Euro 2024 final: What England winning would mean to you – BBC Sport readers’ thoughts

Chad: I have autism and I’ve been an England fan for 20 years. I remember the years of Euro 2004, my first tournament, watching Wayne Rooney scoring – it was the beginning as I was a 14-year-old lad with dreams. From the good times to the bad times – like failing to qualify for Euro 2008 and embarrassing defeats to Iceland at Euro 2016 – I’ve been an England fan through and through. I’m 34 now and I feel the time has come for those like myself who waited.

Mark Norman: Being a supporter of a football club that doesn’t achieve much glory, it is hard to put into words how much an England victory would mean. I was living abroad during the 2018 World Cup and the scenes at home were a pull and I returned to live here soon after… People of a similar background will know that we’ve been brought up on memories of England playing during heady summers. Despite the weather letting us down this year, this England team can do something we will never ever forget.

Dan: My first memories of England were Italia 90, at the age of 10, which like everything that followed throughout the last 34 years were full of ups and downs. England winning the Euros on Sunday will have made the last 34 years of combined ecstasy, frustration, heartbreak and pain all worth it. These lads CAN DO IT! COME ON ENGLAND!

Tom: It’s redemption for the ‘also rans’, forever the bridesmaid never the bride. Penalties in 1990, Gazza’s outstretched leg in 1996, Rooney’s injury in 2004. Finally something this generation can hold up to 1966 and say “this was our moment in the sun”. The country comes together when England play. Time stops. Roads are quiet. Think what it would mean to have that explosion of joy by actually winning it lift every home. The European champions bringing football home – it would mean so much.

Jack Franks: In so many ways, England’s journey to the final epitomises why we all love the sport so dearly. The connection which Southgate nurtured and developed since the classic summer of 2018 seemed to be dissolving, euphoria in short supply and pints being forced into the air for airtime rather than naturally flinging out of clammy palms. I love Southgate and feel lucky to be part of this era, but even I was fed up. Cue Bellingham. Cue bedlam. Hugging strangers. Momentum. Penalties. Watkins. This feels different. Win or lose, tears will follow. One more win. Goosebumps at the thought.

Kev Solomon: England winning the Euros would be so special, I remember so many disappointments since 1986 and the heartbreak of being knocked out of tournaments. I really hope England can win this tournament, Gareth Southgate deserves success after what he has achieved so far, I want us to win for him. It would mean so much to our country, the players and Gareth. Come on England!

James Whittingham: I cried at nine years old when Southgate missed the penalty, I cried at 33 years old when Saka missed, now at 36 I want to cheer!!

Darren Cox: It would be the world, having lived through the England failures since the late 1970s (with the occasional bright spot – 1990 and 1996). It would mean just as much as when my team West Ham won the Conference League. I love how much England at major tournaments can raise the spirits of the whole country. Come on boys you can do it

Dan Scott: Following England since 1990 as an eight-year-old, I’ve seen my fair share of the England pain. I was sitting in Wembley in the pouring rain when we lost to Croatia and didn’t qualify for Euro 2008 and that started a period I fell out of love with England for a bit. But Southgate has turned that around in the last few years and now we can be genuinely proud of our team win or lose. I already know that should we win I will have tears of joy, and I hope I do.

Richard Miller: I’ve followed and loved the England men’s football team for as long as I can remember (Euro 96). It has always been a case of country over club for me. For the entire duration of each international tournament the only thing I can think of is the football and dreaming of glory. Our identity as a nation for so long has been wrapped up in 1966 and falling short since and the time has now come for that to change. Winning the Euros will be the best moment of my life. (Sorry to the wife and kids.)