This was England leaving for Wembley earlier. Since then we've had aerial shots of the coach on its way. I mean, mainly it's just a bus on a road, but every so often it passes a group of people and they go wild, waving and cheering. It's a heart-warming sight.

Oh, they've just been belting out Nessun Dorma at Wembley. Spine tingling.

Gareth, you had us at “Dear England”.

“I think about all the young kids who will be watching this summer, filling out their first wall charts. No matter what happens, I just hope that their parents, teachers and club managers will turn to them and say, ‘Look. That’s the way to represent your country. That’s what England is about. That is what’s possible.’”

“What is sometimes forgotten is just how much it means to the players. Players are fans too, after all. That’s how it starts. It starts with kids sitting in front of TVs, with wall charts and heroes.”

“This is a special group. Humble, proud and liberated in being their true selves. Our players are role models. And, beyond the confines of the pitch, we must recognise the impact they can have on society. We must give them the confidence to stand up for their teammates and the things that matter to them as people.”

“When England play, it’s not a few thousand - or even a few million - watching on subscription. You are representing more than 50 million people. You remember where you were watching England games. And who you were watching with. And who you were at the time.”

“There’s something I tell our players before every England game, and the reason that I repeat it is because I really believe it with all my heart. I tell them that when you go out there, in this shirt, you have the opportunity to produce moments that people will remember forever.”

Cheers Sham.

Two hours to go, then. Two hours! That’s just 120 measly minutes until we get to watch England play in a major tournament final.

You all feeling OK? Nervous? Confident? A bit drunk? Let's start the countdown to kick-off with some words of inspiration from the man who got England here…

Two hours to go. Palms are getting more and more sweaty with each passing minute.

My Euros stint is over, it's time to hand over to Phil Dawkes who might be guiding us through a piece of history.

Take it away son.

Izzy Christiansen
England and Everton midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live

Image source, Getty Images

A mention for Jordan Henderson who Izzy Christiansen thinks has been an instrumental figure behind the scenes.

"What Jordan Henderson has done at his club over the last seven years has been remarkable, he's been relentless in his pursuit of winning, leadership and what he's done off the field has been impeccable.

"But also the fact that he's gone into this tournament prior to his injury he'd probably be a favourite to start every game for England as a key man.

"He hasn't played, Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips have been exceptional and they've been undroppable.

"Jordan Henderson - has he moaned, has he done anything, has he said anything? Absolutely not, he's remained focused and has done a job for the team when he's come onto the pitch and I'm sure off the pitch he's probably boosting people, giving people confidence, talking to the younger players.

"All those things behind the scenes and you hear that Conor Coady has been doing the same, the players that haven't played, those are the ingredients and that's what makes this team special."

Italian fans have a drink in Soho before heading to Wembley, while flags are carried past the Duomo in Milan.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

James Dunn from Kent has let the occasion go to his head.

“I’ve not had a hair or beard trim since the start of the tournament,” said James.

“England making the final has got me a little excited and carried away.”

And his superstition extends to where he’ll be watching the game - he’ll be at his parents’ home, sitting in the same seat as he has been since the start of the Euros.

The Crystal Palace fan predicts a 2-0 win for England with Raheem Sterling and John Stones getting the goals.

We'd take that, to be honest.

Image source, James Dunn

Image source, James Dunn

Simon Stone
BBC Sport

Some may say it has taken a long time coming but the previous post was a positive step by the Premier League to help out the England national team.

Finally, there are statistics to back up the rhetoric.

On average, 38.2% of Premier League starters were eligible to play for England last season, which is the highest figure in the 12 seasons such figures have been collated.

In the penultimate round of fixtures, this figure peaked as 42.3% of starters available for England selection.

In addition, 15% of all minutes played in the Premier League last season were by home-grown players aged under 23, significantly up on the five-season average, whilst there have been 119 home-grown debutants in the Premier League during the last two seasons.

By definition, if more English players are playing in the Premier League - and the Premier League remains one of the most significant leagues in Europe, we will not have to wait for another 55 years for a game like tonight's.

Here's hoping.

Kelly Smith
Former England striker on Radio 5 live

Image source, Getty Images

As a former Arsenal player and fan Kelly Smith has praised captain Harry Kane.

"Even though the Arsenal/Tottenham rivalry is there, he is the leader of our country and he's done fantastically well to handle criticism and he could have gone into a shell and not scored but he's really stood up to the challenge and led the team by example.

"I was there at the semi-final game and I saw him walk around the pitch doing the lap of honour and it was brilliant to see.

"Hopefully today he and the team will have their hands on that trophy.

So, how do England win it?

"Kane will be the main target, he'll be marked by Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci so, it's going to be tough for him.

"For me the width will be crucial with Raheem Sterling on one side and Bukayo Saka potentially on the other who can get at their full-backs, getting the ball to Harry Kane with the boys coming from deep."

Harry Kane's wife Kate has written about how proud she is of her husband as he leads his country into the Euro 2020 final.

No, YOU'RE crying.

Simon Stone
BBC Sport

There have been a lot of 'moments' when England's fortunes have changed since that horrible Euro 2016 defeat by Iceland.

But the improvement may have started before that.

The Elite Player Performance Plan was launched in 2012.

It was a collaboration between the FA, the Premier League and the Football League, aimed at improving the standard of home-grown players.

By definition, these initiatives take time to have an effect.

Four of the England squad, Phil Foden, Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice played their youth football exclusively under EPPP.