Euro 2024 build-up: England prepare for Sunday's final & Watkins news conference – BBC
12/07/2024
BBC Radio 5 Live
This video can not be played
Ollie Watkins news conference as England prepare for Euro 2024 final
Watkins 'not shocked' by his semi-final winner
Watkins: 'Trying to soak in all these moments'
Spain v England in Berlin on Sunday (20:00 BST)
England have to be 'perfect' to beat Spain – Southgate
Get Involved: #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
This video can not be played
England on the verge of history – Gary Lineker
Ben Collins, Tasnim Chowdhury, Martin Dougan and Craig Nelson
Some inspiring messages from Ollie Watkins there. Could he have a say again this Sunday?
That's it for us for now, but fear not, we'll be back throughout the weekend – starting with a bonus build-up page on Saturday morning – as we build up to one of the biggest matches in English football history. No big deal, right?!
For now, scroll back through our summary points to see what's been said today and to recap Watkins' news conference.
Until the next time…
This video can not be played
Euro 2024: Watkins I wasn't shocked by semi-final goal
Spain v England (Sun, 20:00 BST)
England
England striker Ollie Watkins on who he believes is Spain's key player: "I would say Rodri, from experience and what he's won at Manchester City, he's crucial because of the way he dictates the game.
"Everyone knows his talent, he's a world-class player. He is crucial for their build up.
"But I'm just focusing on myself, I'm not aware of what the Spanish press, players or manager have said, we've not taken anything like that into consideration."
Spain v England (Sun, 20:00 BST)England
England striker Ollie Watkins on having belief: "I've got that fire in my belly, I'm ready when called upon. Hopefully, I get the call to come on the pitch again and hopefully I can produce."
Spain v England (Sun, 20:00 BST)England
England striker Ollie Watkins on Gareth Southgate and Unai Emery: "Gareth is laidback and makes you feel at ease, there's a togetherness with the squad he's built. Unai is very demanding and the meetings are a bit longer [he laughs]. Both amazing managers, with different approaches."
Spain v England (Sun, 20:00 BST)England
Ollie Watkins on his goal against the Netherlands and where he thinks it ranks in iconic England goals, such as David Beckham's against Greece in qualifying for the 2002 World Cup: "Obviously Beckham's technique – it must be harder [to score a free-kick like that]. But my goal is special, I'm not taking anything away from myself. They are all iconic goals and very important for our country."
On the emotions after his winning goal: "It's been an unbelievable feeling. One that I was taken aback. But I wasn't in shock that I've done that [scored the goal] really. I have full belief in myself, I manifested it. I worked hard to get there but I'm not shocked."
This video can not be played
Watkins score late goal for England
Spain v England (Sun, 20:00 BST)England
More from Ollie Watkins on the England strikers: "I feel like the three strikers – me, 'H' [Harry Kane] and Ivan [Toney] – we have different attributes, it gives the manager a headache but it's good to have those options and being able to choose from them."
Spain v England (Sun, 20:00 BST)England
England striker Ollie Watkins on the messages he has had from home and whether Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has been in touch: "No, I don't have the boss' number to be honest. I've had a few text messages. I was [enjoying] looking through them after the other night."
On England's progress in the tournament: "In the earlier stages we weren't playing our best football, everyone knew, but the main thing was we weren't losing games. As the tournament is going further on we're getting better.
"Everyone is there as a team to work hard and pull together."
Spain v England (Sun, 20:00 BST)England
Ollie Watkins on the impact made by England midfielder Kobbie Mainoo: "I feel like Kobbie is a young player but doesn't act his age on the pitch. He's confident and demands the ball. You would never think he's the age he is [19]. He's got a very bright future ahead of him."
Spain v England (Sun, 20:00 BST)England
Ollie Watkins on how England's substitutes are ready to play their part: "I think Kieran Trippier did a good speech, we presented him with 50 caps and a board saying congratulations. He said that he learned from the last Euros that, as much as it may seem you're not involved [if you're on the bench], everyone has to be ready because you have a part to play.
"Us lads that have come off the bench have played our part."
Spain v England (Sun, 20:00 BST)England
More from England striker Ollie Watkins on speaking to team-mates who played in the last Euros final: "To be fair, I've not had the conversation with many of them. When you play the game and it means so much, you take the experience from that so you don't make the same mistakes.
"The last Euros is firmly on the lads' minds and we will work hard on Sunday."
Spain v England (Sun, 20:00 BST)England
England striker Ollie Watkins on the fans and crowds at Euro 2024: "Massive, when you're playing you don't maybe take it into consideration. When I've been on the bench, I've witnessed the fans, hearing them sing. There were more Netherlands supporters than ours but you couldn't tell because of the support. It has an impact on the players. They've been supporting us so well so far."
Spain v England (Sun, 20:00 BST)England
On how he would mark winning the Euro 2024 final, Ollie Watkins said: "See, I don't have tattoos but I'd join in on that one. We like the BBC series Traitors and have been playing the game it is based on, Wolf.
"I'll persuade Andy [Walker, England's communication manager] to get a Wolf tattoo with me [if we win]."
Spain v England (Sun, 20:00 BST)England
England striker Ollie Watkins on what he focuses on: "I take things day by day, I don't look too far forward or back. Anything's possible with hard work. I'm not technically the best here, but my dedication is up there with everyone else in the squad. If you put your mind to it, you can achieve anything."
Spain v England (Sun, 20:00 BST)England
On watching his goal back against the Netherlands, Ollie Watkins said: "I think I watched it quite a few times, when I got back to camp. I always watch my goals back, that one, I watched quite a few more times than normal. I was manifesting it, a lot has led up to it.
"A good friend said he felt like I would score in the Euros final, I did it a match before, but you never know, I might be saving another one for the final.
"Little things have happened prior to the game. I just feel like whatever you put into the universe, you get it back."
Spain v England (Sun, 20:00 BST)England
England striker Ollie Watkins on Spain and their football: "To be honest, I've been in a bubble, concentrating on ourselves, taking it day by day, training. I'm not aware of what the coach or Spanish players have said. I'm just preparing for Sunday."
Spain v England (Sun, 20:00 BST)England
England striker Ollie Watkins on Sunday's final against Spain: "I feel like we are very strong, Spain have had some tough games and had to come through a harder journey than us. The so-called bigger teams. I see what the boss is saying, I think they've been the best team in the tournament so far."
On the biggest weapons both teams will have: "Obviously the wingers for Spain, they are very dynamic, young and full of confidence. Across our team, we have goals from everywhere, it's going to be an exciting match to watch and be a part of. Hopefully we can get the job done."
Spain v England (Sun, 20:00 BST)England
England striker Ollie Watkins, asked about Spain teenager Lamine Yamal, on what he was doing when he turned 17: "I was definitely not preparing for a final. He's a generational talent, it's not always you're scoring against France at 16. He's got the world ahead of him. He's miles ahead to what I was at 17.
"With social media and hype, being at Barcelona and Spain, there's so much hype around him. You need people around you to keep you grounded and focused."
Spain v England (Sun, 20:00 BST)England
On still having a chance to finish as the competition's top scorer, going into Sunday's final two goals behind team-mate Harry Kane and Spain's Dani Olmo, England striker Ollie Watkins said: "As an attacking player you want to score as many goals as possible, but everyone is focusing on the collective award.
"We have to respect Spain because they're a good side. It'll be a difficult game, but all eyes on Sunday."
Spain v England (Sun, 20:00 BST)England
England striker Ollie Watkins on the King's message to the team – to try to win without any more stressful late dramas: "As much as it makes it more exciting, I feel like personally we don't care how we win or score, as long as the ball goes in the back of the net."
Spain v England (Sun, 20:00 BST)England
Ollie Watkins on the first England match he can remember watching: "I cant remember the first game but I can remember one, when I was in the pub with my best mate. I was watching an England game in a goalkeeper shirt, being a fan and just enjoying the moments. Now it's crazy to think I'm here. I've played a big part to get to the final. It's surreal really!"
To watch and listen, you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.
12/07/2024. BBC Radio 5 Live. Audio
© 2024 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.
