England manager Gareth Southgate believes his team is on the brink of history as they prepare for Wednesday's Euro 2024 semi-final against the Netherlands in Dortmund. The Three Lions aim to reach a major tournament final on foreign soil for the first time and end a 58-year drought without a major trophy.

The winner will face Spain in the final on Sunday in Berlin, following Spain's 2-1 comeback victory over France.

England, who lost in the Euro 2020 final to Italy on penalties, are eager to make amends. Captain Harry Kane stated that reaching consecutive finals would be an "amazing achievement" and a potential first major trophy for his career. Despite his two goals in the tournament, Kane, playing for Bayern Munich, has faced criticism for his sluggish form, which some attribute to a back injury that sidelined him late in the club season.

England's journey in Germany has been challenging. They narrowly avoided early elimination with comeback wins against Slovakia and Switzerland, thanks to standout moments from Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka. Despite high expectations due to their talented squad and improved performance under Southgate, the team initially struggled with the pressure.

Southgate noted the shift in mentality as the tournament progressed. "At the beginning, the expectation weighed heavily," he said. "Now, it’s about what is possible, what is achievable. This is the chance to make history."

Referee Felix Zwayer’s appointment has caused controversy, especially after Bellingham was fined for criticizing Zwayer’s past involvement in a match-fixing scandal. However, Southgate remains focused on the game.

The Netherlands, after a shaky start in the group stages, have gained momentum with wins over Romania and Turkey. Led by Cody Gakpo, who is a top contender for the Golden Boot with three goals, the Dutch are looking to add to their sole major tournament win from 1988, also held in Germany.

However, their preparations were disrupted by travel issues due to a blockage on the rail line from Wolfsburg to Dortmund, forcing a last-minute switch to air travel and causing them to miss pre-match media duties. Southgate downplayed the impact, saying, "They’ve got plenty of time. I don’t see it having any impact on the game."

As both teams gear up for the semi-final, England hopes to capitalize on their historical opportunity, while the Netherlands seeks to reclaim past glory.