I know that was then, but it could be again.
Picture credit: TSN
And so, on to Berlin.
Spain stands on the precipice of another era of dominance. The days of tiki-taka, Xavi and Iniesta have passed but their legacy remains intact.
The passing and movement that is synonymous with the Spanish football remains. But this team have now added two young wingers in Nico Williams and Yamine Lamal that have ripped up Euro 2024.
I’m not sure what you were doing when you were 16. I was hanging out at Wood Green snooker club and trying to order a warm pint of Strongbow.
Yamal, on the other hand, was attending La Masia, playing for Barcelona and starring in an international tournament. It is quite the achievement.
Then, there is Rodri, who has been instrumental for Luis de la Fuente’s team.
The best midfielder in Europe was unbeaten in 73 domestic matches before losing the FA Cup final with Manchester City.
His form has continued for Spain at Euro 2024, scoring against Georgia in the last 16 whilst producing superb performances against Croatia, Italy, Germany and France on route to the final.
To cement their status as favourites, Spanish teams have won 26 out of 26 finals across the World Cup, European championships, Champions League and Europa League since 2001.
They’re as close to invincible as it gets.
But if there’s anything we have learned from this England team in the last four weeks is that nothing is inevitable.
They have had an easier route to Berlin but one filled with drama.
England haven’t managed to put together a solid performance over 90 minutes like the Spanish, but Gareth Southgate has showed an ability to make full use of his 26-man squad.
They had to call upon Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka to provide moments of magic when elimination looked more likely.
When that wasn’t possible, Cole Palmer and Ollie Watkins amongst others made the difference, and dramatically dragged their country across the line.
Despite suffering personally from the criticisms, this is a team that is united, resolute and refuses to be beaten.
But more than that, Southgate has said this is a team “that wants to be loved,” in the aftermath of England’s Semi-final win against the Netherlands.
“When you’re doing something for your country and you’re a proud Englishman, you don’t feel that back and all your read is criticism, it’s hard.”
“So, to be able to celebrate a second final is very special. Especially with the fans that travel, our travelling supporters are amazing.”
“If I wasn’t on the grass, I would have been drinking a beer and celebrating like they were. We are kindred spirits in many ways”.
It was an emotional rallying cry for unity ahead of England’s first final on foreign soil.
The other two were played at Wembley. The first, 1966. The second, a painful penalty shoot-out defeat to Italy three years ago at Euro 2020.
But that was then.
On Sunday, the nation will be with Gareth Southgate. The pubs and box parks will be full but the chances of winning a second major title may be more hopeful than realistic.
However, there hasn’t been an English manager that has avenged failures or re-written history like this one.
Sometimes, in football the stars align and provide the unlikeliest of stories.
It makes you hope that England have more than just a puncher’s chance against Spain. It makes you believe that it could be again.
