THE defeat of the England men’s team in the final of Euro 2024 on Sunday has prompted prayers and commiserations from the country’s two archbishops.
After the game, which Spain won 2-1, the Archbishop of Canterbury wrote on social media that he was praying for the England manager, Gareth Southgate, and the whole team.
“Despite the result, you have won something no one can take away: our deepest admiration, and a place in the history books.” He added: “Congratulations to Spain on your victory and a wonderful tournament.”
The Archbishop of York also shared commiserations to England and congratulations to Spain, writing on social media that the England team “can rightly be proud of all they’ve achieved and in the way they have lifted the hearts of the nation, reaching their second Euros final in a row”.
Other senior churchmen concurred, though the former Bishop of Willesden, the Rt Revd Pete Broadbent, was more succinct: “We should be used to it by now. But it still stinks.”
The Bishop of Sheffield, Dr Pete Wilcox, focused on congratulating Spain, saying that he was happy for their fans, and that they were “definitely the best team in the tournament” — a position on which most pundits agreed.
Dr Wilcox paid tribute to the England team, though, for “some great moments”, after they progressed from the round of 16 thanks to a last-minute equaliser and an extra-time winner, and got to the semi-final thanks to a penalty shoot-out victory over Switzerland.
The England men’s team have now lost two successive European Championship finals, losing on penalties in 2021 (News, 14 July 2021). The year after, however, the women’s team became the first England team since 1966 to claim a major trophy by winning Euro 2022 (News, 1 August 2022).
In the immediate aftermath of the match, the King sent a message to Mr Southgate, “urging you and your support team to hold your heads high”.
Reaching the final was was “a really great achievement in itself, and one that brings with it the pride of a nation which will continue to roar for the Three Lions today — and in the many triumphs which I have no doubt lie ahead,” he wrote.
Before Sunday’s final, the Archbishops released a video message in which they contrasted their interest in football.
“I am really not a sporty person, and for one reason or another I don’t watch sport,” Archbishop Welby said; but “everything changed” when England got into the final. “I sort of get as close as I dare to saying to God he must know the right answer for this one, and could he please carry it out, but I expect the Spanish are doing the same.”
Archbishop Cottrell, meanwhile, admitted: “I spend far too much of my life thinking about football, watching football, dreaming about football, still hoping for a call up myself.”
“I’m a believer,” he said, predicting — perhaps more in hope than expectation — that England would win four or five nil, and that it would “all be over by half-time”.
In the event, it was 0-0 at half time, but Spain took the lead soon after the break. A Cole Palmer strike brought the scores level, but Spain won the game with an 86th-minute goal.
ON TUESDAY, Mr Southgate announced his resignation as England manager. “It has meant everything to me, and I have given it my all. But it’s time for change, and for a new chapter,” he said.
The Bishop of Blackburn, the Rt Revd Philip North, paid tribute to Mr Southgate, saying that he had “been an outstanding role model of healthy and envisioned leadership, always seeking to bring the best out of people and understanding the critical importance of building quality relationships. He has been the finest England manager in my lifetime.”
During his eight years in charge, Mr Southgate led England to two European Championship finals, a World Cup semi-final, and a World Cup quarter-final.
The Bishop of Dudley, the Rt Revd Martin Gorick, agreed with Bishop North’s assessment, writing on social media that Mr Southgate was “definitely the finest England manager I have known. A remarkable record and a remarkable leader and role model.”
The Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, said that Mr Southgate would be “remembered for bringing back the hope and belief the country had been crying out for for so long”.
He said that Mr Southgate had “been a thoughtful spokesperson on events far beyond football”, and a “mentor to our brilliant young talent” — echoing tributes to the part Mr Southgate played in moulding a new culture for the national team (Podcast, 8 July 2021).