Football Daily - England beat Germany to retain Euro U21s title

Episode Date: June 28, 2025

On-the-whistle reaction as England retain the U21 Euros, beating Germany after extra time. Correspondent John Murray, Stephen Warnock and Nigel Reo-Coker join Ben Haines. And catch interviews with Lee Carsley, Harvey Elliott and Jonny Rowe.16:40 Trophy lift, 18:50 Lee Carsley INTERVIEW, 25:30 Jonny Rowe INTERVIEW, 30:50 Harvey Elliott INTERVIEW.BBC Sounds / 5 Live women's football commentaries: Sun 1700 England v Jamaica in friendly, Wed 1700 Iceland v Finland on Sports Extra 2, Wed 2000 Switzerland v Norway on 5 Live, Thu 2000 Spain v Portugal on 5 Live.

BBC Sounds music radio podcast. This is the Football Daily podcast with Ben Haynes. I think this will be the last kick of the match, the last kick of the final. Beedle, right footed, there's the whistle. Lee Crosley drops down onto his knees on the side of the pitch. England have retained their title. They've won the under-21 Euros, two in a row. Lee Carsley, well, I've never seen him react like that.

True emotion from him. And the England players out there, what an effort. What an absolute thriller that was. And England, thanks to Jonathan Roe's goal at the start of extra time, have edged in against Germany by three goals to two, and Lee Cosley punches the air, a smile right across his face. Wow, just brilliant from England, I mean, they were poor in the group stages, they struggled, they found the feet, then they've now managed just to find the rhythm at the right time. They've managed to find what they needed as a team, as a unit. Lee Carsley tinkered back and forth, he found the solution.

But this game, they deserve it, they absolutely deserve it. It was tough, they had to dig deep, they had to show maturity, they've grown tonight as a team, that is just magnificent for these players. And also during the course of the final, you know, England players going down with injuries on a regular basis. Alex Scott in the first half, they lost James McAtee and Harvey Elliott, lost Elliott Anderson as well, who are so hobbling out to join in the celebrations, almost on one leg, and now the England players can enjoy their moment here. This is the first time this has been done for 41 years by England, to retain the under 21 euros.

What an achievement that is. Phenomenal achievement, absolutely brilliant, and to a man, they absolutely deserve it. I think when you look at the standout performers tonight, you look at Charlie Cresswell for me. What an absolutely monstrous display at the heart of defense. Petted everything, tackled everything. But it'd be harsh not to mention every single player. They were to aman, absolutely outstanding,

and credit to Lee Carsley and his staff, we have to mention his staff, they've masterminded this, they've got it right, and they've peaked just at the right time. What a final it's been, England with 2-0 up through Elliott and Omari Hutchinson inside the first half-hour, but the Germans came back with that headed goal from Viper just before half-time. Pound-Nable with the goal that made it 2-2. Into extra time we went, the Germans hit the post, they hit the bar, but Jonathan Rose, diving header, he's the match winner, and England are going to get their hands on this trophy again in a few minutes' time.

England, three true winners against Germany after extra time in the final here in Bratislava. Absolutely incredible. England have done it, they win the European Championships and what a special performance tonight out in Bratislava. Quality, passion, commitment and ultimately huge character in extra time. And John, you mentioned earlier on it felt like a classic summer's evening watching England at a summer tournament. Well, we got the whole experience tonight. Yeah, and, you know, I would maintain that probably this squad isn't quite as strong as the squad two years ago

in terms of the quality that it had, certainly in the first team, but this team, this squad, it's got character. It's got so much heart in the squad, so much belief, belief in the manager, belief in the staff, the game plan. He said it'd take time, Lee Carsley, he said there'd be a few bumps along the way. He was certainly right, but they have absolutely performed tonight to the absolute maximum. They pushed this squad as hard as they could and they performed and I couldn't be happier. Honestly, I'm so pleased to be here watching them celebrate. I couldn't be happier for them.

Stephen, we have to talk about the moment that won it, because the finish is wonderful from Jonathan Roe, but the cross from Tyler Morton. Absolutely impeccable. I mean, it's just one of them crosses where it invites you. I spoke about Norton Cuffee as well, when he drove down the right-hand side, and that just deepens the defence of Germany, it allows Jonathan Roe to get that space in behind but the ball in is phenomenal it's absolutely on

the money it couldn't have been hit any better Jonathan Rowe it just had to hit him it that's all it needed but the ball from Tyler Morton wow what a moment for him. And then so much character so then make it through extra time and keep Germany out. Let's bring in Nigel Rio Coco. We mentioned just before the start of extra time, Nigel, huge changes from Lee Carsley. The team and the dynamic were shifted so much, but such a professional display. Fantastic performance. A lot of credit needs to go to Lee Carsley and his coaching staff. What a way to manage throughout a tournament, Ben.

You talk about the changes that he made, he tinkered with his team because this is what tournament football is about. You have to make changes and he did the right changes. And I know that, you know, it's hard in these type of games to just give credit to individual players because when you watch that back then, it was an absolute collective effort by the team. But you've got to give special scouts to Crestwell and Kwanzaa. Just like Stevie Warnock said, those two centre backs, they played every game alongside Harvey Elliott and Scott, I believe in Anderson. Fantastic performances by those players there, but I think the two centre backs definitely deserve a big shout out, especially in a game like that. Well, once you reach that point in the second half of extra time, you're seeing

bodies on the line at that point, aren't you? They're flooding forward the German side and bringing the goalkeeper up and just suddenly that the level of desire that you were seeing from that back four from England, absolutely incredible. Yeah, it was fantastic to see, you know, it's moments like we've seen like this with England and the national teams, whether it's 19s and 20s, that they have to go through these moments and we haven't really been able to show the character that we can handle it. That's against the wall moment, and they showed it today. That was what the big thing was and pleasing thing.

And even when we took our most experienced players out, whether it was injury or fatigue or being tired, Lee Cosley believed in the squad that he's assembled to give these players who don't have as much experience the opportunity to go and get the job done. And they stood up to the plate. So it's fantastic thing. When you look at it, Ben, they beat Spain and Netherlands to get to this point here. So it wasn't an easy run throughout this tournament. They beat the top tier teams to win it. So you'd have to say they thoroughly deserved it. What does that say about Lee Car's leaf that he's prepared to do that at that stage of the game, take off some of his senior leaders. It says that he's fearless. It says that exactly what England have been missing and what the national team need, that same kind of fearless management tactics

and that belief in your players and the squad that you assemble. If you're there, you're there for a reason, for a purpose. And, you know, there was nervous elements of it saying that, you know, you've got your senior players who play week in, week out in the Premier League who have that more experience, how to see games, how to manage games. But Lee Carsey brought these players there for a reason, to play a part. And every player there today played an absolute massive part in that.

Backs against the wall showed everything that you want to see. And for me, I just hope that the progression continues. I hope that some of these players do get the opportunity in the senior side and more than just one game, or really get the opportunity to show what they can do because they've earned that right. Nigel Ryokoka, thanks so much. Let's go back to Bratislava. John Murray, just describe the scenes in front of you for us. Yeah, well there are some very, very tired England players, I can tell you that. Many of them have actually been down on the turf, they're trying to get in position to form a guard of honour for the Germans to come up to receive their runners-up medals, but I think the sheer effort of trying to get to their feet is what they're having to

concentrate on. I noticed Charlie Cresswell sitting on the ground tying up his laces, and Tino Liverimento, the two of them were horsing around together and I noticed that Tino Liverimento in the aftermath of that went down with cramp. So that tells you where they are. But they've just been building the stage and I see Harvey Elliott is being ushered over to a little area where a woman is standing with a placard that says player of the tournament. So I think we can take it that Harvey Elliott has been named as the player of the tournament.

A worthy winner Stephen? Yeah I think so. I think he's performed extremely well, come up with important goals at important times. I think when you think of Vultemar, I think he had an outstanding tournament himself, but when you think of a goal in the final and the performance that he put in, I think he's a worthy winner of that and so often it goes to a player within the winning team as well, but lovely respect between the two teams as well. They were integrating, chatting, sort of high-fiving each other and a lot of respect for each other. But I think for Harvey Elliott to score England's first goal at this tournament

in the win against Czechia and then to score in all of the knockout matches, quarterfinal against Spain, the two goals in the semi-final against Netherlands and to score here the opening goal in the final five goals in the tournament. I think that that probably explains why he is standing behind that young woman with the placard. So he's standing to one side so I guess he's going to have his own moment. And the presentation party, the suits are just stepping forward now. It's a two-tier stage, brown stage. It's rather a plain setting this compared to some of the presentations that we see. There's just that stage there, and they're all now there, the executives on the top tier.

There is a plinth, a blue-white plinth, that has the trophy on it, top tier there is a plinth a blue white plinth that has the trophy on it and then there is a plain blue arch which has UA for under 21 championship and it's got the the images two images of the England flag a circle actually with the white background and the cross of St George and 2025 and the all-important confetti operators are in position as well. There's one behind each side of the the arch so that will be happening. So here is Harvey Elliott now being ushered forward to walk through the avenue of his teammates actually. So before the Germans go for their medals they're standing away to one side. Harvey Elliott comes forward. We've seen him wave to the crowd on many occasions now and actually his teammates through that avenue all gather in on him and slap him on the head as

he's walking up to take his position on the stage and he comes forward now and I see Giorgio Marchetti of UEFA is standing there. He's the man who looks a little bit like Claudio Ranieri who is the man who oversees all of the various UEFA draws and he hands that trophy to Javi Elliott, who holds it above his head. Now, I wouldn't be at all surprised if we hear from him a little later on when I go down to the tunnel and the England players are doing their interviews. So off he goes, warmly applauded from everyone. Just looking at the families to the left-hand side, he almost waved to them, acknowledged the staff down in front of him as well. Yeah, and he's gone back to take his place in the line.

Ben? John, it's really fascinating watching him go through and be sort of lauded and also slapped around by his teammates and you see the whole squad there, it really has been a whole squad job hasn't it this tournament? Yeah well it has and you know typically really Lee Carsey was talking yesterday about the remarkable injury record that this squad had at this tournament he had all 23 players available to him and they've remained injury free The applause now just because the officials are going up to receive their awards. But yes, and then all of the injuries have come at once in the final.

So spoke too soon. They weren't injuries that were picked up as in hamstring injuries. They were all sort of contact injuries, weren't they? So hopefully the players will be... Yeah, little tweaks and knocks. The other thing I would say is they'll know they've been in a game tomorrow when they wake up, but they'll be happy with it. Well, end of the season, they'll also be able to celebrate, Stephen.

Absolutely. And Stephen, you very much enjoyed seeing CJ Egan Reilly into the action at such a crucial moment as well. Yeah, I think just when you speak to Lee Carsley and he was speaking about how much he wanted to get other players onto the pitch, but it just hasn't been possible. He could have brought Hayden Hackney on into that position, but what he knew was that Egan Reilly could drop back into that centre-back position. He'd be able to protect the back four maybe a little bit more with that defensive instinct. So it worked, an absolute treat.

I think something else that we probably need to say is that this, as the Germans are about to step forward and walk up to receive their runners-up medals. Their coach Tony de Salvo steps forward he's got great disappointment written all over his body language and he's gently applauding the England players as he walks between them. The England players standing in two lines and they are clapping their hands as the German squad in these pinky, purpley, blue shirts walk between them and will go to receive their medals. Another success for St George's Park, the effect of St George's Park, which can't be understated, since the advent and

the arrival and development of St George's Park, we have seen success across the board, across all of the various England teams, men's and women's, and they do shout about it at St George's Park as well. You go there and all of the successes are very much in evidence. It is certainly special when you get in St George's Park and you see just how evenly those trophies are given weight, John. When you look at the Lionesses European win, it's alongside what the under-21s have achieved. Very much so, absolutely. And you see, part of this is, and this has long been said, that the FA have felt that they needed to create that success in age groups because you then

breed players who are used to winning tournaments and the hope is that some of these players and those from two years ago will actually help the men's senior team finally get over the line and win a trophy. Yeah I think the coaching has changed from a long time ago there's more hours put into the weeks in academies as well it's not just the England set up it's the way way they tried to implement it, all the clubs as well, and said we need more hours on the training ground from a younger age as well and that has been taken into the England camps as well. I think that has obviously paid dividends

and now we're seeing probably it take it will roughly take about 10 to 15 years to have an effect but we're now starting to see the effect of that. So the German players have all moved along the line and they've all received their medals. Nickultemarda one of the last with his six goals the tournament top scorer actually he has the announcement for England Harvey Elliott standing in the middle of the England players waves his arms and and tells the crowd to make a bit of noise and actually it's Lee Carsley who's ushered forward first. So Lee Carsley, he's been down this road before, two years ago, and he gets another winner's medal

around his neck and immediately actually takes it off and comes across to the side of the pitch. And I think he's going to give it to someone for safekeeping. Yes, he is. How typical Lee Carsley that is. He's got his medal, taken it off and he's immediately stepped away from the players. He didn't want to go over, he was ushered over by away for official and it was almost like no I don't want to do that so

quickly got his medal, rushed back to his staff and now he's in around his staff and he's letting the team take the accolade. That is absolutely him all over. So the players it is who are in the full glare of the floodlights here in the national stadium of Slovakia. About half of them have received their medals now they're gathering underneath that arch. Archie Gray there of Tottenham who was involved in the early stages. Jay Stansfield certainly played his part even if he wasn't able to get his goal. And just two or three now more left to receive their medals. James Beedle, the goalkeeper, towering above Amari Hutchinson who scored England's second goal in this final. And now finally it is the captain James McAtee. Taylor Harwood-Bellis did this two years ago. He's been in frequent contact with James McAtee, the Manchester City connection, and James

McAtee takes the Euro under-21 trophy in his hands and walks across and lifts it high and England have retained their trophy. England, twice in a row, under 21 Euros champions, and the players on the pitch almost disappear from sight. There is so much white and blue confetti out there. Well done, England. A thrilling final, and Lee Carsley can be a very, very proud man of these players. Where have they gone? They've disappeared. Disappeared in a mist of confetti. And now they've started out to move in as well.

Just enjoy this moment because you've got to live in the moment and they've achieved something huge tonight. Going back to back is quite an achievement. Phenomenal, absolutely brilliant. Yes, England are the first team to retain this title twice. So not being done since. 1984 was when it was won and retained by Dave Sexton's England and now Lee Carsley's England Under 21 team

have successfully defended that title, and everyone now who's involved with this Under-21 team has been gathered together for the big photograph and video arch. Welcome to the Toonie and Russo show on BBC Sounds. I am here with two of football's most famous friends, Alessia Russo and Ella Toon. I know where I'd take you for your hen-do. Well, Benidorm. Benidorm, Oh, yeah.

I would like that. It's Keely Hodgkinson. Welcome to the house. How long's like your training sessions? Like, what do you do? Just run around. Do you think we're best friends for life? Oh, my God.

The Tweenie and Russo Show with me, Vic Hunt. Listen on BBC Sounds. The Football Daily Podcast. With Ben Haynes. Let's get some reaction, the England boss Lee Carsley is with John. The man who has led England to retain the title, you talked, didn't you? You said to us that you had spoken to the players about the history that they might be able to create, but tell

us what it's taken to do that. I think obviously Dave Sexton done it in 82 and 84 with that squad. We've noticed that teams that are successful at this level generally go on to do well at senior level and get senior appearances which is ultimately what our plan is. The pathway is so important to a lot of the players from right away from under 15s right the way through to under 21s. St George's Park, we're so proud of that place and the experience that we can give to these players. We've got an amalgamation of the under 21s that were previous champions but the under 19s that also won here as well so that has been very good to us.

Tell us about the challenges that this final threw at you as a coach because there were a lot of twists and turns weren't there? Definitely, I think it's, you know, I think we have to give both teams a lot of credit like that. We've both gone for it. Germany are a good team, unbeaten in seven or eight games. They've already beat us once in this tournament, but I knew it was going to be a different game. You know, we spoke about before the game having that belief that we can come here and win, and win well, to go 2-0 up, and to miss a couple of chances when we could have gone in maybe four or five. It was disappointing to give a goal away just before half time,

so it's probably not been one of our better performances tonight, but I don't think we'll remember that in a couple of days. But I mean losing the players that you did throughout the course of the match and having to adapt and you know the team that you had on the pitch at the end of the match I'm sure you wouldn't necessarily have expected that. No but that's why we spoke about yesterday that how important the whole squad is. There'd have been players on the bench tonight that were raring to go and they've trained so well and they deserve that opportunity. The only negative is that I wasn't able to get Ronnie Edwards on, Tommy and Teddy, the two goalkeepers.

But they've played such an important role. We speak about it as well around Port and the whole squad is because it was definitely a group effort tonight. And you yourself, you did let the emotion and the energy and the whole thing go right at the end didn't you? Definitely yes, and it's more relief for the players, I definitely try and remove myself from these kind of situations, I'm so proud of them, I've got such belief in these players and that they can go on and really push the senior team and I've got a lot of belief in the senior team as well, the experience that we had with them, there's a lot of positivity around the St George's Park and the FA. And Thomas Tuchel made it, didn't he? So tell me about the scene in the dressing room at the end.

So he was waiting for us in the coaches room, so real big congratulations, massive hugs. Obviously he's come back from America so I'm not sure how much sleep he's had. He spoke to the players and he was hugging the players so it's definitely a real togetherness and it's brilliant for the lads because you know it just goes to show that how interested he is and Anthony as well that you know it meant a lot to us. And so that's it, the end of the season. What a season you've had. Yeah it's definitely been, there's been a lot of ups and downs and to finish in this situation, you know, a two-year campaign, to have a six-month break during that two years, to take over the senior team and then

to be back and to win is something that, like we spoke about yesterday, that reflection, I think it definitely needs to reflect what's gone on the last two years. Well done, Lee, very pleased for you. Congratulations. Thank you. Stephen, just tell me a little bit about Lee Carsley tonight, because we saw him in the press conference so full of belief and kind of unwavering in the way that he was going to go about things. It feels like he got it right every step of the way tonight.

Yeah, he did, and he was put under pressure by injuries that were to Alex Scott in the first half. Then Elliot Anderson picked up an injury. There was cramp going around the squad. And you have to adapt. And I think he adapted so, so well to those situations. The substitutions that he made had an impact on the game. And that just shows what he's built up within the squad

over the course of the tournament because let's not forget he wasn't able to work with the squad for long periods last season because of being called up to the first team and going in that interim position so he's done he's done wonders with this squad and you can see the the respect that they've got for him the way that they uh they embrace him after the final whistle. And when they pick up the trophy, yeah, you can tell it's a special bond between the players and manager. His stock is going to rise once again, isn't it?

It will. And now it's a decision that he might have to make. Does he want to go into club football? Or does he feel like this is the right thing for him? Is this the level that he enjoys sort of managing at, at and he feels that it's just perfect for him. Is it the sort of lifestyle balance as well as not having the day to day every single day but where he can go to games, he can assess players, he can have that relationship with the players and then he can work hard for sort of short burst during a season and then obviously go to tournament football at the end so only Lee will know that but he certainly suited to it isn't he? Oh yes he said recently when he signed his contract extension I've got the euros in the next

campaign but my future is definitely the FA and it does feel like with the way that he goes about things it's sort of hand in glove, isn't it? He seems to take it all in his stride. And even the other day in the press conference when he was talking about the ways in which he wanted to grow as a coach, how he said, you know what, this is a learning opportunity for me as well. I want to look at the way that I deal with post-match,

with the way that I deal with analyzing teams because sometimes I'm too quick to prep for the next one. There's a self-awareness there. Yeah, if you stand still, you don't progress, you don't become a better coach and I think he realizes that and he's about putting pressure on himself, about challenging himself and getting better and there is a challenge every time this squad comes together because it has a lifespan and an age span and they have to move on and then there's a new breed of players that come in, a new group and then he has to develop them as

well so what we saw from the squad that won it last time out it was probably a different dynamic to what we're seeing in this squad now and he's adapted, he's learned and he's grown this squad and he's gone on to retain the title which is just absolutely brilliant. Let's head down to John now. And I'm pleased to say that Jonathan Roll, England's match winner, has come across to have a word with us. What a night that was for you all. Yeah man, big up the team, you know, that's the first thing I've got to say. I think everyone saw that back home in the stands I think everyone saw our hard work and it wasn't easy, you know, we were 2-2

In Venice, it didn't look easy. Yeah, it wasn't. It wasn't trust me by the end of it I didn't play the whole game, but by the end of it I was out of breath and I can only imagine the defenders to pick the goalkeeper beads fullbacks Everyone that played 120 minutes. Yeah, give us an idea of the effort that that takes. Wow, now honestly on a serious note, big up the team, I'm so proud of everyone, you know, it's not been easy throughout the whole tournament, you know, we lost to them in the group stages. It worked out in our favour.

We wanted to get our get back. And tonight, what better way to get our get back than doing it like that? So I'm proud of the boys, I'm proud of the staff, I'm proud of the manager. I'm proud of everyone involved. And yeah, man, back to back. Yeah, back to back. it's quite the goal as well wasn't it? Diving header and the ball in from Tyler Morton. Yeah Tyler we had a bit of a joke about it after the game. Tyler the whole

tournament he was complaining about how we don't have a big nine in the box so he was never crossing it and for some reason he just felt the urge to just cross it in and somehow I managed to be in the right time in the right place you know and yeah I just made sure I finished with the chance and voila. And you know for all of you I think Thomas Tuchel's been in the dressing room as well hasn't he with you? Yeah no it was it was great that he was here tonight. It's a big privilege to obviously have someone like him watch us play in such a big game like this, you know. What did he say to you?

He asked me if it came off the head or the shoulder. Yeah, but no, no, I'm proud of the team. I'm proud that he was here to watch and I'm grateful for everything, man. Honestly, it's been a long journey and to finish it off in that manner, it's top. Well done, Jonathan. Great feeling. Thank you very much. If we're just looking at that group out there tonight that have had these experiences, A, what will that do for them just in terms of their professional career? But B, how many of them are we potentially looking at in the senior England fold at the next major tournaments, for example?

Well, it depends how they take it on board. It depends how they progress now and continue to develop at their football clubs. It's this is you almost have to park this a little bit. Enjoy it. Why it's there now and take belief from it and a lot of encouragement from it. But it's how you progress at your own football club then and you look at Elliot Anderson and I talk about him just purely from a point of view of a fantastic season last season at Nottingham Forest. What's Nottingham Forest season going to look like next year? Is it going to be the same for them? Are they going to be fighting at the right end of the table? They're going into Europe. It's going to be completely different sort of Different challenge for him But if he can maintain that form that he showed last season and that's what you've got to do

You've got to step up again You've got to be consistent over a long period of time to go on and represent England in the in the in the first team And then go to tournaments. So there's the gauntlet laid down for him now. That's the challenge for him. Can you replicate what we saw from you last year and go and perform at the highest level next year to get yourself on that plane to America? And there has been that added challenge as well

for Lee Carsley and for a number of his players. A lot of them have futures in the balance. A lot of them potentially are about to make decisions that could affect the rest of their life. I mean, you look at someone like James McAteese saying the other day, I mean, we heard from him on commentary just before the game, him just talking a little bit about the way that he captained and being a man a few words. One answer that he was very very clear on he said I absolutely do not regret my decision at all to come with Lee Carsey's young lions well I think the reason being is is that he probably wouldn't have played at the club world cup and that's the harsh reality of it but he knew

game time here would be there for him and he knew that there was an opportunity to put himself in the shop window and to showcase what his capabilities are. Now, a lot of people do already know that, but you've got to put yourself under pressure to perform. I think he wanted also to be the captain who lifted that title back to back, and he's been able to do that. I think the other one that you look at is incredibly, it's Gerald Kwanzaa that's taught tonight that he will be going for a medical tomorrow at Bayer Leverkusen. So that has been in the back of his mind throughout this competition. But Lee Carlsley spoke about it the other day. What he did say was, we're there as a support network for them because if we want them to perform at the highest level, we can't have them worried about what's going on and

us not being there for the players. So yeah, he's managed that situation extremely well. And it's not just those two players. There's other players within the squad that potentially will move on this summer. Let's get a little bit more reaction from the tunnel. John Murray is with Harvey Elliott. Yes, I've got the man who has got the player of the tournament trophy. Harvey Elliott, five goals in the tournament, scored in the final, got the ball rolling. But what a night.

Oh, incredible. It was hard to put into words, I think, how the game went. It was the perfect start to probably the worst ending with them making it 2-2 and it going to extra time. But I think the way the lads fought throughout the whole game when you know, we had our backs against the wall We came back out, you know, we we dug in deep I think everyone just lifted their chests out and you know fought again and again and again and you know to win the game I Mean, yes, it's incredible and you know, just let the celebrations begin now What would you say this squad has because Because you were part of it two years ago and you're a part of this, one of only two of you.

I think it's the same as what the last squad had, you know, the fight, the determination, the grit, you know, the desire, teamwork. I mean, you know, the work ethic as well. I think the list can go on and on and on. This team has just been incredible throughout the whole tournament. You know, we didn't really get off to the best of starts as I said before but I think the way the lads turned up when we needed to in the performance, the round of 16 and then the semi-final and then

now, you know, competent to us. It's just incredible and we're just thankful for everyone involved. incredible and we're just thankful for everyone involved. And the man who leads it, Lee Carsley, to win two of these is quite an achievement isn't it? I mean it shows the quality that Lee and his team have. They worked so hard throughout the tournament for the two years of the qualifying campaign and just endless work and preparing for this tournament to hopefully win it. And us as players, we get to see that, you know, every single day, even when we've had days off, they're still working, they're all on the computers.

You know, even the backroom staff as well who won't get as much applaud as Lee and the team will. But their work ethic, the way they've helped us out, the way they've gave us the best care, it's a collective, it's just not the players, it's just not the management, it's everyone who's here, everyone who's involved. This is for them and I think we need to celebrate together because we've got here and we've achieved big things again.

Whatever this summer holds for you, who knows? You've got a really special memory here, haven't you? Yeah, I mean, it's time to celebrate now. Go on holiday, you know, and get myself ready for the new season, whatever it's gonna be. Yeah, I just need to make sure that I'm in the best possible position and, you know, in the best figure

and, you know, hopefully next season hit the ground running again. I'll let you go and come. Celebrate it. Thank you, Holly. Yeah, well done. Cheers. As we see things sort of start to settle over the next few weeks, I think we'll become more and more aware of just how many players there were there that could have easily let their mind slip onto so many other things. Just finally, Stephen, what's your hunch on Lee Carsley? Do you think that he goes again and grabs another group of players

and leads them into the next Euros? I think initially he will. I think it'll depend also on what Thomas Tuchel does and where he is because I think the work that he did in the England first team when he went there, the way that England played, albeit they had a bad result against Greece I think it was, but I thought on the whole they played exceptionally well. I think it was a style of football that suited the players and we just don't know what's going to happen with this manager. We know he likes club football. We know he's spoken about he can upset people. He can get bored. He can move on quickly if he doesn't think the project is right for him. Could that happen now? Could it be Lee Carsey who steps in again and then suddenly becomes the England manager? quickly if he doesn't think the project is right for him. Could that happen now?

Could it be Lee Carsley who steps in again and then suddenly becomes the England manager? We just don't know. And football's an incredible game, which throws up opportunities as and when you don't expect them. But I think he enjoys this side of the game. I think he enjoys his life at home with his family. I think he enjoys dipping his toe in as and when he needs to

with the England under-21s and the FA, but who knows? But his stock is certainly right up there. For now though, we'll let Lee Carsley enjoy. What a special achievement. They win the European Championships again. His young Lions retain the title, and that is where we'll leave it for this episode of the Football

Daily. Also out now on the Football Daily feed, you can catch Maisie Adams' Euro fan diary ahead of UEFA Women's Euro 2025. We'll see you next time. This is the football story of the century. It's pandemonium, it's ecstasy. It's an authoritarian regime. For the past 15 years English football has been dominated by Manchester City. Eight Premier League titles, six league cups, three FA Cups, one Champions League and more than a hundred charges. Somebody turned up at the Etihad stadium and effectively served papers. I'm Clive Myrie and this is football on trial. The Manchester City charges.

They believe they've got irrefutable evidence. Listen on BBC Sounds.