Sunday 11th July 2021
Tom Cruise calls before the European Championship finals
Queen encourages English team
For many Englishmen it is the first time in their lives that their team is in a grand final. Not only does Prime Minister Boris Johnson see it this way: The boys from coach Southgate also get encouragement from the Queen. And Hollywood star Tom Cruise, the Mission Impossible specialist.
Before the European Championship final against Italy, the English national soccer team received a lot of encouragement: Queen Elizabeth II wished the team good luck in a personal message and Hollywood star Tom Cruise also contacted the players. 55 years ago she presented England’s captain Bobby Moore with the World Cup trophy, the Queen wrote in a telegram. At that time she saw “what it meant to the players, officials and coaches to win a major international soccer tournament”. “I would like to congratulate you all and those of my family on reaching the final of the European Championship and send my best wishes for tomorrow,” wrote the Queen. “Hoping the story will capture not only your success, but the spirit, dedication, and pride with which you behaved.”
England face Italy in the final on Sunday night at London’s Wembley Stadium. The Queen congratulated the team on reaching the final and wishes the players good luck. According to England captain Harry Kane, the players also received a video call from US actor Cruise, who was watching the women’s final of the tennis tournament at Wimbledon on Saturday. Cruise got in touch to “wish the team the best,” said Kane. “That was nice of him.”
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson also encouraged the players. The team has already made history by reaching the final, he wrote in an open letter to coach Gareth Southgate and his protégés. “For most of the people in this country, this is the first time in their life that this has happened.”
For 55 years without winning the title
England have not won a title since the 1966 World Cup final against Germany. In 1996 the Queen presented the victorious German players with the trophy after their European Championship triumph at Wembley. The monarch is not expected in the stadium on Sunday. But her grandson Prince William will be present as President of the FA Football Association.
65,000 spectators are expected at Wembley Stadium for the European Championship final, more than at a sports event since the beginning of the pandemic last year. In view of the tense corona situation in the country due to the spread of the delta variant, many experts see this as critical.
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