Des Lynam's Prophetic Words
On 26 June 1996, Des Lynam ended the BBC's coverage of the European Championship semi-final between England and Germany by telling viewers they 'better remember where you were watching this tonight because in 30 years' time somebody will probably ask you.' Thirty years later, the Guardian asked six writers to recall where they watched the match, offering a poignant trip down memory lane.
A Trudge Back to the Tube
One writer, PC, still holds the match ticket and the pink underground ticket marked 'Wembley Park.' He recalls the joy of Shearer's goal, the equaliser, and the agonising misses, including a McManaman break and a disallowed German 'golden goal.' After Southgate's missed penalty, the silent trudge back to the tube was broken only when he said, 'At least no one will assume we're just going to win the World Cup now,' prompting an angry retort from a nearby fan.
Teenage Angst in France
AB was 16 and on a school camping trip in Brittany after GCSEs. The campsite owner claimed the TV broke during extra time, likely to avoid a teenage riot. They followed the shootout via transistor radio, with a teacher translating. AB never learned the French for 'Southgate.'
Dublin Drunkenness
LM watched the match in a hotel bar in Booterstown, Dublin, where an English colleague drunkenly suggested attacking the German embassy—ironically unaware it was a stone's throw away. Irish friends were not unhappy to see England out, their schadenfreude lasting longer than usual.
Why Southgate?
CL, a fledgling football journalist, watched at a flat in west London with nine others. When Gareth Southgate stepped up, they wondered: 'Why him? What about Ince, Anderton or McManaman?' The miss brought a collective groan and a long, sad walk home.
A German Girlfriend and a Birthday
EG's then-girlfriend (now wife) Barbara was German, so he watched at the college bar alone. After the loss, he walked home to her sympathetic embrace. Nine years later, 26 June took on new meaning: their daughter Isabel was born, celebrating her 21st birthday on the 30th anniversary.
Fondness Despite the Hurt
SN was 15, watching at home while revising for GCSE mocks. Growing up in Wembley during Euro 96 felt like being at the centre of the football universe. Though the loss hurt, now there is only fondness for that time. 'Don't worry Des, I remember it well,' he says.
