Ollie Watkins' story deserves attention.
England, led by head coach Gareth Southgate, won 2-1 in the Euro 2024 semifinals against the Netherlands at Zignal Iduna Park in Dortmund, Germany on the 11th (Korea time). The final match of this Euro tournament was made by a showdown between England and Spain.
England were dragged seven minutes into the game when they lost a point to Xavi Simmons. Harry Kane balanced the game by scoring a penalty kick in the 18th minute of the first half, but the game seemed to be heading into extra time.
England were bound to be at a disadvantage if they went to extra time. The Netherlands was physically superior to England as they finished without extra time in both the round of 16 and the quarterfinals. England were playing 120 minutes straight as soon as they entered the tournament. Even if it won against the Netherlands, the players would have exhausted their physical strength in the final.
At this time, Southgate threw a game-winning move. In the 36th minute of the second half, he put Watkins and Cole Palmer out of the key strikers Harry Kane and Phil Foden. The decision to leave Kane out and put Watkins in was very unconventional. Watkins played only 20 minutes in this tournament, so his sense of play was not complete.
But Watkins didn't miss the opportunity that came his way. At the end of regular time, Palmer put Watkins a space pass. Watkins shook the net of the Netherlands with a perfect turning shot after a light first touch. Watkins's score led to England's Euro tournament 'Back to Back'.
Watkins started his professional career exactly 10 years ago. At the time, Watkins was a player for Exeter City, a second division of the English league (fourth division). After a good performance at Exeter, he moved to Brentford in the 2017-2018 season. It was when Brentford were in the English Championship (minor league).
Watkins, who bombed the championship at Brentford, was only able to enter the English Premier League (EPL) in the 2020-2021 season when he moved to Aston Villa. Watkins, who continued to improve beyond proving his ability in the EPL, was only selected for the national team in May 2021.
Watkins continued to improve and showed the highest level of competitiveness in the EPL with his best performance of 19 league goals and 13 assists in the 2023-2024 season. After the start of the Euros, Southgate's stubborn use of Watkins would have caused complaints for the player as well, but Watkins led England to the Euros final by scoring his name to the world.
Watkins, like Kane, has been a spectator throughout his career. Can the first trophy of his life be the first Euro championship in England's history. Only a showdown with Spain remains.
rlaeotlr2024@sportschosun.com
