Anderton and Sheringham

'A magical night'

Almost 30 years ago, two Spurs players started what many believe to be one of England's finest performances in a major tournament.

Terry Venables' squad took on the Netherlands at Wembley in the last group game of the 1996 finals on 18 June, 1996. Champions in 1988, Holland included the likes of van der Sar, Seedorf, Ronald de Boer and Bergkamp, with Frank de Boer and Patrick Kluivert on the bench.

Starting for the Three Lions, Darren Anderton and Teddy Sheringham...

On a night where everything clicked, Teddy and Alan Shearer scored two goals each in a 4-1 win. Teddy headed home Paul Gascoigne's corner for 2-0, before providing the assist for Shearer's second and 3-0. Ted was then on the spot when van der Sar could only parry Darren's shot for 4-0. Kluivert scored a late consolation for the Dutch.

Group winners, England went on to beat Spain on penalties in the quarter-finals before losing on penalties to Germany in a heartbreaking semi-final - Darren had earlier struck the post in the 'golden goal' extra time - a few inches to the left, and England would have been in the final.

It wasn't to be 28 years ago - can the Class of '24 do it this time? England face the Netherlands again, this time in the semi-final at Borussia Dortmond's Westfalenstadion on Wednesday evening.

We caught up with Darren and Teddy this week for their memories of Euro 96 and thoughts on Wednesday's semi-final - 81 England caps between them - and not forgetting 635 combined appearances in all competitions in Lilywhite...

18 June, 1996

England 4-1 Holland

Teddy: "It's definitely my favourite game to look back on. When you're a footballer, and you think you're involved so much, you think, 'I played really well today' but get home, watch it and then think, 'blimey, actually, I didn't touch the ball a lot, gave it away a few times, missed a chance' and think, 'maybe not...' This game was re-run during COVID and I watched it. I thought to myself, 'I played well in this game...' and I did! Some nice touches, nice passes, scored a couple of goals. It was a fantastic performance, and my best, I think."

Darren: "I think this performance, plus the 5-1 in Germany (2001), those are the games that are always mentioned, but the fact our win came in a major tournament, and at home, with the way we played... it was Terry Venables' vision of how he wanted us to play and everything that could go right, went right that night. It was one of those nights, a magical night."

Teddy: "We looked up to Holland. Terry loved the way Holland played, with Dennis Bergkamp dropping off, allowing other players to get forward. We kind of modelled ourselves on them. We knew we had to play to our utmost to get anything out of the game. Lo and behold, we ended up 4-0 up at one stage, and it was like 'this is dream football'. We knew if we didn't perform on the night, we would have got rolled over. We were probably 9.5 out of 10 both collectively and individually."

Darren: "The Dutch had issues, but so much quality. They had stopped us going to the 1994 World Cup (Holland knocked England out in the qualifiers) so that added a little spice to it. Now, whenever we play Holland, memories of that night in 1996 come flooding back..."

10 July, 2024

England v Holland, Dortmund

Darren: "I just feel we've so many big-name players, players who are used to playing in huge games, it has to give us an edge. They have top players as well. If you look at both squads, I'm convinced we're better, but that doesn't always create the best performances or results. I feel there's a big performance in us, and that's what Gareth Southgate and the players are all about. Mentally, they are very strong."

Teddy: "I'm sure the players are excited. It doesn't matter how we've played so far, Germany have done it for years, grinding out results then turning it on when they have to. We have so many top players now, I'm sure they'll be looking forward to it, all wanting to be the hero - Harry Kane, we all know he loves to score goals, Jude Bellingham, a lovely player, Foden, Saka, they will all be champing at the bit and hopefully it comes for them."

Darren: "Individually, we have the players to come up with those moments. Look at Slovakia, we were all-but on our way home, but one piece of absolute magic from Jude Bellingham keeps us in the competition. We played better against Switzerland without really looking like scoring... then Saka comes up with that incredible goal. We have a special team, with special players, and even when we're not at our best, we're capable of winning games - and not getting beaten."

Mentality

You both played in the Euro 96 semi-final against Germany. Take us back to Wembley that night. As you step out of the tunnel, what are you thinking?

Darren: "Our mentality was that we were not going to get beaten. We had such belief, and you could see that in how we started (Alan Shearer put England 1-0 up inside two minutes) and in the performance that night. We were the better team and should have won. There's a real belief in this group and when they are in the tunnel, looking up and down the line-up, there will be belief in the players we have. Those players know when they look up and down, and across at the Dutch boys, they will be happy they're wearing the white shirt."

Teddy: "They will know they have to perform at the top level to get through, and that's how we were. England fans won't care if we win 1-0. It's a semi-final, and we've so many top players that someone will come up with something special on the night and become the hero. Maybe a couple of goals each, like myself and Shearer against Holland! I really believe that. They are top players playing at the top of their game and they expect to perform. That's the big thing. We should be excited and I'm sure the whole of England will be behind them."