England: On the cusp of success
Class created on 11/07/2024
Main article vocabulary
| Vocabulary | Meaning |
| Invented by | If you create / invent something new, it is invented by you. |
| the thirst for success | If you have thirst for success, you have a lot of passion or drive to achieve something. |
| forever on their minds | This means that you are always thinking about something. |
| on home soil | If you play on home soil, you are playing on your home ground. So, when England won the world cup in 1966, they played in England, on their home soil. |
| since the heights of 1966 | This refers to your most successful time. So, 1966 was England’s most successful time. |
| thus far | This means ‘so far.’ Up until this point. |
| avid England fans | If you are an avid England fan, you love England very much and always follow them. |
| a shambles | This means a complete mess. Nothing has gone right. |
| a bore fest | If you describe something as a bore fest, it is very boring. |
| having that sinking feeling | If you have that sinking feeling, you have a feeling that it won’t go as planned and you will fail. |
| dogged spirit | This means that you are very determined and will never give up. |
| a stiff upper lip | Someone who does not show their feelings when upset and will just keep calm and carry on. |
| criticised heavily | If someone criticises you, they talk about your faults and disapprove of what you have done. If they heavily criticise you, they talk about many of your faults and do so regularly. |
| A miracle | Something amazing happened that was very unexpected. |
| the fancied Dutch | If one team is fancied over the other, they are believed to be a better team and are expected to win. |
| on the back foot | If you are on the back foot, you are under pressure as the other team are attacking you. On the front foot means that you are the attacking team and putting the other team under pressure. |
| attacked with vigour | You attack with passion, drive, with a lot of energy. |
| relentless | This means you are non-stop. If you attack relentlessly, you are non-stop attacking. |
| on the edge of my seat | This means that you are watching something very interesting and can’t keep your eyes off it. |
| on fire | This means that you are performing very well. |
| the game was on a knife edge | This means that the game was very close, and no one knew who was going to win. |
| on the cusp of success | You are very close to success but not there yet. |
| falter | If you falter you fail in something. You were not successful. |
| roar their way to become | If you roar your way to success, you achieved it with a lot of energy and style. |
Main Article
Since modern day football was invented by England, the thirst for success on the world stage has been forever on their minds. Then it came, when in 1966 against West Germany, England became world champions for the first and only time on home soil winning 4-2.
Ever since, it has been pain, disappointment, tears and of course, more pain. England have never won a tournament since the heights of 1966.
Moving on to Euro 2024. Euro 2024 had thus far been disappointing for avid England fans as the performances on the pitch were nothing more than a shambles and a bore fest, putting me and many others to sleep. This had left many having that sinking feeling that yet again the team will be on an early plane home and back in time for afternoon tea and biscuits.
However, with their dogged spirit, and a stiff upper lip they got through while being criticised heavily by many. England had reached the semi-final. A miracle some might say.
A semi-final and a match against the fancied Dutch. A game that many thought we would lose. I prepared a large cup of coffee to help keep me awake as let’s be honest, England thus far had been awful.
The game began and when the Dutch scored early, I thought it was all over.
But no! England, the three lions, rediscovered their spirit and put the Dutch on the back foot. They attacked with vigour and were relentless. England had finally arrived and were performing with passion and a will to win.
Exchanging my coffee for a beer, I watched the game and was on the edge of my seat throughout. England were on fire but the game was on a knife edge.
Then it came, England scored a second goal and made us all cheer with delight and sing ‘football is coming home.’ However, the Dutch came back, and we all wondered will we make it. Will we get over the finish line. A few seconds later the whistle was blown for full time and the relief as well as joy was felt by all as England had made it to the final. What a game!
England have booked their place in Sunday’s final against the much-fancied Spanish.
England are on the cusp of success and becoming legends of this beautiful game. Which England team will turn up on Sunday? Will they falter or will they roar their way to become the champions of Europe for the first time?
Only time will tell.
Roar their way to success
To achieve success with energy, enthusiasm and are quick to achieve it.