England suffered a defeat in the Euro 2020 final against Italy at the Wembley Stadium on Sunday (July 11). They lost the match in a penalty shootout by 3-2 after the normal 90-minute action had finished at 1-1 and even extra time was not able to break the deadlock.
After the game, England’s ace all-rounder Ben Stokes hoped that the football side is not defined by the result in the final of Euro 2020.
"I hope they are not defined by it. You look at where they have gone over the last two or three years and the things they have managed to achieve and you know it is just such a young team," ESPNcricinfo quoted Stokes as saying.
"They have got so much more time on their hands to go out and win trophies for England. They are blessed with youth. Never has an England team been so exciting to watch. I am not massively into my football like some of the other lads, but I absolutely watched every time they have walked out into the field," Stokes said.
"You know they will be devastated. They will probably hurt for a few more weeks. But I am sure once they get over it and have an understanding of what they are able to achieve, there will be a lot bigger occasions to come for those guys, no doubt," he added.
In the penalty shootout, England's two goals were scored by captain Harry Kane and Harry Maguire. Their next three shots were taken by Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Saka but all of them missed the chance to net goals.
While Sancho and Saka's shots were blocked by Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, Rashford's hit the upright.
"They will be absolutely devastated, no doubt. But what they have managed to achieve is incredible. The nation has been completely captured by what they have done on the field. Obviously everyone in the nation would have loved to see England win, but just watching the games you feel a real connection to the team. The way Gareth Southgate has led, the way Gareth Southgate speaks... I think he has been phenomenal in everything he has done," said Stokes.
"Us as a national team, albeit in a different sport, we are just incredibly proud of what they managed to do. It is such a young team full of talent that the sky is the limit for them. There's so many more years ahead, so many more tournaments to go and prove themselves in. But in my eyes and everybody else's eyes in this changing room, they are absolute legends already," he added.
Ben Stokes is currently leading England in the ongoing home ODI series against Pakistan. Having won the first two games, the hosts have taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
The third and final ODI is due to be played at Edgbaston on July 13.
(With ANI inputs)
