As I woke up this morning, my dream was still with me, we had beaten the Italians and were European Champions. I fully expect that dream to be realised and that I will return to my bed in a state of stunned euphoria. Like Gazza who cried that he would not be included in the final, my natural reaction is to believe.

But to win? After 55 years of losing, what will that be like? We are a nation that is used to losing at national levels. I know we once won a rugby world cup and there is that cricket final , but these aren’t truly world sports and they don’t touch everyone like football.

The short term consequences of winning will be felt in productivity on Monday,  but glorious failure is so written into Britain’s psyche that I wonder if the victory will start flicking a few switches.

Switches such as achieving in other things, like being proud of our identity again. Brexit has at least given us back our island mentality, we are a distinct country , competing as part of four home nations whose friendly rivalry is unmatched anywhere.

This tournament is asking questions about that too.

I’m off to my boat with a bunch of crazies from Delhi who I have only spoken to on the phone. When we are done it is back to the smoke, hopefully by 8pm and then…

Gareth you’re the one, you still turn me on, football’s coming home!

Thinking about it – we’ll win and we’ll get over it! Come on England!