In the post-match press conference following England's win over the Netherlands in the Euro semi-finals, shutout winner Watkins shared his journey through his career and his deep feelings about the game.
Talking about his time in the non-professional league, Watkins admits that he never thought he would one day play for England in the Europa League. He emphasizes that he is a realist, always keeping his feet on the ground and focusing on immediate goals, such as returning to the Exeter starting line-up. He understands that it has taken a huge amount of hard work to get to the level he is at now, and that hard work is not just reflected in this season, but throughout his career. For being able to stand on this stage, Watkins says he will cherish and enjoy every moment.
Speaking about his recent form, Watkins admits to some frustration because he doesn't like sitting on the bench. However, he also thanked his friends and family who gave him encouragement and support when he was down. Especially tonight, when he came on and managed to score a goal, he received tons of congratulatory messages, which made him feel more joyful and satisfied than ever.
For that decisive goal, Watkins said that when the ball came to his side, he managed to break through with his shooting skills. He specifically mentioned the silent partnership with Palmer, where the trust and anticipation between the two became the key to the goal. He confessed that he had to shoot selfishly because it was a chance to win the game. At the same time, he humbly stated that it was probably the most beautiful shot of his career.
When asked if he had ever dreamt of this moment, Watkins replied frankly that he hadn't. He admitted that scoring for England was an amazing experience, but he never expected to realize this dream in such an important game. He thanked himself for seizing the opportunity and thanked his teammates and coaches for their trust and support.
Finally, Watkins talked about the upcoming final opponent, Spain. He believes that Spain is a great team with many excellent players and a deep squad strength. But he also emphasized that England is also a strong team, and they are confident that they will play their best in the final. He called on the team to enjoy tonight's victory and then quickly adjust their form to focus on the challenge of the upcoming final.
