Kane hails England consistency as Euro final looms
England is "desperate to go one step further" in its UEFA Euro 2024 final against Spain, captain Harry Kane said as he chases the first major trophy of his career.
Kane led the Three Lions team that fell at the final hurdle at UEFA Euro 2020, losing to Italy on penalties at Wembley.
Gareth Southgate's team has been far from its best in Germany, almost exiting the competition in the Round of 16 until Jude Bellingham's spectacular late leveller against Slovakia, while it needed penalties to overcome Switzerland and a last-gasp Ollie Watkins winner to sink Netherlands in the semi-final.
But Kane praised England's consistency in reaching back-to-back finals, and is desperate to right the wrongs of three years ago.
"I think it shows unbelievable consistency, first and foremost [to reach another European final]. A lot of us after that final [against Italy] we were obviously heartbroken with the result, as always a long journey back to getting where we are now," Kane said in his pre-match press conference.
"Full credit to the boys for the resilience that we've shown. It speaks volumes for the mentality of the squad, extremely happy to be in this situation and to be back in a European final. Of course we are really desperate to go one step further than we did last time."
There was more penalty heartbreak at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, although this time in normal time, as Kane skied a spot-kick over the bar in a 2-1 defeat to eventual runner-up France.
Kane has experienced hardship both at club and international level, but he pinpointed the UEFA Euro 2020 defeat as extra motivation in wanting to lead England's men to a first major honour since the 1966 FIFA World Cup.
"I think it would mean everything [for the country to win the title]," Kane said. "It would be obviously be the most incredible feeling as a professional footballer and I'm sure also for fans to have that moment in history. It would be something very special.
"It was a tough finish in the last Euros so there's an extra hunger and fire in the belly to make sure this one goes our way, but we also know it's going to be an extremely tough night.
"Whenever you lose a final, it's tough to wipe it from the memory. I'm always someone who tries to learn from disappointment and times that are tough. I feel like it improves me as a player and a person.
"Of course, that moment was difficult but it was three years ago and a lot has happened since so I'm excited to be back on that stage, it's been a hard journey to get there and now it's about trying to go out there and execute the game-plan we want.
"We've done fantastic in a lot of tournaments but now it's time to get over the line and we have that opportunity tomorrow.
"It's no secret that I haven't won a team trophy. Every year that goes by, you are more determined and motivated to change that.
"I have the opportunity to win one of the biggest [trophies] you can ever win and make history with my nation.
"I am extremely proud to be English so, no question, I'd swap everything I've done in my career to have a special night and a win tomorrow evening, but that's not the case.
"[There will be] a lot of hard work from now and until that moment. I'm ready to go and to make tomorrow night a special one."
"We back ourselves against anyone we play against. We've been through difficult spells in this tournament, but we've come through the other side. That builds a tremendous amount of belief and resilience, which is everything you need in a final.
"We expect a tough game. We're in a European final, so we expect nothing less, and Spain will be difficult tomorrow night."
Coming into the encounter, England has failed to score in three of its four major tournament games against Spain, with the past two meetings both finishing 0-0.
It's most recent meeting came in the UEFA Nations League, with England winning 3-2 in Seville, although it has not won consecutive games against La Roja since a run of seven between 1960 and 1980.
"We've prepared well and we'll still have a couple of meetings from now until the game,"Kane, who is now the record goalscorer in the knockout stages at the European championships, concluded.
"It's going to come down to small details, which we've been able to get right throughout the whole tournament so far. We're going to need that and even more in tomorrow's final."
Kane also insisted the Golden Boot was not on his mind as he prepares to do battle with Spain's Dani Olmo for the honour at this tournament.
"Ultimately, when you come this far in a tournament, you're not thinking about the golden boot," Kane said.
"You're thinking about winning the championship and that's all that matters.
"So, of course, as a striker I'd love to score on Sunday but if someone else scores and we win, I'm not going to be disappointed."
The England skipper levelled the scores against Netherlands in Dortmund from the penalty spot, netting his third goal of the competition and putting him out on his own as the all-time top scorer in knockout games at the European championships with six goals.
He now has more knockout stage goals in major tournaments than any other European player (nine), overtaking Gerd Muller, Miroslav Klose, Antoine Griezmann, and Kylian Mbappe (all eight).
The Three Lions captain currently finds himself in a six-way tie for the Golden Boot, with Spain's Olmo posing the biggest threat.
Olmo currently holds the edge over Kane, having recorded two assists along with his three goals in Germany for Luis de la Fuente's side.
Cody Gakpo, Georges Mikautadze, Jamal Musiala and Ivan Schranz all have three goals to their names too, but they have all exited the competition.
![Harry Edward Kane](https://prod-media.beinsports.com/image/ck8m1cn23sukwsurgx5qakttk.3840.png?ver=28-06-2024)