one for harry if i can. you have. one for harry if i can. you said earlier _ have. one for harry if i can. you said earlier in _ have. one for harry if i can. you said earlier in the _ have. one for harry if i can. you said earlier in the tournament i have. one for harry if i can. you i said earlier in the tournament that you were trying to sort of peak in the latter stages, sort of contrast and that he russia. can i ask how you have actually gone about that? can b daunting different lay behind the scenes to try and peek in those latter stages? i the scenes to try and peek in those latter stages?— latter stages? i mean obviously don't aet latter stages? i mean obviously don't get me — latter stages? i mean obviously don't get me wrong _ latter stages? i mean obviously don't get me wrong i _ latter stages? i mean obviously don't get me wrong i would - latter stages? i mean obviously| don't get me wrong i would love latter stages? i mean obviously i don't get me wrong i would love to have scored three or four goals in the group — have scored three or four goals in the group stay to a fantastic start and being — the group stay to a fantastic start and being going on from there. but more _ and being going on from there. but more about— and being going on from there. but more about the energy. i felt like in the _ more about the energy. i felt like in the world cup obviously it was such_ in the world cup obviously it was such an — in the world cup obviously it was such an amazing start, starting and scoring _ such an amazing start, starting and scoring last — such an amazing start, starting and scoring last money and a lot of energy— scoring last money and a lot of energy after that game was used in terms _ energy after that game was used in terms of— energy after that game was used in terms of the emotion and everything like that _ terms of the emotion and everything like that. and then pan about was the same — like that. and then pan about was the same as we got off to an amazing game _ the same as we got off to an amazing game and _ the same as we got off to an amazing game and i_ the same as we got off to an amazing game and i scored a hat trick. and i think— game and i scored a hat trick. and i think there — game and i scored a hat trick. and i think there is — game and i scored a hat trick. and i think there is a lot of talk and a lot of— think there is a lot of talk and a lot of mental energy. so columbia was the _ lot of mental energy. so columbia was the same and notjust physically

but i felt _ was the same and notjust physically but i felt like mentally maybe just lost a _ but i felt like mentally maybe just lost a little bit towards latter stages — lost a little bit towards latter stages so going into this one with a bit more _ stages so going into this one with a bit more experience, it isjust about— bit more experience, it isjust about hot— bit more experience, it isjust about not getting too carried away with i_ about not getting too carried away with i score or don't score and i was _ with i score or don't score and i was like — with i score or don't score and i was like we _ with i score or don't score and i was like we were winning games which is the _ was like we were winning games which is the most _ was like we were winning games which is the most important thing. sojust about— is the most important thing. sojust about staying in the moment and not getting _ about staying in the moment and not getting carried away and just knowing that as a player and as a team, _ knowing that as a player and as a team, we — knowing that as a player and as a team, we are on the right track and thankfully— team, we are on the right track and thankfully it — team, we are on the right track and thankfully it has worked out pretty well. thankfully it has worked out pretty well but — thankfully it has worked out pretty well. but i guess that's all part of the learning curve of playing in major — the learning curve of playing in major tournaments and gaining that experience. so hopefully i have got enough _ experience. so hopefully i have got enough left to finish the job tomorrow. we will try again. first question for harry. _ we will try again. first question for harry. in _ we will try again. first question for harry, in the _ we will try again. first question for harry, in the past _ we will try again. first question for harry, in the past before - we will try again. first question for harry, in the past before big matches— for harry, in the past before big matches like _ for harry, in the past before big matches like these, _ for harry, in the past before big matches like these, football- for harry, in the past before big. matches like these, football teams used to _ matches like these, football teams used to do— matches like these, football teams used to do these _ matches like these, football teams used to do these mind _ matches like these, football teams used to do these mind games- matches like these, football teams used to do these mind games to i matches like these, football teams i used to do these mind games to scale the opponent— used to do these mind games to scale the opponent lrut— used to do these mind games to scale the opponent but this _ used to do these mind games to scale the opponent but this team _ used to do these mind games to scale the opponent but this team brings - the opponent but this team brings such a _ the opponent but this team brings such a humbleness _ the opponent but this team brings such a humbleness —— _

the opponent but this team brings such a humbleness —— scare - the opponent but this team brings such a humbleness —— scare the l such a humbleness —— scare the opponent — such a humbleness —— scare the opponent. brings— such a humbleness —— scare the opponent. brings such - such a humbleness —— scare the opponent. brings such a - such a humbleness —— scare the - opponent. brings such a humbleness it seems— opponent. brings such a humbleness it seems odd — opponent. brings such a humbleness it seems odd to— opponent. brings such a humbleness it seems odd to do— opponent. brings such a humbleness it seems odd to do something - opponent. brings such a humbleness it seems odd to do something like i it seems odd to do something like this _ it seems odd to do something like this do _ it seems odd to do something like this do you — it seems odd to do something like this. do you fear— it seems odd to do something like this. do you fear being _ it seems odd to do something like this. do you fear being too - it seems odd to do something like | this. do you fear being too friendly to your— this. do you fear being too friendly to your opponents _ this. do you fear being too friendly to your opponents in _ this. do you fear being too friendly to your opponents in a _ this. do you fear being too friendly to your opponents in a match - this. do you fear being too friendly to your opponents in a match like i to your opponents in a match like this? _ to your opponents in a match like this? l— to your opponents in a match like this? ., �* ~' to your opponents in a match like this? ., �* ~ to your opponents in a match like this? ~ , ., _ this? i don't think so. obviously that's the _ this? i don't think so. obviously that's the personality _ this? i don't think so. obviously that's the personality of - this? i don't think so. obviously that's the personality of a - this? i don't think so. obviously that's the personality of a lot i this? i don't think so. obviously that's the personality of a lot of| that's the personality of a lot of the players, they are humble and respectful. i think we have a real determination to win and we've shown that in the last tournament and going into this tournament, knocking down barriers that have been there for a long time for our country. i feel like in modern football, nowadays there is not so much mind games before and getting to out—of—control, we have a realfocus of work we want to be and a vision, and without that and without our winning mentality we would not be in the situation that we are in now. for gareth, i interviewed ian brodie, who wrote three lions and

askedif brodie, who wrote three lions and asked if he had to do a new version of the song for this team which player would he pick to put in the lyrics, and then he mentioned harry as a super striker but he told me it should be only you, gareth, because you are at the unity of this team. you mean a lot for this team, how do you take this on? i think any manager relies on having support from coaches especially, i have a fantastic assistant, steve holland, who we've worked for a number of years and i could not do what i do without him. but we have a big staff, and in modern management, in any business, you cannot lead without good people around you. you need the right information and support and so i am fortunate to be in that position. we also have some

very good players! we should never underestimate the fact that whatever we might do, the game is about the players, and we've got some very good ones, who are highly motivated, who have worked brilliantly together. some high—profile players who have really accepted perhaps that they as much football as they might have wanted —— not getting as much football as they wanted, they have all committed to the group and our country i realise that and seen what that has been about and they deserve to be in the position with this opportunity. alex, bbc sport. hello, gareth. iwas alex, bbc sport. hello, gareth. i was going to ask, have _ hello, gareth. i was going to ask, have you — hello, gareth. i was going to ask, have you allowed yourself to think about _ have you allowed yourself to think about what it would be like if you manage — about what it would be like if you manage to win this tournament? i know— manage to win this tournament? i know you — manage to win this tournament? i know you are focused on the game, have you _ know you are focused on the game, have you had moments when you thought— have you had moments when you thought about what it would be like

to bring _ thought about what it would be like to bring the trophy have? no — to bring the trophy have? no at _ to bring the trophy have? no. at the back of your mind you always have to have a bit of a vision of how you would like to see it end, and play that out but the reality is you've got to focus on the processes and focus on the performance and that is what we have always done with this team. i think it is important that the players have an understanding of that. whatever path the game takes, and it could take any number of different parts, football matches are like that, they are ready and prepared. it is pointless, if you start to think about the end or after while you are still involved in the game or before the game, you are probably heading in at the wrong direction, we've got to make sure we control the bits that we can control. one more, gareth, i know you spoke to michael the earlier and mentioned

phil foden had a slight knock and i wondered whether there had been a chance to assess him and whether he will be available tomorrow? he is a doubt. we put on the bus for the past few hours and the medical team will update us later. although it is not serious, it's a case of whether it will keep him out of this particular game. simon evans, reuters. obviously this being a final, it is logical— obviously this being a final, it is logical this is the strongest team you're going to face in this tournament. what do you think the team _ tournament. what do you think the team has— tournament. what do you think the team has to — tournament. what do you think the team has to do better than it has done _ team has to do better than it has done in _ team has to do better than it has done in previous games, to raise their— done in previous games, to raise their game — done in previous games, to raise their game for this, what areas have you been— their game for this, what areas have you been focusing on doing better?

well, _ you been focusing on doing better? well, it— you been focusing on doing better? well, it is— you been focusing on doing better? well, it is not necessarily about better, it is, the challenge or every game is slightly different. and in finals, actually, the key is to hit your normal level. lots of teams in finals end up underperforming, and you don't have to find a level beyond that you've ever gone to before, it's about hitting and doing what you're good at, transferring what you do every day in training into the match. i think our players know that is our ethos. they have been in matches, as harry said, a number have played in champions league finals and been to a world cup semifinal. we know those preparations are important. every game is different and every opposition is different. we always review our matches and looked back and look at what we have done well and look at what we have done well and what we can do better. but this game now is a different tactical

challenge and different opponent. we have got to prepare properly for that. thank you. good luck. the athletic. the athletic. the team started pretty aggressively in the _ the team started pretty aggressively in the croatia— czech republic, ukraine — in the croatia— czech republic, ukraine and then write games but nervously— ukraine and then write games but nervously any germany game. how do you see _ nervously any germany game. how do you see the _ nervously any germany game. how do you see the game starting tomorrow? i think— you see the game starting tomorrow? i think it's _ you see the game starting tomorrow? i think it's always difficult to know that because events can happen at the beginning of the game, there can be a challenge that bounces for somebody and a chance can be created or a pass can drop short and that can affect a team for a couple of minutes. but i think the biggest thing is we know that whatever happens during the game all the

players are together, they've got colleagues who are going to work together to pressure the ball, colleagues who are always going to be available to receive the ball. in the moments where you have to suffer a bit as a team, they respond well, they dig in together. we are blessed with forward players who defend from the front and recognise the importance of that part of the game. in the modern game that is so important. you don't carry players without the ball. that gives you a foothold in games, you can gain confidence from that. the start of course is important. and you would like a stable start. but the game could beat 95 minutes or 120 minutes and we've got to make sure we're ready for however long it takes. one question for gareth. the four

premier league coach mauricio pochettino once said there is something particular about english football, the coach always loses his team for ten minutes due to the pressure of the public, they have so much influence on the game. have you experienced something like this during this tournament, which is more or less defrosting after a year without the public, and what are you going to do to get your team wearing a cold hat in this match tomorrow? —— more or less at the first time with the public for a year. we've spoken about the importance of discipline on the field, staying calm, if we concede, which we knew we would not go the whole tournament without conceding and in the semifinal responded very well, we created two chances within a few minutes and level in ten minutes. i

think that is key. the players know, especially the players that have been with us a long time, yes, the atmosphere around you can be tense but you've got to keep your focus on the part you can control and not be distracted by things and not be, not lose heart when things go against you, you have to dig in in those moments. we have lots of leaders who are growing in the group. we are blessed in that regard. in the starting team and also in the squad. their voices before games and during games are really important. final question, theo squires. question for each of you, i'll start with gareth. it is quite a young squad — with gareth. it is quite a young squad you _ with gareth. it is quite a young squad you have got, since the 2018 world _ squad you have got, since the 2018 world cup — squad you have got, since the 2018 world cup semifinal in number of

your players have been in champions league _ your players have been in champions league semifinals and finals, even europa _ league semifinals and finals, even europa league as well. when it comes to making _ europa league as well. when it comes to making a _ europa league as well. when it comes to making a name —— naming a site like this, _ to making a name —— naming a site like this, the — to making a name —— naming a site like this, the midfield is that you are lacking players with that experience, does that come into it you are _ experience, does that come into it you are thinking or is it they have done _ you are thinking or is it they have done so _ you are thinking or is it they have done so well throughout the tournament there is no reason to doubt _ tournament there is no reason to doubt what — tournament there is no reason to doubt what they're doing? i think— doubt what they're doing? i think there are benefits to having experience in big matches and sometimes there are benefits for it all being fresh and exciting. declan and calvin in particular have adapted so well to that challenge. as i said earlier, they have already played against some outstanding midfielders in this competition, so we have got trust in all of our players, that is why we selected them. we have known that in any situation we would be happy to put

any of them in the field, we've put some very young players into matches that had high profiles, potentially quite a lot of tension and pressure. they have all dealt with that really well. we have had some senior players coming back from injury that have contributed really importantly as well. this effort has been about the whole squad, and that continues into tomorrow. now for harry, you've been part of this journey since ever since the beginning, your england captain and part of the semifinal and one of the players to have played in semifinals and finals but a number of your team its club captains for their respective sides, jordan henderson, harry maguire, jack grealish, how important is it to the group having these leaders and players who played in semifinals and finals? it’s a in semifinals and finals? it's a massive strength, _ in semifinals and finals? it's a massive strength, our - in semifinals and finals? it's a massive strength, our squad, | in semifinals and finals? it's a| massive strength, our squad, i in semifinals and finals? it's a - massive strength, our squad, i feel.

massive strength, oursquad, ifeel. as the captain, it's not an easyjob but it is definitely made easier when you have leaders around you because it's notjust one voice, we have many voices that help out during games, after games and before games. that is a huge part of the successful team. of course, we would not be where we are without all those players and they have given a real good vision for the younger players as well. every big game you players as well. every big game you play you want as much experience as possible and like i said we definitely have that. it will play an important role. an both tomorrow and in the future of the team. that concludes this evening's media conference. gareth southgate and harry kane, final appearance before the media ahead of the match tomorrow at wembley against italy, the team arrived at the hotel venue a little

around sometime after six o'clock this evening, quite a slowjourney out of the training camp. because of the number of people at the camp. 0n the number of people at the camp. on their last visit there. people who wanted to show their appreciation and send them off from st george's park in style. as they left and headed to the hotel near watford where they will spend the night. as a gareth circuit was saying as far as he concern that routine for every evening kick—off is exactly the same and they will do everything the same tomorrow as they previously have and they will actually prepare that way. and create a sense of continuity rather than overdoing the drama, it will be hard enough i imagined for the players to keep their feet firmly on the ground tomorrow in the circumstances but gareth southgate says he and harry kane on the other leaders in the team are doing their

best to ensure that. lets talk more