We may not have played the best football, but we still managed to finish top of the pile in Group D despite many people saying we would not finish above France. It also means avoiding Spain in the quarters, but that doesn't mean it gets any easier as Italy cannot be underestimated...more on that later!
Before the tournament some fans and media were criticising the appointment of Hodgson and being very negative about our chances, implying second place would be our best hope. Yet we have gone and won the group! So can we defy the odds further and get all the way to the final!? On paper the answer would have to be no, but football isn't played on paper...so I for one will keep on believing!
With all the negativity surrounding England's chances, it was a pleasant surprise to see England have a real go at France in the opening group game. There were still one or two worrying signs at the back, but on the whole we played well. Roy Hodgson took a gamble by starting Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. As an Arsenal fan I was delighted to see him get a chance and it was also a bold statement from Hodgson that he is willing to take chances.
I was sat in the hotel bar in Greece watching the game and the jubliant fans leapt up as Lescott headed us in front....just at the point I had gone to the bar to get a round in! We continued to play better than expected but were hit back by Samir Nasri's equaliser. It was a nervy end to the game but we defied expectations to take a point off the group favourites.
The second game against Sweden was topsy turvy. Andy Carroll put us ahead, but when Sweden turned it around to lead 2-1 many people were no doubt thinking 'same old England'. But we refused to give up and Theo Walcott's great strike gave us renewed hope before Danny Welbeck's excellent finish meant all three points were going to England.
Going into the final game against co-hosts Ukraine, we were still expected to finish runners-up to France. It looked like it may be going that way, or we could even be going out, as Ukraine started on the front foot. Ukraine looked far more dangerous than us, but luckily they seemed unable to finish their chances so we somehow stayed in the game.
Far too much pressure had been piled on Wayne Rooney before the game so it was no surprise to see him miss a sitter of a header. But Rooney made amends with a simple finish from Steven Gerrard's deflected cross. Shortly afterwards, Sweden took the lead against France, and suddenly the chance of finishing as group winners looked like a possibility.
John Terry, who had an excellent game, denied the hosts an equaliser, although the goal-line technology debate once again raised it's ugly head as many felt it had crossed the line. I think it actually did, but England fans won't complain.
We didn't play great for the rest of the game and never really hit top gear but a 1-0 win, coupled with a 2-0 defeat for France (which included a contender for goal of the tournament from Zlatan Ibrahimovic) meant we defied expectations to finish as group winners. So Hodgson has already done more than some were expecting...but I bet he still gets unfairly criticised, probably even before the Italy game. I think we need to get behind the boys as they'll need all the support they can get behind them to help give them as much chance as possible of winning the quarter final clash.
Many people were pleased to see us avoid a quarter final with Spain despite the fact they have yet to hit top gear in this tournament and haven't been at their best. Italy could prove an easier opponent, but I fear people are underestimating them. Italy's off the field problems were highlighted before the tournaments and few gave them hope, but they have looked dangerous at times and we certainly can't take them lightly.
It is all set to be a great tie. We shouldn't underestimate Italy and we definitely have to improve our own game to give ourselves a chance. But we also shouldn't play with fear. We should have belief that we can actually pull a result out the bag and reach the last four. It is not impossible for us and I hope all England fans will join me and keep believing this could be our year...you never know!
COME ON ENGLAND!
