“Has it ever been home?”
Kasper Schmeichel has, no doubt, heard the phrase an absolute heap over the years.
Football, you might have heard, is coming home. Possibly. English fans definitely hope it is.
Three years on from their run to a World Cup semi-final in Russia, England are through to the last four of Euro 2020.
Standing between them and their first major final since 1966 are Denmark, who, after their nightmarish start to the competition, have looked impressive after reaching the knockout stages.
Having played virtually all of his career in English football, Kasper Schmeichel will no doubt be well aware that England fans are quite excited about Wednesday’s game.
Facing the media on the eve of the game, the Leicester goalkeeper was asked about what it would mean to him and his teammates to stop football from coming home.
Schmeichel appears to wince a little as he hears the question, responding with one of his own.
“Has it ever been home?” he asks. “I don’t know. Have you ever won it?”
The reporter quickly explains that yes, in 1966, football was very much home.
“Was that not the World Cup?” Schmeichel responds, smiling.
Kasper Schmeichel was asked what it would mean to stop football from 'coming home' … 😅 pic.twitter.com/0AAwNr8J0L
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) July 6, 2021
England will know ahead of kick-off on Wednesday who they will face in the final should they beat Denmark. Italy and Spain face off in the other semi-final at under the arch 24 hours earlier.
A win for Denmark would have them on course to repeat their improbable triumph in 1992, when they were invited into the competition after Yugoslavia were forced to pull out.
Kasper’s father, Peter, was in goal for Denmark during that tournament, which they won by beating Germany in the final.
