England's stars mobbed by fans ahead of Euro 2024 final - as semi-final goalscoring hero Ollie Watkins admits heartbreaking loss to Italy three years ago is fuelling the Three Lions to not make the 'same mistakes' again
- LISTEN to It's All Kicking Off! EUROS DAILY: What moment changed the Euros for England?
- England's players were mobbed by fans at their training base on Friday
- Ollie Watkins also spoke to the media ahead of Sunday's final in Berlin
England's Euros heroes were mobbed by fans at their training base in Blankenhain on Friday, with the countdown to Sunday's final in Berlin well and truly on.
Two days on from their dramatic semi-final win over the Netherlands, England captain Harry Kane and goalscoring hero Ollie Watkins ventured outside for a stroll, but there was no chance of it being a quiet one.
They were greeted by a large group of eager supporters desperate to catch a glimpse of the players that have fired the Three Lions through to their second successive Euros final.
Kane and Watkins were more than happy to take time out and pose for selfies with young fans, while they also signed footballs and shirts for the gathered crowd.
There has seemingly been a disconnect between the team and fans at times this summer following England's underwhelming performances in the early stages of the tournament.
England's stars were mobbed by fans at their training base on Friday, with captain Harry Kane signing shirts and footballs for them
England's semi-final hero Ollie Watkins was also happy to pose for selfies with supporters
-
PODCAST: Have England been playing with fear as Southgate suggests?
-
LISTEN: Southgate only England manager to be criticised whilst winning
-
PODCAST: The REAL reason England through despite playing badly
-
PODCAST: 'Just ONE good performance' could change England's fortunes
-
PODCAST: Are the England team buying into Southgate's style of play?
Gareth Southgate even had plastic beer cups thrown at him after England's final group game, but England have since turned the tide to get the fans firmly back on board.
They are now just one game away from ending 58 years of hurt, and fans want to be out in Germany to say they were a part of history if England can get the job done on Sunday.
It was a particularly busy day for Watkins as he also faced the media on Friday afternoon.
Watkins came off the bench to score a 90th-minute winner on Wednesday night, and was understandably in a vibrant mood after the biggest moment of his career.
England have been in this position before three years ago, but they were beaten on penalties by Italy in the last Euros final at Wembley.
Watkins was not involved in that squad, but revealed that the players will still try to learn from that experience to go one better this time around.
'When you play the game and it means so much, you take the experience from that so you don't make the same mistakes,' Watkins said.
'The last Euros is firmly on the lads' minds and we will work hard on Sunday.'
Watkins has had to wait patiently for his opportunities, having been limited to just two substitute appearances in England's six matches.
Watkins spoke to the media and insisted he was ready to produce another magical moment in Sunday's final
England lost on penalties to Italy in the last Euros final three years ago, and Watkins said the players were desperate to learn from their mistakes to go one better this time around
But he showed what he could do in the semi-final with his goal that will go down in English football folklore, and he is ready to produce another magical moment if called upon this weekend.
Watkins added: '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.
'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.'
