this group now, a bite and a physicality that was glaringly absent in that defeat to Germany and tonight’s opponents know that the England of 10 days ago is not the England they will see now.
‘The group stage match will have no bearing on the final as far as I’m concerned,’ Germany coach Antonio Di Salvo said.
‘Several games have been played since then. A final is a final and every team that reaches a final plays to win it. England have improved and they were very dominant against Spain. It will be an even game.
‘Lee Carsley said after the group game that they would see us in the final. That is indeed what’s happened and I am looking forward to the final.’
England wanted a second crack at this 20-game unbeaten Germany team, vowed to meet again in the final, and tonight they’ve got it. History beckons. Silverware beckons.
