What would you say is the one quality the English like to associate themselves with above any other? A stiff upper lip? Stoicism? A reserved nature? A good sense of humour?
At least in footballing terms, they like to think of themselves as the hardworking, long suffering fighters, battling their way to achievement through sheer grit and determination, occasionally excelling but often making up for their deficiencies by showing great courage against the odds. That's how I see it anyway.
Stuart Pearce in Euro '96 was probably the personification of this ideal. By no means the most technically gifted of players, he was infinitely adored for his displays of passion, his no nonsense approach and his hard tackling.
Of course he was also a man carrying a great burden. His penalty shoot-out miss, along with that of Chris Waddle in the World Cup semi-final in 1990, cost England a place in their first final since '66 and probably, considering the unsettled nature of potential final opponents Argentina at the time, the nation's best shot at regaining the trophy to date.
Come a Euro '96 quarter-final shootout with Spain six years later, it showed monumental courage to step up to the spot and put himself in that same vulnerable position a second time.
Aware of the significance, we held our breath as Barry Davies, commentating for the BBC, caught the mood perfectly - "....his chance to banish the memory of Turin."
As Pearce's left foot strike eluded the outstretched arm of Spain's diving keeper, the pain of those 6 years and the redemption now found, welled up to produce a moment of raw emotion.
Not only was it significant in terms of his own penance, but seemed, in one gesture, to symbolise the entire nation's 30 years of hurt. The imagined long suffering nature we like to portray was being played out in front of us, thousands, including myself, mimicking Pearce in defiant response.
The full highlights are below but the moment in question can be seen at 4min 20s. Enjoy!
At least in footballing terms, they like to think of themselves as the hardworking, long suffering fighters, battling their way to achievement through sheer grit and determination, occasionally excelling but often making up for their deficiencies by showing great courage against the odds. That's how I see it anyway.
Stuart Pearce in Euro '96 was probably the personification of this ideal. By no means the most technically gifted of players, he was infinitely adored for his displays of passion, his no nonsense approach and his hard tackling.
Of course he was also a man carrying a great burden. His penalty shoot-out miss, along with that of Chris Waddle in the World Cup semi-final in 1990, cost England a place in their first final since '66 and probably, considering the unsettled nature of potential final opponents Argentina at the time, the nation's best shot at regaining the trophy to date.
Come a Euro '96 quarter-final shootout with Spain six years later, it showed monumental courage to step up to the spot and put himself in that same vulnerable position a second time.
Aware of the significance, we held our breath as Barry Davies, commentating for the BBC, caught the mood perfectly - "....his chance to banish the memory of Turin."
As Pearce's left foot strike eluded the outstretched arm of Spain's diving keeper, the pain of those 6 years and the redemption now found, welled up to produce a moment of raw emotion.
Not only was it significant in terms of his own penance, but seemed, in one gesture, to symbolise the entire nation's 30 years of hurt. The imagined long suffering nature we like to portray was being played out in front of us, thousands, including myself, mimicking Pearce in defiant response.
The full highlights are below but the moment in question can be seen at 4min 20s. Enjoy!
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