England legend Sir Geoff Hurst believes glory beckons for Gareth Southgate’s young lions
ENGLAND legend Sir Geoff Hurst told Gareth Southgate’s young lions: “Beat Germany and you’ll go on and win it!”
The hero, whose hat-trick conquered our old foe in 1966, lined up with The Sun’s mascot Harry Mane — and also had advice for England’s star striker.
He said: “There’s nothing quite like an England versus Germany game at Wembley and the hairs still stand up on the back of my neck every time it happens.
“It’s a massive, massive game — one of those do-or-die occasions which will produce moments we’ll never forget.
“German teams never give up and we have a hell of a fight on our hands. But this time it’s a fight we can win — and once we clear this obstacle it’ll take a hell of a team to stop us.”
A win tomorrow will send England to Rome for a quarter-final with Sweden or Ukraine. Another victory would tee up a semi-final back at Wembley against either Denmark or Czech Republic.
Sir Geoff, 79, believes glory beckons for our young side — and he is unconcerned at striker Harry Kane’s lack of goals so far. Sir Geoff was a sub for the 1966 group games and did not score.
But he got the only goal against Argentina, laid on another against Portugal before his epic hat-trick in the final against West Germany.
He said: “I got off to a much slower start than Harry Kane in 1966. I didn’t even get a kick in the first three games. But I took my chances in the knockout stages just like I believe Harry will.
“He has the class, power and skill to come alive at the business end of the tournament and I would love to see him score a hat-trick in the final like I did.”
The old foes have not clashed at the Euros since 2000, when England won 1-0.
But the Germans hit back with a 4-1 hiding the last time they met in a major tournament — at the 2010 World Cup. England also famously crashed out on penalties to them twice — at the 1990 World Cup then again at Euro 96.
But if tomorrow’s game ends in a shootout, Sir Geoff is confident they can get revenge. He said: “We hopefully shook off that hoodoo when we beat Colombia on penalties at the last World Cup.
“No England fan likes the prospect of a shoot-out — least of all against the Germans given our track record. But I’m sure England now practise hard at spot-kicks and study video of their opponents before games to make it less of an ordeal. It’s going to be tough and tight.
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“I’m sure England have the grit and talent to win — even if it goes to penalties.”
He also said the 45,000-strong crowd will sound like there’s double there, and called on them to roar like our mascot.
He said: “I love The Sun’s Harry. We had a lion mascot called World Cup Willie in ’66 – and he roared us all the way to the final. Everyone should get behind this lion — and our lions on the pitch.”
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