From Arsenal to the Ball God

On the morning of June 12th, a press conference regarding this match was held in the media room at the Warsaw National Stadium.

Throughout the entire press conference, both head coaches were essentially talking nonsense, leaving the media with few newsworthy points to extract.

”We’ve hidden some things and prepared a surprise for the England team.” — France team head coach Didier Deschamps

”We’ve also hidden some things, and we’re looking forward to seeing what kind of surprises the France team has for us.” — England team head coach Pierce

These are basically the only two noteworthy statements from the press conference, as both teams’ head coaches were unwilling to reveal much about player status or other matters.

As a result, the two were mocked by fans and humorously dubbed ”The Great Concealers.”

...

”CCTV!!

”CCTV!!”

At 3 p.m., at the Poland Warsaw National Stadium, flags were flying as the England white legion and the Gaul Rooster legion entered the field, awaiting the arrival of a great battle.

In modern times, the relationship between these two countries is different from the past... but in the Middle Ages, they had a Hundred Years’ War that lasted 116 years!

Perhaps this history isn’t often brought up now, but when the two national football teams face off, the tension still surfaces, reminding people of a connection that spans hundreds of years.

If there is a derby between national teams, England vs France counts as one!

In the commentary box, Liu Jiayuan sat at the top, overlooking the vast stadium, feeling exuberant, ”The Anglo-French war is about to begin! The starting lineups for both teams have been released, let’s take a look.

”On the England side, today they’re lined up in a 4-4-1-1 formation, which can also be considered a 4-4-2.

”Goalkeeper Joe Hart, left back Ashley Cole, right back Glen Johnson, with center-backs Lescott partnering Terry!

”The two midfielders are Scott Parker partnered with Gerrard, with Chamberlain and Milner on their sides!

”Attacking midfielder Ashley Young, and striker is Welbeck! This is a combination nobody expected.

”On the bench, they have Defoe, Henderson, Walcott, Andy Carroll, and Gilbert ready to play!”

He took a sip of water and pulled out France team’s list, ”On the France team, today’s starting lineup is a 4-3-3, with goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, central defenders Koscielny partnered with Meks!

”Left back Klich, right back Sagna, defensive midfielder Matuidi, central midfielders Yohan Cabaye partnered with veteran Malouda.

”On the front line, Benzema in the center, Nasri on the right, and the much-anticipated Ma’el playing his most favored position!

”This is sure to be an exciting showdown, possibly even a classic one, let’s wait and see as the players are about to step onto the field!”

”...”

In the player’s tunnel, the starters of both teams gradually walked over, with substitutes following behind, ready to head to the bench once the starters entered the field.

”Oh...Ei...Ei...!!”

Ma’el, wearing a green captain’s armband, stood at the front holding the hand of a French jersey-clad girl mascot, with England’s captain Gerrard to his left.

Listening to the waves of shouts from outside the field, not yet entered the field, his emotion was brought to a peak, making him grip the little mascot’s hand a bit tighter.

Starting in his first big match, as captain, he couldn’t suppress his inner excitement.

”Ma’el.”

A shout came, and he saw Walcott wearing a substitute vest approaching, extending his right hand as if to specially come and greet.

”Slap!”

They high-fived each other, listening to Walcott teasingly say while looking at the armband on his arm, ”Not bad, how about letting Wenger make you Arsenal’s captain next season?”

”Haha...” The two laughed together, Ma’el pointing to him, ”If you face the Netherlands in the European Cup, be sure to pass your expectations to Van Persie.”

Walcott shrugged his shoulders and, after receiving Gerrard’s warning look, turned and left.

Gilbert soon joined in, looking at Ma’el’s position, his excitement evident in his brows raised, ”What’s going on? Did they really make you captain? I thought it was a smoke screen.”

Seeing him here, Ma’el felt a somewhat different emotion.

If their encounter in the English league wasn’t a pinnacle meeting, then meeting on the European Cup stage certainly is!

Two people who emerged from Championship Sheffield United, who judged goals by the cheers heard in Bramall Lane Stadium from the small apartment buildings on Cherry Street, stood today on Europe’s highest stage, representing two strong teams!

Ma’el, full of emotion, let go of the little mascot’s hand and hugged him, ”Will you have a chance to come up today? Before, in the Premier League, there was no chance to feel your intensity.”

Gilbert exchanged a glance with England’s captain Gerrard, shrugging, ”Not convenient to tell you, don’t worry, when you go back next season, there will be a chance to experience it.”

After saying that, he left too, as the players on both sides were about to step onto the field.

”Ma’el.” A timid voice came again, this time from the little mascot, her eyes shining with hope, smiling and speaking in French, ”Will you score a goal today?”

Ma’el smiled, patted her head, and replied in French, ”Yes, don’t worry, watch your big brother blow this group away, they’re all paper tigers.”

As he finished speaking, quite a few people on the France team stifled laughter, looking elsewhere to pretend they were very busy.

Meanwhile, many on the England team cast curious glances, as this lineup was entirely homegrown from the English league, with no overseas experiences.