The Queen and Boris Johnson have led messages of support to the England team ahead of the Euro 2020 final.
The monarch recalled presenting the World Cup trophy to Bobby Moore in 1966 as she praised the current team’s “spirit, commitment and pride with which you have conducted yourselves”.
And in a letter to the squad, the prime minister said they had “lifted the spirits of the whole country”.
The Duke of Cambridge said he “can’t really believe this is happening”.
Prince William, who is president of the English Football Association (FA), urged the squad to “bring it home” and said the team had already displayed “the very best of England”.
Gareth Southgate’s team play Italy at Wembley on Sunday at 20:00 BST.
FA chief executive, Mark Bullingham, told the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show that the mood in the England camp was “very calm”.
He said Southgate had built a really strong environment and created a “band of brothers feeling” in the team, which had a “fantastic togetherness and resilience”.
“We’re in a good place. It will be a tough game but we’re going to give it a good go,” he added.
Asked what he would say to England fans considering booing the Italian national anthem before the match, he said: “We’ve been really clear we do not support that. We want them to really get behind the team… but get behind the team in the right way.”
The Queen’s message hailed the “spirit, commitment and pride” of the England players.
She wrote: “Fifty-five years ago I was fortunate to present the World Cup to Bobby Moore and saw what it meant to the players, management and support staff to reach and win the final of a major international football tournament.
“I want to send my congratulations and that of my family to you all on reaching the final of the European Championships, and send my good wishes for tomorrow with the hope that history will record not only your success but also the spirit, commitment and pride with which you have conducted yourselves.”
In his letter, Mr Johnson told the team they had “already made history” by taking England into the final of a major international competition for the first time in 55 years.
“You have forged a band of brothers whose energy and tenacity and teamwork – and sheer flair – seem to shine in everything you do,” he said.
“You have lifted the spirits of the whole country, and tomorrow we know you can lift that trophy too.
“We are not just hoping or praying. We believe in you, Gareth, and your incredible squad.
“On behalf of the entire nation, good luck, have a great game – and bring it home!”
England’s route to the final
13 June, group stage: England beat Croatia 1-0, with Sterling scoring the only goal of the game
18 June, group stage: England and Scotland draw 0-0 at Wembley
22 June, group stage: England beat Czech Republic 1-0 to top Group D, with Sterling scoring again
29 June, round of 16: England beat Germany 2-0 thanks to goals from Kane and Sterling
3 July, quarter-final: Kane, Maguire and Henderson score as England beat Ukraine 4-0
7 July, semi-final: England beat Denmark 2-1 after extra time, with Kane scoring the winner.
SOURCE: BBC
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