Sports
2024.07.14 17:24 GMT+8

Kane would swap career of personal glory to win Euros with England

Updated 2024.07.14 17:24 GMT+8
Sports Scene

Harry Kane of England reacts during his team's training session ahead of the UEFA Euro 2024 final between Spain and England at Spa & Golf Resort Weimarer Land in Blankenhain, Germany, July 13, 2024. /CFP

Harry Kane said leading England to win Euro 2024 on Sunday would be the "most incredible feeling" a footballer can have as he aims to end his own long wait to win a trophy.

The England captain has scored more than 400 goals for his clubs and country in a decorated career without claiming any collective silverware.

All of that could change in Berlin on Sunday should Kane lead England to a first major tournament win in 58 years to become European champions for the first time.

"It's no secret that I haven't won a team trophy. Every year that goes by, you're more motivated and you're more determined to change that," Kane said at a pre-match press conference on Saturday.

"Tomorrow night I have the opportunity to win one of the biggest trophies you could ever win and to make history with my nation," he added. "I'd swap everything in my career to have a special night and a win tomorrow evening."

Kane was on the losing side three years ago as England missed out on the Euros title after falling to Italy on spot kicks at Wembley.

Now with his team in their first-ever final on foreign soil, the Bayern Munich striker said England would be fueled by the pain of that defeat at the pandemic-delayed Euro 2020.

"It would be, obviously, the most incredible feeling as a professional footballer you can get and I'm sure also for the fans, to have that moment in history and to be able to celebrate, that would be something very special," said Kane.

"We've been here before and it was a tough finish in the last Euro. So there's that extra hunger and fire in the belly to make sure this one goes our way."

The two finalists have arrived in Berlin in contrasting fashion.

Spain have looked a class apart in Germany, eliminating the hosts and France, as well as beating Italy and Croatia to become the first side to win all of their first six games at a Euros.

England, on the other hand, have had to battle back in all three of the knockout rounds against Slovakia, Switzerland and the Netherlands without ever delivering on the full potential of a richly-talented squad.

Kane, though, said England's resilience to win, thanks to late goals and a penalty shootout against the Swiss in the quarterfinals, had fostered greater belief their time has come.

"You have to have a belief you can win it, otherwise there's no point in being in the tournament, but I think that belief has grown as we've gone through the tournament," he added.

"What we've been through with the late goals and the penalty shootout and all that stuff builds resilience and builds belief."

Source(s): AFP
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