Harry Kane has left behind his negative role in England's elimination at the World Cup in Qatar as he heads towards the European Championship. The England captain is traveling to Germany with a positive mindset.
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England experienced a disappointing dress rehearsal on Friday night for their first group match at the European Championship against Serbia.
Iceland, not participating in EURO 2024, proved too strong at Wembley for the runner-up of the previous European Championship. The Netherlands will play against Iceland tonight.
Harry Kane, the captain of the England team and the Bundesliga top scorer this season, participated for over an hour in the match. "That was the plan, and I feel physically good," he told The Guardian. "I had a successful training camp with good sessions and previously played thirty minutes in the match against Bosnia. I just feel good."
Kane's focus is now firmly on the upcoming European Championship, and he has moved past the disappointments of the last two major tournaments. England lost the previous European Championship final in London to Italy after a penalty shootout, and at the World Cup, France was too strong in the quarter-finals. Kane missed a crucial penalty against the French with a 1-2 deficit just before the end of the match.
Reflecting on that World Cup night, Kane candidly said, "Yeah, pretty shit, wasn’t it?" He continued, "In football, you always deal with ups and downs. Of course, that was a difficult moment for me, but I have come to terms with it since then and now look forward to a new tournament."
Kane expressed optimism about England's prospects in the European Championship. "At the last European Championship, we were very close to winning, and now we are hungry for success again. I feel that we are on the right track. However, we also know how difficult it will be to win the title. You ultimately need some luck, as every champion has had. There is a lot of work to be done until a possible final in July," concluded the Bayern Munich striker.
England's manager, Gareth Southgate, has also expressed confidence in the team's preparation and mindset going into the tournament. He acknowledged the challenges ahead but believes in the squad's ability to perform at the highest level. The team has a blend of experienced players and young talent, which Southgate hopes will provide the right balance needed to succeed.
The anticipation for the European Championship is building, and England fans are hopeful that the team can go one step further than the last tournament. The upcoming match against Serbia will be a crucial test, and Kane's form and leadership will be vital for England's ambitions.
